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| type = Hindu
| type = Hindu
| image = File:The Birth of rama.jpg
| image = File:The Birth of rama.jpg
| caption = Kausalya give birth Rama.
| caption = Kausalya gives birth to Rama.
| parents = Sukaushal (father) <br> Amritaprabha (mother)
| parents = Sukaushal (father) <br> Amritaprabha (mother)
  Siblings = Vershini (sister)
| spouse = [[Dasharatha]]
| spouse = [[Dasharatha]]
| consorts = [[Sumitra]] (co-wife)<br/>[[Kaikeyi]](co-wife)
| consorts = [[Dasharatha]]
| children = [[Rama]] (son) <br />
| children = [[Rama]] (son) <br />
[[Shanta]] (daughter)
[[Shanta]] (daughter)
| affiliation = Shatrupa
| affiliation = Shatrupa
| Relationships =
}}
}}
'''Kausalya''' was the senior queen consort of [[Kosala]] in the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] epic ''[[Ramayana]]''. Kaushalya was the mother of Lord [[Rama]], the hero of the epic, and the senior wife of [[Dasharatha]], who ruled Kosala from its capital [[Ayodhya]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys1005.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 5}}</ref>  
'''Kausalya''' was the senior queen consort of [[Kosala]] in the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] epic ''[[Ramayana]]''. She was the mother of Lord [[Rama]], the titular hero of the epic, and the senior wife of [[Dasharatha]], who ruled Kosala from its capital [[Ayodhya]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys1005.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 5}}</ref>  


In some later accounts, [[Shanta]] is described as a daughter, and the eldest child, of Dasharatha. However, in the ''Bala Kanda'' of the ''Ramayana'', Valmiki writes of Shanta only as the daughter of Romapada, the king of [[Anga]], who was a friend of Dasharatha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys1008.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 8}}</ref> At no point is Shanta's mother named.
In some later accounts, [[Shanta]] is described as her daughter, and the eldest child, of Dasharatha. However, in the ''Bala Kanda'' of the ''Ramayana'', Valmiki writes of Shanta only as the daughter of Romapada, the king of [[Anga]], who was a friend of Dasharatha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys1008.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 8}}</ref> At no point is Shanta's mother named.


==Legends==
==Legends==
[[File:Rama meets his mother Kousalya in pooja.jpg|thumb|left|Rama meets his mother Kousalya in pooja]]
[[File:Rama meets his mother Kousalya in pooja.jpg|thumb|left|Rama meets his mother Kousalya while she performs pooja]]
Valmiki does not mention the names of Kaushalya's parents, but in the 'Ayodhya Kanda'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys2059.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 2: Chapter 59}}</ref> she is described as ''Kosalendraduhitā'' (daughter of the king of Kosala).  
[[Valmiki]] does not mention the names of Kausalya's parents, but in the 'Ayodhya Kanda'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys2059.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 2: Chapter 59}}</ref> she is described as ''Kosalendraduhitā'' (daughter of the king of Kosala).  


Some later text calls her the daughter of the King Sukaushal and Queen Amritaprabha of [[Dakshina Kosala]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Sukhdev Singh Chib |title=Punjab |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U44BAAAAMAAJ |year=1977 |publisher=Light & Life |page=2 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012035356/https://books.google.com/books?id=U44BAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> At her supposed birthplace, there is a temple dedicated to her called the [[Mata Kaushalya Temple]], which is also the only temple in the world dedicated to Kaushalya.
Later texts name her as the daughter of the King Sukaushal and Queen Amritaprabha of [[Dakshina Kosala]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Sukhdev Singh Chib |title=Punjab |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U44BAAAAMAAJ |year=1977 |publisher=Light & Life |page=2 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012035356/https://books.google.com/books?id=U44BAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> At her traditionally ascribed birthplace, there exists a temple dedicated to her called the [[Mata Kaushalya Temple]], which is perhaps among the few temples dedicated to her. Mata Kaushalya Temple is located in Chandkhuri which falls in the [[Raipur district|Raipur District]] of [[Chhattisgarh]]. The temple has been revived and inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh [[Bhupesh Baghel]] and other dignitaries under the '[[Ram Van Gaman Path]]' project in October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chhattisgarh CM inaugurates renovated Chandkhuri Mata Kaushalya temple |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/oct/08/chhattisgarh-cm-inaugurates-renovated-chandkhuri-mata-kaushalya-temple-2369170.html |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>


At the sacrifice performed by [[Rishyasringa]] so that Dasharatha might have sons, a divine being presented the king with a golden bowl filled with a ''payasam'' prepared by the gods. Dasharatha offered half of that divine food to Kaushalya, a quarter to Sumitra (literally 'half of that which remained'), an eighth to Kaikeyi (again 'half of that which remained'), and then, upon reflection, gave the final eighth to Sumitra again.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys1015.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 15}}</ref>
At the sacrifice performed by [[Rishyasringa]] so that Dasharatha might bear sons, a divine being presented the king with a golden bowl filled with a ''[[payasam]]'' (a milk delicacy) prepared by the gods. Dasharatha offered half of this divine food to Kausalya, a quarter to [[Sumitra]] (literally 'half of that which remained'), an eighth to Kaikeyi (again 'half of that which remained'), and then, upon reflection, gave the final eighth to Sumitra again. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rys/rys1015.htm|title=The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 15}}</ref>


