Girika

The wife of Uparicharavasu. She was the daughter of the river Shuktimati, which used to flow through the king’s capital city. Once the mountain Kolahala lustily captured the river. The citizens were surprised at its disappearance. The king heard of this and angrily kicked the mountain. From the hole created, the river came out, but she gave birth to a boy and a girl. She gave both the children to the king as a mark of her gratitude. The boy became the commander of the army and the girl later became Uparicharavasu’s wife as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 63.

Once the king had to go on a hunt owing to instructions from his ancestors. In the forest, he saw animals mating and remembered Girika. He ejaculated and since he didn’t want it to be wasted, sent it in a leaf to Girika through an eagle. Another eagle saw it carrying the packet and started a fight. In their tussle, the packet fell into the Ganga river. Adrika, a fish, found it soon, and ate it. Later, a fisherman caught the fish, and when he slit open its stomach, found two human babies – a boy and a girl. The king heard about this and sent his soldiers to bring the boy to him. The girl was left with the fisherman. The boy became famous later as king Matsya and the girl became Satyavati, the mother of Vyasa, as per Devibhagavata Dashamaskanda.