Wimala (วิมาลา)

Thai. Name of the wife of the large crocodile Chalawan in the Thai classical story of Kraithong (fig.). Though she was a crocodile, she automatically took on a human form while residing in a huge underwater cave due to the presence of a magic crystal ball that sparkled day and night, and turned all crocodiles present into humans upon entering the cave. She is described as a beautiful woman, who stayed loyal to her husband even though he was a thug who one day he fell in love with two other beautiful women bathing in the river, i.e. Taphao Kaew and Taphao Thong, whom he abducted to the cave, where he became a human and with the help of the magic crystal ball was able to entice them into also becoming his wives. It is said that Wimala stayed passionate about her husband even after he was killed by Kraithong (fig.) when the latter attacked the cave tp liberate the two girls. Also transliterated Vimala. See also POSTAGE STAMP. 回