Mālatī (Nāgakanyā)

Mālatī is a nāgakanyā (a nāga princess). She was one of seven daughters of a nāga-rāja (king of the nāgas). Jaladevī held the seven daughters prisoner at the Pañcappa lake, and Bhagavān Rāma freed them by his divine will. Her name refers to the jasmine flower.

Vasishṭha Maharshi gave Mālatī as his nāga bride to Yūpaketu, a son of Śatrughna and Śrutakīrti. Their wedding took place at Ayodhyā, in the Māgha muhūrta (auspicious time) set for Yūpaketu. This was in the great year of weddings. Yūpaketu later also married Madanasundarī, by the rākshasa method of marriage.

In the family line, Mālatī bore Yūpaketu eight sons and one daughter.

Sources

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