Introduction
Shanta is traditionally the daughter of Dasharatha and Kaushalya, who was given in adoption to King Romapada of Anga and his wife Vershini. She married the sage Rishyasringa, who later performed the sacrifice that led to the birth of Rama and his brothers.
This article primarily follows the Valmiki Ramayana. This tradition of her birth is not on the same footing as Rama's own genealogy. It appears in the Uttara Kanda and some other recensions.
Family
- Father (by tradition): Dasharatha
- Mother (by tradition): Kaushalya
- Husband: Rishyasringa
- Siblings: Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna
Marriage to Rishyasringa
When Anga was struck by a drought, Rishyasringa was brought to the kingdom and the rains returned. Romapada gave Shanta to him in marriage. Rishyasringa later went to Ayodhya to conduct the Putrakameshti sacrifice for Dasharatha.
An overlooked figure
Shanta does not appear in the main narrative of the Ramayana. She is remembered mainly through her husband.