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Romapada

Lomapada

The king of Anga, friend of Dasharatha and adoptive father of Shanta.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Valmiki Ramayana, with other tellings (Ramcharitmanas (Tulsidas), Regional and folk traditions) noted where relevant.

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Vershini

Introduction

Romapada, also called Lomapada, is the king of Anga and a friend of Dasharatha. He is best known for bringing the sage Rishyasringa to his kingdom to end a drought.

Family

The drought and Rishyasringa

When Anga was struck by a long drought, Romapada was advised to bring Rishyasringa, a young ascetic who had grown up without seeing women. The king sent courtesans to lure him, and when Rishyasringa arrived, the rains came. Romapada gave Shanta, his adopted daughter, in marriage to him.

Dasharatha's friend

According to the tradition followed here, Shanta was Dasharatha's own daughter, given in adoption to his friend. Romapada later allowed Rishyasringa to go to Ayodhya to perform the sacrifice that led to the birth of Rama and his brothers.

Sources

  1. Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda (primary text) — https://www.valmikiramayan.net/
  2. The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India (scholarly) — https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691206868/the-ramayana-of-valmiki

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.