THE RAMAYANA

Stephen Knapp

Kasola is an ancient kingdom that was located in present day Utter Pradesh. Dasharatha
was the king of Kasola. He was loved by one and all. Despite of having a prosperous kingdom
and everything he desired, Dasharatha was very sad at heart because he had no children.

During the same time, there was a powerful king lived in the island of Ceylon. He was
called Ravana.

As advised by his family priest, Vashishtha, Dasharatha performed a fire sacrifice

ceremony to seek the bleesings of God for the children. Vishnu, the preserver of the universe,
wants to kill Ravana, and so he decided to manifest himself as the eldest son of Dasharatha.
During the ceremony, a majestic figure rose from the sacrificial fire and handed to Dasharatha a
bowl of rice pudding, which will be distributed to his wives to bear children.

The three queens gave their birth. Kausalya, the eldest queen gave birth to the eldest son
Rama. Kaikeyi born the second son, Bharata, and Sumitra gave birth to the twins Lakshmana and
Shatrughna.

One day, Viswamintra came to Ayodha and asked Dasharatha to send his eldest son
Rama to kill the Rakshasas who were disturbing his fire sacrifice. Rama was then only fifteen
years old. Dasharatha thought Rama was too young for that kind of job and so he offered
himself. Viswamintra knew better, he insisted and assure to Dasharatha that Rama would be safe
in his hands. Rama along with his brother Lakshmana goes with Viswamintra.

Viswamintra, Rama and Lakshmana reached Dandaka forest where the Rakshasi Tadaka
and her son Maricha lived. A fierce battle ensued between the huge Rakshasi and Rama. Tadaka
was been defeated by Rama and Viswamintra was pleased.

They proceeded towards Viswamintra ashram, while they started the fire sacrifice
suddenly Maricha, Tadakas ferocious son, arrived with his followers. Rama silently prayed and
Maricha was thrown many miles away into the sea. Other demons were slain by Rama and
Lakshmana. Then Viswamintra compeletd the sacricice and the sages rejoiced and blessed the
princes.

The next morning, Viswamintra, Rama and Lakshmana headed towards the city of
Mithila, the capital of the kingdom of Janaka. They were invited by the king to attend the great
fire sacrifice ceremony that he had arranged. Suddenly, Viswamintra comes to the thought of
getting Rama married to the lovely daughter of king Janaka. King Janaka wanted his beautiful
daughter Sita to marry the bravest and strongest prince in the country. So he had vowed that he
would give Sita in marriage only to the one who could string that great bow of Siva. Many had
tried before but none could even move the bow.

When Viswamintra arrived with Rama Lakshmana at the court, King Janaka received
them with great respect. Viswamintra introduced Rama and Lakshmana to the king and requested
that he show the bow of Siva to Rama so that he could try to string it. Rama then stood up in all
humility, picked up the bow with ease, and got ready to string. He bent the bow to string it and to
everyones surprise the bow snapped at two. Sita had liked Rama right at the first sight.

Dasharatha was immediately informed and he gladly gave his consent to the marriage and
came to Mithila with his retinue. After the preparations Rama and Sita got married. Dasharatha
returned to Ayodha with his sons and their new brides. People celebrated the marriage with great
pomp and show.

For the next twele years Rama and Sita lived happily in Ayodha. As Dasharatha was
growing older, he summoned his ministers seeking their opinion about crowning Rama as a
Prince of Ayodha. They unanimously welcomed the suggestion of the king. Then Dasharatha
announced the decision and gave orders for the coronation of Rama.

Kaikeyi, Bharatas mother, was in the palace rejoicing with the other queens, sharing
happy news of Ramas coronation. Manthara, Kaikeyis maid wanted Bharata to be the king so
she devised a heinous plan to thwart Ramas coronation. As soon as the plan was set firmly in
her mind, she rushed to Kaikeyi to tell her.

Kaikeyi loved Rama as her own son and that she has no problem with Rama being the
crown Prince of Kosala. Manthara repeatedly gave her poisoned suggestions, clouding Kaikeyis
mind and heart with suspicion and doubt. Kaikeyi became confused and distraught, then finally
agreed to Mantharas plan.

Kaikeyi was a noble-hearted queen, now trapped by Manthara. She agreed to do what
Manthara said. Both of them knew that Dasharatha would never fall back on his words.

The night before the coronation, Dasharatha came to Kaikeyi to share his happiness at
seeing Rama the crown prince of Kosala. But Kaikeyi wasnt there, Dasharatha found his
beloved queen on her anger room lying on the floor with her loose and her ornaments cast away.
They argued about crowning of Rama because she wanted Bharata to be the one crowed of.
Dasharatha fell down unconscious. When he returned to his senses, he cried out in helpless
anger. Dasharatha fainted and lay on the floor the rest of the night. The next morning,
Dasharatha was not in a position to speak to anyone. Kaikeyi asked Sumantra to call Rama and
when Rama arrived, hid farther was sobbing umcontrollably and could only utter his name.

Kaikeyi tell Rama about the boons. And Rama granted it. He then did his pranams to his
revered to his stepmother and then left the room. Dasharatha was in shock, he painfully asked his
attendants to move him to Kaushalyas apartment.

The news of Ramas exile spread like a fire.