The next evening, Dasharatha was called to Kaikeyi’s apartment. When he entered the apartment, he saw Kaikeyi dressed in rags, her hair was left open, and all her jewellery had been cast aside. The king rushed to his queen and asked: “What happened Kaikeyi? Have I done anything to displease you?” “No, but when I saved your life in the battlefield, you have given me two boons. I want you to grant me those boons now.”, said Kaikeyi. The king, unaware of the tragedy that was about to befall on him, smilingly replied: “Dear queen, ask for whatever you want and I will grant it immediately.” “Then, grant me these two boons: First, I want you to crown Bharat as the king and second, Rama should be banished to the forest for fourteen years.” Dasharatha was aghast. He pleaded Kaikeyi to reconsider, but she stood firm, unwilling to listen to the king’s plea. Dasharatha fainted, unable to bear the shock.
Rama, at that moment, entered Kaikeyi’s apartment. Seeing his shocked father’s face, Rama asked Kaikeyi: “Mother, what is going on? Why is Father acting in this manner?”. “Dear Rama, your father had promised me two boons. Now it is his duty to fulfil these boons. Go and ask your father about them.”, Kaikeyi answered. Rama went to Dasharatha who then told him about the two boons. Upon hearing them, Rama simply smiled. He said: “Father, it would be my pleasure to fulfil my duty as your son”.
Saying this, Rama and Lakshmana donned robes made from tree barks and bade farewell to their father and mothers. Sumantra, the wise minister and confidant of Dasharatha, accompanied them till the city borders. Upon hearing about Rama’s exile to the forest, the people of Ayodhya wailed, wept, and begged Rama to stay back. They followed Rama to the up to the banks of the river Ganga, where they made camp for the night. Rama told Lakshmana: “Look, the citizens are now asleep. Let us leave at the crack of dawn, before they wake up”. Lakshmana nodded and kept watch throughout the night. Before embarking on the journey, he had prayed to Lord Brahma to grant him the ability to stay awake and protect Rama throughout the period of their exile. Lord Brahma smilingly granted his request on one condition: someone would have to sleep continuously for fourteen years in his stead. That person would be Urmila, who slept for fourteen years while waiting for her husband to return.
At dawn, the trio crossed the river with the help of Guha, a hunter and devotee of Rama. A few months later, Lakshmana, while chopping wood, spotted an entourage coming towards them. He ran towards Rama and asked to attack. Rama remained calm and smiled: “Dear Lakshmana, it’s none other than our own brother, Bharath. I am sure he is not here to harm us. Be assured.”
Bharath came running towards Ram and hugged him. Bharath told Rama about Dasharatha’s passing. They both cried and consoled each other. Bharath asked Rama to come back to Ayodhya and rule as the king. But Rama, being a true follower of Dharma said: “Bharath, you should rule in my place, as per your mother’s wishes. I can only come back after my period of exile is completed.” Bharath then asked for Rama’s padhukas (slippers) and also for advice on how one should be a good ruler. After receiving Rama’s advice, Bharath and his entourage returned to Ayodhya. Bharatha placed Rama’s padhukas on the throne and he himself shifted to a house outside of the kingdom and ruled as an administrator.
After bidding farewell, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita went to Chitrakoot and met many sages, received wise words of wisdom and passed thirteen years of exile peacefully. Rama and Sita spent thirteen happy years in each other’s company. In their fourteenth year, they decided to move to Panchavati.
One fine day, a young lady approached Lakshmana and asked for his hand in marriage. This woman was Shoorpanakha, Ravana’s younger half-sister. Lakshmana respectfully and firmly declined the proposal saying that he was already married and had dedicated his life to Rama. He then jokingly asked Shoorpanakha to propose to Rama who also smilingly declined. In a fit of rage, Shoorpanakha ran towards Sita and tried to attack her. Lakshmana quickly picked up his knife and chopped Shoorpanakha’s nose off. Shoorpanakha screamed in pain and cried: “You will regret this. My brother Ravana will avenge me for this insult” and fled to Lanka to narrate to Ravana the events that passed in the forest.
To be continued…
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