At a short distance from the boundaries of Ayodya, there was a forest in which was situated sage Vishwamitra’s hermitage. There the sage used to perform Yajnas in the company of other ascetics and hermits. But the Rakshasas (the demons) had grown very powerful. Two of them, Marich and Subahu, used to disturb the sages be desecrating the alters.

When the ascetics and sages could no more tolerate the undesirable intrusion by the Rakshasas, they requested Vishwamitra to do something.

Assuring his fellow sages, Vishwamitra decided to approach Dashrath, the King of Ayodhya. Next day while Dashrath was in his court, a guard came and said. “Your Majesty! Sage Vishwamitra has come to meet you.”

King Dashrath was alarmed at the news of Vishwamitra’s arrival. He looked towards sage Vasishtha. The sage said, “Don’t worry. Let us hope Vishwamitra’s visit proves auspicious. Please go and welcome him.”

Acting upon the advice of the family priest, King Dashrath at once went out of the palace to receive sage Vishwamitra. He touched the sage’s feet and said, “Your pious presence has made Ayodhya a holy place. “ The king led him to the court and offered him a seat near sage Vasishtha.

When Vishwamitra had taken the seat, Dashrath said with folded hands, “What service can I render?”

“The Rakshasas create trouble and let us not perform Yajnas. They throw bones and filth into the sacrificial fire.”

Sage Vishwamitra further said, “We, the sages and ascetics, want you to provide us with protection.”

“Stop worrying, Your Holiness! I shall send my soldiers who will kill any Rakshasas who comes near your Yajna altar. And, if required, I myself shall go there. You may rest assured,” said King Dashrath.

“No, your solders will be of no help. Send Rama and Lakshmana with me. Then every thing will be set right,” said Vishwamitra.

King Dashrath was put in dilemma. H got nervous and said, “How can these boys fight those numerous Rakshasas?”

“You are free to refuse if you so desire,” saying this with anger, Vishwamitra got up to leave.

When sage Vasishtha saw that Vishwamitra was annoyed, he pleaded with him not to get agitated. He requested him to take his seat and said, “Please be calm.”

“Why don’t you ask Dashrath not to argue but to do as I say?” said sage Vishwamitra.

Sage Vasishtha said to King Dashrath, “O King! Don’t be a slave of blind love and ignorance. Let Rama and Lakshmana accompany sage Vishwamitra to the forest. They will be gaining something there.”

Dashrath’s fears were removed. He at once called Rama and Lakshmana there and, handing them to Vishwamitra, said, “Please excuse me. I was at fault. Now onwards, they will be at your service till you so wish.”

There is no reason to be worried of. Both of your sons will return richer with experience,” thus assuring King Dashrath, sage Vishwamitra led Rama and Lakshmana out of the palace.

While passing through the forest on their way to Vishwamitra’s hermitage, they were confronted by Taraka, a wicked she-demon. When she saw two young princes accompanying the sage, she was tempted to eat them. She dashed towards them.

“Rama, Beware! She is Taraka. The main creator of trouble in the forest,” sage Vishwamitra warned Rama.

Rama immediately killed Taraka with an arrow shot from his bow. In the hermitage, the sage trained the two brothers in the use of divine weapons. After that training, they were fully prepared to fight the demons.

Rama said to sage Vishwamitra, “Respected Sir! Now you may proceed with the performance of Yajnas without any fear.”

“May God bless you with long life,” said the sage and he got busy with the rituals, along with his fellow ascetics and hermits.

The news of Taraka’s killing made both Marich and Subahu mad with rage. They reached the Yajna site to desecrate it. A usual they began throwing flesh and bones of dead animals in the sacred fire.

Rama at once shot an arrow which rotated above the sacred altar with such a speed that it formed an umbrella and the Rakshasas failed in their attempt to disturb the holy rituals of the Yajna.

On the sixth day of Yajna, Marich and Subahu again came there with a large number of their followers. They were determined to desecrate the holy site of Yajna.