Rama leaving for fourteen years of exile from Ayodhya. Rama, his wife, and brother, dressed in the clothes of bark that Kaikeyi has made them put on, ride off in a chariot driven by Sumantra and surrounded by the towns' people. Dasaratha emerges from his palace and goes through the gate of the city surrounded by his queens. Dasaratha and Kausalya according to hurry after the chariot until Rama, unable to bear the sight, has to tell Sumantra to quicken his pace so that they would be left behind. Queen Kaushalya was the incarnation of Dhara (Brahmani), wife of Dronavasu. She received a boon from Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu says - "I will be born as your son in the "Treta Yuga".  
When Rama set forth to begin his exile from Ayodhya, Dasaratha and Kausalya hurried after his chariot until Rama, unable to bear the sight, told his charioteer Sumantra to quicken his pace so that they would be left behind. Queen Kausalya is considered to be the incarnation of Dhara (Brahmani), wife of Dronavasu. She received a boon from Lord [[Vishnu]], who promised her that he would be born as her son in the "[[Treta Yuga]]".  


She was ceased to be Chief Queen consort of Kosala Empire when her husband died and she became Queen dowager until her son's accession to the throne
She ceased to be primary queen consort of Kosala with the death of her husband. She exercised the title of queen dowager until her son's accession to the throne, upon which she was widely honoured as the queen mother.        
 
During her son's reign in the empire, she was the Queen Mother.
 
She shared a sisterly relationship with [[Sumitra]] and [[Kaikeyi]].


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Mata Kaushalya Temple]]
*[[Mata Kaushalya Temple]]
*[[Ram Van Gaman Path]]
*[[Mata Kaushalya Temple Vill. Ghuram, Patiala Punjab]]
*[[Mata Kaushalya Temple Vill. Ghuram, Patiala Punjab]]


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{{HinduMythology}}
{{HinduMythology}}


[[Category:Raghuvamsa]]
[[Category:Solar dynasty]]
[[Category:People from Kosala]]
[[Category:People from Kosala]]
[[Category:Characters in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Characters in the Ramayana]]

Revision as of 12:48, 12 May 2022


This redirect is about the mother of the Hindu god Rama. For the actress, see Kausalya (actress). For the singer, see Kousalya (singer).

Kausalya
Kausalya gives birth to Rama.
AffiliationShatrupa
Personal information
ParentsSukaushal (father)
Amritaprabha (mother) Siblings = Vershini (sister)
ConsortsDasharatha
ChildrenRama (son)
Shanta (daughter)

Kausalya was the senior queen consort of Kosala in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She was the mother of Lord Rama, the titular hero of the epic, and the senior wife of Dasharatha, who ruled Kosala from its capital Ayodhya.[1]

In some later accounts, Shanta is described as her daughter, and the eldest child, of Dasharatha. However, in the Bala Kanda of the Ramayana, Valmiki writes of Shanta only as the daughter of Romapada, the king of Anga, who was a friend of Dasharatha.[2] At no point is Shanta's mother named.

Legends

Rama meets his mother Kousalya while she performs pooja

Valmiki does not mention the names of Kausalya's parents, but in the 'Ayodhya Kanda'[3] she is described as Kosalendraduhitā (daughter of the king of Kosala).

Later texts name her as the daughter of the King Sukaushal and Queen Amritaprabha of Dakshina Kosala.[4] At her traditionally ascribed birthplace, there exists a temple dedicated to her called the Mata Kaushalya Temple, which is perhaps among the few temples dedicated to her. Mata Kaushalya Temple is located in Chandkhuri which falls in the Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. The temple has been revived and inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel and other dignitaries under the 'Ram Van Gaman Path' project in October 2021.[5]

At the sacrifice performed by Rishyasringa so that Dasharatha might bear sons, a divine being presented the king with a golden bowl filled with a payasam (a milk delicacy) prepared by the gods. Dasharatha offered half of this divine food to Kausalya, a quarter to Sumitra (literally 'half of that which remained'), an eighth to Kaikeyi (again 'half of that which remained'), and then, upon reflection, gave the final eighth to Sumitra again. [6]

When Rama set forth to begin his exile from Ayodhya, Dasaratha and Kausalya hurried after his chariot until Rama, unable to bear the sight, told his charioteer Sumantra to quicken his pace so that they would be left behind. Queen Kausalya is considered to be the incarnation of Dhara (Brahmani), wife of Dronavasu. She received a boon from Lord Vishnu, who promised her that he would be born as her son in the "Treta Yuga".

She ceased to be primary queen consort of Kosala with the death of her husband. She exercised the title of queen dowager until her son's accession to the throne, upon which she was widely honoured as the queen mother.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 5".
  2. ↑ "The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 8".
  3. ↑ "The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 2: Chapter 59".
  4. ↑ Sukhdev Singh Chib (1977). Punjab. Light & Life. p. 2. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  5. ↑ "Chhattisgarh CM inaugurates renovated Chandkhuri Mata Kaushalya temple". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  6. ↑ "The Ramayana in Sanskrit: Book 1: Chapter 15".

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