#rathantari

Dushyanta's parentage is disputed, with most sources disagreeing wildly. However, the two names that come up most consistently as his mother are Sammata and Rathantari.

Sammata is the daughter of Marutta, the last Turvasu king who ruled Vaishali. She is given away to the rishi Samvarta as a slave by her father after he performs a yajna to obtain a son. Samvarta takes pity on her and allows her to get married to a kingdom-less Paurava man (usually identified as Ilina). Together, they move away to the region that would later become Hastinapura. Marutta, however, tracks Sammata and Ilina down and takes away the newborn Dushyanta to bring him up as his own son.

Dushyanta, unfortunately, grows up to think poorly of his mother and pretty much erases her from his life, but he proudly claims his father's heritage as he combines the areas of Vaishali and later-day Hastinapura to create his own kingdom, chasing away the Yadava-Haihaya-Ikshvaku alliance.

Rathantari, on the other hand, seems to have a more uncomplicated history and is credited more consistently as Dushyanta's mother.

For today's post, I imagine Rathantari and Sammata developing a relationship after both of them marry Ilina, and supporting each other through the ups and downs of what seems like a somewhat modest life.