Daughter of the King of Kosala, first wife of Dasharatha, and mother of Rama. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

 

Extract taken from (Ramayana: A Divine Drama, Actors in the Divine Play as scripted by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Vol.1)

 

Story of Kausalya

Ravana, the Rakshasa King of Lanka, heard of Dasharatha and his fame…….. With the aid of his Rakshasa skills, he discerned that there was a great likelihood that Dasharatha will wed the daughter of the King of Kosala. So, he decided to put an end to that princess! When one’s own destruction is imminent, reason turns crooked—as the saying goes. He entered the Kosala kingdom stealthily in disguise and kidnapped the princess. Placing her in a wooden box, he cast it over the waves of the sea.

 

Ravana could not see the truth that nothing can ever happen without the concurrence of the Divine Will. Brahma willed otherwise: the box was carried by the waves onto the shore. The place where it landed was a fine recreation area. The next day, Sumantra, the Prime Minister of Dasharatha happened to visit the place on a quiet holiday, to be spent in discussing within himself the problems of the State. His eyes fell on the box. He retrieved it and opened it. He was surprised to find in it a charming girl, with attractive shining eyes and a halo of divine splendour. Sumantra was overcome with pity. He spoke soft and sweet to the girl, ‘Little one! How did it happen that you were placed inside this box?’ She replied, ‘Sir, I am the princess of the Kosala kingdom; my name is Kausalya. I am not aware how I came inside this box, nor who placed me in it. I was playing with my companions in the palace gardens. I do not remember what happened to me.’ Sumantra was moved by her simple and sincere statement. He said, ‘Such barbarian stratagems are resorted to only by Rakshasas. They are beyond the ken of men! I shall take you to your father and place you in his hands. Come with me. Let us go without delay.’

 

Sumantra placed her in his chariot and proceeded to Kosala, where he restored her to the King and recited before the Court the details known to him. The King too, interrogated Sumantra in various ways. He discovered that he was none other than the minister at the Court of Dasharatha, Emperor of Ayodhya, and that his master was still unmarried. He was filled with joy at the discovery. He said, ‘Minister! You brought back to me this child of mine, saving her from destruction. So, I have resolved to give her in marriage to your master himself. Please inform the king of my offer.’ He honoured Sumantra with due ceremony and sent him with the Court Priest and appropriate presents.

 

Sumantra told Dasharatha in detail all that had happened. In order to confirm his acceptance, Dasharatha sent with the Court Priest of Kosala his own Court Priest with gifts of auspicious nature. The date and time were fixed. Dasharatha proceeded to the Kosala capital accompanied by a magnificent array of elephantry, chariotry, cavalry and infantry. The paean of music which marched with him reached the sky and echoed from the horizon. The marriage of Dasharatha and Kausalya was celebrated with resounding grandeur and splendour.

 

Dasharatha gave his consent to the proposal. The news of the marriages of both King and Prime Minister at the same place, on the same day, spread throughout the kingdom! The land was filled with wonder and delight. The festival lasted three days. The populace were treated to music, drama, dance and other forms of entertainment. Night and day were packed with excitement and joy. On the fourth day, Dasharatha started back for Ayodhya, with his queen and courtiers as well as Minister Sumantra with his bride and entourage. They entered the City amidst the acclamation of the people. His subjects exulted at the marriages of both King and Minister. They danced in the streets and shouted ‘Jai’ ‘Jai’ till their throats got hoarse. They lined the streets to see their Queen. They sprinkled rosewater on the roads by which they came and welcomed them waving flames of camphor. Dasharatha resumed his royal duties and ruled the realm with love and care. Often, he went with his consort, on excursions into the forests, and spent his days happily. (RKRV Part I, pp. 29-32)

 

She has a daughter

Kausalya gave birth to a daughter. She was named Shanta. But Dasharatha was not satisfied with the birth of a female child and wanted a male child. Therefore, he gave her to a friend who adopted her^*. Thereafter, he did not have any other issue. (SSS Vol. 41, pp. 54-55)

