King Romapada

Romapada or Chitraratha or Lomapad was the youngest son of King Vidarbha of Yadava and an adopted son of King Dharmaratha of Anga. King Vidarbha had many sons but his friend King Dharmaratha had no son.Thus, King Dharmaratha adopted his friend King Vidarbha's youngest son Romapada.When King Dharmaratha grew old, He decided to make Romapada as the ruler of Anga.

King Romapada
In-universe information
FamilyKing Vidarbha(Father)
King Dharmaratha (Adoptive-father)
SpouseVershini who was the elder sister of Kausalya, the mother of Rama.
ChildrenShanta (adopted daughter) and Chaturanga who was the founder of the game chaturanga (now as chess in today's life )

Meeting with Rishyasringa

After King Dharmaratha went to forest, Romapada became the King of Anga. He married Vershini who was the elder sister of Kausalya (mother of Rama) and made friendship with King Dasharatha of Ayodhya who was the father of Rama.[1] Once a brahmin named Shuvateertha came to the king to ask for help but the king called him to come in the evening.When he visited in the eve the king was busy talking with his daughter Shanta thus he payed no attention to the plight of poor brahmin.The brahmin returned bare handed.Indra, the king of heaven was enraged with the behaviour of the king and the treatment he meted out to his devotee.Thus, Anga received less rain during monsoons.[1]

Severe drought occured in the kingdom of Anga and on discussing with the known saints, king came to know that the prevalent situation could be bypassed only if sage Rishyashringa, the son of Vibhandak will visit his country and bless it with the power of his meditation and austerity.[2]

The king thought of various means to bring the sage to his country and he suddenly got the idea that the seer, who had grown aloof from the world and the material pleasure, who don't even know of women could be lured by the charm and beauty of a women only.Thus; he sent beautiful courtesans dressed in attractive clothings and decorated with pleasant smell in order to lure the seer.After all, a courtesan named vaishali was successful in bringing him to the Anga, where he was given grand welcome.[2]

The courtesans tempt Rishyasringa - Ramayana, Bala Kanda .

The king had earlier adopted the daughter of his friend Dasharatha called Shanta, who was elder sister of Lord Rama born out of Kausalya.After the seer performed the sacrifice he was given opportunity to choose bride for him from among the daughters of all the known officers, ministers and subordinate rulers present there.The young seer chose Shanta, the adopted daughter of Romapada.[1] Hence, she was married to him and the sage was given position of a prince in the Anga Kingdom. [2]

See also

References
  1. Kanuga, G.B. (1993). The Immortal Love of Rama. New Delhi: Yuganter Press. pp. 48–52.
  2. Agarwal, Meena (2016). Tales From The Ramayan. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd. ISBN 935261304X. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
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