Hindu Religious Studies 57
The Ayodhya Event (Kanda):
In Ayodhya there were lots of celebrations. Time flew away in joy.
Dasharatha became old. He wanted Rama to become the crown
Prince. As Rama was the eldest son he should become the crown
Prince. But Kaikeyi protested that. Kaikeyi did it not of her own
accord. Kaikeyi had a maid named Manthara. She gave evil counsel
to Kaikeyi.Once upon a time Dasharataha wanted to grant Kaikeyi two boons. It
means, he wanted to fulfil two of her wishes. Manthara told Kaikeyi
to ask for the two boons to Dasharatha. One of the wishes would be
to crown Bharata, son of Kaikeyi as king. The other wish would be
to send Rama, son of Kausalya for fourteen years to the forest for
exile. Kaikeyi asked for these two boons to Dasharatha. To hear this
Dasharatha was heart broken. He knew that if he did not give the
boons it would be the breaking of promise. And if he agreed then
Rama would have to go for exile.Rama came to know everything. To fulfill his father's promise he
went to the forest. Sita and his younger brother Lakshmana
accompanied him. Dasharatha was not able to bear this sorrow. He
passed away.At that time Bharata was staying at his maternal uncle's house.
Hearing the news he came back to Ayodhya. He went to Rama to
make him come back but Rama was not ready to do that. So, Bharata
came back with Rama's shoes. He placed it on the throne and this
way Bharata ruled the kingdom.