DAY THREE
With folded hands, let us begin by remembering Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and then let us bow to the great Adi Kavi, Sage Valmiki, through whose compassion and spiritual vision the Ramayana came into the world.
Let us first recite this beautiful invocation:
ಕೂಜಂತಂ ರಾಮ ರಾಮೇತಿ ಮಧುರಂ ಮಧುರಾಕ್ಷರಮ್ |
ಆರುಹ್ಯ ಕವಿತಾಶಾಖಾಂ ವಂದೇ ವಾಲ್ಮೀಕಿ-ಕೋಕಿಲಮ್ ॥
"I bow to Sage Valmiki — the cuckoo perched upon the branch of poetry — who sweetly sings Rāma, Rāma in melodious and charming syllables."
What a beautiful image this is.
Just as a cuckoo sits on a branch and sings with sweetness, Valmiki Maharshi, seated on the branch of poetry, sang the name of Rama.
And that song became the Ramayana.
The syllable 'Ra' burns away sins. The syllable 'Ma' grants liberation.
Thus 'Rāma' is the Taraka Mantra — the mantra that helps us cross the ocean of worldly existence.
"When the story of Rama is narrated with sincerity, even the most restless being becomes still." — Sri Bannanje Govindacharya
Dasharatha's Political Masterpiece — The Birthday Coronation
As Rama approached his twenty-seventh year, King Dasharatha finally decided to act. In those times, royal birthdays were observed according to the ruling Nakshatra, and the auspicious Punarvasu Nakshatra was only a few days away.
Dasharatha announced a grand celebration, inviting ministers, the royal guru, prominent citizens, and neighboring kings—ostensibly to celebrate Rama’s birthday.
But beneath this celebration lay careful intent.
Dasharatha deliberately chose not to invite Kaikeyi’s father, King Ashwapathi. Anticipating questions, he prepared a convenient explanation: in the urgency of arrangements, the invitation had simply been overlooked. To make this omission less conspicuous, he also did not invite King Siradhvaja Janaka, so that it would appear as a general oversight rather than a calculated exclusion.
His underlying motive was clear. He intended to use the occasion of Rama’s birthday as a pretext to declare him as Yuvaraja, completing the coronation before Ashwapathi could arrive and raise any objection.
In this way, what appeared to be a celebration was, in reality, a carefully timed political decision—one shaped by hesitation, obligation, and strategy.
Dasharatha purposefully had Ayodhya decorated for coronation — not for a birthday.
Dasharatha's Coronation Address — His Words to the Assembly
After the lunch on Rama's twenty-seventh birthday, he invited all the citizens, ministers, and kings to an evening audience. In a loud voice — like a kettle drum, like a thundering cloud — in a sweet, clear, and incomparable king's voice, Dasharatha spoke.
It is well known that my excellent kingdom was ruled by my ancestral kings as if it were their own son.
I have a desire that this entire land, protected by the descendants of Ikshvaku dynasty, be bestowed with goodness and the happiness that follows from it.
Following the path established by my ancestors, I have always protected my people with alertness and to the best of my ability.
In conducting the kingdom for the benefit of all the people, my body became impaired under the shade of the white umbrella.
This body has been living for many thousands of years. Hence I desire rest.
This burden of worldly righteousness is very heavy. It can be sustained only by royal power with qualities like courage and valor. A person who has no control of senses cannot carry this burden. I have become tired while carrying this burden.
I desire to take rest — entrusting the rule to my son — for the benefit of the people, after obtaining the consent of all those best Brahmans who are close to me.
My eldest son Rama is equal to Devendra in valor. He is the conqueror of cities of enemies. He is equal to me in all qualities.
Joyfully, I shall appoint Rama — who shines like the moon together with the Pushya star, who is the best among the protectors of righteousness — to the realm of crown prince.
If Rama becomes the lord, the three worlds also will have the best master. He is a glorious man. Rama is the only fittest lord for this kingdom.
By entrusting this kingdom to Rama, I shall be doing an immediate good and shall be devoid of difficulties.
I am telling this after much thinking. Give your consent if you feel this to be good and befitting. Let there be thinking on any other beneficial way — thinking by impartial people will always be well-developed through the exchange of opposing views.
Those delighted kings complimented Dasharatha with a loud applause — like peacocks crying in delight when they see a great rain cloud. That building trembled by the sweet and reverberating sound of their fond uproar.
