Who was mrugavati
In Jain tradition, the name Mrugavati (Mrigavati) is used for more than one revered woman. The two most well‑known are:
- Mrugavati – Mother of Bhagwan Mahavira
- She was the queen of King Siddhartha of Kundagrama. - She is respected as the mother of the 24th Tirthankara, Bhagwan Mahavira. - Jain texts describe her as very pious, compassionate and spiritually inclined. - Before Mahavira’s birth, she saw auspicious dreams, indicating that a great soul was going to take birth in her womb.
- Mrugavati – Queen of King Shatnik (Śatānīka) of Kaushambi
- She was the queen of King Shatnik of Kaushambi. - When another king became attracted to her and demanded her, she protected her chastity, saved her kingdom with wisdom and courage, and later became a great satisadhvi (noble Jain lady). - She is counted among the Pratahsmaraniya Satis – pious women remembered with respect in the morning.