Rama and Lakshmana were standing alert to guard the place. When they saw Rakshasas throwing filth and bones towards the sacred fire of the Yajna from above, Rama lost temper. He said to Lakshmana. “the Rakshasas will not mend their ways unless punished.”

“Permit me to kill them all,” said Lakshmana with his bow ready to shoot.

“Well! You will engage Subahu and let Marich be my victim,” saying so, Rama drew his bow and instantly Marich was hit by the arrow which took and threw him and instantly Marich was hit by the arrow which took and threw him in the ocean a hundred miles away. Subahu was killed by Lakshmana.

The Yajna was completed without any further disturbance. A few days later, sage Vishwamitra received an invitation from King Janak of Mithila to grace the Swyamwar of his daughter Sita. The sage said to the two brothers, “King Janak has asked me to bless his daughter Sita for whose marriage a Swyamwar is being held. I would like you both to go there with me.”

“We shall be honoured to obey your order.” Said Rama and Lakshmana with humility.

On their way to Mithila, they saw a vacant hut, with a huge stone lying outside it, in the forest. Fama asked sage Vishwamitra what that was and why the hut was unoccupied.

“This is sage Gautam’s wife Ahilya who was cursed and turned into stone by the sage,” said Vasishtha.

When asked by Rama, Vishwamitra related the story, “Ahilya was an extremely beautiful woman. Once Moon god, bewitched by her beauty, entered the sage’s bedroom in the guise of Gautam while he was away. Ahilya could not recognise him. While Moon god was leaving the hut, sage Gautam returned. He got annoyed and cursed Ahilya to turn into stone. Since then she has been waiting for you. Go and liberate her from the curse with the touch of your foot.”

As soon as Rama touched the stone, it regained the form of young beautiful Ahilya. Washing Rama’s feet with her tears, she said, “I was a sinner. You have granted me salvation. No doubt, you are God incarnate.” Having said so, she left for the heaven.

In Mithila, sage Vishwamitra stayed in a beautiful garden, with Rama and Lakshmana. King Janak came there to pay his respects. The sage blessed him and told him who Rama and Lakshmana were.

King Janak himself escorted sage Vishwamitra and Dashrath’s sons to the hall where Swyamwar was to take place. On a dais the grand now of lord Shiva was placed. Only he could ask for Sita’s hand who would tie the string of the bow first of all. Sita was also brought in the hall by her friends and maids. Every one, present there, was captivated by her beauty.

When every thing was ready, King Janak asked the royal bard to announce the condition of the Swyamwar.

The royal bard proclaimed, “O Brave Princes! This bow of lord Shiva is not only very heavy but also very hard to bed. Valiant warriors like Ravan and Vanasur have not been able to raise it an inch even. He who succeeds in tying its string, shall be chosen by princess Sita as her husband.”

Many kings and princes tried their best but failed in their attempt to fulfil the condition. Those, who boasted of their physical prowess, had to face humiliation. The foolish ones made laughing stock of themselves. Those, who were mature and wise, did not try.

King Janak began to lose heart at what was happening. He feared his vow would prove an injustice to his daughter. He felt himself a culprit.

Out of disappointment, Janak lost temper. He said, “So many kings and princes, big and small, have come here from different states and islands. Is it not strange that there is not even a single soul present here who can tie the string to win the hand of Sita, my daughter? I don’t understand the reason for the failure of all of you to even move it. I am convinced that this earth has no brave man left upon it. None must think oneself valiant any more. Now, you may please leave this place. Perhaps my daughter is destined to live and die as a virgin. I curse myself for having vowed to ask for the fulfilment of such an impossible condition. I hold myself responsible for the ill lick of my daughter. Even gods and demigods, present here, appear to be helpless.”

