King Dasaratha was Lord Rama's father. When he realized that he was getting older, he thought, . "I have lived long enough! I shall step down and make Rama the king." The king told everyone about his decision. He informed the priests to begin the sacred rites that would allow Rama to be the king of Ayodhya. Everyone was very happy with the decision and the preparations began for the coronation of Rama.

Kaikeyi, the youngest of the king Dasaratha's three wives, had heard this news. Her maid servant Manthara did not want Rama to be king. That evening, she spoke to Kaikeyi in secret. Kaikeyi met Dasaratha and said, " Oh my powerful king and beloved husband you promised me two boons. Hear my boons now so that they may be granted." The king reluctantly listened to his wife's requests. "First," she began. "I wish to have my son, Bharata, placed upon the throne of Ayodhya. Second, I want Rama banished from the kingdom for a period of no less than fourteen years."

The king fell to his knees and begged his young wife not to hold him to these dreadful wishes. As a righteous and honest man, he knew he could not go back on his word. Yet, he couldn't bear to ask Rama to forsake the throne and go away for fourteen years. He turned pale and speechless.

Kaikeyi told Rama the terrible news. Rather than argue, Rama comforted his father. "Father, your word is law. I shall do whatever you bid. It is the sacred duty of a son to respect his father." Then, he turned to his own mother Kausalya, and requested "Please be sure that father installs Bharata as crown prince." Rama knelt and touched the feet of his parents respectfully. He stood, turned and left the palace. He gladly decided to leave the comforts of the palace to obey his father.

Lakshmana declared, "I shall destroy anyone who opposes your right to the throne.." Rama responded, "No, Lakshmana. You know it is my sacred duty, my dharma, to fulfill these wishes." "My brother, if you must leave Ayodhya, then I shall follow you," Lakshmana said.

Rama tried to convince Sita to remain, but she said sobbing, "And, it is my duty, my dharma, as a wife to be at your side. How can I live without you? I must join you." Rama tried hard to convince them to stay but they were insistent. "Then, Sita, come with me," Rama said. Rama also gave his brother permission to join them.

As the three left the palace, they cast away their royal robes and put on the clothes of hermits. They were going to live a simple life in the forests giving up all the comforts of the palace! The people of Ayodhya wept as Rama, Sita and Lakshmana passed from the city. As the chariot went from sight, Dasaratha cried, "Rama! Rama! Do not leave me." In time, Dasaratha lost the will to live.

In a few days, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita crossed the river Ganges and built a small hut near a stream in a place called Chitrakoot. Several days had passed. Lakshmana, while hunting in the forest, heard the sound of an army approaching. To his surprise, he saw the lead horseman carrying the flag of Ayodhya. It was Bharata!

Bharata embraced his brothers. He cried, "My heart is filled with grief and shame, grief for the loss of our noble father and shame for being offered the throne that you rightfully deserve. Come back to Ayodhya and be our king." "That cannot be done," Rama said. "I gave my word and I shall stay here for fourteen years and no less. Then and only then will I return."

Nothing could sway Rama. "Rama, my brother," Bharata declared, "as long as you are in exile, no one shall be king. To ensure this, give me your sandals. I will place them on the throne. For the next fourteen years I will serve our land in your name. And, if after those fourteen years, you do not return, I shall walk into a fire and die." Bharata took the sandals, mounted his horse and left the forest.

Rama was determined and didn't sway even a bit to go back to Ayodhya. He had to forego all the comforts of a palace and live in a wild forest to keep the word that he had given to his father.

Questions:

1. What do you learn from this story?

2. What do you learn from Rama ?

3. What made Rama to go to the forest?

4. Why didn't Rama go back to the kingdom when his brother Bharatha had repeatedly asked him?

5. How did Rama live in the forest without the comforts of the palace?

6. What do you learn from Bharata and Lakshmana?