When we think of the Ramayana, we think of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Ravana, and Hanuman. They are the ‘main characters’ of the story. We rarely consider Ravana in a humane light, with a wife and family. While analyzing the epic as a war between good and evil, we often forget another major story embedded with grief, loss, and loyalty.
Mayasura, the king of Asuras (god-like demons), and his wife, Hema, rescued and adopted a young girl and named her Mandodari. Mayasura raised Mandodari at their palace in Lanka as an intellectual. He taught her the many aspects of architecture and landforms so that she could lead her own architectural projects by age fifteen. Mandodari is described as a beautiful, hardworking woman. Coincidentally, she first met her husband, Ravana, as he seeks her counsel for a project. With their eventual union, Ravana acquires the kingdom of Lanka. As Ravana’s wife, she patiently endures his lustful attitude to other women, and constantly questions and tries to reason with him.
The War between Good and Evil
In the final stages of the battle between Lord Rama and Ravana — Rama fights to save and avenge his kidnapped wife, Sita. At first, no matter how many times Rama aims, Ravana seems to be invincible to his arrows. Eventually, Rama receives counsel from Ravana’s brother, Vibheeshana, disclosing that Ravana’s weak spot is in his stomach. Rama finally shoots an arrow into Ravana’s abdomen, and the king of Lanka falls to his death.
Upon hearing about her husband’s death, Mandodari rushes to his body and inconsolably sobs. She is overwhelmed with grief as she realizes herself a widowed mother of her three young sons. Though Mandodari has always been aware of Ravana’s evil deeds, she remains loyal and can’t bear the thought of being widowed. She repeatedly pleads with him to put aside his ego, but when he refuses, both are met with an unforgiving fate. In her emotional turmoil, she thinks back to the events that led to the demise of her husband.
Flashback: The Fourteen Year Pilgrimage
Rama, Sita, and Lakshamana were living in a small hut in the Panchavati forest for their vanavasam (fourteen year pilgrimage). One day, Rama and Lakshamana go hunting to catch a beautiful golden deer for beloved Sita. Before he leaves, Lakshmana uses his powers to draw a protection circle around their hut and asks Sita not to cross the ward. Eventually on their hunt, the brothers realize that they had been tricked — the deer was actually a demon in disguise distracting them so that King Ravana could capture Sita.
As Sita is alone, Ravana takes the opportunity to disguise himself as a harmless sage and calls out for her to bring some food and alms. Sita kindly agrees but suddenly remembers her brother-in-law’s directions to not cross the protective circle. Ravana justifies to her that he is merely a sage seeking some food, and Sita hesitantly walks over. Just as she steps over, Ravana immediately kidnaps her.
Years ago, Ravana raped a celestial damsel and was cursed: If he ever attempts to touch an unwilling woman, he will explode into a thousand pieces. Therefore, when he kidnaps Sita, he takes precautions. He makes sure to lift her up by picking up the ground underneath her and then takes her back to his palace in Lanka.
Back at the palace, Mandodari worries as she hears the disturbing news. She urges Ravana to return Sita and warns him of the consequences he will have to face: facing Rama’s wrath and triggering his curse if he touches her. Adamant in his decision, Ravana refuses to yield and winds up dying on the battlefield against Rama.
Acceptance
As Mandodari recollects these episodes, she attempts to accept her fate. Before returning to her children, she is asked to marry Vibheshana, the man who had just turned on his elder brother, Ravana. Mandodari reproachfully obliges and reclaims her place on the throne as the queen of Lanka.
Analysis
As a new chapter unfolds for Mandodari, her stance throughout her marriage with the evil king is one of true loyalty, all while being aware of his evil deeds. Even after her husband’s death, she accepts marriage with another man solely to provide for her children and look after her kingdom. She never needed to be in her husband’s shadow, coming from a highly educated background, but utilizes her skills and discipline in the background, throughout her story. We can see the hallmark of her character through her words and actions. She thinks of the greater good in all situations rather than wallowing in her own sadness and pining over the past. She chooses to move forward for the sanity of herself and her children.
She is the one Panchakanya who journeys through the trials and tribulations that life brings her, usually by no fault of her own. She lives to simply fulfill her dharma, or duty. She represents a woman that we see often throughout history, living a hidden life of despair and anguish, while maintaining their composure to continue caring for the community. She is truly the underdog of the Ramayana, though she leaves a strong mark in the Hindu epics as an influential character.
*Please note: These stories and analyses are based on our interpretations of multiple texts and articles, as well as discussions from elders through oral traditions. Additionally, we have drawn inspirations from many writers and playwrights over the years. We are aware that there are many perspectives and interpretations to these characters. The following are links that we found helpful to aid in our understanding.
Links:
- Five Pillars of Chaste Feminine Divinity
- Wikipedia — Panchakanya
- What the Lives of the Five Virgins of the Ramayan and Mahabharat Can Teach Us
- Mandodari’s Story
- Who was Mandodari? Each Version of the Ramayana Gives Ravana’s Wife a Different Role and Story
- Fact Check of Ravan’s Modesty: Ravan Didn’t Rape Sita Because of his Modesty
- Five Elemental Women
Written by Manaswini Avvari and Meena Vemuri
Edited by Anjali Vemuri
Photography by Raama Srivatsan