When we think of the Ramayana, our minds often turn to Lord Rama or Hanuman’s devotion. Yet the epic also weaves an inspiring thread of solidarity among its women. Throughout the story, many female figures quietly protect and care for one another. Whether queens, sages, or even the Earth itself, these women show boldness and compassion in times of crisis. Their acts of support – from whispering wise counsel to making great sacrifices – remind us that true heroism isn’t only on the battlefield. As we explore their stories, we see how these women stood up for each other’s dignity, offering comfort and strength when it was needed most.
Mandodari: The Protective Ally
Mandodari, queen of Lanka, is remembered as a wise, compassionate human even in Ravana’s court. As Ravana’s first wife and the queen of Lanka, she is portrayed as beautiful and righteous. Despite living beside a tyrant, she repeatedly urges him to do the right thing for Sita. In one dramatic episode, when Ravana is about to behead Sita for refusing him, Mandodari physically intervenes. She grabs Ravana’s sword-hand and insists it’s a sin to kill a woman. By this brave act, she saves Sita’s life, reminding Ravana that cruel actions are wrong. Even as enemies, Mandodari recognizes Sita’s devotion and protects her honour. Her example highlights boldness and moral courage: she stands up to her own husband to defend Sita, proving that support can mean acting with integrity and heart.
Comfort in Lanka: Trijata and Other Rakshasi Allies
Trijata is a demoness who befriends Sita. Even among Lanka’s rakshasis, she honours Sita’s virtue. Sita’s captive life in Ashoka Grove might seem utterly lonely, but a few Lanka demons break the mold. The eldest among them, Trijata, becomes Sita’s secret ally. After Sita refuses Ravana’s demands, the other demonesses try to pressure her into marrying Ravana. It is Trijata who intervenes with a prophetic dream: she envisions Rama’s victory and Ravana’s defeat. This vision gives Sita hope and convinces the others to treat her kindly. Later, when Ravana’s son Indrajit magically binds Rama and Lakshmana and takes them off the battlefield, Sita is inconsolable with grief. Trijata reassures her, telling Sita that her husband will live. In fact, Trijata confesses that Sita’s own goodness and gentle nature have won her love. In other words, Trijata – a so-called enemy – becomes Sita’s friend, speaking truth in the face of danger.
Another Lanka woman, Sarama, similarly reaches out to Sita. After Ravana shows Sita a fake severed head of Rama, Sarama exposes the deception and comforts Sita. She also brings news that Rama has arrived at Lanka’s shores. Together, Trijata and Sarama show that empathy can cross enemy lines. They offer solace when Sita’s world is dark: whispering encouragement, giving news of Rama’s approach, and defending her innocence. Their support – like lanterns in a stormy night – keeps Sita hopeful. These demonesses exemplify how women can protect each other’s spirits, even in isolation.
Anasuya: The Wise Guide
When Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana wander in exile through the forest, they visit the ashram of the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya. Anasuya is famed for her devotion and kindness. She warmly welcomes the exiles, making them feel at home far from Ayodhya. She gives Sita an ointment to maintain her beauty forever. By this gesture, Anasuya cares for Sita’s well-being, helping her preserve her composure and honour under hardship. Anasuya’s role is that of a wise elder – she offers spiritual support and practical help. Her attentiveness shows the power of mentorship and hospitality; she stands by Sita with kindness, giving her not just a gift but confidence. Through her, the Ramayana reminds us that women support each other not only in crises but also in the quiet strength of home and hope.
Urmila: The Selfless Sister
Often when we speak of Sita’s sisters, we focus on Urmila in passing. But Urmila – Lakshmana’s wife and Sita’s younger sister – has her own epic sacrifice. When Rama is exiled for 14 years, Lakshmana goes with him to guard Sita. Lakshmana requests Urmila’s blessings, and she does something astonishing: she agrees to sleep continuously for the entire exile. In other words, Urmila stays awake for 14 years of night so that Lakshmana never needs to sleep and can dedicate all his energy to protecting Rama and Sita. This incredible devotion – sometimes called “Urmila’s sleep” – goes almost unnoticed in the main story, but it shows a quiet, selfless courage. Urmila suffers so that Rama and Sita can be safe. While they face demons and warfare, Urmila endures the pain of separation and sleeplessness alone. Her boldness is different: not in battle, but in steadfast love and sacrifice. By taking on Lakshmana’s share of the burden, she sustains the mission without fanfare. In this, Urmila demonstrates that support can mean bearing suffering quietly, a strength that underpins the heroes’ strength.
Mother Earth: Witness and Protector
Sita is often described as the daughter of Bhumi Devi, the Earth Goddess, because she was literally born from the Earth. This connection plays a very powerful role in the Ramayana’s ending.
After facing many hardships, Sita is once again asked to prove her purity. She undergoes a trial by fire and comes out unharmed, showing her innocence. Yet, when doubts remain, something extraordinary happens—the Earth itself responds. The ground opens up and receives Sita into its embrace, declaring that its daughter’s honour cannot be questioned.
In this moment, Mother Earth becomes both Sita’s protector and her final witness. The natural world itself rises in her defense, proving that her dignity is beyond human judgment. This act carries a deep meaning: when a woman suffers unjustly, even creation itself feels her pain. And when others fail to protect her, the universe itself can step in to do so.
This timeless image teaches us that every woman’s honour matters greatly, and that justice may come in ways we least expect. Just as the Earth upheld Sita, it reminds us that no truth can remain hidden forever, and no virtue can be denied.
These “supporters” remind us that solidarity often lives in everyday kindness – an attentive listen, a helping hand, or an encouraging word. In a culture that often spotlighted kings, these women show that the backbone of compassion can be unheralded but mighty.
Why This Matters Today
What can modern readers learn from the women of the Ramayana? Their stories prove that true heroism includes empathy and solidarity. Mandodari’s courage in opposing evil, the rakshasis’ friendship with Sita, and Mother Earth’s defense of purity all illustrate that protecting another woman’s dignity is a powerful act. These women took the right actions in hard situations – they spoke up against injustice and stood by the vulnerable, often at personal risk. In our world today, we may not face demon-kings or exile, but the values remain.
We see the impact of a comforting word or a brave decision in real life. The Ramayana’s heroines teach us that by supporting each other – in both grand gestures and small everyday acts – women can uphold each other’s honour and strength. They show that standing up for someone’s cause, defending a friend’s dignity, or quietly bearing burdens is as noble as any warrior’s feat.
In this way, the “girls’ girls” of mythology inspire us: they remind us that when women care for women, they become guardians of virtue and comforters of the weary.
