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Once
King Dasharatha noticed a white hair while adjusting his crown. Thoughtful
as he was, he decided that it was a good time to relegate all his stately
duties and appoint Ram, the son of his first queen Kaushalya, as the crown
prince of Kosala. He presented this idea before the head priest,
Vashishtha. Since Ram was capable on all count and had proved his mettle,
Vashistha approved it without a second thought. A formal announcement was
made in this regard. It was music for ears of the people of Ayodhya.
When
everyone was rejoicing, Manthara, maid of third queen Kaikeyi, was upset.
She thought that Bharat, son of Kaikeyi, was left out. She also felt that
after Ram’s coronation, stature of Queen was in danger. She, counseled
Kaikeyi to oppose the decision and ask for Bharat's coronation as the
prince of Ayodhya. She also forewarned that if Ram would become Prince,
She would end up serving Kaushalya as her maid! Kaikeyi fell in her trap
and believed her words worthy of consideration. Manthara was quick to
seize the opportunity and reminded Kaikeyi to seek two boons from King
Dasharatha.
When
Dasharatha came to her palatial suite, Kaikeyi asked her two promises:
Bharat to be crowned as Prince of Ayodhya and Ram be sent to forest for 14
years in exile as a hermit. In the past, Kaikeyi had saved King’s life and
therefore King promised her two boons. Now it was Dasharatha’s turn to
honor his promise. What followed was inevitable. Ram agreed to exile to
fulfill his father’s promise, and along with his wife Sita, who in spite
of forewarned about hardship of forest life decided to join him. Ram's
younger brother Laxman, who refused to part with Ram, also set out to the
forest for 14 years in exile.
For
the people of Ayodhya, it was unbearable. The palace took deserted look.
Instead of pomp of coronation, doom persisted everywhere. Ram, Sita and
Laxman left Ayodhya in hermit's guise accompanied by charioteer Sumant.
People of Ayodhya followed them. In the evening, when everybody was
resting, Ram ordered Sumant to sneak out of sight of people of Ayodhya.
They reached to the banks of Ganges, where Nishadraj greeted them. Ram
forcibly sent reluctant Sumant back to Ayodhya.
Ram
let Boatman Kevat wash his feet and take them across Ganga. Their journey
in the central Indian forest continued until they reached Prayag,
confluence of holy Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. There, they met Sage
Bhardwaj and Sage Valmiki. Valmiki advised Ram to stay in Chitrakoot for
his remaining period of exile.
Sumant returned to Ayodhya empty-handed. Dasharatha's last hope of Ram
coming back became futile. He became unconscious and in that state,
recalled the curse given by blind parents of Shravan. When Dasharatha was
hunting in the forest, he mistakenly shot an arrow and killed Shravan,
assuming him as a deer. Dasharatha realized his folly and beg an apology
to his thirsty parents but they were exasperated as Shravan was their only
support in old age. They cursed that Dasharatha would also meet with
similar fate. Dasharatha left for heavenly abode in a similar state
longing for his son Ram.
Bharat was summoned from his maternal place for enthroning as King of
Ayodhya. Bharat rejected the offer at once and decided to meet and
convince Ram. Besides Queens, people of Ayodhya joined to see Ram, Sita
and Laxman. Sage Vashishtha informed Ram about Dasharatha’s death. Ram
performed final rituals for Dasharatha. Bharat repented on Kaikeyi’s
misdeed and proposed that he and Shatrughna would face exile while Ram is
crowned as King of Ayodhya. Ram remained adamant on his decision. King
Janak, ruler of Mithila and Sita's father tried to convince Ram but of no
avail.
Ram
gave his sandals to Bharat and ordered him to serve the people of Ayodhya
until he finishes his exile. With heavy heart, Bharat returned back to
Ayodhya, where he took over as the King but kept the sandals (paduka) of
Ram on the thorn.
Ram, Sita and Laxman continued their
exile in the
forest.
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