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As we all know, there are many virtuous and chaste women in our puranas, but five are singled out as the most virtuous of all: Ahalya, Tara, Sita, Mandodari, and Draupadi.
Ahalya: She was the wife of Gautama Muni, and was very devoted to him. Desiring her, one day Lord Indra disguised himself as Gautama Muni and entered the ashram when he was gone for his early morning bath. Ahalya Devi didn't know about this and served Lord Indra thinking he was Gautama Muni. When the real rishi came back, he was enraged to see another man in his home, and found out it was Lord Indra himself. After cursing Lord Indra, Gautama Muni turned to Ahalya Devi and told her that for her betrayal, she would be turned into a rock, but in the future, when the holy feet of Lord Rama touched the rock and purified her, she could return to him. As per his curse, Ahalya Devi turned into a rock, and many years passed thus. Finally, on his way to Mithila, Lord Rama along with Sage Vishvamithra and Lakshman made his way to Gautama Muni's ashram and touched the rock which was Ahalya Devi. Ahalya turned back to her human form, and thus purified, praised Lord Rama and returned to Gautama Muni. Since she was purified by an avatar of Lord Vishnu, and since she was ever devoted to her husband, Ahalya Devi is one of the five main Pativratas.
Tara: (wife of Brihaspati) Truthfully, I don't know Tara's story, so I would REALLY appreciate it if comeone can post it. Please!
Sita: She was the adopted daughter of King Janaka and Queen Sunayana, found in the Earth. Sitaji was married to Lord Rama and faithfully followed him when he was exiled. When kidnapped by Ravana, king of the demons, she remained faithful to her husband, and although Ravan presented her with rare jewels, clothes beautiful beyond words, and the title as his principal queen, Sitaji's mind wasn't moved a bit, and instead of being honored, she was disgusted by Ravan's actions. For one whole year, Sitaji suffered extreme heat, the monsoon rains, the threats of the Rakshasis, and much more, but not once was her mind moved. She was rewarded for her virtue and patience when finally Lord Rama killed the wretched Ravan in a fierce battle. Her fame doesn't end here though. After bearing the fire ordeal and returning to Ayodhya with Rama and Lakshmana, Sitaji was condemned by the people of Ayodhya as not being faithful to Rama since she had lived in another man's house for a year. Banished to the forest, Sitaji sought refuge in Sage Valmiki's ashram and bore twin sons, Kush and Luv. However peaceful forest life was, there was a lot of work to be done, and although she was the queen of the most famous Raghu-vansh, Sitaji cooked her own food, chopped her own wood, and did the house work herself. All this was to protect the family honor and also the holy throne of Ayodhya. Finally, 12 years later, after giving her sons to the care of their father, Lord Ram, Sitaji entered the Earth, finally proving to everyone her purity and virtue. Forever, she is known to all Hindus as the ideal incomparable woman. This is the story behind why she is one of the five Pativratas.
Mandodari: Ravan's most beautiful queen and the empress of Lanka. She was a very patient woman who remained true to her husband, the Lord of Rakshasas and Lanka, Ravan, even though he always married a woman and brought her to Lanka. Although Ravan's mind always deviated to this woman or that, Mandodari was ever faithful to him, and always served him as a loving and caring wife would. Even when Ravan kidnapped Sita and told Mandodari he was going to make her the empress of Lanka (Mandodari's present title), Mandodari still stayed faithful and advised Ravan on the right path. She always served him with the utmost humility and never minded his womanizing habits. Many people don't think of her as a pativrata, but Mandodari, for whom I always felt sorry for, is an embodiment of virtue and especially, patience.
Draupadi: I need not say that Draupadi, also known as Panchali, is an embodiment of patience, courage, and virtue. Although she was married to five men, she is known as one of the five main pativratas. Born from a fire (which itself is a sign of purity) along with her brother Dhristadyumna, her destiny was to bring an end to the Kuru-vansh. Queen of Indraprastha and Queen of the World after the Rajasuya, Draupadi was ever faithful to her husbands, the Pandavas, and showed no difference to them in affection. She served them as a loyal wife would and was very kind to their other wives, especially Subhadra, who she considered as good as her sister. She was also an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, and was always lost in worship to him. A famous story of one of Lord Krishna and Draupadi's interactions is: one day, Draupadi was serving Krishna. who was visiting from Dwaraka, some fruits, when he volunteered to cut them for her. While cutting one of the fruits, the knife slipped and pricked Krishna's finger, making blood seep out. Aghast, Draupadi quickly and unthinkingly tore off a piece of her beautiful royal sari and tied it as a band-aid around Krishna's finger. Pleased by her humility and selflessness, Lord Krishna said, "Oh most humble lady, I will surely repay you by supplying you with an abundant amount of sari in the future." Thinking nothing of the boon, Draupadi bowed her head and smiled sweetly. Never did she think that the priceless boon of Krishna's would actually save her modesty one day.
Lost to the Kauravas in an unfairly played Dice Game, Draupadi was dragged to the court, where Duryodhana ordered his brother Dushashana to disrobe Draupadi in front of everyone. Draupadi, knowing herself to be helpless without the aid of her husbands, left her destiny to Krishna, thinking only of him. Krishna, without appearing to anyone, aided Draupadi by presenting her with an unlimited amount of sari, so that no matter how much Dushashana pulled, she was always covered.
Not only this, when the Pandavas were exiled for 12 years and one year incognito, Draupadi went with them, entrusting the care of her babies to the ever faithful Subhadra. In the 13th year, she even served the queen of Virata as a maidservant and bore the insults of Keechaka, until Bheema finally killed him.
Thus, Panchali, ever virtuous, faithful, and humble, is one of the five main pativratas.
(Tara)
(Sitaji)
(Mandodari)
(Panchali)
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
