Sumitra was one of the three wives of King Dasaratha, the ruler of Ayodhya, in the Hindu epic Ramayana. She was the mother of the twin princes, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
According to the Ramayana, when King Dasaratha decided to perform a yagna (sacred fire ritual) to have children, the sage Rishyasringa advised him to invite his three queens to perform the yagna together. After the yagna was completed, the queens were given divine payasam (sweet pudding) to consume, which resulted in the birth of four sons – Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna.
Sumitra was a devoted and caring mother who raised her sons with love and affection. Lakshmana, her eldest son, was particularly close to her, and his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama is often attributed to the values instilled in him by Sumitra.
Throughout the Ramayana, Sumitra is portrayed as a wise and virtuous queen who supports her husband and family during difficult times. She is often overshadowed by the more prominent characters of Lord Rama, Sita, and Hanuman, but her role as a nurturing mother and a devoted wife remains an important aspect of the Ramayana.