Rambha (apsara)
Rambha | |
---|---|
Affiliation | Apsara |
Abode | Svarga |
Consort | Nalakuvara |
Rambha (
Legends
Birth
According to the Adi Parva of the epic Mahabharata, Rambha and her apsaras sisters Alambusha, Mishrakeshi, Vidhyutparna, Tilottama, Aruna, Rakshita, Manorama, Subahu, Keshini, Surata and Suraja are the daughters of the sage Kashyapa and his wife Pradha.[1] In the Bhagavata Purana, the name of the mother of the Apsaras is Muni.[2]
In some
Encounter with Vishvamitra
Rambha and other apsaras are frequently sent by the king of the
The
Assaulted by Ravana
Rambha is described as the consort of Nalakuvara, the son of Kubera, the king of the Yaksha.[1]
In the
O Lord, this night, Dashagriva [Ravana] scaled the Trivishtapa Peak while he was encamped on that mountain with his army and I was observed by him as I came to meet you, O Conqueror of Your Foes! That Rakshasa seized hold of me and questioned me saying “To whom dost you belong?” Then I told him all, verily the whole truth, but he, intoxicated with desire, would not listen to me when I pleaded with him, saying “I am your daughter-in-law!” Refusing to listen to mine entreaties, he assaulted me ruthlessly! This is mine only fault, O You of firm vows, you should therefore pardon me. O Friend, verily there is no equality of strength between man and woman!’
Outraged, Nalakuvara curses Ravana to have his head burst into seven pieces if he ever committed violence against a woman out of lust. Sita, the wife of Rama, who Ravana later forcefully abducts, is saved from Ravana's lust only due to the curse. His abduction of Sita leads to his death at the hands of Rama.[1][6]
Encounter with Shuka
Rambha is featured in the
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8426-0822-0.
- ISBN 978-81-86921-16-6.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-429-62419-3.
- ISBN 978-81-86339-48-0.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (28 September 2020). "Nalakuvara curses Ravana [Chapter 26]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-19-005413-7.
- ISBN 978-81-208-0056-4.
- ISBN 978-93-89165-13-5.
External links
- Mani, Vettam (1 January 2015). Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0597-2.
- Pattanaik, Devdutt (September 2000). The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. ISBN 978-0-89281-807-5.