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| Rama (source: Google) |
The Birth of Rama
- two kingdoms: Kosala, whose King was Dasaratha, father of Rama; Mithila, which was ruled over by Janaka, the father of Sita
- capital of Kosala was Ayodhya: wide streets with large dwellings, richly decorated temples, towering like mountains, and grand and noble palaces. The city was full of prosperous and happy people.
- Dasaratha was sad because he doesn't have a son, from either of his 3 queens: Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra.
- He performed the horse sacrifice.
- The wives, after eating the sacrificial food, finally became pregnant. Kausalya of Rama, Kaikeyi of Bharata, and Sumitra of Lakshamana, and Satrughna.
- Rama was the most beautiful. One night, he reached for the moon hoping it would be a toy. After everyone couldn't figure out what was wrong, the counsellor handed him a mirror, and the prince was comforted.
- Education began at 5 years old.
- Mastered 18 languages. Also instructed in music, dancing, painting, and in all the sciences.
- They became skilled archers, elephant riders, and horsemen and charioteers.
- Vishwamitra asked the king for Rama, since he is skilled, to help him with the attack on his hermitage, and Lakshmana accompanied them too.
- Taraka, a Rakshasa woman, continually ravaged the country. Rama challenged her, but they were reluctant to kill her since she was female. Rama shot arrows and cut off both her arms, and Lakshmana deprived her of nose and ears. She became invisible, but guided by sound, Rama shot an arrow and killed her.
- They finally reach the capital of Janaka.
- The king brought forward Shiva's bow, saying that if Rama was able to bend it, he would allow him to marry Sita.
- Rama was able to bend it. He applied so much force it snapped in the middle.
- Rama and Sita wedded.
- Dasaratha was growing old, and his counsellors are wondering who should take over after. They all favoured Rama, and Dasaratha was filled with joy.
- One person who isn't happy about the news: the old nurse of Bharata, son of queen Kaikeyi. She is ugly and misshapen, short-necked, flat-breasted, legs like a crane, big-bellied, and humpbacked. She offended Rama when he was young and he smote her.
- Manthara tried to urge Kaikeyi to be mad, but Kaiyeki likes Rama, since he sees her as another mother. So Manthara said things to Kaikeyi that made her mad. Can Bharata become the slave of Rama? Well I know that jealous Rama will drive thy lordly son into exile and mayhap slay him... Arise, thou heedless queen, and save Bharata lest he be sent to wander alone in the fearsome jungle.
- She reminded Kaikeyi that she has two boons over the king, from the time she cured him after he was injured. She told Kaikeyi to go to the mourning chamber and feign being sad and mad.
- She asked for Bharata to be installed as the next king, and that Rama be banished for fourteen years to live in the jungle.
- When Dasaratha asked for her to make different boons, she threatened to take poison and kill herself.
- Dasaratha grant the boons, but he rejects Kaikeyi forever and her son Bharata.
- Rama is summoned the next day to be told of the boons. Rama was unmoved and left.
- He went to tell his mother, Kausalya, who was making offerings to Vishnu on his behalf. She pleaded him to stay, and he sought to comfort her, but she was too grieved and starts to hate Kaikeyi.
- He went to tell Sita the news. She says that it is a wife's duty to accompany her husband. Rama doesn't want Sita to suffer with him. He asks her to remain while he is away. He finally agreed that she could come too. Lakshmana also insisted he come too.
- People gazed sadly at Rama and his wife while he walked through the city to bid farewell to his father.
- Dasaratha still weeps, and says that he has been tricked by a wicked woman. Kaikeyi orders for raiment of bark to be brought out so that the 3 could wear while banished. Sita wept, saying she couldn't wear it, and Dasaratha finally said that it only applies to Rama, and that the other two could where what they want.
- The exiles left, and the city mourned.
- Dasaratha, not able to handle the grief, died the second night Rama and company left.
- Bharata was finally told about the death of his father. He started to weep and asked for Rama, who would have been his sire.
- Kaikeyi tells him that he has a kingdom now, but he doesn't care. I have lost my father and my elder brother. Of what good is a kingdom unto me now? Oevil-hearted woman, thou hast bereft this house of all joy; thou hast slain my sire and banished Rama.... But I will bring my brother back from the jungle; he shall be seated on the throne.
- Satrughna, Bharata's brother, found Manthara and was going to slay her. Bharata stopped him, saying she is a woman, and that he would have killed his mother if he knew that Rama wouldn't have been mad if he had done so.
- Bharata vowed to never take the throne. Kausalya wept because he is loyal.
- Bharata left to look for Rama after the funeral. They met in the jungle. Bharata tried to give the kingdom to Rama, but he refuses, determined to fulfill the vow of his father.
- Bharata asks to be in the jungle with Rama too if he is going to stay.
- Bharata says he is going to dwell outside the city until Rama returns again. He conducted affairs of government, holding royal umbrella over Rama's sandals.
- The sandals of Rama were the symbol of royal authority.
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