Quick Answer
Lakshman married Urmila, the daughter of King Janak of Mithila. Bharat married Mandavi, and Shatrughna married Shrutakirti, both daughters of Janak's younger brother Kushdhvaj, the king of Sankashya.
The Story
When Ram broke Shiva's mighty bow and won Sita's hand, Lakshman was also present in Mithila. King Janak sent messengers to Ayodhya to invite King Dashrath to Mithila for the marriages of Ram and Lakshman to Sita and Urmila. Dashrath came to Mithila with his other two sons, Bharat and Shatrughna, for the wedding celebrations.
At this time, King Janak revealed an important detail about his family. His father, Hrasvaroma, had two sons. Janak was the elder, while Kushdhvaj was his younger brother. Hrasvaroma had made Janak king and entrusted him with the care of Kushdhvaj before retiring to the forest.
Later, Sudhanva, the king of Sankashya, attacked Mithila, demanding Shiva's bow and Sita. Janak defeated and killed him. Janak then installed Kushdhvaj as king of Sankashya, a city associated with the River Ikshumati.
Kushdhvaj had two daughters, Mandavi and Shrutakirti. When the marriages of Ram and Lakshman were being arranged, Sage Vishvamitra suggested that Mandavi and Shrutakirti should marry Bharat and Shatrughna. Janak and Kushdhvaj happily agreed.
Thus, the four marriages were arranged:
- Ram - Sita
- Lakshman - Urmila
- Bharat - Mandavi
- Shatrughna - Shrutakirti
Janak formally gave Urmila to Lakshman. He then asked Bharat to accept Mandavi's hand and Shatrughna to accept Shrutakirti's hand. The four brothers married the four princesses according to the prescribed rituals, with the sacred fire witnessing the ceremonies.
Therefore, Mandavi and Shrutakirti were not Janak's daughters in the same way Sita and Urmila were. They were the daughters of his younger brother Kushdhvaj, making the two families closely connected through both marriage and kinship.
Did You Know?
The Valmiki Ramayan describes Sankashya as the city ruled by Kushdhvaj. Janak says that it was surrounded by the River Ikshumati. After defeating Sudhanva, Janak had installed Kushdhvaj there as its king.
Why It Matters Today
The story reminds us that families are often connected through relationships that extend beyond the most famous members. The marriages of the four princes created a close bond between the royal families of Ayodhya and Mithila.
References
- Valmiki Ramayan
- Bal Kand, Sarga 70: Janak calls his younger brother Kushdhvaj from Sankashya.
- Bal Kand, Sarga 71: Janak explains his family lineage and gives Urmila to Lakshman.
- Bal Kand, Sarga 72: Vishvamitra proposes Mandavi and Shrutakirti as brides for Bharat and Shatrughna.
- Bal Kand, Sarga 73: The four marriages are solemnised.
- Ramcharitmanas
- Bal Kand, Doha 325 and accompanying Chaupai: Mandavi is married to Bharat, Urmila to Lakshman, and Shrutakirti to Shatrughna.
