01The third queen
Sumitra received two portions of the payasa, Bala Kanda says, one from the king’s first division and the last remaining share, and she bore twins under the nakshatra Ashlesha: Lakshmana and Shatrughna. One son went with Rama, the other with Bharata, as if the two portions had been divided again between the two elder brothers. In the palace quarrels Valmiki gives her no ambition of her own. She asks for nothing and takes no side but Rama’s.
02The blessing at the door
When Lakshmana came to take leave, his mother did not weep or hold him back. She told him he had been born to serve his elder brother, that this was the dharma of their line, and that he must never be careless of Rama in good times or bad. Then she gave the blessing that Hindu mothers still repeat: know Rama as Dasharatha, know Janaka’s daughter as me, know the forest as Ayodhya, and go, my son, in happiness.
03Comfort for Kausalya
After the chariot left, it was Sumitra who sat with Kausalya. Valmiki gives her a whole sarga of comfort. Rama has gone to keep his father’s truth, she said; the sun will not scorch him, the wind from the woods will be gentle, the moon at night will cool him. He will come back, she promised, and you will see him crowned with Sita and Lakshmana at his side. Fourteen years later both queens went out to Nandigram to meet him.
Famous verses
रामं दशरथं विद्धि मां विद्धि जनकात्मजाम्। अयोध्यामटवीं विद्धि गच्छ तात यथासुखम्॥
Know Rama as Dasharatha, know Janaka’s daughter as me, know the forest as Ayodhya. Go, my son, in happiness.Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda 40.9