Sumitra

Sumitra came from the ancient kingdom of Kashi. She was considered as the wisest of the wives of Dasaratha. She was the one to first realize that Rama was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. She was the one who encouraged Lakshmana to accompany Lord Rama and serve him during his exile.

There is a legend as to why twins were born to Sumitra. Dasaratha, despite having three wives had no children and none of the queens had been able to give birth to a child. The thought of his dynasty ending with him saddened Dasaratha and he was very eager to have a son who would rule Ayodhya.

Guru Vashistha who was the royal priest of Ayodhya advised to do a Yagya. At the end of the yajna Dasharatha gave a plate of sweets each to Kausalya and Kaikeyi and asked them to share their plates with the third queen Sumitra. Sumitra got one bite from Kausalya`s plate and one from Kaikeyi`s and thus gave birth to twins. With Kausalya and Kaikeyi each bearing one son, Sumitra`s sons were later named by guru Vasistha as Lakshmana and Shatrughana.

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