बन्धूककांचननिभम् रुचिराक्षमालाम् पाशांकुशौ च वरदा निजबगहुदंडै:। बिभ्राणमिन्दुशकलाभरणं त्रिनेत्रम् अर्धाम्बिकेशमनिशम् वपुराश्रयामि ।। bandhūkakāñcananibham rucira_akṣamālām pāśa_aṅkuśau ca varadāṃ nijabāhudaṇḍaiḥ। bibhrāṇaminduśakala_ābharaṇaṃ tri-netram ardhāmbikeśam aniśam vapur āśrayāmi।। I take refuge day and night in Ambikā whose half body is the three-eyed Śiva adorned with the radiant half-moon. Her color is gold and red like the bandhūka flower. In her (four) hands are seen a beautiful rudrākṣa rosary, a rope, a hook, and the mudrā of boon giving.

An Ambika on Navami based on her description in the Devi Mahatyam. (Source)

Happy Durga Puja 2025!

This is a compilation of the women who appear in different versions of the Mahabharata as well as the folkloric literature that enriches it further.

Written versions being actively covered so far are Vaishampayana Mahabharata (considered the mainstream original), Harivamsha (appendix to the Vaishampayana version), Vishnu Puran (written around the same time and hence considered as a supplementary narrative), and Jaimineya Mahabharata (only from the Ashvamedha Parva that still survives).

I sometimes also supplement interesting information about these women if I find them in other purans.

Other sources occasionally used/planned for future: Bhasa's plays, Kabi Sanjay's Bangla Mahabharat, Kashiram Dash's Bangla Mahabharat and the Bheel Mahabharat.

To be added if I find good translations: Souther Recension of Mahabharata, Javanese and Balinese Kakawins, Sarala Mahabharata, Jain and Jataka versions. I might also add more here if I find more versions to be excited about.

Link: Part 1 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Neelini

Keshini Kaikeyi

Dhoomini

Vishala

Gandhari Varshneyi

Madri Varshneyi

Shanta

Vahyaka

Upavahyaka

Sukumari

Tilottama

Rambha

Damayanti

Vrihatsena

Dasarni Chaidyi

Sunanda

Keshini Chaidyi

Indrasena

Shaivya

Upadanavi

Savitri

Tapati

Shubhangi

Supriya

Amrita

Suyasha

Kumari

Sukanya Vayavi

Parnasha

Sudharmma

Gunakeshi

Jyotsnakaali

Bhadra Kaakshivati

Madayanti

Akshamala

Adrishyanti

Vipasha

Shatadru Haimavati

Shuktimati

Girika

Adrika

Vidula

Shaivya Sunanda

Shukra

Dhumra

Manasvini

Rataa

Shvaasa

Shaandilya

Prabhata

Manohara

Shivaa

Varastri

Jitavati

Prapti

Rati

Nanda

Kriti

Saranyu

Suvarchala

Nirrhiti

Shaandilyi

Ganga

Satyavati

Jaanapadi

Ghritachi

Gadhi Satyavati

Jara

Jatila

Vaarkshi

Shaaradandayani

Amba

Ambika

Ambalika

Parishrami

Aahuki

Marisha

Padmavati

Gandini

Kandali

Kripi

Renuka

Manorama

Sahajanya

Vishvachi

Poorvachiti

Gandhari

Yuyutsu's mother

Kunti

Madri

Srutasrava

Srutadevi

Srutakeerti

Prithukeerti

Rajadhidevi

Fandom: Arcane

Rating: E

Pairings/characters: Ambessa Medarda/Sevika

Tags/warnings: Pre-canon, darkfic, politics, life or death situations, fighting, dubcon and noncon, blackmail sex

Summary: To save Zaun's future, a young Sevika tries to infiltrate House Medarda's vault in Piltover.

Excerpt after cut:

Statue of the Hindu goddess Durga