AYODHYAKANDA
Bharata accompanied by his noble brother Satrughna, journeyed to his uncle's Kingdom of Kekaya. Though they were honoured, welcomed and taken care of, like the very sons of the king, there was no moment that the two princes did not think of their father and no moment that their father Dasaratha, at Ayodhya did not miss his sons. Dasaratha loved all his sons dearly, but the one closest to his heart was Rama, distinguished by his exemplary virtues. Yielding to the impassioned pleas of the devatas, Visnu, the eternal, was born among men, to free them from the evil that was Ravana.Born of Kausalya, Rama, the incarnate was her joy and pride. Endowed with every noble quality, there was no virtue that existed in the world which he did not possess, nor did one exist that was not already his. Magnificent and manifold were his virtuous traits. His devotion to truth and righteousness brought him renown as the very embodiment of dharma. Beautiful of form, unrivalled in valour, Rama was an equal of Dasaratha like a light born out of light. Egoless and devoid of hatred he was a son without compare. Tranquil of soul, stranger to envy and softspoken, Rama never spoke a harsh word. Ever graceful and gentle he was the first to address whom so ever he met. Even the lowliest of them were spoken to with utmost affection.Though his strength and courage were without equal, he never took advantage of his might. Well versed in every scripture his knowledge of all things was boundless and it never stopped him from bowing with reverence to other scholars. Pledging to protect every one from all fears Rama the merciful and compassionate could not stand the sorrow of others. The welfare of his people was his prime concern and to them he was like their very life. The mighty Ikshvaku censured none and none censured him. A personification of righteousness and of unshakeable resolve, he was ever cheerful and guileless. Revered for his incomparable qualities, he was worshipped by the three worlds. Intelligent as Brihaspathi, valorous as Indra his very virtues made him glow with a brilliance like that of the Sun and the earth desired him for her Lord! An example for all humanity in heroism, unrivalled even by the celestials, the magnificence of his glory was awesome. Large limpid eyes were like fathomless pools of compassion and skin a soft lustrous blue. Mighty armed and stunning to behold, Rama was an epitome of all that was handsome, wise, compassionate and valiant admired even by his enemies. Rama born of Kausalya though steadfast as the Himalayas and patient as mother earth blazed like the cosmic fire when angered. Bounteous like Kubera the lord of wealth, Rama was a savior of creatures. Beholding this wondrous son of his, endowed with countless outstanding qualities, unattainable by the other princes, king Dasaratha reflected, 'How can Rama be crowned king while I still live? He is dearer to the people than I am and the one who protects all life on earth.' This thought filled the noble king with irrepressible joy and he called for his ministers to consult with them on this matter.He also told them of his fears about certain inauspicious signs and omens that boded him ill and of his advancing age and waning strength. Dasaratha then sent for the important people of towns and country. Soon monarchs of all the lands with the exception of Janaka and Kekaya to whom it was not possible to send messages, waited with great deference to be spoken to by their king.
Bharata accompanied by his noble brother Satrughna, journeyed to his uncle's Kingdom of Kekaya. Though they were honoured, welcomed and taken care of, like the very sons of the king, there was no moment that the two princes did not think of their father and no moment that their father Dasaratha, at Ayodhya did not miss his sons. Dasaratha loved all his sons dearly, but the one closest to his heart was Rama, distinguished by his exemplary virtues. Yielding to the impassioned pleas of the devatas, Visnu, the eternal, was born among men, to free them from the evil that was Ravana.Born of Kausalya, Rama, the incarnate was her joy and pride. Endowed with every noble quality, there was no virtue that existed in the world which he did not possess, nor did one exist that was not already his. Magnificent and manifold were his virtuous traits. His devotion to truth and righteousness brought him renown as the very embodiment of dharma. Beautiful of form, unrivalled in valour, Rama was an equal of Dasaratha like a light born out of light. Egoless and devoid of hatred he was a son without compare. Tranquil of soul, stranger to envy and softspoken, Rama never spoke a harsh word. Ever graceful and gentle he was the first to address whom so ever he met. Even the lowliest of them were spoken to with utmost affection.Though his strength and courage were without equal, he never took advantage of his might. Well versed in every scripture his knowledge of all things was boundless and it never stopped him from bowing with reverence to other scholars. Pledging to protect every one from all fears Rama the merciful and compassionate could not stand the sorrow of others. The welfare of his people was his prime concern and to them he was like their very life. The mighty Ikshvaku censured none and none censured him. A personification of righteousness and of unshakeable resolve, he was ever cheerful and guileless. Revered for his incomparable qualities, he was worshipped by the three worlds. Intelligent as Brihaspathi, valorous as Indra his very virtues made him glow with a brilliance like that of the Sun and the earth desired him for her Lord! An example for all humanity in heroism, unrivalled even by the celestials, the magnificence of his glory was awesome. Large limpid eyes were like fathomless pools of compassion and skin a soft lustrous blue. Mighty armed and stunning to behold, Rama was an epitome of all that was handsome, wise, compassionate and valiant admired even by his enemies. Rama born of Kausalya though steadfast as the Himalayas and patient as mother earth blazed like the cosmic fire when angered. Bounteous like Kubera the lord of wealth, Rama was a savior of creatures. Beholding this wondrous son of his, endowed with countless outstanding qualities, unattainable by the other princes, king Dasaratha reflected, 'How can Rama be crowned king while I still live? He is dearer to the people than I am and the one who protects all life on earth.' This thought filled the noble king with irrepressible joy and he called for his ministers to consult with them on this matter.He also told them of his fears about certain inauspicious signs and omens that boded him ill and of his advancing age and waning strength. Dasaratha then sent for the important people of towns and country. Soon monarchs of all the lands with the exception of Janaka and Kekaya to whom it was not possible to send messages, waited with great deference to be spoken to by their king.