Reading: Nine Ideal Indian Women

Uttara
When the Pandava were exiled, they found themselves in the kingdom of Birat. The brothers and Draupadi disguised themselves and served the court. Arjun disguesed himself as a woman and taught Maharajah's only daughter, Uttara. Arjun fell in love with the little girl like his own daughter. When they revieled their true identies, the two kings decided to marry their children. Uttara and Arjun's son, Abhimanyu, married and started their happy life together.
One day, Abhimanyu was called to lead the war against the Kurus. Here on the battle field, he dies, and all Uttara is devestated and wants is to join her husband. Krishna comes to console her and says that he will be born as her child. Uttara decides to remain living to take care of her son, but when he no longer needed her, she was finally free to go to her beloved.

Uttara and Abhimanyu

Bibliography: Nine Ideal Indian Women - Uttara

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Sati
Queen Prasuti wanted a daughter so her and her husband, Daksha, went to the forest to pray. Here, the  goddess Adi-Parashakti promised to become their daughter, but if she was ever insulted, she would return to her godly form and disown them. The king and queen agreed and they recieved their daughter, whom they named Sati.
Sati was destined to marry the god Shiva, and all throughout her life, Sati became fasinated with him. Whenever another sutior was brought to her, she would want Shiva more. Finally, Shiva decended and married Sati. However, King Daksha was so unhappy with the arrangement that he started to yell at Sati. Because she was insulted, Sati took her goddess form of Adi-Parashakti. In this process, she was broken. and Shiva, out of sadness, took his anger on the earth. Vishnu cut her body into 52 body parts and scattered them around the world. After a long time, Adishakti was reborn as Parvati and Shiva got his love once again.

Shiva and Sati

Bibliography: Nine Ideal Indian Women - Sati

Reading: Nine Ideal Indian Women

Savitri
Savitri was a beautiful princess. One day, when she was retreating out in the forest with her family, she came across a handsome young man. She later found that this man was Prince Satyaban, and that he lived in the village with his mother and father, the exiled King of Abani. The two fell deeply in love with each other, but it was foreseen that Prince Satyaban would not live longer than a year. Despite this warning, Savitri wanted to still marry and share a life with him.
They marry and decide to live with his parents in the village. When the dreaded day came, Savitri went into the forest with her husband, and she stayed next to him as he died.
When the god of death came to take him away, she followed behind saying that there is nothing for her in this world without her husband. After a while of convincing, Her husband was returned to her and they lived a long, happy life together.

Savitri begs for her husband's life

Bibliography: Nine Ideal Indian Women - Savitri

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Damayanti
Damayanti was a princess that was in love with Prince Nal of the neighboring kingdom. He came to her swayamvara and won her hand in marriage. However, a demon named Kali wanted to marry her as well. When she didn't choose him, he cursed Nal, saying that his would lose his kingdom.
Eventually, Nal lost his kingdom in a game of dice, so Damayanti and Nal were forced into exile. Nal decides to leave Damayanti to save her from his luck. On his way, Nal gets bit by the Snake King Nāga Karkotaka. This bite turns Nal into an unrecognizable dwarf.
Since she was abandoned, Damayanti returns to her father's kingdom and holds a fake swayamvara to bring Nal to her. Even though he was transformed into a dwarf, Damayanti is able to recognize him and the two unite. This causes Nal to turn back into his human form.

Damayanti and the swan messenger

Bibliography: Nine Ideal Indian Women - Damayanti