Hema

Hema is a princess. Her svayaṃvara (the ceremony in which a princess chooses her own husband) is told in Chapter 17 of the Rājya Khaṇḍa of the Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa. Her choice led to a conflict between two kings, Citrāṅgada and Ugrabāhu. The conflict grew into a battle, and Lava, the son of Bhagavān Rāma, had to step in.

The svayaṃvara

Many kings came to Hema’s svayaṃvara to seek her hand. Among them were Citrāṅgada and Ugrabāhu, and both of them wanted her. Hema made her choice, as a princess may at a svayaṃvara. The king she did not choose did not accept it peacefully.

The conflict between Citrāṅgada and Ugrabāhu led to battle. Larger forces were drawn in, until the matter needed the help of Bhagavān Rāma’s court.

Lava and the conflict

Bhagavān Rāma sent Lava to restore order between the two kings. In this way Lava showed his skill in battle. Chapter 17 tells a series of such accounts. In them Bhagavān Rāma uses Lava as his chief deputy in the kingdoms of the saptadvīpa (the seven continents).

Sources

• Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Rājya Khaṇḍa, Chapter 17