When Yudhishthira asks Markandeya if there is in fact anyone as much of an ‘alpa-bhaagya-tar-o narah’ [man with less fortune] in history as him. Markandeya immediately responds with a brief summary of the poor Rama.
She is a queen of the Ikshvaku dynasty that ruled for a time in Ayodhya, and a wife of Aja’s son the King Dasharatha.
She is pretty much only invoked to inform the reader of the youngest children of Dasharatha: Lakshmana and Shatrughna’s birth and parentage: Raama-sya maata Kaushalya, Kaikeyi Bharata-sya tu
suto Lakshmana-Shatrughna-o Sumitra-yah parantapoh [Rama’s mother is Kaushalya, Kaikeyi mothered Bharata, and the twins called Lakshmana and Shatrughna were Sumitra’s].
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☔Is there a fic concept you have that you'd like to just explain and share because you're not sure you'll ever write it? If so, what is it?
Not sure if I will ever write this fic because I have too many wips already, but I really like the idea of a Ramayana AU where Kaikeyi demands the throne for Bharata, but does not send Rama to exile.
This means Dasaratha does not die, and Bharata has significantly less guilt over Kaikeyi's maneuvering, because, as noted, his father does not die, and his brothers and sister-in-law are not sent to exile. And while he is pretty angry at her, Bharata does not disown her.
Having Rama around, however, creates great drama, and despite Rama's efforts to the contrary, fuels political discord between the queens and among the people. Koushalya does not like having her status as eldest queen and potential queen mother taken away by Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi hates that Dasaratha is gradually starting to favour Koushalya over her, shifting public opinion from her and Bharata and onto Rama's side. Dasaratha has postponed his plans to retire to the forest, in order to, as he puts it, secure my other sons' futures. Sumitra, torn between her two sons and their dual loyalty and painfully aware that neither of her sons will ever be king, is on the sidelines, waiting to pounce on a proper political opportunity.
The people are extremely divided as well - some refuse to believe that the kind and upright Bharata, who still cedes certain ceremonial functions to his elder brother, would have ever orchestrated a plot to usurp Rama. Others see him as a seasoned manipulator in cahoots with his mother, pointing out that not only does he not disown his mother, he also does not try to persuade his father to do otherwise either.
Lakshmana and Shatrughan are in a strange situation, because they're twins and always together, but they're also supportive of different brothers - so Rama's advisors and well wishers stop sharing every detail with Lakshmana (despite Rama's insistence that his brother would never wish him harm), and the same happens to Shatrughan. Their meetings are now largely seen as Sumitra and the twins arranging their chess pieces all over the board and playing both parties at once.
The tension, predictably, spills over to Mithila and Samkashya, because while Kushadwaja has never expected his daughter to be queen, Janaka has (rightfully so, because he married her to the eldest son and heir apparent of a kingdom as vast and prosperous as Kosala) and although the two brothers are still very close, there is an undercurrent of political rivalry between them now. I'm not sure how Mandavi would react to this, so her and Sita's relationship is still up in the air, unfortunately.
Ravana remains in this AU as an external hostile force eyeing the mainland, now with the added benefit of having a political turmoil for the succession to the biggest kingdom in Ayodhya. Rama's still slays Bali, earning Sugriva's loyalty and causing even more speculation and political panic in Ayodhya.
I'm not sure if I want this to end with a succession crisis or whether I want it resolved, but this seems like a fun idea to explore.
Info: Abhimanyu, the most popular child of Arjun, was a great warrior, portrayed as young, strong and talented. Abhimanyu was one of the people to know the technique to enter the Chakravyuha, a powerful military formation, unfortunately, he died unfairly while in this formation.
Iravan.
Info: Iravan is the second popular son of Arjun, he is the central deity of the cult of Kuttantavar & a village guardian deity. Iravan is revered for his sacrifice & his protection. In one legend, he is married to the enchantress mohini.
(there is much more interpretations/stories of Iravan, so its better to look him up)
Babruvahana.
Info: The harsh son of Arjun & heir of Manipura. Babruvahana was the only child who defeated Arjun, but was about to kill himself after knowing arjun’s identity, but he was given from his stepmother, the Nagi Ulupi, a gem called Nagamani, which revived Arjun.
