Sita's Sisters

The close bond between Sita, Urmila, Mandavi and Shrutakirti proves that women are not women's enemies-a convenient narrative cultivated through centuries

- Kavita Kane

“Sita had a sister?” This is the most instinctive response prompted by most if not many. Yes, Sita had a sister Urmila, and two cousins—Mandavi and Shrutakirti, the two daughters of King Janak’s brother.

While the Ramayana provides an in-depth and multi-layered exploration of brotherly love, it is through Sita’s sisters that we get a glimpse of a nuanced undercurrent of the theme of sisterhood and women’s solidarity.

The Ramayana is often seen as an exposition on ideal brotherhood where the inherent affection among brothers, and respect and regard for the elder siblings are never totally sacrificed for selfishness, power or greed—the theme runs across through four sets of brothers—Rama and his three brothers, Vali and Sugriv, Jatayu and Sampati, and finally Ravan and his two brothers, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishan.

Against this grand symbolism of brotherhood are interspersed stories of women and the subtle stream of sisterhood, mostly relegated to be buried under the massive heft of the larger themes in the Ramayana. Sita’s sisters struggle for cognisance as they refashion the narrative to reveal a series of stories of women—and these four siblings in particular.

Lest we forget, the Ramayana is a story not essentially of Lord Ram and heroism, but also of Sita. It is through Sita that we enter a brave world of remarkable women—some gritty, some gracious, and some maleficent. Most women are minor characters but they play a significant role. Through each one of them in their relationship with Sita are told stories of sisterhood.