 

Dasharatha gave Shanta in adoption to King Rompada. The king brought her up and gave her in marriage to Sage Rishyasringa. Rishyasringa was a noble sage. There were plenty of rains, peace and prosperity and people lived in joy and plenty wherever Rishyasringa set his foot. Sumantra went to Rishyasringa and requested him to be the chief rithwik for the Putrakameshti Yaga . Rishyasringa replied, ‘I cannot come alone. I agree to be the chief rithwik but my consort Shanta also should come with me. She shall also function as a rithwik.’ Sumantra agreed to this. Shanta and Rishyasringa reached there. As soon as she reached Ayodhya, Shanta did prostrations at the feet of Dasharatha and Kausalya. Dasharatha wondered who she was as she looked like a rishi. Wherever set her foot, draught vanished, making place for timely rains. When the parents wondered who she was, Shanta had to reveal her identity to Dasharatha and Kausalya. She said, ‘I am your daughter,Shanta. Dasharatha and Kausalya were overjoyed when they realised that she was Shanta. They had given away in adoption to King Rompada. (SSB 2002, pp. 77-78)

 

Her love for the other queen:

Kausalya and Sumitra were bound to each other by ties of affection, far stronger than those between a mother and a child. Each yearned to give joy to the other; each had deep fortitude, detachment and sympathy. (RKRV Part I, p. 32)

 

Duty of the true wife

Kausalya and Sumitra recognised the ardour of the King to wed the princess of Kekaya for, her beauty was being extolled by all; they felt that the duty of the true wife is to obey the least wish of the husband and do her best to help the realisation of that wish. They also knew full well that the Imperial Line of Ayodhya can never be polluted by a son who would transgress Dharma. Though Dasharatha might promise that the son of the third wife could succeed to the throne, the son of Kaikeyi born in the dynasty would certainly be an embodiment of righteousness, free from such blemish. So pleaded with him, with palms meeting in prayer, ‘Lord! What greater happiness have we than yours? Accept the conditions laid by the king of Kekaya and wed his daughter and ensure the continuity of this dynasty of Raghu. There is no need to spend even a minute’s thought upon this.’ (RKRV Part I, p. 33)

 

The three Queens lived with intimate love

The three queens, (Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi) evinced equal love and respect towards each other and the King. They adored him and were afraid to displease him. They endeavoured their best to carry out his wishes and to hinder his desire, for they revered him as their God, in the traditions of a true wife. They lived with such intimate love that it appeared as if all the three had but one breath, though they moved about as three bodies! (RKRV Part I, p. 34)

 

Highly virtuous

Mother Kausalya was highly virtuous. Being the eldest queen, everyone respected her and obeyed her command. (SSS Vol.35, p. 122)

 

Good name

Kausalya attained a good name because of her son, Rama. Her name appears first in Suprabhatam which begins with the words – ‘Kausalya Supraja Rama … ‘Oh! The noble son of mother Kausalya…. (SSS Vol.35, pp. 95-96)

 

‘kausalya supraja rama! purva sandhya pravartate,

uthishta! narasardula! kartavyam daivam ahnikam ‘

‘Sri Rama! Kausalya s endearing son! Wake up, dear! You have to do your day-to-day duties do wake up please.’

 

Kausalya’s philosophy (her interaction with the Queen of Mithila, Sunayana, Emperor Janaka’s consort)

Kausalya said, ‘Sunayana! This happened not through fault of one particular person. Happiness and misery, profit and loss, are all the consequences of Karma, the deeds, words and thoughts of the persons, themselves. Has it not been declared, Avasyam eva bhoktavyam kritam. karma subhasubham? Good or bad, whatever karma has been done, its consequences have to be willy-nilly suffered or enjoyed. God knows the hardship–filled process of Karma. He confers the appropriate consequence according to the deed. Each one carries on the head this Divine Command. Oh, Queen! We are entangled in delusion, and we yield in vain to grief. Why the merit earned and stored by us in previous lives desert us when we grieve? Can this rule of cause and effect holding sway over the world from before the beginning of the world be set aside for our sake? It is a mad hope. Kausalya ended her attempt at consoling, with many a sigh.