The People's Testimony — What the Citizens Said About Rama
But Dasharatha, ever the careful statesman, then did something deliberate and beautiful. After hearing their applause, he pretended not to know their mind already — and asked them directly: tell me honestly — why do you want Rama as prince? Give me your real opinion.
The kings, the Brahmins, and the urban and rural citizens answered together. These were not courtiers flattering a king. These were people speaking from direct, daily experience — from years of watching Rama walk among them. Hear what the people of Ayodhya said:
Oh king! Rama is equal to Devendra in heavenly qualities. He has true valor. He is greater than all the kings born in the Ikshvaku clan.
Rama is the world-renowned gentleman. He is keenly interested in truth and righteousness. Only Rama can make both righteousness and wealth combine without separation.
He is equal to the moon in making people happy; equal to the earth in the quality of forgiveness; equal to Brihaspati in wisdom; and verily to Devendra in valor.
Rama knows all righteousness. He is true to his word and has good character. He has no envy. He has patience. He consoles those who are in troubles. He speaks good words. He has gratitude. He keeps his senses under control.
Rama is soft-natured, has a stable mind, is always auspicious, and has no envy. He speaks truthful and loving words to all living beings. He worships aged Brahmins endowed with knowledge of the sciences — and by that, his name, glory, and splendor are growing in this world.
He is skilled in the use of various weapons known to celestials, demons, and men. He has duly concluded his vow of studying the various sciences and has systematically learned all the Vedas along with their six branches: phonetics, grammar, prosody, etymology, astronomy, and the science of ritual.
Rama is best in the world in the art of music. He has the best relatives. He is gentle. He is not weak in mind. He has great wisdom.
Rama was trained in all matters from the best of Brahmins skilled in righteousness and in the science of political economy. If it is necessary to go to battle to protect a village or a city, Rama goes with Lakshmana — and returns home only after obtaining victory.
After returning from battle, Rama goes to citizens on elephant or chariot and inquires about their well-being as though they were his own kinsmen — like a father does to his sons. He asks about their wives and children, about the sacred fires, about their servants and students — always completely as per the due order.
Rama — the best among men — always asks us: Are your disciples serving you by keenly performing their actions?
Rama feels very sad towards the afflictions of men — and feels delighted in all functions celebrated on the occasions of childbirth and the like, just as their own father does.
Rama speaks only truth. He is a great hero. He serves elders. He keeps the senses under control. Rama — who talks smilingly — protects righteousness in all ways.
Rama duly procures beneficent deeds. He is not interested in wrangling or quarrelsome talk. He is an orator like Brihaspati by his replies and rejoinders.
Rama, who enchants the world, has beautiful eyebrows and red and broad eyes. He is absolutely like the God Vishnu himself in strength, heroism, and valor.
He knew the ins and outs of public administration. His senses are not afflicted by passion. He is capable of administering not only the earth — but also the three worlds.
Rama's anger or mercy is never arbitrary at any time. He kills those who are to be slain as per rules. He is never angered at the innocent.
He gladly bestows wealth to those with whom he is satisfied. As the sun shines by his rays, Rama shines by his qualities — peaceful, enchanting, and delightful to men.
All people desire Rama — who is endowed with this wealth of qualities, who has true valor, who is equal to presiding deities like Devendra — to be their lord.
Oh king Dasharatha — Rama is born to you as a son because of your good fortune, for the welfare of this world. He has all the virtues befitting a son, like Kasyapa, the son of Marichi.
All people in the state — including those in the capital as well as those in nearby and far-off places — pray for the long life, health, and strength of Rama of reputed nature.
Both young and aged women pray each morning and evening to all celestials, with a stable and devoted mind, for the benefit of renowned Rama.
Oh best of kings, Dasharatha — we shall see Rama adorned with princely kingdom. Your son Rama has the complexion of a black lotus flower and annihilates all his enemies. Let the wish of the people be fulfilled by your grace.
Oh fulfiller of people's desires — for our benefit, you gladly and immediately inaugurate your son Rama: who is equal to Vishnu, who is interested in the welfare of the entire world, and who possesses the best of virtues.
Dasharatha's Inner Satisfaction — and His Final Instruction to Rama
Dasharatha had known the gathered people would say exactly this. He had planned for it from the beginning. He was deeply, quietly happy inside. But he had been careful not to declare Rama's coronation himself — for if he had, the people might suspect that he had preplanned it all. By letting them speak first, by letting their love for Rama express itself freely and fully, he had transformed his personal wish into the declared will of the people.
