Nine Ideal Women: Part B

Promila

Indrajit was married to a beautiful girl named Promila who loved him dearly. Indrajit's brother, Birbahoo, was killed by Rama. His old nurse was sent from his parents to tell him. He had to go to the capitol and avenge his family, but promise to return that evening. When he did not return that evening, she decided to set out. Everyone tried to stop her because the enemies camp was along the way. She dressed as a knight and headed toward Lanka. She was stopped by Hanuman, but she used her brain to freely pass. 

The next day. Indrajit planned to fight Rama. That night they prayed to their family god Agni. Indrajit went without weapons because he went to pray. Lakshimana crept in to kill him because he was scared of his brother facing him. Indrajit defended himself with the altar ornaments then tried to run to get his sword but his uncle was holding the door. His uncle was on Lakshimana's side however. 

After Indrajit died, Promila asked permission to go with him, She could not live without him. Their souls raised together to god. 

Promila riding to Lanka

Sakuntala

When the sage, Menka,  broke his vow of celibacy he abandoned his daughter to the Sakuntala Bird. Kanva and Goutami found her and raised her naming her after the bird. She was incredibly beautiful. 

She and her sisters were talking one day when they were approached by the great Maharajah Dushmanta. He was enchanted with Sakuntala and wanted her to be his queen. He waited many days for her father to come home. He could not wait any longer because his kingdom needed him so Goutami consented for him and they married. He gave her a ring and told her that he would send for her. 

Many months passed and she was expecting. Her parents wanted to send her so their child would be born at his estate, But she begged to keep waiting. She was scared to go to an unknown kingdom. So she went with her "uncles" and her aunt. 

When they got there, the king acted like he never married Sakuntala.  She went to give him the ring, but it was gone. They left the city and went to the forest. 

Two fishermen tried to return a ring that they had actually stolen from Sakuntala to the king and his memory was restored. He spent four years looking for her, vowing not to rule without her. Until one day he passed two ladies and a little boy. He found a boy playing with a tiger cub. He led her to his mother. Where he finally found Sakuntala. They returned to the palace until their son could rule, then lived a simple life.

Bibliography 

Nine Ideal Indian Women, By Maharanee Sunity Devee