Indumati, the princess of Vidarbha, was the mother of Dashrath of Ramayana (father of Lord Rama) and she was immortalized in the epic poem Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa.
Indumati was the sister of the King Bhoja of Vidarbha. King Bhoja organized a swayamvara (choosing a suitable husband from an assembly of prospective groom from various regions) for Indumati to choose her spouse.
Indumati entered the assembly hall with a garland in hand, where the princes had assembled. Many brave and handsome princes had gathered to wed Indumati. As she moved from one prince to another, Sunanda, friend of Indumati, described the achievements of each prince.
She passed on from one prince to another and each turned pale as she passed them. At last, Indumati chose Prince Aja of Ayodhya from the Ikshvaku dynasty. The marriage was solemnized.
However, the princess who were left out attacked Aja out of jealousy. Aja, a brave warrior, used his sammohan weapon and rendered them all unconscious. Raghu, the king of Ayodhya, was very happy when Aja arrived with Indumati in the capital.
In course of time, King Raghu handed over the reins of the kingdom to Aja and went to the forest, as was the custom.
A son was born to Aja and Indumati, and he was named Dasaratha, the father of Rama.
Once, Aja took Indumati to a lovely garden. As Indumati was resting, a garland from heaven fell on her and she died. Aja was inconsolable. He broke out into a lament. The same has been described as one of the most moving passages in Sanskrit poetry.
Aja said: You are my wife, my counselor, my companion in solitude, my beloved pupil in the fine arts; by taking you away, tell me, has not merciless death robbed me of everything?”
The family preceptor, Sage Vasistha, consoled the king – first of the mighty, you should not, like a common man, fall prey to the power of sorrow. What difference is there between the tree and rock, if in the wind, both tremble alike…?