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'''''Sumitra''''' ({{lang-sa|सुमित्रा}}, [[IAST]]: Sumitrā) is | '''''Sumitra''''' ({{lang-sa|सुमित्रा}}, [[IAST]]: Sumitrā) is second queen consort of [[Dasharatha]], the king of [[Kosala]], who ruled from [[Ayodhya]].<ref>{{citation |url =http://www.charanamrit.com/gods/sumitra_2247 |title= Dasharatha's third Queen |publisher= Charanamrit.com |date=2012-06-19 }}</ref> She is the mother of the twins [[Lakshmana]] and [[Shatrughna]] as mentioned in the Hindu epic, the [[Ramayana]]. | ||
At the sacrifice conducted by [[Rishyasringa]] to obtain sons for the childless Dasharatha, a divine being emerged from the flames with a golden vessel filled with divine ''payasam''. Dasharatha offered half to Kaushalya, a quarter (literally half of that which remained) to Sumitra, an eighth to Kaikayi (again, half of that which remained), and then, on reflection, presented the final eighth to Sumitra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys1015.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 15}}</ref> Having received two portions, Sumitra became the mother of twin sons. | |||
Considered the wisest of Dasaratha's three wives, she supported [[Lakshmana]]'s decision to accompany Rama,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys2035.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 2: Chapter 35}}</ref> to serve him during his exile, and comforted Kaushalya after the departure of her son.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys2039.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 2: Chapter 39}}</ref> | |||
== Personality == | == Personality == | ||
[[File:Dasharatha give Payasa to his wives.jpg|thumb|180px|Dasharatha give Payasa to his wives]] | [[File:Dasharatha give Payasa to his wives.jpg|thumb|180px|Dasharatha give Payasa to his wives]] | ||
Neither the principal queen nor the favored wife, Sumitra was single-minded in her devotion to her husband and to the senior consort, Kaushalya. She was also known for encouraging her son Lakshmana to go into exile with Rama. While Valmiki is silent on her parentage, later texts variously described her as a princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]] or of [[Magadha]], and belonging to the [[Heheya Kingdom|Haiheya]] clan. | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
Sumitra is broken into ''Su'' meaning ''good'' and ''Mitra'' meaning ''friend.'' Thus'','' her name means 'a good friend' or 'one with friendly nature'. She is known as, [[Tamil language|Tamil]]: சுமித்திரை{{IPA audio link|Ta-சுமித்திரை.ogg}}, [[Burmese language|Burmese]]: Thumitra, [[Malay language|Malay]]: Samutra, [[Khmer language|Khmer]] '' and '' {{lang-th|สมุทรเทวี}} ''Samutthra Thewi''). | Sumitra is broken into ''Su'' meaning ''good'' and ''Mitra'' meaning ''friend.'' Thus'','' her name means 'a good friend' or 'one with friendly nature'. She is known as, [[Tamil language|Tamil]]: சுமித்திரை{{IPA audio link|Ta-சுமித்திரை.ogg}}, [[Burmese language|Burmese]]: Thumitra, [[Malay language|Malay]]: Samutra, [[Khmer language|Khmer]] '' and '' {{lang-th|สมุทรเทวี}} ''Samutthra Thewi''). | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 17:59, 9 December 2021
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2015) |
| Sumitra | |
|---|---|
| Ramayana character | |
 Sumitra gives birth to twins (centre, top) | |
| In-universe information | |
| Spouse | Dasharatha |
| Children | Lakshmana (son) Shatrughna (son) |
Sumitra (Sanskrit: सुमित्रा, IAST: Sumitrā) is second queen consort of Dasharatha, the king of Kosala, who ruled from Ayodhya.[1] She is the mother of the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna as mentioned in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
At the sacrifice conducted by Rishyasringa to obtain sons for the childless Dasharatha, a divine being emerged from the flames with a golden vessel filled with divine payasam. Dasharatha offered half to Kaushalya, a quarter (literally half of that which remained) to Sumitra, an eighth to Kaikayi (again, half of that which remained), and then, on reflection, presented the final eighth to Sumitra.[2] Having received two portions, Sumitra became the mother of twin sons.
Considered the wisest of Dasaratha's three wives, she supported Lakshmana's decision to accompany Rama,[3] to serve him during his exile, and comforted Kaushalya after the departure of her son.[4]
Personality[edit | edit source]
Neither the principal queen nor the favored wife, Sumitra was single-minded in her devotion to her husband and to the senior consort, Kaushalya. She was also known for encouraging her son Lakshmana to go into exile with Rama. While Valmiki is silent on her parentage, later texts variously described her as a princess of Kashi or of Magadha, and belonging to the Haiheya clan.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
Sumitra is broken into Su meaning good and Mitra meaning friend. Thus, her name means 'a good friend' or 'one with friendly nature'. She is known as, Tamil: சுமித்திரை (
listen), Burmese: Thumitra, Malay: Samutra, Khmer and Thai: สมุทรเทวี Samutthra Thewi).
References[edit | edit source]
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