Hema Svayaṃvara
Chapter 17 of the Rājya Khaṇḍa of the Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa tells of the svayaṃvara (a ceremony where a bride chooses her husband) of the princess Hema. At it, a fight broke out between two strong warriors, Citrāṅgada and Ugrabāhu, who were both seeking her hand. The episode is set in the time of Rāmarājya, the reign of Rāma, and it was settled under Rāma’s rule over the kings of the seven continents (saptadvīpa) of the earth.
Hema
Hema was a princess who held a svayaṃvara. At a svayaṃvara the bride puts a garland on the groom of her own choice from among the kings and princes who have come. This was one of the known ways of marriage for the women of royal families, and it gave the bride the right to choose among suitable men.
Many kings and princes from across the saptadvīpa came to the svayaṃvara of Hema, each hoping to win her. It was a gathering of the powerful under the wide rule of Rāmarājya.
Citrāṅgada
Citrāṅgada was a king or prince who came to Hema’s svayaṃvara as one of the suitors. His name means “one whose armlets are wonderful”, or “the one with the beautiful armlet.”
Ugrabāhu
Ugrabāhu, whose name means “one with strong arms,” was another suitor. The two men came into direct conflict at the svayaṃvara. Each pressed his own claim.
The battle
The conflict between Citrāṅgada and Ugrabāhu grew into open battle. It broke up the svayaṃvara and put the order of the gathering and the safety of all present in danger. The battle was serious, but in the end it was settled under the rule of Rāma in Rāmarājya. Even quarrels among powerful kings across his great realm came under his authority of dharma.
Other events of Chapter 17
The episode of Hema’s svayaṃvara stands in Chapter 17 beside several other events:
- The giving of Agastya’s divine kāṅkaṇas (bracelets) to Kuśa and Lava.
- The visit to the āśrama (hermitage) of Mudgala.
- The story of Śveta-rāja of Vidarbha.
- The story of Chandravadanā and Daṇḍa-rāja.
- The origin of the Daṇḍakāraṇya forest.
Sources
- Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Rājya Khaṇḍa, Chapter 17