Bal Ramayan- Kaikeyi's Exile of Rama

The King of Ayodhya, Dasharatha, had four sons: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. Rama was the eldest and the dearest to everyone. King Dasharatha decided to make his eldest son, Rama, the king. This decision brought a wave of joy throughout Ayodhya.

However, King Dasharatha's second queen, Kaikeyi, was influenced by her maid, Manthara, who stirred her emotions by expressing a strong preference for her son, Bharata. Manthara reminded Kaikeyi that King Dasharatha had once granted her two boons. Prompted by Manthara, Kaikeyi decided to use her boons.

Kaikeyi demanded her boons from King Dasharatha, stating that the first boon should be to send Rama into exile for 14 years and the second boon should be to make her son Bharata the king of Ayodhya. King Dasharatha was deeply pained to hear this, but he decided to honor his promise.

When Lord Rama learned of this, he accepted his father's command without any protest. Rama's wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshmana, also decided to accompany him to the forest. The three of them left Ayodhya and headed towards the forest.

The news of Rama's exile plunged the entire city of Ayodhya into sorrow. King Dasharatha could not bear the grief and passed away. At that time, Bharata was at his maternal grandfather's house. Upon his return, when Bharata learned about the events, he tried to bring Rama back, but Rama resolved to fulfill his father's promise and completed his exile.

This story teaches us the importance of keeping promises and following dharma (righteousness). Lord Rama, through his ideals, conveyed the message that walking the path of truth and righteousness is the greatest duty.