22 Facts About Lopamudra

Lopamudra, known as Kaveri, Kaushitaki and Varaprada, was a philosopher according to ancient Vedic Indian literature.

Lopamudra was the wife of the sage Agastya who is believed to have lived in the Rigveda period as many hymns have been attributed as her contribution to this Veda.

Lopamudra was not only the consort of Agastya but a Rishiki in her own right, as she was the well known Rishiki who visualized the "Hadi Panchadasi" mantra of the Srikul Shakta tradition of Hinduism.

The name Lopamudra signifies the loss that the animals and plants suffered by giving their distinctive beauties when Agastya created her.

Lopamudra agreed to marry him and left the King's palace for his hermitage.

Lopamudra wrote hymn in the Rigveda, asking for his attention and love.

Lopamudra's hymn has six verses in particular which have her name tag and are dedicated to Goddess Rati.

Lopamudra is credited to have composed hymn number 179 in the Rigveda.

In Rigveda Agastya and Lopamudra are considered as "mantra drashta".

Lopamudra is mentioned in Yajurveda Brihaddevtakara and in Agama granthas, and hailed as "Mantradrika" in Rigveda.

The first two verses are expressions of Lopamudra's passion filled approach to her husband, highlighting his old age and his coolness towards her charms.

Lopamudra did this creation from most graceful parts of various creatures possessing such a beauty, who would eventually beget a son for him.

Lopamudra grew up to be a very pretty, learned and devoted daughter and the King wanted to get her married when she attained puberty.

Once married and taken to the forest to live with him, Agastya told Lopamudra to discard all her royal attire and ornaments and wear clothes fit for an ascetic's wife.

Lopamudra obeyed her husband and wore rags, deer skins and bark for her clothes.

However, Lopamudra was not willing as she put a condition that she would procreate with him only if she got all the riches and the princely comforts that she enjoyed at her father's place.

Lopamudra was so worried about getting cursed, that he dressed his son Lopamudra as a girl and presented him to Agastya.

Miraculously, Lopamudra was transformed and became a woman after the wedding.

Lopamudra met three kings, Srutarvan, Vradhnaswa, and Trasadasyu, one after the other, who welcomed him with due respects offering oblations and requested him to state his wish.

Lopamudra then told them to give him a part of their wealth.

Lopamudra then consumed the meat dishes served to him and straight away digested the meat and said "Vatapi Jeerno Bhava", meaning let 'Vatapi be digested'.

Lopamudra then told Agastya that she would prefer to have only one learned son as against 1,000 evil ones.