At the use of insulting words by King Janak, Lakshmana could not control himself and said, “None dares to speak such a language in any gathering where any of Raghu’s descendants is sitting. King Janak should have know it. I declare, with all the humility at my command, that, I permitted by my elder brother, I shall spin this universe like a ball. This old bow is insignificant.”

Lakshmana’s lion-like roar created panic amongst the princes and kings present there. Rama pacified Lakshmana and made him sit down. Sage Vishwamitra smiled and said to Rama. “Get up and tie the string of the bow so that King Janak is relieved of the tension.”

Rama, after bowing before the sage, walked up to the dais and attempted to pick up the bow.

When Sita’s mother looked at the child-like innocent face of Rama, she was perturbed. She said to her sister-in-law, “Oh Dear! Why does any body not tell the sage that Rama is still a boy. How does he expect him to tie the string of lord Shiva’s bow?”

“No, Sister! Don’t underestimate the sages and ascetics. Don’t you know that sage Agastya dried up the ocean. Gods like Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are helpless before a small incantation,” said Sita’s aunt assuring the queen.

Sita, on the other hand, was praying to lord Shiva to grant success to Rama by reducing the weight of the bow. Just then Rama picked up the bow like a toy and drew the string to tie it on the other end of the bow

When Rama tried to bend the bow to let the string reach the other end, it broke into two with a big bang. The sound of the bang was deafening. The hall resounded with its echo. Everybody was forced to put fingers into the ears. All were stunned, but King Janak was very happy.

Rama threw the two pieces of the bow on the ground. Atmosphere of melancholy vanished at once. Musicians began to play upon their instruments and dancing girls started dancing without being ordered, just out of joy.

King Janak immediately left his throne and stood before Rama, saying, “O Rama! You have saved my honour which I had almost lost. I thank you for this. I am proud that Kshatriyas still walk over this earth.”

The exploding sound, created by the breaking of lord Shiva’s bow attracted the attention of the great sage Parshuram of the Bhrigu dynasty. He at once reached the Swyamwar-site and challenged him who had invited his death by breaking the bow.

King Janak tried to calm down Parshuram but he would not listen to any argument. He said, “Tell me the name of the person who dared to break lord Shiva’s bow. Otherwise I shall turn this planet upside down.”

King Janak kept quiet. Rama said, “O Respected Brahman! May be that person is one of your devotees.”

“No, it cannot be. The bow-breaker is my enemy and I shall not let him live any more,” said Parshuram with ange

Angry threats of Parshuram made Lakshmana smile. He said, “We do not remember the number of such ordinary bows broken by us in our childhood. But you never lost temper then. What makes you so much annoyed now? Is there anything special about it?”

“You fool! Don’t you know you are standing in front of death? That is not an ordinary bow, it is Lord Shiva’s bow which no human being can move a bit,” was Parshuram’s reply.

“We don’t find any difference between this bow and any other one. It was an old useless bow and broke into two at the touch of brother Rama. How can you blame him?” said Lakshmana.

“I am known as the destroyer of Kshatriyas. Shut your mouth and save your life,” retorted Parshuram.

“O Great Brahman! We have tolerated you because we do not hit a god, a Brahman, a saint and a cow. So, provoke me not,” said Lakshmana.

Parshuram lost self- control at what Lakshmana had said. He shouted, “Vishwamitra! This boy is not only foolish but also arrogant. I was still now lenient because of your young age,” saying so, he raised his axe to attack Lakshmana.

Rama stood in Parshuram’s way with folded hands and requested him to excuse Lakshmana as he himself confessed to be the offender. He said, “I am your humble servant. How can I fight you? Otherwise, we, the Raghuvanshis, fight with death itself.”

Then Parshuram gave his own bow to Rama to draw its string. When Rama did so, Parshuram by then knew that Rama was not an ordinary man. He bowed before Rama out of respect.

When King Janak found that Parshuram had been pacified, he gestured to Sita’s friends to lead her to Rama. Standing before him, she glanced at Rama and put the flower garland around his neck. That indicated her choice of Rama as her husband.

