Eastern Spirituality

Glossary Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Mandodari was the daughter of the King of Danavas, Mayasura and celestial dancer, Hema. She was the first wife of the Lord of Lanka Ravana.

Mandodari (Sanskrit Mandodarī, "soft-bellied") is the queen consort of Ravana, the king of Lanka, according to the Hindu epic Ramayana.

As with many characters in Indian legend, several versions of the main events of Mandodari's life are available, but all versions describe Mandodari as beautiful, pious and extremely righteous. She is extolled as one of the Panchakanya ("five exalted ladies"), whose veneration is believed to dispel sin. She presents the model of a sublime pativratha, a woman who is completely devoted to her husband and is especially venerated because the object of her wifely veneration was Ravana, a man with many unfortunate faults and evil tendencies, someone widely regarded as a demon.

Glossary Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z