Dear friends,
On the occasion of Sri
Ram Navami, the birth of
Lord Rama, which is on April 18 this year, let us learn about Lord Rama's life
and His Godly qualities.
Long ago, in India, there lived a king called Dasharath.
Ayodhya was the capital of his kingdom (It is a part of a state called Uttar
Pradesh in today's India). Dasharath had three queens, Kausalya, Kaikeyi and
Sumitra. Rama was the son of queen Kausalya, Lakshman and Shatrughna were the
sons of Sumitra, and Bharat was the son of Kaikeyi. Everyone loved Rama, because
of His good nature and truthful character. Rama, being the eldest son of the
king, was the heir to the throne.
When King Dasharath grew old, he decided to retire and make Rama the crown
king of Ayodhya. As the day of coronation came near, the city started to prepare
for the occasion and the queens were happy for the upcoming event. However, things
did not go according to King Dasharath's plan.
A wicked woman, Manthara, who was Queen Kaikeyi's
maid, said to Queen Kaikeyi, "Why
are you so happy about Rama's coronation? Don't you realize that from now on
you will not be as respected as Kausalya and your son Bharat will be totally
ignored?"
Queen Kaikeyi said, "What nonsense you talk!
I love Rama and He is the heir!"
"Not if you change things," said
Manthara in a devilish voice. By now, Kaikeyi was feeling afraid that her maid
might be right about her own son Bharat being ignored after Rama becomes king.
"But how can I?" asked Kaikeyi hesitatingly.
Manthara told Kaikeyi her plan.
As per the plan, Queen Kaikeyi went to King Dasharath
and said, "Do you
recall the promise you had made to me when I saved your life in the battle field?
You had said that you would fulfill two of my wishes?"
"Yes, my queen," said
Dasharath, "I remember that and I will keep
my promise. Ask for what you desire!"
Kaikeyi coldly announced, "Crown
my son Bharat as the King and banish Rama to the forest for fourteen years."
King Dasharath was stunned into silence. He or his
ancestors had never broken a promise. What could he do now? His happiness and
peace had all been stolen from him instantly. Reluctantly, the king whispered
to his attendant, "Go
and get Rama."
When Rama arrived, his father was far too sad to speak.
It was Kaikeyi, who spoke, "Bharat
is to be the King and you are to be banished for fourteen years."
"Is
this what my dear father desires?" asked Rama.
"Your father is keeping his promise to me." Kaikeyi answered.
"Then I have no choice; I must honor my father's
word. If a promise is made, it must be kept. Let Bharat be the king. I will leave
for the exile immediately."
When Sita (Rama's wife), Lakshman (Rama's half-brother)
and Bharat (Rama's half-brother) came to know about this, they too, insisted
on accompanying Rama into exile. However, Rama made sure that Bharat stayed behind
to look after the kingdom, as per His father's promise. Then Rama and Sita, along
with brother Lakshmana, left Ayodhya.
Rama, His devoted wife Seeta and brother
Lakshmana remained in exile in a forest called Dandakaranya for 14 years. During
the exile, Rama became the savior of the Sages in the forest, and the destroyer
of the demons and the evil king, Ravana. |