Now he said it aloud: Today is Punarvasu Nakshatra. Tomorrow is Pushya Nakshatra — the Sampath Tara for Rama. Most auspicious. We are all assembled. Ayodhya is already decorated. Let us crown Rama as Yuvaraja tomorrow morning.
He instructed Brahmarishi Vasishtha to make all preparations. Vasishtha — a Trikala Gyani, a knower of all three times: past, present, and future — knew what the outcome of tomorrow would be. He began the preparations in silence.
Dasharatha's Private Instruction to Rama
After the audience with the citizens, sages, gurus, and kings, Dasharatha called Rama privately. He said: Bharata is a good person — but you never know how someone might change. We have decided to coronate you tomorrow morning. Also, I am troubled by bad omens I have observed — falling meteors, thunderous sounds, fearful dreams. We may be heading into a war very soon. You must remain awake the entire night before your coronation, meditating on God. This is auspicious before a coronation.
He did not inform Kaikeyi or her attendants beforehand. But the happy news spread on its own — and it reached Manthara.
Manthara's Grudge — The Root of Everything
Manthara had brought up Kaikeyi since childhood — after Kaikeyi's father had disowned his wife, Manthara had raised her almost as a mother. She had every right to speak freely with Queen Kaikeyi.
When Manthara heard the news of Rama's coronation, she was consumed by anger and jealousy. In spite of everyone in Ayodhya loving Rama, Manthara was the only person in all of creation who disliked him. And Valmiki tells us why.
When Rama was a child of just two years old, everyone loved to carry him and cuddle him. Once Manthara asked Rama to come to her so she could hold him. Rama — as children sometimes do — refused. Manthara forcefully snatched him from the ground anyway. Rama kicked her and ran away. Manthara's anger knew no bounds. She made a solemn promise to herself: when the time comes, I will drag him down.
Now she saw her opportunity. She went immediately to Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi did not know about the coronation plans. When Manthara told her, Kaikeyi was overjoyed. She pulled the grand pearl necklace from around her own neck and placed it around Manthara's as a gift.
Manthara pulled the necklace off and threw it to the ground. Kaikeyi was confused — why are you angry? This is the most auspicious news: my beloved Rama is being coronated tomorrow morning!
And then Manthara began her poison. She said: Do you understand what you are saying? Once Rama becomes Yuvaraja, his mother Kausalya becomes the Raja Mata. And Dasharatha — who always loved you and treated you as his favorite — will switch sides. You and Bharata will be looked down upon as servants, living in the palace only for food. Your grandchildren and future generations will have no power. Kausalya will exercise all authority and rebuke you.
Women can tolerate many things. But when another woman is praised and compared against them — especially a co-wife — they cannot tolerate it. Kaikeyi's heart began to turn.
Manthara continued: Remember — once in a battle, when Dasharatha was in danger, you became his charioteer and took him to safety. He offered you a boon then. You told him you would ask for it when the time came. That time is now. Ask for two things: first, the coronation of Bharata — as Dasharatha promised your father. And second, that Rama be exiled for fourteen years.
Why fourteen years? In those days, if a person below the age of forty-five was missing for fourteen years, they would lose the right to ancestral property, and people would assume them dead. Rama was below forty-five. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas were exiled for twelve years because they were all above forty-five.
Manthara instructed Kaikeyi to go to the sulking chamber — in those days, the palace had different chambers for different states: for childbirth, for celebration, for grief, and for anger. Kaikeyi went to the sulking chamber, threw all her ornaments on the ground, scattered her hair, and lay on the floor.
Rama's Calm Acceptance
Dasharatha came to Kaikeyi's palace and found her not in their bedroom. The servants told him she was in the sulking chamber. He went to her immediately and saw her lying angry on the ground without her ornaments. He said: I will do anything to make you happy — even put an innocent person to the sword, or take riches from a wealthy person. An emperor should never say such things — and yet he said them.
Kaikeyi then asked for her two things. Dasharatha was struck as if by lightning. He pleaded — ask for anything, not these two. He mentioned that it had always been his desire to coronate Rama. How could he face the citizens? Kaikeyi did not budge. Dasharatha fell at her feet and begged. Still she refused. He said: if I send Rama to exile and coronate Bharata, I will die of grief. Kaikeyi said: so be it — if this is my destiny, then so be it. Dasharatha fell to the ground, chanting Rama's name.
