Mitravindā

Mitravindā is one of the eight mahā-patnīs (chief queens) of Bhagavān Śrī Kṛshṇa. In her previous birth she became firmly sure that hearing the Bhāgavata accounts from the sāttvika Purāṇas (Purāṇas of the quality of sattva) is the highest sādhana (spiritual practice). She was sure that a life without Vishṇu-kathā, the accounts of Bhagavān Vishṇu, is useless. She spent her previous birth hearing Harikathā and died in that state.

In her next birth she was born as the daughter of Sumitrā, whom the text calls Kṛshṇa’s mēnatta (maternal aunt). At her svayaṃvara (the ceremony where a princess chooses her husband) she chose Bhagavān Kṛshṇa. Some kings tried to carry her off. Kṛshṇa defeated them and brought her to Dvārakā.

Her teaching in her previous birth

Mitravindā is remembered for a deep teaching she gave in her pūrvajanma (previous birth). It was about the kind of satsaṅga (good company) one must look for. She named the places where the Bhāgavata-śāstra is studied, where the rasajñas (those who taste the sweetness) of the Bhāgavata gather, and where the essence of the meaning of the Gītā is present. She also named places where the Vishṇu-sahasra-nāma is recited from beginning to end and where Harikathā is sung.

She said: “On a day when the divine kathā of Vishṇu is not heard, that day’s āyus (span of life) is wasted.”

Among the queens of Kṛshṇa described in the Brahma Khaṇḍa, she stands for the path of hearing kathā as the highest means of reaching Bhagavān Vishṇu.

Her name

Her name, Mitravindā, shows what she first wished for. She wanted to reach Hari as a mitra (friend and companion). This is the closest bond possible short of complete absorption.

Sources

• Garuḍa Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Chapter 20