Women in Mahabharata - Shuktimati
She is noted as a manifestation of the river/city Shuktimati, which was founded by Jyamagha and Shaivya.
The Kaurava conqueror-king Chaidya-Uparichara Vasu conquers Chedi (Bundelkhand), and establishes his rule there. One day, the king hears about the mountain-man Kolaahala assaulting the river-lady Shuktimati.
Vasu saves Shuktimati and frees her from the control of Kolaahala.
Grateful, Shuktimati offers her twin children to the king. Vasu appoints her son as his army's commander, and marries her daughter Girika.
This story bears a heavy metaphor in the form of 'releasing a river from a mountain', and yet also points to a societal shift where the rulers of these southern kingdoms will go on to face constant derision from the kings who belonged to the 'mainland' Brahmavarta, denouncing even the ties of blood.
She is also known as Vetravati and is identified with the modern river Betwa. She is also noted as one of the mothers of Agni tribe.
