26. Sri Rama's Vanvas (Devotional)

      Rama's father Dasaratha was famous for his miraculous ability to hunt blind and shooting arrows by hearing the sound only. Once during hunting, Dasaratha heard a noise resembling elephant drinking water and shot an arrow in the direction which shot an young boy named as Sravana Kumar who was collecting water in a pitcher for his blind parents. Sravana was the only child of his blind parents who were totally dependent on him. Sravana used to carry them everywhere on two pans of balance supported on his shoulder. Sravana asked Dasaratha, as his dying wish, to carry water to his thirsty parents. Dasaratha carried the water to the old couple and they drank the water thinking that it was being offered by their son. The king then hesitantly narrated the death incident of Sravanakumar to them. The old couple was so distressed that Sravana's father cursed Dasaratha that one day he too would suffer from Putrasoka (grief of separation from one's son). The old couple then sacrificed their lives, as they did not want to live anymore after consuming water offered by their son's killer.

      Once Dasaratha also fought for the gods in the battle against demons and his last wife Kaikeyi acted as his charioteer who saved Dasaratha's life during the battle. Dasaratha was so pleased with Kaikeyi that he asked her to wish two boons on which Kaikeyi said that she would ask when she wished to avail them. After his sons' marriage, Dhasaratha came back to Ayodhya with his family (Refer Sita's Swayamvaram). His three wives, four sons and four daughter in laws all were happy. Janaka's brother Kushadhvaja who is now the father in law of Lakshmana, Bharata and Sathrugna invited his three son in laws to his place. Lakshmana rejected the offer as he always wanted to be with his brother Rama. Bharata and Sathrugna had to accept after Dhasaratha's advice and went to their father in law's kingdom with their wives. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, Urmila were in Ayodhya along with their father and mothers.

      Dhasaratha wanted Rama to take up his duties as new king of Ayodhya. Even his three queens and all people in that kingdom were wishing for that moment. Dhasaratha consulted sage Vasishta for muhurth (right time) for Rama's Pattabhishekam (occasion from which new king will be assigned to his duties). Vasishta noted a good muhurth for Rama's pattabhishekam which was announced by Dhasaratha to all people in Ayodhya. All people were happy about it and were celebrating. Kaikeyi had a maid named Mandhara who was Kaikeyi's great confidante. When she heard the news about Rama's pattabhishekam, she was overpowered with sudden anger. She mind washed Kaikeyi saying that if Rama became king, his own son Bharata and his wife would be Rama and Sita's servants. Kaikeyi finally fall into her trap and  Mandhara advised Kaikeyi to ask Dhasaratha two boons which he promised earlier. First boon will be that Bharata should be declared as king of Ayodhya instead of Rama and second boon will be that Rama should be sent into exile for fourteen years.

      Kaikeyi asked Dhasaratha to grant same boons suggested by Mandhara after hearing which he was shocked and rendered speechless. After regaining his courage, Dasaratha tried to console Kaikeyi saying that he will make Bharata as King of Ayodhya and requested her to take back the wish to send Rama into exile. But Kaikeyi was adamant about her wishes which Dasaratha had to fulfil as promised. Dasaratha was terrified with the thoughts of living with out Rama and dropped unconscious. Kaikeyi called Rama and explained him that Dhasaratha was feeling grief to fulfil her wishes. Rama promised her that he will do anything to upheld his father's promise and after hearing about her boons, he agreed for Bharata's pattabhishekam and to take vanvas.

      Rama seek permission from his other mothers Kousalya and Sumitra and prepared to go for Vanvas. Sita also prepared to go forest with him saying that she must accompany him as his half part. Lakshmana also prepared to follow them to serve Rama and Sita. Lakshmana's wife Urmila told his husband to serve Rama and Sita every second and that she will sleep all time on be half of Lakshmana also. From then till they reach Ayodhya back, Lakshmana didn't sleep at all and Urmila slept for the whole time. After Rama left Ayodhya, Dasaratha could not bear the pain of the separation from his most beloved son. Unable to withstand the anguish, the dispirited king Dasaratha died out of grief and pain.