Character
Mandodari
मन्दोदरीMandodarī
- verses
- 132
- books
- 11
- chapters
- 34
- Consort of
- Ravana
What the texts say
In the Ramayana, Mandodari is the favored queen of the inner palace, and her husband is Ravana, foremost of the rakshasas. Ramayana 5.10.51, 6.7.9 The Sri Ramcharitmanas names her as the daughter of Maya, a demon builder, who gave her to Ravana. Ramcharitmanas 1.18.371 She is also the mother of the warrior Indrajit, who fights from his chariot in the Ramayana. Ramayana 6.90.43 In the Ramayana, when Rama slays Ravana, Mandodari laments over him and recalls how she had urged him not to act in hostility toward Rama. Ramayana 6.114.2, 6.114.21
Where to read
Every verse that names Mandodari, book by book.
- 6.114.2
Seeing her husband Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa) slain by Rāma—whose deeds are beyond measure—Mandodarī, overcome with grief, lamented there.
- 5.10.51
The monkey saw Mandodari there, sleeping—radiant, golden-hued, and exquisitely adorned with pearl-and-gem ornaments, as if her own splendor embellished the finest of mansions; she was the favored queen of the inner palace.
- 5.58.76
Speaking sweetly, Mandodarī addressed him—though he was tormented by desire: “You whose prowess equals Mahendra’s, what need have you of Sītā?”
- 6.114.2
- 6.11.236
When Mandodari saw her husband's heads, she fainted in her anguish and fell to the ground. The throng of young women rose up weeping and ran to her, lifted her, and came with her to Ravana. Seeing their lord's state, they cried aloud…
- 1.18.371
After granting boons to them, Brahma departed, and they returned to their own homes, rejoicing. Maya had a daughter named Mandodari, a woman of supreme beauty, the very jewel of her sex. Maya brought her and gave her to Ravana, knowing…
- 5.1.19
Hanuman remained hidden among the leaves of the tree, and considered: "Brother, what shall I do?" At that moment Ravana came there, richly adorned, with many women in his train. In many ways the wretch tried to persuade Sita, showing her…
- 6.11.236
Devi Bhagavatam
7 verses · 5 chapters
- 3.28.53
Vyasa said: Hearing his words, the daughter of Videha (Sita), mistakenly considering the husband of Mandodari to be a divine ascetic by destiny, replied thus.
- 5.16.65
Just like Mandodari, O slender-bodied one, who rejected an auspicious king and a favorable husband, and later took a deceitful husband when she became afflicted by lust and her heart was bewildered by delusion.
- 9.1.132
Mandodari, Kausalya, Subhadra, Kauravi, Revati, Satyabhama, Kalindi, and Lakshmana.
- 3.28.53
Skanda Purana
4 verses · 3 chapters
- 1.2.60.61
Thereafter, in delightful forests and along the sandy banks of rivers, Bhaimi sported with her—like Rāvaṇa with Mandodarī.
- 5.3.35.9
“She is famed as Mandodarī. For the sake of a husband she performs austerity, worshipping as her chosen lord the auspicious beloved of Umā (Śiva).”
- 5.3.83.7
That sinner was repeatedly restrained—by Kumbhakarṇa, by Vibhīṣaṇa, and again and again by Mandodarī—(saying), “Release Sītā, release her!”
- 1.2.60.61
Key chapters
The chapters where Mandodari matters most.
Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q1427875