Parshuram blessed both Rama and Sita and, hailing Rama, went out of the hall. Gods from the heavens showered flowers on the couple to show their approval and pleasure. Then Janak said to sage Vishwamitra, “Please advise me what to do next.”

“O King! Send some messenger to Ayodhya to inform King Dashrath so that he comes here for the solemnisation of the marriage,” replied Vishwamitra.

Janak at once despatched his man to Ayodhya.

Janak’s messenger, after reaching Ayodhya, did not take much time in meeting the telling Dashrath of Sita’s choice of Rama as her husband. King Dashrath was very happy and excited. He sent the happy news to his queens without losing any time.

Bharat and Shatrughna cane running to their father as soon as they heard of the message of King Janak. Dashrath asked Bharat to make arrangements for taking marriage party to Mithila.

“As you order,” saying this Bharat and Shatrughna got busy with the job. Chariots, elephants and horses began to be decorated. King Dashrath with the family priest sage Vasishtha, relatives, courtiers and other elites of the city reached Mithila the very next day.

The people of Mithila were over-awned with the grandeur of the marriage party. Marriage party was also pleased at the grand reception given to them.

King Janak and his relatives welcomed King Dashrath and other members of the party with great respect and enthusiasm. They escorted the guests to the place where marriage ceremony was to be performed. Reaching there, King Janak requested his family priest Shatananda to perform the ceremony. He further said, “You may please solemnise the marriages of the four brothers at he same altar.” This Lakshmana was married with Urmila, Janak’s second daughter and Bharat and Shatrughna with Mandavi and Shrutikirti, the daughters of Janak’s younger brother Kushadhwaj.

After the ceremony, Janak gave cart-loads of ornaments, jewels, clothes and other valuables as dowry to his and his brother’s daughters.

At the time of the departure of the marriage party, Janak got emotional and said to King Dashrath, with tears in his eyes, “O King of kings! We feel ourselves fortunate to be bound with you be relation. This has enhanced our prestige. Please treat me as your slave. We may be excused for any lapse on our part during your stay here.”

“Dear brother! The truth is otherwise. I think myself lucky to call myself a relative of a noble and saint king of your status.”

Then the marriage party left Mithila with the brides and reached the outskirts of Ayodhya.

The entire city had turned out to welcome the king, the princes and the brides. Every house and shop, every land and square was decorated with flowers and buntings. Every body was in a festive mood.

Before entering the city, Dashrath worshipped god Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh, as advised by the family priest sage Vasishtha.

Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra were standing at the main gate of the palace, with golden trays full of flowers, incense and sweets. They were there to receive their sons and their brides.

After greeting them, Kaikeyi donated a large quantity of golden ornaments and clothes to Brahmans and others as a votive offering. Then the brides were led into the palace in the company of singing women.

Ramayan Series

Part-1: Childhood | Part-2 : Swayamvar | Part-3 : Dasharatha’s Promise | Part-4 : Vanvas | Part-5 : Sita Haran | Part-6 : Meeting Hanuman | Part-7 : Lanka Dahan | Part-8 : Lanka Yudh | Part-9 : Lanka Vijay | Part-10 : Ayodhya | Part-11 : Lav Kush | Part-12 : Ram Rajya

Long, long ago, there was a king named Dashrath in India. He had his capital at Ayodhya. He was a brave but God-fearing ruler who loved his subjects as his children. He had three queens named Kaushalya, Kaikeyee and Sumitra. The queens were very beautiful, pious and virtuous ladies.

Dashrath belonged to the dynasty started from the Sun-god himself. So, he worshipped the Sun daily as a guided by the royal priest who was named Vasishtha.
In spite of the comforts of stately life, the king and his three queens were not happy. The reason was that none of the queens had given birth to any child so far. So, the kingdom was without a crown-prince.

The King and the Queens were well past middle age. So, the king had lost all hope to be blessed with a son. “Who will succeed to my throne after me?” he often asked himself.

