A woman in a previous life who was granted five husbands, traditionally identified as Draupadi's earlier birth.
Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Mahabharata, with other tellings (Puranic traditions (Harivamsha, Bhagavata Purana), Regional retellings) noted where relevant.
Introduction
Nalayani, also called Indrasena, is the wife of the sage Mudgala. She is traditionally identified as the previous birth of Draupadi.
The five husbands
The Adi Parva tells that she was Mudgala's devoted wife. After he died, she asked Shiva for a husband, and repeated her request five times. Shiva said she would have five husbands in her next life.
Draupadi
This story is the traditional explanation for Draupadi's marriage to five men. Other traditions identify her with Shri or Shachi.
This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above.
Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.