Vapusthama was the princess of Kashi, and she was the great-granddaughter of Bhima, and she was married to Arjuna’s great-grandson Janamejaya, and they had two children, Shatanika and Sankukarna. Her father-in-law was King Parikshit, who was killed by the snake god Takshaka.
After the death of his father, Janamejaya had arranged for a fire sacrifice in order to destroy all the snakes in the world. At that time, it was Ma Vapusthama who tried to stop the sacrifice along with Rishi Astika, the pious son of the snake mother goddess, Ma Manasa Devi.
Vapusthama was mentioned as a chaste and pious queen, who was very soft natured and kind towards the people of her kingdom. During her period, Kali rule was started, and he tried to divert the mind of the pious people. But Kali could not approach Ma Vapusthama due to her chastity and her sincere devotion on Lord Krishna. She can be compared similar to Ma Savithri, the noble consort of Sathyavan.
Vapusthama had heard the incidents from Bhagavatham through Rishi Narada, and after hearing about the childhood plays of Lord Krishna, she was very much eager to see him in the form of a child. One day, due to her bhakti, Lord Krishna had appeared before her in the form of a child, and played with her for some time. Later he took the form of adult and blessed her. After the death of her husband Janamejaya, she entered into the pyre of her husband, and attained liberation.
In Mahabharata, we can find lot of queens and princess who were all pious and chaste women. Even the wives of Shakuni and Duryodana, were noble women and they contains good qualities. Most of the ancient women were committed suicide, after the death of their consorts, by falling at their pyre. They must be highly respected and honoured by us, by the way of reading their life history, and sharing the information with others.
“OM”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR