Sunayana is the queen of King Janaka of Mithila and the mother of Sita and Urmila. Her name is known mostly from later tradition, as Valmiki rarely names her, but she is honoured as the mother who raised the earth-born Sita.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Sita's mother in the Ramayana?
Sita was found in the earth by Janaka, and she was raised by his queen Sunayana.
Is Sunayana named in the Valmiki Ramayana?
She is barely mentioned there; her name and role are fuller in later retellings such as the Ramcharitmanas.
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