After Rama, Sita and Laxman had left for the forest, king Dashrath went in a deep state of shock. He did not speak to anyone and just lay quietly on his bed gasping his last breath. Often he cried out the names of his dear sons, Rama and Laxman and his daughter-in-law Sita. The king had realised that the curse of the blind parents of Shravan Kumar was coming true. He was unable to bear the pain of separation from his dear son Rama and finally died. Everyone in the kingdom and the palace mourned the death of king Dashrath. Bharata and Shatrughna were called in from their maternal uncle’s house. Kaikeyi welcomed the princes happily and told the whole story of Rama’s exile and Dashrath’s death. Bharata became very upset and angry. Shatrughna was angry too and he hit Manthara, the wicked maid. She was injured and fell down on the floor. The princes then met queen Kaushalya and tried to console her. Bharata was feeling himself guilty for the injustice done to Rama and for the death of his father. On the advice of sage Vashishtha, Bharata performed all the rituals of the funeral of his father.
DEATH OF KING DASHRATH
