Mandodari: The Queen Of Lanka
The blog delves into the enigmatic and often overlooked story of Mandodari, the queen of Lanka from the perspective of the Valmiki Ramayana. It sheds light on her life, sacrifices, and her multifaceted character. Mandodari, though often overshadowed by the stories of Rama, Sita, and Hanuman, is portrayed as a woman of great virtue and complexity. The narrative unfolds with her celestial origins, where she was initially named Madhura, a devoted devotee of Lord Shiva. Madhura's beauty and devotion led her to Kailash Parvat, the abode of Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati, consumed by jealousy, cursed Madhura, turning her into a frog. However, Lord Shiva intervened, granting her a boon that she would regain her beauty and marry a valiant man after spending twelve years as a frog. Mandodari's rebirth as a beautiful woman is detailed when Mayasura, the King of Asuras, and Hema, an Apsara, find her near a well in the Himalayas. Mandodari, named after her parents' realms, grows into a