Sumitra
Sumitra (Sanskrit: सुमित्रा, IAST: Sumitrā) is the third consort and the queen of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya among his three wives.[1] She is the mother of twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna as mentioned in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
Sumitra | |
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Ramayana character | |
![]() Sumitra gives birth to twins (centre, top) | |
In-universe information | |
Spouse | Dasharatha |
Children | Lakshmana (son) Shatrughna (son) |
She came from the ancient Kingdom of Kashi. She is considered as the wisest amongst the wives of Dasaratha. She is said to be the one who encouraged Lakshmana to accompany Rama and serve him during his exile. Sumitra often helped Dashratha with his problems. She was very much attached to her daughter-in-law Urmila and considered her above all. During Lakshman's exile, she only stood by her side all the time.
Personality
Sumitra is described as being fiercer and more powerful than Kaikeyi. However servitude is one of her many characteristics. In spite of being neither the principal queen or the favored one, she is single-minded in her devotion to her husband and principal queen Kaushalya. She is also known for her sacrifice of letting her son Lakshmana go to exile with Rama. Before marraige she was princess of Kashi and belongs to Haiheya clan.
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: சுமித்திரை (listen), Burmese: Thumitra, Malay: Samutra, Khmer and Thai: สมุทรเทวี Samutthra Thewi).
Portrayals Of Sumitra In Mass Media
Sumitra has been portrayed by several actresses in different television adaptations of Ramayana:
Year | TV Series | Channel | Country | Played by |
---|---|---|---|---|
1987–1988 | Ramayan (TV series) | DD National | India |
Rajni Bala |
1997-2000 | Jai Hanuman (1997 TV series) | DD Metro | India | Mangla Kenkare |
2000 | Vishnu Puran | Zee TV | India | Kamalika Guha Thakurta |
2002 | Ramayan (2002 TV series) | Zee TV | India | Jyoti Joshi |
2008–2009 | Ramayan (2008 TV series) | NDTV Imagine | India | Sangeeta Kapure |
2012–2013 | Ramayan (2012 TV series) | Zee TV | India | Anjali Gupta |
2015–2016 | Siya Ke Ram | Star Plus | India | Sampada Vaje |
2019–2020 | Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush | Colors TV | India | Preeti Gandwani |