When Rama heard about queen Kaikeyi’s desires, he gladly accepted the news of his banishment. He tried to convince his father that it was a great honour for him to be sent to the forest because there he would meet many different sages and learn the real meaning of sadness and happiness. He then took the blessings of Dashrath and mother Kaikeyi and went to meet his mother Kaushalya. Hearing about Kaikeyi’s boons, Kaushalya cried out loud, “How can you bear the hardship of living in a forest for fourteen long years?” Rama smiled and assured her that fourteen years would pass very quickly. As Rama began preparing for his departure, his wife Sita came to him. She begged Rama to take her with him but he refused. Sita replied, “My Lord, not being with you for fourteen years will be greater hardship. My duty is to be by your side always.” Just like Sita, Laxman too decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother. “How can I leave my dear brother to face the dangers all by himself?” he argued. Seeing Sita and Laxman’s determination, Rama had no choice but to agree to their wish.
RAMA’S EXILE