The Background of Kaikeyi’s Transformation
How could Kaikeyi do this?
This is the same Kaikeyi who once loved Rama deeply. The same Kaikeyi who accompanied Dasharatha in battle and even saved his life. The same Kaikeyi whom Rama himself always respected and served with affection.
So how could her heart become so hard at this moment?
To understand this, we must look at Kaikeyi’s background.
Kaikeyi’s father was Ashvapati, the king of the Kekaya kingdom. He had a rare divine gift — he could understand the language of birds and animals. But this gift came with a condition: if he ever revealed what he heard, he would immediately lose his life.
One day, while walking in the palace gardens with his queen — Kaikeyi’s mother — Ashvapati overheard a conversation between a pair of swans. Something in their conversation was so amusing that the king suddenly burst out laughing.
The queen became curious and asked him why he was laughing.
Ashvapati explained that he could not reveal the reason, because telling it would cost him his life.
But the queen insisted. Again and again she demanded to know the secret. Even after understanding the danger, she continued pressing him. Her curiosity became so strong that she said she did not mind even if the king lost his life — as long as she could know the reason.
When the elders of the kingdom heard this, they advised the king: a person who values a trivial curiosity more than her husband’s life cannot remain as the queen of the kingdom.
Following their counsel, Ashvapati banished her from the kingdom.
Now the elders in our tradition often say that children sometimes inherit the tendencies of their parents. The Ramayana itself hints at this idea when the ministers later say that daughters may reflect the nature of their mothers.
So along with her father’s noble qualities, Kaikeyi may also have inherited a certain stubbornness and intensity from her mother’s side.
As a result of the banishment, Kaikeyi grew up without the presence of her mother.
Because of this, she did not receive the nurturing guidance that a mother usually gives a child. Instead, the person who influenced her most during her upbringing was Manthara, the maidservant.
So when Manthara later began to whisper doubts and fears into her mind, Kaikeyi’s emotions were easily stirred.
Therefore Kaikeyi should not be seen simply as a villain. Her life reflects a tragic pattern.
In one generation, the mother’s stubborn demand broke a family.
And in the next generation, Kaikeyi’s demand for the two boons would lead to the sorrow of Dasharatha and the exile of Rama.
Kaikeyi had the servants fetch Rama to the sulking chamber. Rama entered — calm, composed, smiling as always. The palace servants outside were watching anxiously. Rama saw his father collapsed and weeping and asked: what has happened? Dasharatha could not speak. Kaikeyi told Rama the two things. Rama smiled and said: Is that it? Father could have told me directly. Then Dasharatha, in anguish, said: do not fulfill my wishes, ignore them, or occupy the throne by force — pull me down, do anything — but do not listen to this wretched Kaikeyi.
Rama smiled. And he left the chamber. The palace servants outside, seeing Rama come out calm and composed and smiling, thought everything was fine.
Kausalya's Grief — Sumitra's Wisdom — Lakshmana's Rage
Rama went to his mother Kausalya's palace. When she heard her son — the future Yuvaraja — was coming, she placed a golden throne for him to sit. Rama moved the golden throne aside and sat on the ground. Kausalya, astonished, asked why. Rama said he should now practice sitting on the ground.
Kausalya was struck as if by a thunderbolt. She said: ignore your father — the entire world wants you as their emperor. Rama said: I cannot. First, I must honor my father's wishes. And he is the emperor — nobody can ignore the emperor's orders. Kausalya then argued: the Shastras say matru devo bhava — mother comes first. So I order you: get coronated and do not go to exile. Rama said: Mother, you are my fathers's wife. You have no authority to overrule his orders. And second, he is an emperor. The emperor's word is final. Kausalya tried every argument. She said: then let me come with you to the forest. Rama said: your first duty is to take care of your husband. When I leave, he will be in grief — stand by him. You are a queen. Your duty is to the citizens. Kausalya cried profusely, hugging Rama.
Rama then went to Sumitra's palace. Sumitra said with quiet wisdom: since you have made your decision, and the word of Rama is always final, you should take Lakshmana with you so both brothers can protect and look after each other. Urmila, Lakshmana's wife, added: I agree with my mother-in-law. I will take care of our elders while my husband is with his brother in exile.
Lakshmana was in a rage. He said: how can father do this to you — against the wishes of all the citizens? I do not respect his judgment. I have a bow, arrows, and a sword. I will stand guard when you are coronated and kill anyone who comes between you and the throne — including father himself.