One day after the usual worship, King Dashrath prayed to Sage Vasishtha, “Do something, please, so that I may not die without leaving a heir to my throne.”

Sage Vasishtha consoled the king saying, “Don’t worry at all, O king; you shall be blessed with sons. But you will have to perform the putreshti Yajna (son-granting worship).”
The king folded his hands and said, “I am ready to do anything.” He, then, requested the royal priest to make arrangements for the son-granting worship.

“This worship is to be performed by Saint Shringi. Go to his hermitage bare-foot and request him for it,” remarked Vasishtha.

Next day, king Dashrath approached Saint Shringi. Touching his feet respectfully, he said, “Sage Vasishtha has directed me to you, sir. Be kind to perform the son-granting worship for me. “
The saint agreed and accompanied the king to Ayodya. He performed the worship. As soon as it was over, the Fire-god appeared out of the fire with a pot in his hands. It contained the holy Prasad for the queens.

“Your wish is granted, O king! Take this pot to you palace and ask your queens to share its contents,” said the god. Saying so, he disappeared. The king was very happy indeed.

After the Yajna, Saint Shringi left for his hermitage. Seeking Sage Vasishtha’s permission, king Dashrath went into the palace. Seeing a pot in his hand, all the three queens cane running to him. They were very excited indeed.

“What is there in this pot?” asked the queens. The king told them all about the Yajna and handed over the pot to Kaushalya, the eldest queen. Then all the three queens shared the Prasad as directed by Fire-god.

Before long, th king got the news that all the three queens were in the family way. He was beside himself with joy. In his heart of hearts, he thanked the Almighty and both the saints as well. His wish was going to be fulfilled.

Days rolled by followed by weeks and months. In time, approached the day of the births of four princes of Ayodhya. This auspicious day was the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra. The three queens bore four lovely sons in the evening. King Dashrath had become the father of four sons.

Kaushalya, the eldest queen, gave birth to one son and Kaikeyee too. But Sumitra bore two male twins. The town of Ayodhya put on a new look and celebrations went of for a number of days.

As for the royal palace, it resounded with shouts of joy. Everyone was happy at the births of the princes. The maids and attendants were given awards and gifts by the king and the queens. There was joy and bliss everywhere around.

Festivities continued for days together on end. Bazaars and streets were profusely decorated with bunting and colourful gates. Rows of lit lamps were kept on the balconies at night. Ladies of the town were specially happy. They marched to the palace in groups singing joyful songs to congratulate the queens.

King Dashrath despatched a special messenger to convey the happy news to Sage Vasishtha. The Sage came to the palace to bless the new-born princes. A large number of sadhus and Brahmans were with him too.
The king paid his respects to all the saints and gave them gold, clothes and cows in alms. Saint Shringi was specially honoured in a befitting manner. He blessed the entire royal family and the four princes in particular.

Merriment and celebrations went on for over a month. When the princes were forty days old, their christening ceremony was held. The king requested Sage Vasishtha to suggest befitting names for the four princes.

The royal priest (Vasishtha) performed the naming ceremony and named Kaushalya’s son Rama, the source of bliss. As for Kaikeyee’s son, he named Bharata – caretaker of one and all.
“Queen Sumitra’s eldest son is born to destroy the enemies; so he should be named Shatrughna. Her youngest son is to possess the best of human qualities. So, he is to be named Laxmana,” said Sage Vasishtha.
The queens like the names very much. They were indeed extremely delighted.

Rama, the eldest prince, had a sallow complexion. But he was extremely handsome. The gold chain around his waist and the amulets on his arms added to his personal charms all the more. He was the apple of the king’s eye. All the three queens loved him most dearly too.

Rama’s movements and pranks were very fascinating indeed. He was the talk of the entire palace. Whoever saw him, he/she wanted to take him into his/her arms and fondle him lovingly.

