Asuras

Mandodari

Other names- Mandodaree

Mandodari was the patrani (the chief queen) of Ravana, the King of Lanka. She was extremely beautiful and religious minded. She used to give timely advice to Ravana whenever she thought fit. When Ravana kidnapped Sita from Panchavati and brought her to Lanka, Mandodari tried to persuade him to return Sita to her rightful place by Rama’s side. But Ravana would not hear of it. Ravana’s brave son Meghnad was Mandodari’s offspring. On overpowering Indra, he had won the title Indrajeet.

Mandodari’s father was Maya Danava. He was the most gifted of Mayavi Danava (demon having magical powers) who could perform many miracles. He was married to an Apsara (celestial damsel) called Hema. Maya and Hema had a daughter, Mandodari and two sons Mayavi and Dundubhi. They fought along with Ravana in all his battles. When Ravana took away by force the aerial chariot, Pushpak Viman, from his older brother Vaishrava Kuber (the God of wealth), he used to roam about aboard the plane with Mandodari. She was thus a favorite of Ravana.

When Hanuman reached Lanka in search of Sita, he saw Mandodari on the bed besides Ravana in his palace. When he saw how beautiful she was, he wondered if it could be Sita. But he was sure that Bhagwati Sita could not be on the same bed as Ravana and Hanuman continued his search. Ravana had thousands of wives but Mandodari was by far his favorite. She was very svelte and slim and was named thus because of her slim waist.

When Ravana went to Ashoka Vatika to threaten Sita into submission, Mandodari was also with him. Mandodari held Vibheeshana, Ravana’s younger brother, in great esteem. When Kumbhakarna and Meghnad were killed in battle, Mandodari referred to Vibheeshana and tried to persuade Ravana.

When later, Ravana was killed by Rama and lay lifeless on the battlefield, Mandodari wept and lamented about the prediction, and it was true what Vibheeshana had prophesied. The end of the Rakshasa clan and destruction of Lanka are all because of the kidnapping of Sita. Now it all ends with your end. In the Puranas, tales of ancient lore, Mandodari finds mention as an ideal woman.