The Panchakanya (Sanskrit: पञ्चकन्या, romanized: Pañcakanyā, lit. 'Five maidens') is a group of five iconic women of the Hindu epics, extolled in a hymn and whose names are believed to dispel sin when recited. They are Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Tara, and Mandodari. While Draupadi and Kunti are from the Mahabharata,[1][2] Ahalya, Tara, and Mandodari are from the Ramayana. The Panchakanya are regarded to be ideal women who exemplify perfect wives in Hinduism.[3]
- ^ Pradip Bhattacharya. "Five Holy Virgins" (PDF). Manushi. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ Chattopadhyaya pp. 13–4
- ^ Leeming, David; Fee, Christopher (2016-03-15). The Goddess: Myths of the Great Mother. Reaktion Books. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-78023-538-7.