All the other three princes were fair-complexioned. The king and the queens were almost always lost in their dear sons. They fed them with their own hands and could ill-afford to let them be away from their eyes even for a moment.

In due course, the princes grew young. The king requested the royal priest to perform their thread ceremony. This done, their formal education started. First of all, they were imparted training in shootingarrows.

Rama was the most handsome and lovable of all the princess. He was cool-tempered and patient by nature. Lakshmana was more attached to Rama from the very beginning though he was quick to anger. As for Bharata and Shatrughna, they were very intimate.

As the princes grew up further, the king decided to send them to the ashram (hermitage) of Sage Vasishtha for all-round education befitting the then princes.

There they were to live as continents (brahmacharis) till the age of 25 years and attain knowledge at the feet of the great guru.

The princes were soon informed that they were to go to the hermitage of the royal priest. So, they prepared themselves for that. Soon, they got their hair shorn and dressed up as continents in coarse clothes of saffron colour.

Then the princes, led by Rama; went to their mothers to seek their permission to leave the palace. The mothers felt shocked at the very idea of separation from their sons. But the family tradition was to be followed.  So, they had to send them off but with heavy hearts and tears in their eyes.

At Sage Vasishtha’s hermitage, the princes started learning various disciplines at the feet of the great teacher. The Sage imparted them knowledge befitting the princes of a great kingdom.

The princes devoted themselves to studies and served the sage as humbly as they could. He imparted them to the knowledge of the three aspects of Gods power – Creation, Preservation and Destruction.  Also, he told them that the life-span of a man has four parts:

• From birth to the age of 25 years Brahmacharya (continence)
• From the age of 25 yeas to the age of 50 Girhasth (house-holder)
• From the age of 50 years to the age of 75 Vanapractha (detachment)

From the age of 75 years to death Sanyas (renunciation)

Sage Vasishtha imparted instruction on state matters too to the four princes. Apart from it, he guided them in day-to-day worldly dealing as well. He explained to them the use of saam (allurement), daam (greed), dand (punishment) and bhed (division).

As for the spiritual teaching, the great teacher said, “Three qualities are found in human-beings.”

• The Satva (higher values, i.e. virtues)
• The Rajas (worldly values, i.e. luxuries)
• The Tamas (baser values, i.e. vices)

Every person has one type of the above mentioned qualities in himself/herself prominently. Whereas virtues lead a man to piety and goodness, vices lead him to impiety and evil.”

Sage Vasishtha explained to the princes that human body is made up of five elements – air, water, fire, earth and space. Also, that man is the supreme creature among all living-beings.

The Sage said. “One must hold his parents and teachers in high esteem. They must be loved, served and respected.”
“Moreover, truth is the greatest power and it always conquers in the end. Untruth or falsehood leads to sins.”
“Love of creatures is love of God whereas hatred earns his wrath.”

The princes took an oath to follow the instructions of the great teacher to the letter. They were now well-informed to step into the life of house-holders.

The princes were just nearing the end of Brahmacharya period. So, Sage Vasishtha decided to teach them the duties of a good ruler and the art of state-craft.

The Sage said, “A ruler must know that the crown he wears is not a sign of greatness. It is a basket of duties towards his subjects. If a ruler performs his duties well, he is certainly great. But if he ignores them, he is sure to have a fall.

Protection of the people is the first and foremost duty of a ruler.”
“Secondly, he must be just and impartial in every matter.”
“Thirdly, he must try to make his people happy and prosperous.”

“In short, if a king is greater than his people, his duties are far heavier and harder too,” said the great Sage.

The education of the princes having been complete, Sage Vasishtha sent message to king Dashrath. The king at once followed that the sage wanted the princes to return to Ayodhya. So, he sent Sumanta, his prime minister, to bring them home.

Sumanta collected stately robes for all the four princes and got ready to go to the hermitage of the sage. The queens were very impatient to see the princes.
The queens asked Sumanta to return without delay along with their sons. The king and the queens sent presents for Sage Vasishtha and other students of the ashram as well.

