1. Overview
Ahilawati, also known by various names including Mauravi and Kamkanthika, is a significant female character within regional versions of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. She is primarily known as the wife of Ghatotkacha, the powerful son of Bhima, and the mother of the revered warrior Barbarika. Often described as a Nāga Kanyā (snake-maiden), her narrative intertwines with major figures of Hindu mythology, including Krishna, Satyabhama, Shiva, and Parvati, highlighting her unique lineage and role in various mythological accounts.
2. Names and Aliases
Ahilawati is known by several names and epithets across different mythological traditions and regional retellings of the Mahabharata. Her primary name is Ahilawati (अहिलावतीAhilāvatiSanskrit). She is also frequently referred to as Mauravi (मौरवीMourviSanskrit), with variations such as Mourvi and Maurwi also appearing. Another alias attributed to her is Kamkanthika. Additionally, due to her lineage, she is described as a Nāga Kanyā (नाग कन्याNāga KanyāSanskrit), signifying her identity as a maiden from the serpent race.
3. Family and Lineage
Ahilawati's family background connects her to both demonic and divine lineages. She is identified as the daughter of Mura, a formidable general who served the demon king Narakasura. Beyond her paternal connection, Ahilawati is also described as a Nāga Kanyā, or "snake-maiden," indicating her association with the Nāga race. In some accounts, she is specifically mentioned as a daughter of Vasuki, the revered king of the Nāgas and a sacred serpent associated with the god Shiva.
4. Marriage to Ghatotkacha
Prior to her marriage, Ahilawati was known as Maurwi. She became the wife of Ghatotkacha, the son of the Pandava prince Bhima. The circumstances of their union involved significant challenges for Ghatotkacha. To win her hand, he had to undergo several difficult trials, including successfully answering a series of complex questions posed by Maurwi. Ghatotkacha managed to overcome all these obstacles, thereby proving himself worthy and securing their marriage.
5. Mythological Accounts
Ahilawati's story is interwoven with several significant mythological events. Her father, Mura, served as a general under the demon king Narakasura. During a campaign to defeat Narakasura, the god Krishna, accompanied by his wife Satyabhama, confronted the demon forces. In this conflict, Mauravi initially engaged in battle with Satyabhama. Following Krishna's victory over Narakasura, he also slew Mauravi's father, Mura. Initially, Mauravi sought to avenge her father's death, but upon recognizing Krishna's divine nature, she surrendered to him. Krishna then consoled her, promising her that she would soon be married.
Another folktale describes Ahilawati's connection to the divine serpent Vasuki and the god Shiva. As a Nāga Kanyā, she was said to be the daughter of Vasuki. According to this tale, Ahilawati incurred the wrath of Parvati, Shiva's consort. This occurred because Ahilawati offered stale flowers to Shiva, an act that led Parvati to curse her.
6. Motherhood and Influence
Ahilawati's most prominent role in the Mahabharata narrative is as the mother of Barbarika, a powerful warrior figure also known as Khatushyamji. Her influence on Barbarika was profound, particularly through her maternal teachings. She instilled in him a strong moral principle: always to aid the defeated. This instruction became a guiding tenet for Barbarika's actions and is the reason he earned the epithet "Hare Ka Sahara" (हारे का सहाराRefuge of the LosersHindi), signifying his commitment to protecting those who were disadvantaged or had lost in battle.