Haimavatī, Queen of Kṛshṇa
Haimavatī was a queen of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa. She was one of his consorts at Dvārakā. When Bhagavān Kṛshṇa cast off his body and went to his supreme abode, Haimavatī entered the funeral fire. She went together with Rukmiṇī, Gāndhārī, Śaibyā and Jāmbavatī. In this way she followed her husband, in the sacred act of sahagamana (a wife’s following her husband in death).
Who she was
Haimavatī was one of the honoured queens of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa, the Vāsudeva. She lived among his consorts in the city of Dvārakā. She is named among the foremost wives who resolved to follow their husband in death.
Entry into the fire
Bhagavān Kṛshṇa and Balarāma left the world, and the Vṛshṇis were ruined. Arjuna came to the desolate city of Dvārakā to lead away the survivors. Haimavatī then entered the fire together with Rukmiṇī, Gāndhārī, Śaibyā and the devī Jāmbavatī. In this way she performed sahagamana and reached the realm of her husband. Satyabhāmā and others went to the forest for tapas (austerity).
Meaning of her act
Haimavatī’s entry into the fire is an act of supreme devotion. By it the queen sought union with Bhagavān Kṛshṇa beyond the passing of his earthly form. She refused to stay in a world emptied of him.
Sources
- Mahābhārata, Mausala Parva, Chapter 7