Panchakanya is a group of five iconic heroines of Hindu epics, extolled in a hymn and whose names are believed to dispel sin when recited. They are Ahalya, Draupadi, Sita or Kunti, Tara and Mandodari. Ahalya, Tara, Mandodari and Sita are from the epic Ramayana; while Draupadi and Kunti are from the Mahabharata. The panchakanya are venerated as ideal women and chaste wives in one view. Their association with more than one man and breaking of traditions in some cases are prescribed as not to be followed by others. Hymn The well-known Sanskrit hymn that defines the Panchakanys runs: Sanskrit transliteration ahalyā draupadī sītā tārā mandodarī tathā । pañcakanyāḥ smarennityaṃ mahāpātakanāśinīḥ ॥ English translation Ahalya, Draupadi, Sita, Tara and Mandodari One should forever remember the panchakanya who are the destroyers of great sins A variant replaces Sita with Kunti: Sanskrit transliteration ahalyā draupadī kuṃtī tārā mandodarī tathā । pañcakanyāḥ smarennityaṃ mahāpātakanāśinīm ॥ Differences are underlined. Orthodox Hindus, especially Hindu wives, remember the Panchakanya in this daily morning prayer. Their names are extolled and the prayer is pratah smaraniya, prescribed to be recited in the early hours of the morning. The panchakanya literally means five kanyas. Kanya may be translated as girl, daughter, maiden or virgin. Though all being married and associated with more than one man, the choice of the word kanya, not nari (woman) or sati (chaste wife), seems interesting to scholar Pradip Bhattacharya.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 14:45:59 +0000
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