PandavaPedia

•~•Vijayaa•~•

(Vijaya; pic for representation)

At a glance:

Divine origin: Devi Usha, the wife of Ashwini Kumaras

Other names: Dautyimati, Madrajaa

Kingdom: Madra

Natal family: Father - Dyutimat
Brother - Srenimat
Relatives: Uncles - Shalya, Vrihatsena
Cousins - Lakshmana (Krishna's wife), Nakula and Sahadeva

Consort: Sahadeva, the youngest Pandava

Child: One son - Suhotra

In Vyasa's Mahabharata

Vijayaa has a single verse in the entire epic. That verse mentions her being a Princess of Madra, daughter of Dyutimat and Sahadeva's wife. Her son's name is also mentioned there.

(Chola Shibi found Northern Madra and this artwork is said to belong the kingdom)

Madra was allied to Pandavas through Madri and later her sons, but Vijayaa's marriage with Sahadeva had definitely strengthened that bond. Mahabharata says that Madra King Shalya was coming to join Pandavas only in Kurukshetra war when he was tricked by Duryodhana and was forced to join Kauravas. We also see that Madra got divided, as Vijayaa's brother Srenimat came to join Pandavas in Udyoga Parva itself.

Regarding Suhotra, we cannot know anything from epic.

Our assumptions regarding Suhotra:

There is a popular belief that he might not have participated in war because he had to rule Madra as the last surviving heir. But we personally find this logic a bit unacceptable because Madra's actual heir Prince Srenimat did join. Shalya and his brother too did join. Why wouldn't they want to rather save their sons for the throne instead of grandson of daughter's side? Again, it's only our personal assumption. Mahabharata does not say anything regarding Suhotra except that single line.

In other Puranas

Garuda Purana mentions Vijayaa as an incarnation of Devi Usha. Interestingly, she has been mentioned there as daughter of Shalya, that actually shows that she was Shalya's daughter-like, i.e, niece.

In Vedas

(Goddess Usha)

Rig Veda has a hymn dedicated to Goddess Usha.

1

usho vaajena vaajini prachethaah sthomam jushasva grnatho maghoni

puraanii devi yuvathih purandhir-anuvratham charasi vishvavaare

O Usha! rich in wealth, mindful/caring, o bestower of gifts with compassion, be pleased with this hymn.

O ancient goddess, young woman, o munificent one, bestower of all treasures, you ardently travel through (your daily) routine for all time.

2

usho devyamarthyaa vibhaahi chandrarathhaa suunrthaa iirayanthii

aa thvaa vahanthu suyamaaso ashvaa hiranyavarnaa prthupaajaso ye

O Usha! immortal goddess, the one with a brilliant chariot, who rises joyfully, shine forth!

May they, the well-controlled golden coloured horses, drive you extensively and carry you towards us.

3

ushah prathiichii bhuvanaani vishvordhvaa thishthhasyamrthasya kethuh

samaanamarthham charaniiyamaanaa chakramiva navyasyaa vavrthasva

O Usha! you who advances towards the (three) worlds from the universe above, who stands as a bright banner of immortality, who is engaged in a universal purpose, go round like a new wheel.

4

ava syuumeva chinvathii maghonyushaa yaathi svasarasya pathnii

Sva-arjananthii subhagaa sudamsaa aanthaaddivah paprathha aa prthivyaah

Having (sharp) observation like a ray of light, the mistress of one’s own abode, Usha brings pleasures. Self-illumined, rich in joy, accomplisher of splendid actions, (she) makes a long journey of the earth from the edge of the sky.

References

1) The Mahabharata, KMG, sacred texts
2) The Mahabharata, BORI, translated by Bibek Debroy
3) Rig Veda, translated by The speaking tree.
4) Garuda Purana. Credit of finding the verse goes to KrishnaPriyaa29 and PandavaPriyaa