Rama: The Lord of Ayodhya
Ramayana in brief
A concise narration of Lord Rama's divine pastimes - His birth, exile with Sita and Lakshmana, Sita's abduction by Ravana, the alliance with Hanuman and the vanaras, the bridge to Lanka, and the defeat of Ravana. Rama's Rama Rajya becomes the ideal of perfect governance.
The Crown Jewel of the Solar Dynasty
Of all the kings who graced the Solar Dynasty, none shines brighter than Lord Rama - the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, the embodiment of dharma, and the ideal upon which all subsequent kingship would be measured. The Bhagavatam presents His story in condensed form, for the full Ramayana comprises twenty-four thousand verses.
Shukadeva Goswami spoke:
"From Bhagiratha descended many kings, until the line reached King Dasharatha of Ayodhya - devoted to dharma, mighty in battle, and blessed with the fortune of becoming Lord Vishnu's father."
The Divine Birth
Dasharatha ruled Ayodhya with righteousness, but one sorrow clouded his heart - he had no heir. His three queens, Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra, shared his grief.
Acting on the advice of sage Vasishtha, Dasharatha performed the Putrakameshti Yajna - a sacrifice for obtaining sons. From the sacred fire emerged a divine figure bearing a vessel of celestial payasam (kheer).
"Give this to your queens," the being instructed. "The Lord Himself will take birth in your family."
The queens partook of the offering, and in time:
| Queen | Son | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Kausalya | Rama | Vishnu Himself - calm, composed, dharma personified |
| Kaikeyi | Bharata | Devotion incarnate - would worship Rama's sandals |
| Sumitra | Lakshmana | Rama's shadow - inseparable companion |
| Sumitra | Shatrughna | Bharata's companion - destroyer of enemies |
The four princes grew up together, but Rama and Lakshmana formed a bond that would become legendary. Where Rama went, Lakshmana followed. When Rama ate, Lakshmana first tasted His food. When Rama slept, Lakshmana kept watch.
Vishwamitra's Request
The sage Vishwamitra arrived at Dasharatha's court with a request that pierced the old king's heart.
"O king, demons are disrupting my sacrifices. Send Rama to protect the yajna."
Dasharatha trembled. Rama was barely sixteen years old. How could he send his beloved son against rakshasas? But Vasishtha counseled compliance, and Rama departed with Lakshmana.