Shrutakarma.
Info: the youngest of the Upapandavas. Shrutakarma was a capable archer like Arjun and fought very well, he fought many warriors such as Sudakshina, King Chitrasena, Jayatsena, Dushasana and Ashwathama. Unfortunately, he was killed brutally by Ashwathama.
Wisanggeni.
Info: Wisanggeni is a son of Arjun & the lava goddess Dresnala. When he was born, he was already hated by Brahma, in which the creator god threw him into a caldera. However, wisanggeni didn't die but got empowered. In rage by Brahma, he attacked the heavens. No one could defeat him except Antasena (who could only reach him to a draw)
Kumaladewa and Kumalasekti.
Info: Kumaladewa & Kumalasekti are the (male) twin children of Arjun with the demoness Asmarawati. Both siblings are mostly hybrids of a Demi-god and demon, making them possibly powerful. The siblings are seen as hero’s in wayang.
Wilugangga.
Info: born from Arjun & apsara Wilutama, Wilugangga is seen as a hero in Wayang. He helped a king who was facing a hardship, namely a marriage contest, & promised to help him as long as he was told who his father was, the king agreed & after Wilugangga succeeded, he was told who his father was. In the Javanese mhb, he fought Drona but later got killed by him.
Dewi Pregiwa & Dewi Pregiwati.
Info: Pregiwa & Pregiwati are daughters of Arjun & the princess Manuhara and they are only told in wayang.
Pregiwa is said to be loyal, honest, patient, & charming. She had married Ghatotkacha. She is identified with Pragya(?)
Pregiwati is said to be kind, devoted & gentle, and is the twin sister of pregiwa, she once went on a journey to find her father. Pregiwati is identified with Pragati (?)
Sumitra.
Info: son of Arjun and the archer Dewi Larasati, Sumitra is kinda known in wayang. Sumitra is also shown as a charioteer of Abhimanyu, and took part in the Bharatayuda war. he died on the battlefield against Bhishma. (Another version says that he was killed by karna.)
Honorable Mention: Pancala (son of Arjun & Srikandi), but there’s not much info about him I could find.
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Shatrughna looks so bare without royal finery, in the deerskin of the ashram.
Crossover
It makes Sumitra smile to see Lakshman’s letters sent from the gurukulam, with words and even whole sentences scratched out, her reckless son so carefully considering his words and trying to sound grown up.
Fear
As soon as Sumitra learns of Rama’s exile, she knows that she has lost two sons.
Mythological Creature
Sometimes she cannot bear to look at the sandals that Bharat brought back from Chitrakuta.
Nature
She has a headache and Dasharatha said that he would lie down with her, but he got caught up in talks with Kaikeyi, and then Kausalya, and petitions, and oh—
Prophecy
Only Kaikeyi’s unrelenting martial instincts and observations can calm Sumitra’s nerves when the boys leave to fight Taraka.
Religion
She and Kausalya often take their prayers together in the morning.
Role Model
Sumitra is so often quiet that Dasharatha treasures her rare moments of boldness and relishes others’ surprise at them even more.
Scar(s)
Urmila falls into a fourteen-year sleep, another child lost, and once alone, Sumitra weeps, great heaving sobs of mucus and gasps.
Seven Deadly Sins/Seven Cardinal Virtues
She has never been able to resist laadus or kaju katli.
Anon wanted Delorean (Tudor England) for Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and and Sumitra!
In this world, they do not strive for a King’s heart, but for their Lady’s favor in the eyes of England and its crown. They whisper words in their chosen’s ears, guide guarded steps, do what they can.
(It is not enough. It is never enough.)
She who counsels amity comes first, sent to serve a queen from far abroad. She is simple and steadfast, and still that is not enough; she is sent away, and yet she survives.
She who urges adventures follows. She laughs at the hunt, she loves where and when she will. She sings at windows, and weeps in a tower--the Tower. She is sorry, in the end, but as ever, it is not enough.
She who advises acceptance is last as always, but in this case perhaps that is not so very bad. She is forgotten, not for the first time, but now it means fortune. She smiles and is silent, and still she is not enough for the histories to recall.
(There are no children this time, to break their hearts and everyone else’s. For this at least, they are grateful.)
