Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya- a lessor known story .

         Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya- a lessor known story .


  We all know and most of us have read many times the epic, Ramayana. And more on Rama the central character and of Ravana’s abduction of Sita and eventual defeat and death at the hands of her husband Rama.

  However, little is known about King Dasharatha of Ayodhya– Lord Rama’s father.

  Manu, the famous King of the Suryavansh (descendants of Sun God) and his wife Shatrupa were deprived of a successor and hence undertook severe penance in the forest in order to be blessed with a son. Maha Vishnu, pleased by their ardant penance and devotion appeared before them and blessed with a boon by granting their wish to be born as their son.

  The Suryavansh or Ikshavaku dynasty was famous for their bravery, steadfast fulfillment of any vow or promise, adherence to truth and concern and above all well being of their subjects. Great Kings like Ikshavaku, Mandhata, Bhagiratha, and Raghu belonged to the Suryavansh dynasty. Their capital was by tradition in Ayodhya, situated between the present day Lucknow and Varanasi near Faizabad besides the river Sarayu.

  Dasharatha was born to King Aja of Kosala and Indumati of Vidharba of , Ikshvaku or Surya vansh dynasty. The real name of Dasharatha was Nemi. Once the mighty and invincible Asura Śaṃbara conquered the throne of Indra. At the request of Brahma and the gods, King Nemi reached heaven and destroyed the armies of the asuras very easily and recovered the throne back to Indra. Saṃbara got angry, assumed ten shapes and attacked the King from ten points at the same time. The king confronted the ten Saṃbaras at ten points, at the same time, and killed all of them at the same moment. Because he faced his chariot to ten points at the same time and fought with enemies on those ten points Brahma appreciated his valiant fighting and charioteeering and gave him the name 'Dasharatha' (one who is capable of driving the chariot to ten points at the same time). Thus his original name was forgotten and he came to be known only by the name Dasharatha.

  It was also told that as the King Dasharatha had great control over his ten senses, ( Jnanedriyas and Karmedriyas ) he is known as Dasharathi. He was equal to, and or even greater than Indra (Lord of the heavens or the Senses) in valor.

  Despite hailing from an illustrious lineage and ruling over a vast empire Dasharatha remained detached from materialistic possessions nor did he indulge in pleasures from such a state. He was focused on performing his duties, expanded his kingdom, reigned justly maintaining peace and harmony over his vast kingdom. When such a person is at the helm, prosperity follows forthwith.

  However, he was unhappy and sadly aware that he was now old and childless inspite of having devoted three wives - Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. On the advise of Vashishta and with the help of Sage Shringi from Angadesh the king organized the Putrakameshti Yagna (a fire sacrifice for obtaining a son). Agnidev (the god of fire) appeared himself through the flames of the Yagna and offered a bowl of Kheer (a milk pudding) to Dasharatha. This was distributed to the three queens, and as a result, in due course Kausalya gave birth to Rama, Kaikeyi to Bharatha and Sumitra to Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

   Dasharatha’s eldest son Rama was the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This was how Lord Vishnu fulfilled the wish he had granted to Manu and Shatrupa by taking the incarnation of Rama who was His Poorna, complete Avatara.

  Years later, King Dasharatha decided to let his sons take over the reigns of Ayodhya, and wanted to crown Rama as his successor and next King.

  But then alas, fate ( or divine desire) played a part in the form of Queen Kaikeyi’s personal maid, Manthara who was a very sharp and wicked lady. She went to the queen and told her that this decision was unjust and Kaikeyi’s son Bharath was more deserving and should be crowned king instead. She poisoned her mind in reminding Kaikeyi of Dasharatha’s promises . Once during the war with Asura Shambara, the King fell to the ground unconscious and she drove the chariot and saved the King. The king was very much pleased, grateful and granted her two boons. This was the opportune time for her to reclaim those two wishes.

  Kaikeyi was influenced by Manthara’s devious plan and under her evil advice, Kaikeyi reminded Dasharatha, to crown Bharata as king and send Rama into exile for fourteen years to the forests.

  King Dasharatha, fell down and became unconscious when he heard Kaikeyi’s demands, and vaguely remembered of an incident from his own youth and knew that his life is to end soon.

  As a young prince, he was out for hunting one evening. Shravana Kumar, a young ascetic was collecting water in a pot for his parents who were both old and blind. When Dasharatha heard the sound of the pot being filled with water, he mistook it for the sound of an elephant drinking water at the river. Using just the sound cue, he aimed the Shabd Bhedi (based on sound) arrow in that direction, felling Shravana Kumar that killed him. The blind parents who heard this sad incident narrated by the king, and who were completely dependent on him, could not control their anger and cursed Dasharatha, thus: “We are giving up our lives forever to the loss of our dear and only son. You will also die of grief at being parted from your sons.”

  When Rama heard the promise made by his father to Kaikeyi, he readily agreed to leave for the forest. Lakshmana and Sita accompanied him. After they left, Dasharatha was so sad and grieved, that he soon breathed his last.

  In the forest Rama killed Khara, Dooshan, the demons. Lakshmana cut off Shoorpanakha’s nose, Ravana took Sita away. Rama, with the help of Sugreeva, Hanuman, Jambavan, and Angad, and Vibhishana built a bridge over the sea and killed Ravana in a fierce battle. And anointed Vibhishana, the King of Lanka. Rama along with Sita and his entourage of Vanaras and Vibhishana returned back to Ayodhya. The coronation of Rama as King of Ayodhya was conducted in splendour to the joy of whole of Ayodhya.

  The glorious deeds of his son Ram and his divine life have made Dasharatha immortal in history and lore.

  His rule over Ayodhya, a place of no conflict, symbolizes the peace one finds through self-control. Dasharatha's story encourages us to conquer our inner struggles to lead a harmonious and fulfilled life.

 Tailpiece:

The tomb of Dasharatha is in a village of Faizabad about 15 km away named Bilhar Ghat besides bank of river Saryu where he was cremated. This place is highly devotional for Hindus.