Story: Dasharatha's Karma
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| Dasharatha, the dead boy, and his parents - Source Freer Ramayana |
Plot Summary:
After the triumphant return of his son, Rama, and Rama's wedding to princess Sita. Great king Dasharatha decided to appoint Rama as Yuvarajah (heir apparent), and entrust the government to him. Queen Kaikeyi, urged by her slave Manthara, became jealous of Rama's ascension to heir-apparent and wanted her son Bharata, Rama's brother, to be named Yuvarajah. She then asked for two boons, king Dasharatha owed her, since she saved her life. Queen Kaikeyi asked for her son Bharata to be made heir apparent, and for Rama to be banished for 14 years. The king wept and grieved, but at the end had to fulfill his promise. Rama was banished, and went willingly and peacefully, bowing to return in 14 years.
After the banishment of his son, great king Dasharatha was doomed to die a sorrowful death. We are told that in his youth, Dasharatha loved hunting. One day, he discharged an arrow to a sound that he thought was animal, but it a human. He killed a young hermit who served his parent well. Dashantra conducted the grieving parents their son's corpse, the father told him "As I weep now and as I am hastened to death, mourning for my son, so wilt thou suffer in like manner, sorrowing for a dearly beloved and righteous son. Thy death, O Dasharatha, will cleanse thee of this crime.”
My thoughts:
One of the reasons why this story piqued my interest, was the way in which Karma was delivered like a prophecy. I think it does resolve and even justifies to a certain degree, the suffering of the King. As far as the story, I really liked the rhymed verses, very neat.
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