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.

For the Indian actress, see Sumithra (actress).

Sumitra
Ramayana character
Sumitra gives birth to twins (centre, top)
In-universe information
SpouseDasharatha
ChildrenLakshmana (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:

YearTV SeriesChannelCountryPlayed by
1987–1988Ramayan (TV series)DD NationalIndia

Rajni Bala

1997-2000Jai Hanuman (1997 TV series)DD MetroIndiaMangla Kenkare
2000Vishnu PuranZee TVIndiaKamalika Guha Thakurta
2002Ramayan (2002 TV series)Zee TVIndiaJyoti Joshi
2008–2009Ramayan (2008 TV series)NDTV ImagineIndiaSangeeta Kapure
2012–2013Ramayan (2012 TV series)Zee TVIndiaAnjali Gupta
2015–2016Siya Ke RamStar PlusIndiaSampada Vaje
2019–2020Ram Siya Ke Luv KushColors TVIndiaPreeti Gandwani

References
  1. Dasharatha's third Queen, Charanamrit.com, 19 June 2012


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