Hāṭakeśvara Weddings

Hāṭakeśvara is a tīrtha (holy place) where the Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa places a great gathering for the weddings of divine women of high merit. Kings, ṛshis, yakshas and celestial beings came together there. The Purāṇa gives three chapters to these weddings. The text says six brides found husbands, and the account names four of them: Citrāṅgadā, Nandayantī, Devavatī and Vedavatī.

The setting: Hāṭakeśvara

Hāṭakeśvara is a holy liṅga of Śiva, set up at a tīrtha known for giving varas (boons) and for fulfilling wishes. Beings from many worlds came to the gathering: devas, humans and yakshas. The holiness of the place and the happy occasion drew them all.

Citrāṅgadā and Sūratha

Citrāṅgadā was the daughter of Viśvakarmā, the architect of the devas. She had divine beauty and a noble nature. Sūratha, the king of Vidarbha, sought her as his bride. The account tells of the courtship, the blessings asked for at Hāṭakeśvara, and the marriage that joined them. In these events Viśvakarmā himself is shown in a surprising form. In one episode he takes the form of a monkey.

Nandayantī

Nandayantī was the daughter of Añjana, a yaksha. Her father’s yaksha line gave her a nature that joined earthly and celestial qualities. Her wedding at Hāṭakeśvara was part of the larger occasion.

Devavatī

Devavatī was the daughter of Kandaru, a daitya. She too took part in the holy weddings at Hāṭakeśvara.

Vedavatī

Vedavatī was the daughter of Parjanya, the deva of rain. She was also one of the women whose marriage was held at Hāṭakeśvara on this great occasion.

Other guests

Among the kings and ṛshis who gathered at Hāṭakeśvara were:

• Ṛtadhvaja: a ṛshi who took part in these events. His son Jabalī appears later in the account.
• Śakuni: a prince of the Ikshvāku line.
• Indradyumna: the king of Śākala, who came to the gathering.
• Gālava: a ṛshi present at the occasion.
• Ghṛtācī: the apsarā (celestial dancer), who is also part of the Viśvakarmā episode.

The shadow: Daṇḍa’s wrong

The great occasion was darkened by the act of King Daṇḍa. He wronged Araja, the daughter of Śukrācārya. This one act of adharma brought down a terrible śāpa (curse) that destroyed Daṇḍa’s whole kingdom and made the empty forest known as Daṇḍakāraṇya. The full account is told in Daṇḍa and Araja.

Sources

• Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa, Chapters 37–38 (the setting at Hāṭakeśvara)
• Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa, Chapters 37–39 (the brides Citrāṅgadā, Nandayantī, Devavatī and Vedavatī)
• Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa, Chapters 37–40 (the other guests)
• Vāmana Mahā Purāṇa, Chapter 40 (Daṇḍa and Araja)