Sumantra is King Dasharatha's chief minister and charioteer. He advises the king on the sacrifice for sons, drives Rama into exile and returns to tell the grieving court that Rama has gone into the forest.
RoleMember of the Ikshvaku royal family
Appears inRamayana
GroupIkshvaku royal family
KingdomAyodhya
First appearsBala Kanda, Sarga 7
Sargas24 in the Valmiki Ramayana
Stories and legends
StoryThe Exile of Ramaराम का वनवासOn the eve of his coronation, Rama was sent into fourteen years of forest exile by Kaikeyi's two boons. He accepted it without bitterness for his father's word;…
StoryKevat Ferries Rama Across the Gangaकेवट और श्रीरामOn his way into exile, Rama reached the Ganga at Shringaverpur, where the boatman Kevat refused to ferry him until he had washed Rama's feet, fearing their dust…Continue exploring
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