Mandavi is a princess of Videha in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She is the wife of Bharata and is considered an incarnation of the conch shell of goddess Lakshmi. Mandavi is known for her sacrifice and perseverance.

Etymology

The name Mandavi is of Sanskrit origin. Her name means 'fit and competent'.

Legend

Birth

Sunayana and Chandrabhaga, the wives of Janaka and Kushadhvaja, gave birth to Urmila and Mandavi. Chandrabhaga later gave birth to her second daughter and Mandavi's younger sister, Shrutakirti. She is considered as the incarnation of Lakshmi's conch shell. Her father was the ruler of Samkasya, but Mandavi and Shrutakirti were brought up in Mithila, along with Sita and Urmila.

Marriage to Bharata

After Rama won the hand of Sita at her svayamvara, his father, King Dasharatha arrived in Mithila for his son's wedding. King Dasharatha noticed that Lakshmana had feelings for Urmila, but according to tradition, Bharata and Mandavi had to marry first. King Dasharatha arranged for Bharata to marry Mandavi and for Shatrughna to marry Shrutakirti, allowing Lakshmana to marry Urmila. Ultimately, all four sisters married the four brothers, strengthening the alliance between the kingdoms. The wedding ceremony was conducted under the guidance of Shatananda. Mandavi and Bharata had two sons named Taksha and Pushkala. While, Taksha founded the city of Taksha-sila, to the east of Indus, Pushkala founded Pushkala-vati, to the west of the Indus.

Bharata's exile

When her mother-in-law Kaikeyi, compelled Dasharatha to make Bharata king and forced Rama to leave Ayodhya and spend a period of exile. Sita and Lakshmana willingly renounced the comforts of the palace and joined Rama in exile. Bharata decided to lead a life in exile at Nandigram, till the completion of Rama's exile. On his request, Mandavi stayed back in Ayodhya to look after her husband's aging parents. Mandavi then decided to not meet her husband for those fourteen years, so that he could devotee his time for the welfare of Ayodhya and fulfill his brother's responsibilities.

Death

According to a legend in Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, Mandvi along with her sister Shrutakirti, became Sati with her husband, and died after her husband's samadhi. While, Urmila stayed in Ayodhya to look after her son's Angada and Chandraketu, and Sita's sons Lava and Kusha.

Assessment

Though she finds little mention in the original epic, Mandavi is known as a pious woman and an ideal wife. She dedicated herself in the service of her husband and his parents. Kavita Kane said, "'Mandavi remains in the palace of Ayodhya as her husband Bharat resides in a hut in Nandigram and displays perseverance. She recede further into the background as the story progresses, her presence is felt through the turmoil that threatens to rip the family apart.'"

Worship

In the Medak district of Telangana, there is a temple called Sri Kalyana Ramachandra Sannadhi that is dedicated to Bharata and Mandavi. This temple is the only one in India that has installed statues of Rama's brothers and their wives.

In popular culture

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