Kauśalyá

Also known as: Kausalyá / Queen Kauśalyá · Family: Ayodhyá · Role: queen · First appears: Book I, Canto 13 · The Sacrifice Finished

In Book I, Canto 13, Kauśalyá slew the horse in the sacrifice and stayed beside it through the night, hoping to gain a son. After Daśaratha distributed the heavenly nectar among her, Sumitrá and Kaikeyí, the queens conceived; in Canto 19, Kauśalyá bore Ráma.

In Book II, Canto 20, Ráma told Kauśalyá he must spend fourteen years in the forest. She accepted his resolve, blessed him and placed a protective amulet on his arm. In Canto 39, she counselled Sítá, who promised to follow her teaching and remain devoted to her husband.

As Ráma departed, Kauśalyá grieved over her banished son. Sumitrá’s words helped ease her sorrow, and her soothing words partly relieved Daśaratha’s grief. In Canto 75, Bharat’s oaths freed her from suspicion of him; she embraced him, recognizing his fraternal love.