Ayodhyakanda: Sacrifice, Love, and Intrigue in the Palace of Ayodhya

a meeting in the palace of Ayodhya(source:personal collection)

All the attendees joyfully welcomed the king's wish, and then a discussion was held about when the ceremony would take place. Sage Vasishtha, as the royal priest, announced that the ceremony would be held in the month of Chaitra, which was just one month away. Therefore, preparations should begin immediately.

Deliberating about the ceremony. (source:personal collection)

During the preparations for the ceremony, King Dasaratha received news that his father-in-law, the king of Kekaya and Queen Kaikeyi's father, was ill. Since King Dasaratha was still occupied with the ceremony preparations, he could not visit him. He then sent Bharata to visit his grandfather. Bharata immediately set out, accompanied by Shatrughna.

King Dasharatha was informed that his father-in-law was ill.(Source: personal collection)

The news of Rama's appointment was welcomed by everyone except for one of Queen Kaikeyi's maids, Mantara. She preferred that her foster child, Bharata, become the crown prince (Yuva Raja). Mantara then suggested this to Queen Kaikeyi, but the queen did not agree with her.
Mantara then began to manipulate Queen Kaikeyi and succeeded. Although Queen Kaikeyi was still hesitant, Mantara reminded her of King Dasaratha's promise to grant her two wishes for having saved his life. Queen Kaikeyi, convinced by Mantara, approached the king to demand the fulfillment of his promise. First, she asked for the coronation to be canceled and for Bharata to be appointed instead. Second, she requested that Rama be exiled to the Dandaka forest for 14 years.

King Dasaratha was deeply shocked by this request, but he had no choice but to fulfill it. He then summoned Rama to inform him about the promise. Rama, not wanting his father to break his vow, agreed to Queen Kaikeyi's demands. Without delay, Rama bid farewell and prepared to carry out the exile.

Before leaving, Rama went to his mother to explain what had happened. He then said farewell to Queen Sumitra, Sita, and Lakshmana. However, both Sita and Lakshmana declared that they would accompany Rama to the forest. Thus, the three of them set out together for the Dandaka forest.
The news that Rama would live in the forest for 14 years quickly spread throughout the city of Ayodhya. The people were disappointed with the king's unwise decision. Many chose to follow Rama, preferring to live with him rather than under the rule of a king they deemed unjust. However, Rama advised the people to escort him only to the city gates. Despite this, they were reluctant to leave him.

As evening approached, Rama visited the Tamasa River and decided to spend the night there. While the townspeople slept soundly, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana quietly left the city. The next morning, the people awoke to find that Rama had already departed, with no knowledge of where he had gone or which direction he had taken. Saddened, they returned to their homes. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana crossed the river and headed south, crossing the Vedasruti River, the Gomati River, and the Syandika River until they reached the border of the Kosala kingdom. By evening, they arrived at the banks of the Ganges River and spent the night there.

The next day, they continued their journey and crossed the Ganges River. By the afternoon, they reached the middle of a forest, where they spent the night beneath a large Nayagrosta tree. The following day, they headed towards the sacred area of Sangama, where the Yamuna and Ganges rivers meet. At sunset, they arrived at the ashram of Rishi Bharadwaja and spent the night there.
The next day, they took their leave of Rishi Bharadwaja. The sage advised Rama to stay temporarily in the Chikotra Mountains before heading to the Dandaka forest. He also provided directions for the journey. Following this advice, Rama crossed the Yamuna River.

Meanwhile, in Ayodhya, Dasaratha was overwhelmed with regret, sorrow, and despair. He repeatedly apologized and expressed his feelings to Queen Kausalya and Queen Sumitra. Afterward, he fell into a restless sleep, repeatedly calling out Rama's name. The next morning, Queen Kausalya and Queen Sumitra discovered that their husband had passed away. The people of Ayodhya, who were already mourning Rama’s departure, now also mourned the death of King Dasaratha.

On that very day, a council meeting was held in the palace. It was decided that Bharata should become the king. Messengers were sent to fetch Bharata. When Bharata arrived in Ayodhya, he was greeted by the palace officials with expressions of sadness. When Bharata inquired about what had happened, none of the officials were able to provide an answer. Growing impatient, Bharata went straight to his father's chamber, only to find it empty. He assumed that his father might be in his mother’s room.

However, only his mother was there. Bharata asked about his grandfather and uncles, and learned that they were all well. He then inquired about his father. Queen Kaikeyi proceeded to recount everything from the beginning up to the death of his father. Upon hearing the story, Bharata became enraged and disappointed. He declared that he did not want to become king and resolved to find Rama, bring him back, and have him crowned as the king.
Bharata then met with the ministers and palace officials who had been waiting for him. Without any pleasantries, he made it clear that he was unwilling to become king and would go in search of Rama. However, the royal advisors suggested that the search for Rama be postponed until after the completion of the funeral rites for the recently deceased king.

Once the ceremony was over, Bharata set out immediately, accompanied by Shatrughna, the ministers, a group of soldiers, and several attendants. Also joining the entourage were the three wives of Dasaratha. Under the guidance of Sage Vasishtha, the group proceeded directly to the hermitage of Sage Bharadwaja, hoping that the sage could provide directions on Rama's current whereabouts.

About 2 miles away, Bharata halted his entourage and met with Sage Bharadwaja, accompanied only by Sage Vasishtha. Sage Bharadwaja welcomed them warmly and provided directions to Rama's current location. He then suggested that Bharata bring his entire entourage to the ashram.
When Bharata called for his entourage, Sage Bharadwaja performed a ritual prayer to the deities, requesting that they provide food and drink for Bharata's guests. Since his asceticism was deemed sufficiently perfect, the deities granted his request. As a result, when the entourage arrived, they found ample supplies and were greatly satisfied. The next day, the group took their leave of Sage Bharadwaja and set off in the southwest direction, as instructed by the sage. They eventually arrived at the Mandakini River, which offered a breathtakingly beautiful view.

Lakshmana, upon seeing Bharata's arrival, suspected that Bharata had come to eliminate Rama in order to secure his own position as king. He conveyed this concern to Rama. However, Rama had a different perspective; he believed that Bharata had come to visit him out of brotherly affection and longing. Rama advised Lakshmana not to harbor negative thoughts about his own brother.
Bharata and Shatrughna approached Rama, bowed down, and paid their respects. Rama accepted their homage and embraced them one by one. Similarly, Lakshmana embraced his brothers. Rama then inquired about the situation in Ayodhya, especially regarding his father. With tears streaming down his face, Bharata informed Rama that his father had passed away and had gone to the realm of the ancestors. Hearing this, Rama was so shocked that he fainted.

Once Rama regained consciousness and calmed down, Bharata requested that Rama return to Ayodhya and become king. However, Rama firmly refused, stating that doing so would break their father’s promise and go against dharma. According to the promise, it was Bharata who should ascend the throne. Bharata, in turn, insisted that he did not want to be king. He proposed that Rama take the throne, while he himself would stay in the forest in Rama's place. The debate between the two brothers continued, with each steadfast in his position. Eventually, Sage Vasishtha offered a compromise.

The shoes prepared for Rama's coronation were to be worn by Rama as a symbol of his ascension. These shoes were to be placed on the throne as a representation of Rama being the king. The governance for the next 14 years would be carried out in Rama's name. The compromise proposed by Sage Vasishtha was agreed upon. After Rama wore the shoes, they were handed over to Bharata. Bharata and his entire entourage then took their leave to return to Ayodhya.