The brides settled into their new home and the new lifestyle. For twelve years the period of quiet joy and happiness continued, as Seeta and Rama and the other couples came to know and understand one another well. One day, the prince of Kekaya, Yudhaajit, who was Kaikeyi’s brother, came to Ayodhya. He asked for permission to take Bharata and the others to Kekaya to their grandfather’s house. Dasharatha sent Bharata and Shatrughna with Yudhaajit. Meanwhile, Dasharatha felt that, as he himself was growing old, suitable arrangements must be made to appoint a successor. He consulted the Sage Vasishtha who advised him to call an assembly of his courtiers and citizens and propose Rama as his successor. He was Dasharatha’s eldest son and was most competent and qualified to govern the kingdom. This would also ensure that the consent of all the people would be obtained.
A Time of Joy