Rama smiled. He told Lakshmana: this brother of yours also has a bow, arrows, and a sword — and can protect himself and the entire world. So calm down. And listen — I am fed up with politics. If we go to the forest, there is no politics. We can live peacefully, drink fresh water from rivers, eat fruits that taste like nectar. Lakshmana listened to his brother's perspective — and agreed.
Sita's Refusal to Stay Behind
Rama then went to Sita and told her of his decision. He requested her — as the eldest daughter-in-law — to take care of her father-in-law, her mothers-in-law, and the citizens. Fourteen years would pass quickly, and he would return.
Sita listened with great calm. Then she said: I respect your advice. But you do not need to teach me about my responsibilities — I come from a noble family. Before I married you, my parents taught me how to conduct myself in my in-laws' home. And if I stay here, that would indeed be my duty. But my duty is to follow my husband. I will come to the forest with you.
Rama tried to dissuade her. He said the forest was harsh, infected by wild animals and demons. It would be difficult enough for the two brothers to take care of each other — with Sita present, they would constantly worry for her safety. The hermit's life was nothing like the palace.
Sita said: so you are saying you are incapable of taking care of me? Rama said: yes, very difficult in the forest. Sita replied: then listen to me carefully. I already knew about my future life in the forest — an astrologer told my parents this when reading my horoscope before my marriage. And secondly, if my father knew you were incapable of protecting me, he would never have given me to you in marriage.
Rama had no argument left. Sita came.
The Departure from Ayodhya — A City in Mourning
The words spread among the citizens, and all of Ayodhya was consumed by grief. The entire kingdom lined up on the streets. At dawn, Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita took blessings from Kausalya and Sumitra, then went to Dasharatha before departing.
When they entered Dasharatha's palace, the emperor was collapsed in grief. He could not speak. He was weeping and saying: do not go, please do not go, I cannot live without you, I will die. Rama and Lakshmana did Sashtanga Namaskara to Dasharatha. Sita did Panchanga Namaskara. They rose and prepared to leave.
In the meanwhile, Kaikeyi had prepared robes made of Kusha grass and gave them to Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. Rama and Lakshmana wore theirs. Sita — a princess who had never worn such rough garments — did not know how to wear it. Rama gently walked over and placed the robe over her royal clothes, showing her how to wear it.
This sight was unbearable for Dasharatha. He cried: wretched Kaikeyi — I fulfilled my promise and agreed to send Rama to exile, but now Lakshmana and Sita accompany him. Sita will not wear this robe of Kusha grass. He instructed his servants to load Sita's royal clothes and jewelry onto the chariot. He then begged Rama: I wish I had a son who did not respect his father's word — be that son today, kill me with your sword, and take the throne.
Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita smiled — and without looking back, walked straight to the chariot and sat. Dasharatha collapsed. Kaikeyi came to lift him. He said: wretched woman, do not touch me. Kausalya came and lifted him, taking him to the palace door.
Sumantra — the loyal Chief Minister and charioteer — drove the chariot through the streets of Ayodhya. The citizens lined the roads, weeping, requesting Rama not to leave them like orphans, falling to the ground in prostration.
Valmiki narrates one heart-touching incident: in Ayodhya there was a couple who had waited many years for a child. Finally the wife had conceived — and she gave birth to a handsome child on the very day Rama was leaving for exile. Instead of hugging and blessing her newborn, she wept and cried: I wish you were not born! In gaining you, I have lost my Rama. You are very unfortunate. These words — from a mother who had waited years for her child — spoken the very moment of his birth — reveal the depth of every citizen's love for Rama.
Dasharatha stood at the palace door. First he saw the chariot — and Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita seated in it. As it went further, he could see only the chariot. As it went further still, he could see only the flag. Then only the dust rising from the chariot wheels. He envisioned again: the flag, the chariot, Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. He realized this was not a dream. He cried out to Sumantra with all his force: stop the chariot, bring them back.
Sumantra stopped — it was the emperor's command. But Rama said quietly: do not stop. My father may change his mind. And if he says you ignored his command when you return — tell him that in the midst of the sound of citizens crying and the sound of the chariot in motion, you could not hear Dasharatha's command.
The citizens of Ayodhya were following the chariot on foot, intending to accompany Rama into exile and protect him. Rama asked Sumantra to go faster, to take a route unknown to the citizens, so that they would lose the trail. He said: the citizens should not have to suffer exile because of him.