#galava

She is given by her father Yayati to Galava so he could gather 800 special horses for his guru Vishvamitra from four Kings in exchange for allowing them to have their way with Madhavi.

Galava 'leases' her out to the Kings Haryashva, Divodasa and Ushinara of Ayodhya, Kashi and Bhoja respectively in exchange for 200 horses each time. In the end, when Galava is unable to find any more horses to fulfill his promise to Vishvamitra, the latter quite enthusiastically takes Madhavi with him, rebuking his student for not bringing her to him sooner.

Her sons from the three kings and Vishvamitra are Vasumanah, Pratardana, Shibi and Ashtaka. After their births, Galava returns her to Yayati who tries to get her married.

Tired of being paraded around like livestock, Madhavi rejects the swayamvara, retreating to the forest to spend her days in penance instead.

When Yayati is later cast down from heaven, he takes half the merit earned by his daughter to re-ascend to his previous state, while Madhavi is left playing catch up.

Personally, I believe that Yayati's rather cruel behaviour with Madhavi is the ultimate culmination of his relationship (or rather the lack of) with her mother Devayani.

It is repulsive how all the men in this story treat her: Galava clearly cares for nothing more than fulfilling his own agenda, and the kings are revoltingly eager to take advantage of this 'scheme' as they delve into uncomfortable details of Madhavi's body at every chance.

(Kaunigaargi?) She is noted as the rishi Kunigarga's daughter, who is an austere rishi herself.

When she tries to ascend to heaven, she is rebuked by Narada who tells her that unlike male rishis, women are not allowed in svarga unless married (in some other documents it goes: women are not allowed in heaven at all).

Roped into the sunk cost fallacy, she 'sells' 50% of her punyah to Galava's son Shringavat, so that he may spend one night with her as a 'married woman' and then she may be allowed to leave towards heaven.

Shringavat according to the story, falls in love with her despite their transactional relationship, and also ascends, funnily, succeeding in doing so with only her half of the punyah.

The Rivers Rothay and Brathay meet by Galava Roman Fort - The English Lake District

Photo by Tony Richards

As a side note: I discovered Tony Richards Lakelandcam website over ten years ago by Googling “Galava”. I was blown away by a picture that he took similar to this way back when. I’ve been going to Lakelandcam every day ever since. That’s where I get such wonderful photos to post here on my Tumbler. When I first wanted to post the photos, I emailed Tony and asked his permission. He graciously gave his okay. He is such a talented photographer. Please check out his webstie - Laklandcam.co.uk!  

If anyone is interested, I posted my painting on my other Tumblr dedicated to a writing project I’ve been working on forever. The painting is a scene from the story. I’ve been working on this painting off and on for four years (sad to say) and I’m really trying to get it right. I posted the old version next to the new one and (sigh) I’m wondering if I’ve improved it or just made it worse. Oh well... If you want to take a look just go to....  Misty Journey Home.