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Shrutakirti

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For character from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, see Upapandavas § Shrutakarma.

Shrutakirti
Wedding ceremony of Shrutakirti and Shatrughna
AffiliationAvatar of Lakshmi's disc
AbodeAyodhya
TextsRamayana and its other versions
Genealogy
Born
Mithila, SankashyaVideha
Died
Ayodhya
ParentsKushadhvaja (father)
Chandrabhaga (mother)
SiblingsSita (adoptive cousin)
Urmila (cousin)
Mandavi (sister)
SpouseShatrughna
ChildrenSubahu
Shatrughati
DynastyVideha (by birth)
Raghuvamsha-Suryavamsha (by marriage)

Shrutakirti (Sanskrit: श्रुतकीर्ति, romanized: Śrutakīrti) is a princess of Videha, in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She is the wife of Shatrughna and is considered an incarnation of the discus of goddess Lakshmi.[1] Shrutakirti is known for her foresight and dedication.[2][3]

Etymology

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The name Shrutakirti is of Sanskrit origin. Her name means 'renowned and reputed'.[4]

Legend

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Birth

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Shrutakirti was born as the younger daughter of King Kushadhvaja and his wife Chandrabhaga. She is the younger sister of Mandavi.[5] Shrutakirti is considered as the incarnation of Lakshmi's disc.[6] Her father was the ruler of Samkasya, but Shrutakirti and Mandavi were brought up in Mithila, along with Sita and Urmila.[7]

Marriage to Shatrughna

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After Rama won the hand of Sita at her svayamvara, his father, King Dasharatha arrived in Mithila for his son's wedding. King Dasharatha noticed that Lakshmana had feelings for Urmila, but according to tradition, Bharata and Mandavi had to marry first. King Dasharatha arranged for Bharata to marry Mandavi and for Shatrughna to marry Shrutakirti, allowing Lakshmana to marry Urmila. Ultimately, all four sisters married the four brothers, strengthening the alliance between the kingdoms.[8] The wedding ceremony was conducted under the guidance of Shatananda.[9]

Shatrughna and Shrutakirti had two sons named Subahu and Shatrughati. While, Subahu became king of Mathura, Shatrughati ruled over Vidisha.[10]

Queen of Madhupura

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Later, Shrutakirti became the queen of Madhupura (Mathura), when her husband Shatrughna captured the capital after killing Lavanasura.[11] Shatrughna came to her every night, worried about his every inexperienced decision regarding the kingdom, and confided in her. She acted as an advisor to her husband and was fully dedicated in his service.[12][13]

Death

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According to a legend in Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, Shrutakirti along with her sister Mandavi, became Sati with her husband, and died after her husband's samadhi. While, Urmila stayed in Ayodhya to look after her son's Angada and Chandraketu, and Sita's sons Lava and Kusha.[14]

Assessment

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Though she finds little mention in the original epic, Shrutakirti is known for her foresight. She supported her husband during his brothers exile and often advised her husband on state matters, as the queen of Madhupura. Kavita Kane said, "Shrutakirti stays in the royal palace, living a life of celibacy like her husband Shatrughan."[6]

Worship

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In the Medak district of Telangana, there is a temple called Sri Kalyana Ramachandra Sannadhi that is dedicated to Shatrughna and Shrutakirti. This temple is the only one in India that has installed statues of Rama's brothers and their wives.[15][16]

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Films

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Television

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Books

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  • Shrutakirti: Sita's Sister by Devi Raghuvanshi[18]

References

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  1. ^ Dawar, Sonalini Chaudhry (2006). Ramayana, the Sacred Epic of Gods and Demons. Om Books International. ISBN 9788187107675.
  2. ^ Agarwal, Shubhi (20 April 2022). LakshmiLa : The Eternal Love Story. Om Books International. ISBN 978-93-92834-21-9.
  3. ^ Valmiki Ramayana, English verse translation by Desiraju Hanumanta Rao, K. M. K. Murthy et al.
  4. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (21 September 2015). "Shrutakirti, Śrutakīrti, Śrutakīrtī, Shruta-kirti: 11 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  5. ^ Prakāśa, Veda; Guptā, Praśānta (1998). Vālmīkī Rāmāyaṇa. Ḍrīmalaiṇḍa Pablikeśansa. ISBN 978-81-7301-254-9.
  6. ^ a b "Sita's Sisters: Conversations On Sisterhood Between Women Of Ramayana". Outlook India. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Ramayana | Summary, Characters, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. ^ Debroy, Bibek (2005). The History of Puranas. Bharatiya Kala Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-8090-062-4.
  9. ^ Valmiki. The Ramayana. pp. 126–145.
  10. ^ "The Ramayana and Mahabharata: Conclusion". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  11. ^ Goldman, Robert P.; Goldman, Sally J. Sutherland (18 January 2022). The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: The Complete English Translation. Princeton University Press. p. 255. ISBN 978-0-691-20686-8.
  12. ^ Deepa Hariharan (2021). Princesses Recall - Stories of Grit and Sacrifice of Shanta, Ruma, Shrutakeerti and Urmila Based on the Indian Epic Ramayana. Independently Published. ISBN 9798528594781.
  13. ^ Pargiter, F.E. (1972). Ancient Indian Historical Tradition, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, p.170.
  14. ^ MacFie, J. M. (1 May 2004). The Ramayan Of Tulsidas Or The Bible Of Northern India. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4179-1498-2.
  15. ^ "Sri Kalyana Ramachandra Swamy temple: Small wonder on a hillock". Deccan Chronicle. 3 December 2017.
  16. ^ "This unique Rama temple near Hyderabad where Hanuman finds no place". The News Minute. 17 April 2016.
  17. ^ "Ramayana cast and characters: A full list". www.timesnownews.com. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  18. ^ Raghuvanshi, Devi. Shrutakirti: Sita's Sister. The Little Booktique Hub. ISBN 9789391380748.
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