Lapitā

Lapitā was the second wife of Mandapāla. Mandapāla was a ṛshi who had been reborn as a śāraṅgaka bird (a bird of the śāraṅgaka kind). He left his first wife Jaritā and their four helpless nestlings to live with Lapitā in another part of the Khāṇḍava forest.

When the Khāṇḍava forest burned, Lapitā was with Mandapāla. She was jealous of his concern for Jaritā and the four nestlings. Her dialogue with him at that time is part of the Śāraṅgaka Upākhyāna, the account of the śāraṅgaka birds.

Second wife of Mandapāla

Mandapāla had fathered four sons on Jaritā. In this way he had fulfilled his duty to have children, which is needed for entry into svarga (heaven). Then desire drew him toward Lapitā. He left Jaritā and the four nestlings, who could not yet help themselves, and went to live with Lapitā in a different part of the Khāṇḍava forest.

Jealousy during the fire

The Khāṇḍava forest burned, and Mandapāla was plainly distressed about his four sons in the nest. Lapitā was jealous. She pressed him about his worry for Jaritā’s family. She took his concern to be continued attachment to his first wife.

Mandapāla gave her words of reassurance, but his heart was clearly drawn toward his sons.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 228
• Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapters 232–234