A nymph. Once शुक , son of व्यास by his yogic powers entered the आकाश . Then a host of celestial maidens led by पञ्चचूडा stood watching him in admiration. (See under Śuka)

भीष्म once told धर्मपुत्र that women were fickleminded and the cause of evils. To explain his statement he pointed out to the conversation between नारद and पञ्चचूडा . नारद once conducted a world tour during the course of which he met पञ्चचूडा and asked her the characteristics of women. She replied thus: "Even beautiful, venerable and noble ladies would stoop to folly. It is not the habit of women to leave away charming men of wealth if they get them conveniently. Any woman can be tamed if you please her in the proper way. If women remain faithful to their husbands it is because they are afraid of scandal. They will enjoy men without looking into their age or figure. The desire for men in women can be compared to that of अन्तक (god of Death) for the lives of men. This is the secret of womanhood." [mh-13-38-1 ] Mahābhārata • Anuśāsana parva