Bhanumati (Yadava princess)

Bhanumati, in Hindu mythology, was a princess of the Yadava clan, and a wife of Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava prince in the epic Mahabharata.

Bhanumati was renowned for her beauty, intelligence, and skill in various arts. She was the daughter of King Bhanuman of the Kamboja kingdom, making her a princess of the Yadava lineage through her father's side, which linked the Kamboja rulers with the Yadavas. She was chosen by Duryodhana as his wife through a swayamvara, a ceremony where the bride chooses her husband from an assembly of suitors.

Bhanumati's character is depicted as intelligent and loyal to her husband, although often caught between her wifely duties and the larger conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Stories highlight her awareness of the impending doom of the Kaurava lineage due to Duryodhana's actions. She is often portrayed as a voice of reason and counsel within the Kaurava household, although her influence on Duryodhana was limited due to his pride and obstinacy.

While not as prominent as characters like Gandhari or Kunti in the Mahabharata, Bhanumati holds a significant place as the wife of Duryodhana, providing a glimpse into his personal life and the dynamics within the Kaurava family. She bore Duryodhana several children, including Lakshmana and Lakshmanaa. The death of her sons in the Kurukshetra war added to the tragedy of the epic. She is seen as a symbol of wifely devotion and strength in the face of adversity. After the war, little is mentioned of her fate.