Shanta : Everyone is familiar with Rama, Sita, and his devoted brothers in the epic story of the Ramayana. However, Shanta, Rama’s older sister, is one family member who frequently remains in the background. Although she is not included in the primary Valmiki Ramayana, she is portrayed in later retellings and folktales as a wise, compassionate princess who significantly contributed to her family’s happiness.
Shanta Family History
In Ayodhya, Shanta was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya. According to some vedas, she was born around 4449 BC and was their firstborn daughter. However, because Dasharatha initially had no children, he adopted her and handed her to his friend King Romapada of the Anga kingdom and his wife Vershini, who was Kaushalya’s sister. Shanta was reared in love and became a princess of Anga as a result, yet she was always bound to Ayodhya.
She was intelligent and proficient in the ancient sacred books known as the Vedas. Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna all looked up to Shanta as their older sister. Her narrative demonstrates how families in ancient India shared children to forge close ties amongst monarchs.
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Helping Ayodhya Get Heirs
Years later, Dasharatha still had no sons. He recalled a prophecy that said Rishyasringa could lead a special yajna (fire ritual) called Putrakameshti to bring children. Dasharatha went to Romapada and asked Shanta and her husband to visit Ayodhya; Rishyasringa agreed, but she had to come too—she assisted with the rituals. They traveled to Ayodhya, bowing to her parents, Dasharatha, and Kaushalya. The yajna worked!
Her Marriage and the Drought
A curse on King Romapada caused the Anga kingdom to endure a protracted drought. He had offended Vibhandaka, a wise man. They required the young sage Rishyasringa, the son of Vibhandaka, who lived alone in the forest and had no idea about women or the outside world, to solve it.
To entice Rishyasringa to the city, the monarch dispatched attractive women. He arrived after falling in love at first sight. Shanta’s then wed him! The drought was relieved by her marriage; festivities were held and rain fell. Shanta married the scholarly Rishyasringa and became queen of Anga.
