Mandodari

Mandodari is wise queen who warned Ravana against his obsession and mourned the ruin of Lanka. Wife of Ravana; mother of Meghanada in major traditions.

Renowned for intelligence and virtue, she shared rule in prosperous Lanka.

She recognized that Sita's abduction would bring disaster and pleaded for her release.

During the war she watched her son and relatives fall while Ravana remained unmoved.

Her lament over Ravana combines love, grief and condemnation of the choices that destroyed him.