Mahabharata: Who Was Yudhishthira’s Wife, and Why Didn't She Accompany Him to Exile?
In the epic Mahabharata, it is well known that Draupadi was the common wife of the five Pandavas. However, what is less known is that Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, had another wife apart from Draupadi. She was Devika, a princess of the Sivi kingdom. Her story remains mysterious as she is mentioned briefly in the Mahabharata, leaving many unanswered questions about her life and role.
Who Was Yudhishthira's Wife?
The wife of Dharmaraj Yudhishthira was Devika, the daughter of King Govasena of the Sivi Kingdom. Though her presence in the Mahabharata is not elaborately described, she played an important role in Yudhishthira’s life.
Devika and Yudhishthira had a son named Yaudheya, who fought in the Kurukshetra war but perished along with the other sons of the Pandavas. Some texts, such as the Vishnu Purana, refer to Yudhishthira’s son as Devak, while naming the mother as Yaudheyi.
When Did Yudhishthira Marry Devika?
The exact timing of Yudhishthira and Devika’s marriage is unclear. Some sources suggest that he married her before the exile, while others claim that he married her after his coronation as the Crown Prince of Hastinapur. There are also mentions that their marriage took place after the Kurukshetra war, but her presence is not highlighted in the major events of the epic.
Why Didn’t Devika Accompany Yudhishthira in Exile?
When the Pandavas were exiled for 14 years, Devika did not accompany Yudhishthira. It is generally believed that Yudhishthira left her in Hastinapur under the care of Queen Kunti. Unlike Draupadi, who chose to follow the Pandavas into exile, Devika remained behind, possibly due to social customs or her duties at the palace.
Relationship Between Devika and Draupadi
Devika lived in Hastinapur and Indraprastha, where she was treated with love and respect. She maintained a good relationship with Draupadi, Queen Kunti, and the other Pandavas. It is believed that Devika was an incarnation of Mata Urmila, the wife of Lord Yama Dharma Maharaj (the deity of justice and truth).
While Draupadi had a condition that no other wife of the Pandavas could interfere in her time with each of her husbands, Devika and Draupadi maintained mutual respect and harmony.
Did Devika Accompany Yudhishthira to Heaven?
After ruling Hastinapur for 36 years, Yudhishthira and his brothers left for the Himalayas for their final journey (Swargarohan). Some versions of the story suggest that all the Pandavas’ wives accompanied them, while others do not mention Devika’s presence.
Two possibilities are often considered:
- Devika may have perished early in the journey to heaven, like other Pandava wives.
- She may not have been part of the journey at all and passed away later in Hastinapur.
Due to these contradictions, Devika’s later life remains a mystery.
Devika’s Worship and Legacy
Devika was a devotee of Lord Krishna. In the early Kaliyuga, people of North India worshipped Devika and Draupadi as deities. However, with time, her story faded into obscurity.
Despite her limited mentions in the Mahabharata, Devika remains an essential figure, highlighting the less-explored aspects of Yudhishthira’s life.