Search

Rāma looked around at all the royal ladies standing there and said, “Please forgive any unkind words or acts which I may have said or done out of ignorance because we have lived closely together.

Rāma felt no anger towards Kaikeyi and He did not want her to be blamed for what was, after all, a divine He continued, “That which cannot be foreseen or understood must be accepted as the will of Providence Joy and sorrow, gain and loss, birth and death—all of these come one after another by the arrangement of Providence or destiny.

“If, at Kaikeyi’s instigation, our father acts like an enemy, then he should be made captive or even The scriptures make clear that even a father or a preceptor can be rejected if they lose their discrimination , failing to distinguish between right and wrong.

Kaikeyi remained silent and Rāma continued. “I hope no suffering caused by illness or mental anguish has afflicted My father. If I were unable to please My father or if I failed to do his bidding and thus angered him, I would not

“Whether your promise was righteous or otherwise and whether you made it sincerely or not, it cannot If Rāma is installed as Prince Regent I shall swallow poison and give up my life before your eyes! I swear by Bharata and by my own self that I shall not be appeased by anything less than Rāma’s exile

At the middle gate Rāma met His friends and relations and He greeted them all according to their status , offering obeisances or embracing them.

Why was He not wearing regal dress or anointed with sandalwood paste after having gone through the inaugural Where was the king and his ministers? What was happening?

The very best food and drink was made available, and actors and dancers came to entertain the guests. Horse stables, elephant stalls and vast dormitories to accommodate thousands of people were built. Take care that no one is disrespected at any time, even under the impulse of passion or anger.”

He entered the sulking room and saw her there fallen on the floor in a sorry and unseemly state. upon his youngest queen, who was dearer to him than his life, but who now held in her heart a wicked and Lying on the ground she looked like a rose creeper violently torn from its tree, or like an Apsarā dropped from heaven, or a doe caught in a hunter’s snare.

Tell me, O gentle lady, by whom you have been insulted or rebuked so that you now lie here rolling in Or do you wish me to release someone who deserves to be punished? By whom have you been offended or whom would you seek to oblige?”

Kaikeyi was pierced again and again by Manthara’s sharp words. The servant repeatedly spoke against the king and Rāma, stoking Kaikeyi’s anger more. Arriving at the sulking chamber, the queen threw herself on the floor and said to Manthara, “Either Rāma is exiled and Bharata made king, or I shall remain here in this state, taking neither food nor water

Viśvāmitra had walked for three days without eating or sleeping, his mind fixed on his purpose. His body was lean and powerful, golden colored and covered by a black deerskin. He held in his hands a staff and a waterpot, his only possessions.

He was famed as an invincible warrior and the gods had asked his assistance in a fight. time he had fought so powerfully that his chariot appeared to be facing ten directions simultaneously and the gods had therefore named him Daśaratha, or “ten chariots.”

Rāma was especially dear to the king and the people. He was always tranquil and soft-spoken, not retorting even when someone spoke harshly to Him. Rāma had conquered anger and was full of compassion. Despite His power and ability, He always remained humble, mild and self-controlled. He was not influenced by envy or hatred, did not engage in frivolous talks and always sought the good

None could turn away their eyes or mind from Rāma as He went along the road in Ayodhya. Gradually Rāma and His entourage arrived at Daśaratha’s palace. Rāma passed through the three outer gates on His chariot and then got down and passed through the last At last Rāma reached the inner chambers alone and approached Kaikeyi’s rooms.

Daśaratha appeared dejected and distressed, his face streaked with tears. He sat burning with agony and repeatedly sighing, appearing like the eclipsed sun or like a holy Brahmin Seeing his son standing before him with a modest demeanor and folded palms, the monarch said only, “Rāma ,” and could not say another word, being overcome by grief.

Viśvāmitra stopped and turned towards Rāma and Lakṣman. “Sit here comfortably and sip a little sanctified water for purification. I will now tell you the mystical mantras known as Bala and Atibala. These hymns will confer upon You freedom from all fatigue and fever. Indeed they will release You from hunger and thirst and will even prevent decrepitude.

She knew that Rāma’s gentle wife was entirely devoted to piety and she spoke to Her only out of motherly She continued, “For virtuous women, who are truthful, pious, obedient to their elders and acting within the bounds of morality the husband is the most sacred object and is never abandoned. Whether wealthy or without any means whatsoever, He is always Your worshipable deity.”

Soon many kings came to Ayodhya bearing valuable gifts of jewels, pearls, clothing and golden ornaments No gift should ever be made with disrespect or irreverence, for such begrudging gifts will doubtlessly

Understanding from Kaikeyi’s taut expression that there was tension between her and His father, Rāma “Perhaps My father has been hurt by some utterance of yours, O fair-faced queen, made out of vanity or