Kāntimatī
Two women with the name Kāntimatī appear in the Purāṇas. They are not the same person. The first is the queen of King Virabāhu of Kāmpilya. The second is the wife of Pushkala, the son of Bharata. Each is a devoted wife, a pativratā (a wife wholly faithful to her husband).
Kāntimatī, queen of Virabāhu
Who she was
Kāntimatī was the queen of Kāmpilya and the wife of King Virabāhu. The Mārgaśīrsha Māsa Māhātmya of the Skanda Mahā Purāṇa describes her this way. No one on earth matched her beauty. She was very chaste, a devoted wife (patnī), and a great devotee of Bhagavān Vishṇu. She stayed as close to Virabāhu as his own life-breath. The king enjoyed the earth together with her. Except for Bhagavān Vishṇu, he honoured no other deva.
The ṛshi’s blessing
The great ṛshi Bhāradvāja came to Kāmpilya. Virabāhu received him with perfect Vaishṇava hospitality. Bhāradvāja was very pleased and blessed both the king and the queen. The blessing for Kāntimatī had two parts. One was steady pātivratya (faithfulness and devotion to her husband). The other was unshaken Keśava-bhakti (devotion to Bhagavān Keśava, that is Vishṇu).
Her earlier life
Bhāradvāja also told of the earlier lives of Virabāhu. In the life just before this one, Virabāhu had been a Śūdra in Maharashtra. He hurt animals, he was an atheist, he was ungrateful, and his own relatives had left him. Kāntimatī was his wife in that life too. The Māhātmya says she was devoted to him without any bad feeling, loyal and noble, and always served him. She stayed faithful to her husband even in his low state, without complaint or blame.
The brāhmaṇa Devaśarma came to their dwelling in the forest. The Śūdra received him with kindness. Kāntimatī took part in this. She brought the ripe, soft and juicy fruits that Devaśarma ate with joy. The Śūdra told his wife to bring ripe, soft, juicy fruits for the brāhmaṇa. The husband and wife gave this hospitality together. It was part of the turn in their lives that led to their liberation together.
Liberation together
Bhagavān Vishvaksena appeared, riding Garuḍa. He declared that the Śūdra was freed. His words included the wife. He said, “Along with your wife, O fortunate one, mount this Garuḍa.” Both the Śūdra and his wife were placed together on the aerial chariot. They went to svarga (heaven) together. They were then born again together as King Virabāhu and Queen Kāntimatī.
Kāntimatī, wife of Pushkala
Who she was
This Kāntimatī is the devoted wife of Pushkala. Pushkala is the son of Bharata and the nephew of Bhagavān Rāma. Pushkala was to go with Śatrughna to guard the horse of the Aśvamedha yajña as a warrior. When he was ready to leave, Kāntimatī showed the spirit of a pativratā. She armed him for war herself, wished him courage and sent him off with tears and a brave heart.
Arming Pushkala for war
Pushkala was named as a chief warrior for the Aśvamedha procession. He went to Kāntimatī to take his leave. She spoke to him bravely. She gave him both practical advice and encouragement.
She said, “O my master, you should obey Śatrughna’s order in a way that keeps the horse safe. Always remember me, your servant, who always follows in your steps. O dear one, never think of me in a great battle. When I am hidden in your heart, victory in battle is in doubt.”
She asked him to fight so that the women of his family, Urmilā and others, would not laugh at her and say, “This is the wife of a great coward.” She said, “Make those behind you, and the mighty enemies, deaf with the twang of your bowstring. Let the enemy’s army be quickly thrown into confusion by fear of the sword in your raised hand.”
Then she gave him these things with her own hands.
- A great bow with an excellent string.
- Two quivers full of sharp arrows that could kill crores of enemies.
- Armour as strong as a thunderbolt, able to keep off darkness.
- A beautiful helmet set with gems.
- A pair of bright ear-rings decorated with jewels and gems.
The farewell
Kāntimatī waved lights before her husband again and again. This was the ārati (a rite of waving lamps). Pushkala was smeared with saffron, aguru, musk and sandal. He wore a hero’s garland and garlands of many flowers down to his knees. Tears ran from her unsteady eyes, and she held Pushkala close for a long time.
Pushkala comforted her. He said, “O Kāntimatī, wife of a hero, do not grieve at our parting. I am here near you.” With these words he got into his chariot. Kāntimatī, so devoted to her husband, watched him with unblinking eyes as he went away.
Sources
- Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Vaishṇava Khaṇḍa, Mārgaśīrsha Māsa Māhātmya, Chapters 11–12
- Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 12