The love story of Hemalekha and Hemachuda

There are many captivating love stories in our mythology. Beginning with Krishna Radha and Ram-Sita, the list goes on forever. Some are very famous, while some have remained trapped in the ancient pages and are not very popular. One such love story is that of Hemachuda and Hemalekhaekha. Their love story lives on in the pages of Tripura Rahasya.

The Tripura Rahasya book that mentions Hemalekha and Hemachudha, Image source- Sri Ramana Maharshi India Bookstore

Tripura Rahasya is an ancient literary work in the Vedic Sanskrit language. The verse is said to have been narrated to Parashurama by Dattatreya. The book itself has a mythical history. So before moving on to the love tale of Hemachuda and Hemalekha, let us talk about the Tripura Rahasya.

According to mythology, it was Lord Shiva who taught Tripura Rahasya to Lord Vishnu. After learning about this text, he later passed it on to the creator, Lord Brahma. Subsequently, when Lord Vishnu once incarnated on earth as Sri Dattatreya, he taught this to Parashurama. To let Parusurama understand that a suitable company is a basis for advancement, he narrated to him the story of Hemachuda and Hemalekha.

The story starts with King Muktachuda, the king of Dasarna. Muktachuda had two sons named Hemachuda and Manichuda. Once, the two brothers went to a forest for hunting. Their level of excitement doubled up with each animal killed, but soon their happiness vanished by a wild tornado storm. To take a safe shelter, Hemachuda reached a sage’s house nearby, where he encountered a beautiful girl. He was taken aback by her beauty.

The girl welcomed him inside for shelter and introduced herself as Hemalekha, the daughter of Sage Vyaghrapada. When the sage met Hemachuda, he got to know about his feelings and ultimately gave his daughter's hand to the prince. Later, the couple was welcomed by Muktachanda, and they got happily married.

Hemachuda was elated to find Hemalekha as her wife, but soon he realized that she was not as passionate about him as he was about her. Unable to hold his eagerness, he asked her the reason for her numbness and passivity. She politely replied that she was in search of everlasting joy that would never fade away. However, she was sure that it was not in the worldly pleasures.

After hearing all this, nothing seemed to please Hemachuda, neither could he let go of the pleasures completely, nor did he find happiness in them. Hemalekha could sense something was wrong with him, and she confronted her husband. From his words, she got to know that he was on the track of detachment. She finally decided to impart her knowledge to him and motivate him.

Hemalekha had now become the new Guru of Hemachuda. He started following her instructions and gradually became the best version of himself. He was finally in a state of thoughtlessness. Hemachuda was enlightened!

Gradually, everyone started sensing the change in him for good. He was not distracted; he was unaffected by pleasures and pain, and this shocked his father and brother. When they asked him about this change, he undoubtedly credited Hemalekha for it. Later, they also followed her instructions and were enlightened.

With the help of the story, Dattatreya made Parusuram understand the importance of the right company and that a connection to the Guru, or wise, is necessary for growth. Just like with the support of Hemalekha, Hemachuda became a better king. On the other hand, with her wisdom and knowledge, she enlightened the entire kingdom.