Acalā

Acalā is a gandharva (a celestial musician) princess. She was one of five daughters of a gandharva king. Jaladevī held them prisoner at the Pañcappa lake, and Bhagavān Rāma freed them. Vasishṭha gave Acalā to Subāhu, son of Śatrughna and Śrutakīrti, as his gandharva bride. She married him at Ayodhyā during the great year of weddings. Her name means “immovable” or “steadfast.”

Her story

Acalā was one of five daughters of a gandharva king. Jaladevī held them prisoner at the Pañcappa lake, and Bhagavān Rāma’s divine will set them free. Vasishṭha Maharshi gave Acalā to Subāhu, son of Śatrughna. Subāhu also married the nāgakanyā (serpent maiden) Kamalā. Acalā’s wedding was held at Ayodhyā in the Phālguṇa muhūrta (the auspicious time of the month of Phālguṇa). The genealogical account says that Acalā bore Subāhu eight sons and one daughter.

Sources

• Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Vivāha Kāṇḍa, Chapters 5–7, 9