Reading Notes: Nine Ideal Indian Women Part B, Uttara

• Uttara taken to marry Arjun's son, Prince Abhimanyu
• Very young when she left, still playing with dolls
• There is a battle and it kind of reminds me of the Game of Thrones with each side having their own right to the throne.
• Abhimanyu and Uttara were uninvolved in the terrible war taking place and Abhumanyu is utterly enamored with his wife
• Uttara was never sad.  She always had a smile 
• Abhimanyu wanted to help in the war
• Abhimanyu was appointed to lead as General
• when Abhim went in to tell Uttara the news she was weeping hysterically 
• Uttara fainted upon hearing the news of Abhim's new appointment 
• Uttara had a dream of Abhim dying on the battle field 
• Uttara became brave for Abhim's sake because she knew he hated to see her so sad
• Uttara's dream comes true
• She fainted upon hearing the news and her mother and law thought she had died
• Uttara wanted to die and begged to join Abhim in heaven
• she cried at Krishna's feet to join Abhim
• Krishna promised to be Uttara's son which consoled Uttara 
• Uttara wanted to join other widows in the funeral pyre but Krishna stopped her saying she must take care of her son
•  Uttara raised her son and finally followed her dream of finding Abhim in heaven and lived n earth only to raise her son and follow her duty
• Gave her life in complete sacrifice to Krishna and her son, even though all she wanted to do was die and be with her husband

What an interesting story of devotion.  She was devoted to Krishna and to her son but her desire was to her husband who had passed.  She did not want to be devoted to life, but did so anyway.

(Uttara crying for her husband when he tells her he is leaving for battle. Found on Wikipedia Commons.)

Bibliography: Nine Ideal Indian Women, Maharanee Sunity Devee, Section on Uttara.