The commentator elaborates on how the payasa was distributed. Being older to Kaikeyi and younger to Kausalya, Sumitra was offered half the quarter of the payasa and Kaikeyi, one-eighth as the king thought it fit. This distribution was done in consideration of their closeness to the king and not according to dharma. Therefore, Bharata and Satrughna were born of half the quarter of the payasa, each. Some say, Rama and Bharata had one-third share of the payasa each and Lakshmana and Satrugna one eighth each. That is, the king gave Sumitra one fourth (half of half) of the payasa given to Kausalya. Even so he gave the remaining half of the half to Kaikeyi. Again, half of the quarter that remained was given to Sumitra through Kausalya.
Kalidasa and Kataka also follow a similar line. The commentary contends that the pairing of Rama and Lakshmana and Bharata and Satrugna was due to the shares of payasa their mothers had.
Distribution of payasa 1.16.30
The commentator elaborates on how the payasa was distributed. Being older to Kaikeyi and younger to Kausalya, Sumitra was offered half the quarter of the payasa and Kaikeyi, one-eighth as the king thought it fit. This distribution was done in consideration of their closeness to the king and not according to dharma. Therefore, Bharata and Satrughna were born of half the quarter of the payasa, each. Some say, Rama and Bharata had one-third share of the payasa each and Lakshmana and Satrugna one eighth each. That is, the king gave Sumitra one fourth (half of half) of the payasa given to Kausalya. Even so he gave the remaining half of the half to Kaikeyi. Again, half of the quarter that remained was given to Sumitra through Kausalya.
Kalidasa and Kataka also follow a similar line. The commentary contends that the pairing of Rama and Lakshmana and Bharata and Satrugna was due to the shares of payasa their mothers had.