Sumanta left Ayodhya in a chariot promising the queens to return soon with their sons.

Sumanta reached the hermitage of Sage Vasishtha and touched the feet of the great teacher. He paid respects to him on behalf of the king and the queens also. Then folding his hands, he stated the purpose of his visit.

The Sage duly entertained the prime minister of Ayodhya and enquired about the welfare of the royal family. Then he called the princes to his presence. Telling them about the purpose of Sumanta’s visit, he advised them as below:

“I have taught you all I could. You must translate all my teachings into your day-to-day life. You shall be able to prove yourself to be good men. Not only this, you will be successful parts of the state-machinery also.

The princes lay straight at their teacher’s feet to pay their respects to him. Then they stood up and said with folded hands-

“We the sons of King Dashrath, assure you sir, that we shall never forget your teachings. We beg you to bless us to prove worthy of your trust. We have learnt wisdom from you that nobody else could have given us.”

Sage Vasishtha was indeed very pleased to hear what the princes had said.

He remarked, “My sons! Go back to Ayodhya and serve your parents as best as you can to earn their blessings. My good wishes shall always be with you.”

The princess put on the stately robes that Sumanta, the prime minister, had brought for them. Then they left for Ayodhya in his chariot. Soon, they reached their capital that had been nicely decorated in their honour.

People of Ayodhya thronged to welcome their princes who had returned after a number of years. Everybody was impatient to have a glimpse of the princes.

Rama, the crown-prince, was the chief attraction for one and all. People hailed him with garlands and raised slogans in his honour.

Soon the news of the return of the princes reached the palace also. The king and the queens became impatient to see their dear sons. They had fixed their eyes at the gates of the palace.

Soon a maid came running and informed the king of the arrival of the princes. King Dashrath was unable to control himself for joy indeed. He moved towards the gate to receive the princes.

At last the princes, led by Rama, entered the palace. He went up to the king and touched his feet and spoke in very humble words, “Father dear! I, your son Rama, am at your service again. The other three princes followed suit too.”

Choked with emotion, the king took the princes into his arms and kissed them one by one. He asked them to go and pay their respect to their mothers.

So, the princes made for the chambers of their mothers who were waiting for them impatiently.

As soon as a maid came running in to inform the queens of the arrival of the princes, Kaushalya took off her necklaces and gave it away to the maid as her reward.

Just them the princes entered the chamber where the queens were waiting for them.

Seeing them, Kaushalya could not contain herself for joy. Rama first of all, touched the feet of Queen Kaikeyee who embraced him out of affection.

The princes paid their respects to the three queens one by one. Tears of joy had welled up in the eyes of the three queens who had seen their sons after many years. They kissed and fondled them as if they were small boys.

The day of the princes’ arrival was celebrated as a festival. Alms were given to the poor generously. Presents were sent to the saints and Brahmans. Blessing kept pouring in all day from all quarters. Everyone prayed for the long life of the princes. Kaushalya fed them with her own hands.

Festivals went on for some days. Then the princes took to their daily duties. They got up in the morning and paid respects to their father and mothers. Then they got ready to attend the court. Rama, being the crown-prince, disposed of the state-matters entrusted to him. His brothers helped him in his task. The king was very pleased to see the princes going over their daily routine so carefully.

He was especially delighted to see Rama doing his duties for the good of the people who loved him very dearly.

Ramayan Series

Part-1: Childhood | Part-2 : Swayamvar | Part-3 : Dasharatha’s Promise | Part-4 : Vanvas | Part-5 : Sita Haran | Part-6 : Meeting Hanuman | Part-7 : Lanka Dahan | Part-8 : Lanka Yudh | Part-9 : Lanka Vijay | Part-10 : Ayodhya | Part-11 : Lav Kush | Part-12 : Ram Rajya