Lopamudra

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Lopamudra (Sanskrit: लोपIमुद्रा) was an ancient Indian female philosopher. She was the wife of the sage Agastya^[1]. Together with her husband she is credited with spreading the fame of the Lalita sahasranama (the thousand names of the Divine Mother)^[1]. She is also called Kaushitaki and Varaprada. A hymn in the Rigveda is attributed to her.

According to legend, Lopamudra was created by sage Agastya with the most graceful parts of animals such as eyes of the deer etc^[2]. The name Lopamudra signifies the loss (lopa) that the animals suffered by giving their distinctive beauties (mudras). After creating her, Agastya secretly introduced Lopamudra into the palace of the King of Vidarbha. Agastya had made Lopamudra with the intention of marrying her. The king brought up Lopamudra as his daughter. When she grew up, Agastya demanded her hand in marriage. Lopamudra agreed to marry him and left the King's palace for his hermitage. However, after some time, she grew tired of Agastya's austerity. She wrote a two-stanza hymn, asking for his attention and love. The hymn made Agastya realize his duties towards his wife. The couple had a son named Dridhasyu, who became a poet.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Vedic Women: Loving, Learned, Lucky!. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.
2. ^ Encyclopedia for Epics of Ancient India: Lopamudra. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.