On their way to Panchavati the princes saw a huge bird, which they mistook for a rakshasa in disguise. But Io! the bird spoke in a soft voice full of affection and regard. The bird was none other than Jatayu, a nephew of Garuda, the vahana (mount) of Lord Vishnu. Jatayu said that he was a friend of Dasaratha. He offered to do his best …
Rama was unhappy that the people of Ayodhya were forgetting their duties and daily cares in their love for him. He thought that if he stayed near Ayodhya he would not really be in exile. He made up his mind to go further into the forest where he could lead a hermit’s life undisturbed. In the heart of …
Rama was deeply moved to hear the sad tale that Bharata told him. Bharata said, “Ayodhya is yours. How can I, a younger brother, bear the burden of ruling it while you pine in be forest? The people of Ayodhya adore you and want you in their midst. Oh! Rama, how cruel was my mother in asking for your exile!” Rama …
Here in Ayodhya, Dasaratha never recovered from his grief. Soon the land was without a ruler and Bharata, who had gone to his uncle’s place, was sent for. The son of Kaikeyi arrived in a desolate, grief-stricken city and was shocked to hear what had happened. Bharata was angry with his mother for having caused Rama’s exile. He would not accept the …
Rama took leave of Kaikeyi and went to his mother’s apartments. Kausalya was shocked to hear that her son must part from her for full fourteen years. Rama comforted her in noble words and at last she agreed that the Emperor’s commands must be carried out. Lakshmana was angry at the injustice done to Rama, but Rama pacified him. Sita received the …
The news that Rama was to be crowned thrilled the whole of Ayodhya. Everyone was happy—all except an old hunchbacked woman named Manthara. Manthara, who was an attendant on Kaikeyi, was not pleased. She wanted that Bharata, Dasaratha’s son through Kaikeyi, should become Emperor. She poisoned the mind of Kaikeyi and made her press Dasaratha to redeem some old promises made to …
After a short while, Rama and his brothers, with their brides, started on their way back to Ayodhya. Hardly had they begun their journey when they were confronted by the terrible Parasurama who was none other than Vishnu in one of his many forms. Parasurama addressed Rama thus, “Oh! Rama, I have heard that at the court of Janaka you broke the mighty bow …
At Mithila, King Janaka showed the princes the mighty bow of Shiva, the Destroyer. So far no one had been able to lift the bow or bend it even slightly. Janaka had declared that he who bent or wielded the bow would win the hand of his daughter, Janaki, or Sita as she was better known, in marriage. At Viswamitra’s bidding, Rama lifted the …
On the way to the sacrificial spot Viswamitra taught the princes many valuable lessons in the course of which he told them how they could endure hardships and use powerful Astras (weapons). As they moved forward, a Rakshasi called Tataka, who was held in dread by the Rishis as well as by the denizens of the forest, accosted them. Viswamitra advised Rama that though …
Sriman Narayana, which is another name for Vishnu, asked the Devas to take courage and shed their fears. He assured them he would appear on earth as a mortal and deal with Ravana and his followers. He announced that He would take the form of the four sons of Dasaratha, Emperor of Ayodhya. He asked the Devas to assume the shape of vanaras and help the …
