For six days after Rama had left the palace, Dasharatha lay slowly dying. One day, he found he had lost his sight and told Kaushalya that he had become blind like Shravana’s parents. He felt his death was close. He called Rama over and over again as he finally breathed his last. The palace and the kingdom were plunged into deep grief. Ayodhya wept for its lost King and Crown Prince. Kaushalya and Sumitra wept and consoled each other. Sage Vasishtha tried to comfort everyone with his words of sympathy and wisdom. By next morning, various saints and wise men began to arrive for the official mourning period. Dasharatha’s body had to be preserved till Bharata returned to perform his final rites. So, it was immersed in a vat with preservative oils and balms. Messengers were sent to Kekaya to recall Bharata and Shatrughna.
Dasharatha Passes Away
