Rama's Farewell to King Dasharatha

Witness Dasharatha's anguish as Rama and Sita prepare for exile. Experience the king's plea to Kaikeyi and Rama's final, heartfelt words to his father in this poignant Ramayana excerpt. 

The People's Reaction to Sita's Departure (2.38.1 - 2.38.2)

As Sita (Rama's wife) prepared to leave for the forest, wearing tattered bark garments, the people cried out in dismay. Though she had a husband, she appeared helpless. The crowd shouted, "Shame on you, Dasharatha (the king and Rama's father)!" (2.38.1)

Hearing this outcry, King Dasharatha became deeply distressed. He lost faith in his life and his sense of righteousness. (2.38.2)

Dasharatha's Plea to Kaikeyi (2.38.3 - 2.38.7)

Sighing heavily, Dasharatha, descendant of Ikshvaku (an ancient king), addressed his wife Kaikeyi (who had demanded Rama's exile):

"Kaikeyi, Sita should not go to the forest in garments of kusa grass (a type of sacred grass). She is young, delicate, and used to comfort. My teacher has truly said she is unfit for forest life." (2.38.3-4)

"What harm has this ascetic daughter of the greatest king done? She stands among people wearing bark, like a confused female ascetic." (2.38.5)

"Let Janaka's daughter (Sita) remove these bark garments. This was not my original promise. Let the princess go to the forest happily, with all her jewels and necessities." (2.38.6)

"I made this cruel vow, unworthy of life. You accepted it childishly. Now it burns me like a bamboo destroyed by its own flowers." (2.38.7)

Dasharatha Questions Kaikeyi's Motives (2.38.8 - 2.38.12)

"O sinful wretch, even if Rama has displeased you, what offense has Sita committed?" (2.38.8)

"What wrong has Janaka's daughter, with doe-like eyes, gentle and deserving compassion, done to you?" (2.38.9)

"Isn't Rama's exile enough for you, O wicked woman? Why commit these additional cruel acts?" (2.38.10)

"I only promised what you said when Rama came here for his installation ceremony." (2.38.11)

"But now you go beyond that, wanting to see even Sita in bark garments. You seek to enter hell." (2.38.12)

Dasharatha's Grief and Collapse (2.38.13)

The noble king, lamenting thus, saw no end to his grief. Overwhelmed by separation from his son, he fell to the ground, deeply tormented. (2.38.13)

Rama's Final Words to His Father (2.38.14 - 2.38.18)

As Rama prepared to leave for the forest, he spoke to his father, who sat with bowed head:

"O righteous father, my illustrious mother Kausalya is aged and noble. She does not blame you for this." (2.38.14-15)

"O giver of boons, separated from me and unused to suffering, she will be plunged into an ocean of sorrow. Please give her more attention." (2.38.16)

"Honor her, so she doesn't grieve for her son. While thinking of me, let her live for you, who deserves her respect." (2.38.17)

"O father, equal to Indra (king of the gods), please ensure that my mother, who feels possessive of me, doesn't give up her life and go to Yama's abode (the realm of death) due to sorrow while I'm in the forest." (2.38.18)

This concludes the thirty eighth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.