Revati

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In Hinduism, Revati was the wife of Balarama, who was the elder brother of Krishna and one of the major characters in the Mahabharata epic.

Revati's story is told in the Srimad Bhagavatam. She was the only daughter of King Raivata, or Kakudmi, a powerful monarch who ruled a vast, magical kingdom under the sea. Feeling that no human man could possibly be good enough to marry his lovely and talented daughter, Raivata took Revati with him to heaven in order to ask God, in the form of Brahma, the Creator, about finding a suitable husband for Revati.

Daughter and father waited patiently in heaven until Brahma had finished listening to a musical performance by the Gandharva spirits. Then, Raivata bowed humbly and presented his shortlist of candidates. Brahma patiently explained that while they were listening to the music in heaven, 27 yugas (aeons) had passed on earth and even the names of Revati's suitors had long been forgotten in the mists of time. However, Brahma added, God in his aspect of Vishnu, the Preserver, was currently incarnate on earth in the forms of Krishna and Balarama, and he recommended Balarama as a worthy husband for Revati.

Revaita and Revati returned to earth, where they were shocked by the changes that had taken place over 27 aeons. In the cycles of human spiritual and cultural evolution (see yuga), mankind was at a lower level of development than in their own time. People were smaller, uglier, and less clever.

Daughter and father found Balarama and proposed the marriage. Revati was far taller than her husband-to-be, but Balarama tapped his plough (his characteristic weapon) on her head and she shrunk to the normal height of people in that aeon. The marriage was celebrated.

Revati had two sons, Nisatha and Ulmuka. She is said to have taken part with her husband in his famous drinking bouts.

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The Mahabharata by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa
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