| Menaka | |
|---|---|
 Menaka seducesVishvamitra, painting byRaja Ravi Varma | |
| Affiliation | Apsara |
| Abode | Svarga |
| Genealogy | |
| Children |
|
Menaka (Sanskrit:मेनका,lit. 'incomparable',IAST:Menakā)[2] is anapsara (heavenly nymph) inHindu mythology.[3]
Menaka was born during thechurning of the ocean by thedevas andasuras. She was one of the most mesmerisingapsaras (celestial nymphs) in the three worlds, with quick intelligence and innate talent, but desired a family.
Vishvamitra was a prominent Hindu sage, who frightened the devas with his powers.Indra, the king of the devas, thus sent Menaka from heaven to earth to seduce him and break his meditation. Menaka successfully incited Vishvamitra's lust and passion, and broke his meditation. However, she fell in love with him herself and a baby was born to them, who later grew in Sage Kanva's ashram and came to be calledShakuntala. Later, Shakuntala fell in love with KingDushyanta and gave birth to a child calledBharata, who inHindu tradition, lent his name to the country.[4]
When Vishvamitra realized that he had been tricked by Indra, he was enraged. But he merely cursed Menaka to be separated from him forever, for he loved her as well and knew that she had lost all devious intentions towards him.
In theMahabharata's Pauloma Parva, it is stated that Menaka had a daughter with thegandharva Vishvavasu. She was ashamed of giving birth to the child, so she left her in front of sage Sthulakesha's hermitage. The sage adopted the child and named her Pramadvara, who later married Ruru, a descendant ofBhrigu.[5]
Quotations related toMenaka at Wikiquote| Apsaras |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Associated concepts | ||