Kausalya was the first wife of Dasaratha, king of Ayodhya
and father of Sri Ram. She was the daughter of the King of Uttara Kosala. A
daughter named Santa was born to Dasaratha by Kausalya. After this, no sons or
daughters were born to Dasaratha for a long time.
Kausalya was also the chief wife of Dasaratha. The king had
two other wives named Kaikeyi and Sumithra.
When no children were born to the king, he performed
putrakameshti yajna. Thus, Sri Ram was born to Kausalya.
She rejoiced at the decision to make Shriram crown prince
but plunges into grief when she hears that Sri Ram will not become crown prince
but will go on exile for fourteen years.
She offers to go with Sri Ram but he does not agree to it.
One of the noble characters in the Ramayana, she breaks down
and accuses the king of destroying his kingdom, when she hears the report of
Rama’s journey into forest from his charioteer, Sumantra.
Soon she gathers her composure and forgives the king when he
seeks forgiveness.