 

When (Kausalya) finished, Queen Sunayana spoke thus: ‘Mothers! You are indeed highly fortunate, for Emperor Dasharatha has renown for holy merit that few rulers have. You are Consorts of such noble person. You are the mothers of the very embodiments of Dharma, the very personification of love, Rama, whose heart embraces all beings in compassion. You have earned everlasting fame all over the world. (RKRV Part I, pp. 461-462)

 

MOTHERLY QUALITIES:

 

Noble Mother

Rama’s divinity blossomed under Kausalya’s loving care; Amma (mother) is the first word that man picks up in life. The first letter of the word ‘Amma’ also happens to be the first letter of the alphabet. (SS June 99, p. 141)

 

Rama - Attained Godhood

Rama attained godhood because he was the son of Kausalya. Lava and Kusha became heroic because of their great mother, Sita Devi; it is the noble thoughts of the mother which make the children great. A mother may go wrong in other respects, but she always strives for the well-being of her children. Hence every son has to love the mother as the primary duty. Then he loves the father and reveres the preceptor. The mother confers the body. The father protects it. The preceptor imparts knowledge and wisdom. For every human being all three are essential for getting on in the world. (SSS Vol.30, p. 104)

 

Kausalya’s Concern for Bharata

Kausalya said amidst her sobs, in a grief-stricken voice, ‘If Sita, Rama and Lakshmana reside in forest, many calamities will happen. I know Bharata cannot survive separation from Rama. My agony is heightened when I see Bharata, more than when I see Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. Fear overpowers me when I think of Bharata.’ Sumitra and Kaikeyi agreed that it was very true. They too were saddened at the condition of Bharata. (RKRV Part I, p. 462)

 

Kausalya’s anxiety about Bharata being separated from Rama: Her affection to Bharata

It is only the condition of Bharata that gives me anxiety. His attachment and love for Rama are deep-rooted and delicate. The Emperor has passed away. Rama will not return from the forest. If Bharata finds separation from Rama unbearable, it might lead to his death. Then, the entire empire would be reduced to a living corpse! My heart is torn by fear and anxiety when I picture the future, and the calamities that are in store.’ (RKRV Part I, p. 464)

 

Humility and Virtue

Sunayana was touched by affection that filled the heart of the Queen and her adherence to the path of righteousness. She said, ‘Mother! Humility and Virtue are genuine in you. They are natural expressions of your goodness and nobility, as smoke on fire and beds of grass on mountain peaks. Of course, the Emperor Janaka is ever ready to serve you by word, deed, and thought. He is ever eager to help.’ (RKRV Part I, p. 464)

 

Kausalya to the Vanaras

‘O Vanaras! You are all as dear to me as my son Rama himself. My Rama never forget you; may he ever protect you’. (RKRV Part II, p. 276)

 

Kausalya Character Through The Eyes Of Others:

Kaikeyi:

Kaikeyi said to Manthara ‘Stop that stuff, Manthara! My sister is incapable of intrigue; she will never descend so low. It can never happen. It will never be.’ (RKRV Part I, p. 231)

 

Rama:

Rama says - I shall do whatever is needed to bring joy back to him (Dasharatha), however hard it may be. His command, however painful, I shall discharge to the full, most loyally, with bowed head. Whoever is born, the father is the cause of his birth. Therefore, the father is everyone’s visible God. I seek nothing higher than his happiness..... When Father is reluctant to tell me what that is, at least you can tell me about it, and console my grief.’

 

Mother! Was your self-respect hurt by any incident, resulting in your speaking some harsh words against father? Or, did my mother act against his will and hurt his feelings? Mother Kausalya will never behave like that. (RKRV Part I, p. 272)