BHĀNUMATI Kouravan

Two noble women of Hindu Puranas

There were two noble women who were the wives of two wicked characters in Ramayana and Mahabharat. Mandodari, wife of Ravan and Bhanumathi wife of Duryodhan in Mahabharath.There is very little mention of these characters, who were remarkably noble in nature and spoke against the injustice done by their husbands. Mandodari's role is short in the Ramayana. She is described as a pious and righteous royal lady, wife of the demon king Ravana. The Ramayana describes Mandodari as beautiful, pious, and righteous. Despite her husband's faults, Mandodari loves him and advises him to follow the path of righteousness. Mandodari repeatedly advises Ravana to return Sita to Rama, but her advice falls on deaf ears. Her love and loyalty to Ravana are praised in the Ramayana. Ravana threatening to kill Sita unless she marries him. Ravana raises his sword to behead Sita when she refuses. Mandodari saves Sita by holding Ravana's hand. Mandodari says that the murder of a woman is a heinous sin and thus Ravana should not kill Sita. When all attempts for a peaceful return of Sita fail, Rama declares war on Ravana's Lanka. Before the final battle against Rama, Mandodari makes a last attempt to dissuade Ravana, but to no avail. Finally, Mandodari stands by her husband in the final battle like an obedient and faithful wife. But Hanuman finds a weapon hidden in Mandodari’s bed chamber and Rama kills Ravana with that weapon. Duryodhana’s wife Bhanumathi ‘s role is very insignificant in Mahabharatha. She wasn’t strong enough to fight against Duryodhana’s “adharmic deeds”. Still she reminds Duryodhana to give respects to Krishna and listen to his words when he approached the Kauravas with a peace treaty. It was Krishna’s last attempt to stop the Kukshetra war. Bhanumathi is described as "satiratna" in mahabharatha. She is pictured as a model of wife who is ready to sacrifice anything for the happiness of her Husband, who tried to keep her husband away from the path of Adharma. Mandodari and Bhanumathi are two women characters of Hindu Puranas who were against Adharma done by their Adharmic husbands.

Duryodhan & Bhanumati Duryodhan! Duryodharn!, Shakuni came shouting hurriedly in the corridors of grand palace of Hastinapur ruled by scion of Kuru dynasty Dhritrashtra looking for Gandhari's eldest son. What is it Mama Shakuni ? You appear to be in very good mood. What's the matter ? asked Duryodhan. Bhanje Duryodhan, I have a very good news for you. King Chitrangad, the king of Kaling has organized Swayamwar for his beautiful daughter, Princess Bhanumati. And the best part is you don’t need any skill. The only qualification is you should be a strong prince. Duryodhan was physically strong and trained in Malyudh by balarama. Even though, Chitrangad had organized Swayamwar, he wished Bhanumati wed prince of Kuru clan. Duryodhan, the prince of Hastinapur, was burning in fire of jealousy ever since he lost Draupadi, the queen of beauty, to Pandavs. Arjun, an excellent archer, married Draupadi by winning archery contest organized by Draupadi's father Drupad. Later, as fate would have it, Draupadi married all five Pandavs. Duryodhan’s joy knew no bounds. Duryodhan decided to take his strongest friends Karna and Ashwathama along with him to swayamwar. He decided to take his army along since he had a secret plan. King Chitrangad, lavishly welcomed Duryodhan, befitting one of the most powerful prince of Bharatvarsh. Among the galaxy of other princes who were welcome by Chitrangad were Jaydrath, Shishupal, Dandhar and Shrugalraja. In the grand golden hall, King Chitrangad had assembled more royal family princess than Panchal king managed in Draupadi’s swayamwar. He addressed the assembled royalty explaining how Swayamwar would proceed. He made it clear there is no contest to win Bhanumati. Bhanumati will decide her fate by choosing the man of her choice among the assembled princes by garlanding the one of her choice. She does not have to look at all of them. If she finds one before looking at all then that’s her husband and that point the decision is final. Bhanumati’s closest friend will introduce each of the prince

as she traverses royal court. As the swayamvar began, Bhanumati first noticed Jarasandh. She seemed to ignore him and briefly looked at Shishupal. She expressed disgust on looking at him. Next, she passed by Duryodhan hardly noticing him instead she was attracted to Karn who was sitting right next to Durodhana, due to his impressive physique and aura of divine ear rings.Duryodhan was upset. He thought this the time. He lifted Bhanumati like one would steal flower from someone’s garden hurreidly. He challenged all the princes to stop him if they can. He justified his act by saying this is what his great grand father Bhishma did ith his grand mothers. He carried her to his chariot with his army and started approaching towards Hastinapur. Meanwhile, Karn was left to fight with other prince. The first prince to accept challenge to fight was super strong Jarasandh.Karn defeated Jarasandh. No other prince came forward to fight. As Duryodhan’s army reached Ganges flowing through Hastinapur from Kashi, the people of Hastinapur celebrated Duryodhan’s wedding. After marriage, Bhanumati came to know about Duryodhan’s jealousy with Pandavs. She decided that since she was not able to marry Karn she will make sure Duryodhan’s life is ruined. So she always used to speak against Pandavs along with Duryodhan. Later, she realized it is in her best interest to not to think of revenge. She decided to support her husband in every way she could including bashing Pandavs.She used to ask openly why are Pandavs called Pandavs if they were not born of king Pandu ? Her other frequent question was why should Pandavs get any share at all since the sons of Dhritrashtra are physically fit ? Such bitter questions were posed to Kunti. Duryodhan was happy with her wife and many years passed.

Regarding Karna his wife was Vrushali,another saarthi's daughter.They had a very happy and content married life according to Mrutyunjay.they had 4 sons, and unfortunately all of them were killed by Arjun,one during Draupadi's swayamvar and the rest in mahabharat. He married one more lady,who was very close to Bhanumati,and Bhanumati had requested for this marriage on insistance of her friend.
Duryodhanas wife Bhanumathi and is called "satiratna" in mahabharatha. She shown as a model of wife who is ready to sacrifice anything for the happiness of her Husband..

This is shown during the time of marriage of Subhadra. She gets ready happily to agree for the marriage of Subhadra with Duryodhana when Balaram proposes subhadra for Duryodhana.