Prabhāvatī

Prabhāvatī was the daughter of the asura king Vajranābha of Vajrapura. She became the wife of Pradyumna, the eldest son of Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa. A divine haṃsa (swan or goose) named Śucīmukhī told her of Pradyumna’s beauty and virtue. Prabhāvatī fell deeply in love. Through her, the plan of Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa to free Vajrapura from Vajranābha was carried out. Her gāndharva vivāha (marriage by mutual love) with Pradyumna was the first step of a larger campaign. It ended with the death of her father Vajranābha.

Birth and family

Vajranābha ruled the grand city of Vajrapura. Brahmā’s vara (boon) had built it. It was strong against all attack and studded with jewels, and it stood near Meru. Vajranābha was the most powerful asura of his age. He had won a vara that no deva could enter Vajrapura without his leave and that no deva could slay him.

What Śucīmukhī told her

Indra sent the haṃsa Śucīmukhī as a messenger. She made friends with Prabhāvatī and told her all about Pradyumna:

• his birth as Kāmadeva reborn in the house of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī
• his form, which was more beautiful than Kāmadeva’s
• his valour
• his lineage
• his character

Prabhāvatī was captivated. She had never seen Pradyumna, yet she was full of love for him and longed to marry him. She took Śucīmukhī as her messenger and sent her love to Pradyumna through her.

The gāndharva vivāha

Pradyumna entered Vajrapura in disguise, as part of a nāṭya (drama) troupe. In time he reached Prabhāvatī’s private rooms. He came as a bhramara (bee) hidden in a flower garland. There he showed himself, and the two were united in gāndharva vivāha. This is the old form of marriage by mutual love and desire, with fire as witness. The dharmaśāstras hold it valid and honour it.

Prabhāvatī then became pregnant. The son born of this union was her great gift to the Yādava line, and a grandson of Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa.

After Vajranābha’s death

Vajranābha found out about the secret marriages and attacked. Pradyumna fought back from a divine māyā-ratha (chariot of illusion). Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa himself arrived and brought about the destruction of Vajranābha. After the battle, Vajrapura was divided among the Yādavas and Indra.

Prabhāvatī went with Pradyumna to the Yādava quarter of Vajrapura. After six months she went with him back to Dvārakā.

Sources

• Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Viṣṇu Parva, Chapter 93 (birth and family)
• Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Viṣṇu Parva, Chapters 93–94 (Śucīmukhī)
• Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Viṣṇu Parva, Chapter 95 (the gāndharva vivāha)
• Hari Vaṃśa Purāṇa, Viṣṇu Parva, Chapter 99 (after Vajranābha’s death)