Candrikā, Daughter of Suprabha

Candrikā was a gandharva maiden, the daughter of the gandharva Suprabha. She was the last named of five gandharva maidens (kanyakās) who were never apart. They came to the Acchoda sarovara (sacred lake) to worship Gaurī. She and her four companions were cursed to become piśācas after a śāpa (curse) between them and the brahmacārī (celibate student) son of the ṛṣi Vaidyanidhi. Candrikā was freed through the grace of Lomaśa Maharṣi, took part in a gāndharva vivāha (a marriage by mutual choice), and reached Viṣṇu-loka.

Character and role

Candrikā is named for moonlight. Her father Suprabha (“of great radiance”) was a gandharva in Kubera’s realm. The five maidens shone brilliantly in Kubera’s region, like the moon coming out of clouds. Candrikā carried this moon-like quality in her name.

The turning point came when all five maidens acted on their love for the brahmacārī. Pramohinī clasped his feet. Suśīlā and Susvārā took his hands. Sutārā embraced him. Candrikā kissed his face. Even this did not move him from his vrata (vow). He blazed with anger and cursed all five to become piśācas.

Release and marriage

Candrikā lived for years as a piśāca at the Acchoda sarovara. Through the grace of Lomaśa Maharṣi she was among those freed by the touch of drops of Narmadā water carried on a gentle breeze. Lomaśa Maharṣi had told them to bathe in the Narmadā. She took part in the gāndharva vivāha on the bank of the Revā and afterwards reached Viṣṇu-loka (Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Svarga Khaṇḍa, Chapters 22–23).

Sources

• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Svarga Khaṇḍa, Chapters 22–23