Kamalā Nāgakanyā

Kamalā is a nāgakanyā (nāga princess). She was one of seven daughters of a nāga-rāja (king of the nāgas). Devī Jaladevī held the seven sisters prisoner at the Pañcappa lake, and Bhagavān Rāma freed them. Her name means “lotus”.

Vasishṭha Maharshi gave Kamalā to Subāhu, a son of Śatrughna and Śrutakīrti, as his nāga bride. She was married to him at Ayodhyā during the great year of weddings.

Freed from the Pañcappa lake

The Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa says that Jaladevī imprisoned the seven daughters of a nāga-rāja at the Pañcappa lake. Bhagavān Rāma’s divine will set them free.

Marriage to Subāhu

Vasishṭha Maharshi assigned Kamalā to Subāhu, the son of Śatrughna. Their wedding took place at Ayodhyā in the Mārgaśīrsha kṛshṇa paksha (dark half of the month).

Subāhu also married a gandharva daughter, Acalā, in the month of Phālguṇa.

Children

The genealogical account says that Kamalā bore Subāhu eight sons and one daughter.

Sources

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