Yudhishthira Asks Markandeya About Rama's Exile

Yudhishthira had been listening to Markandeya speak about the ancient kings and their sons — the births of Rama and his brothers, the lineage of the Ikshvakus. But one question pressed on him, and when the sage paused, he asked it. "O illustrious one! You have separately related the births of Rama and each of the others. O brahmana! Now I wish to hear about the reasons for their exile. Please recount it. O brahmana! Why were Dasharatha's brave sons, Rama and Lakshmana, and the famous Maithili exiled to the forest?" The question hung in the air. Yudhishthira himself was living in exile — twelve years in the forest, one year in disguise, all because of a game of dice he had lost. He knew what it meant to be driven from a kingdom. But Rama's story was different. Rama was the eldest son of a king who loved him, a prince beloved by everyone, a man whose virtues seemed to make him untouchable. And yet he had walked into the forest too. Markandeya began to speak. "King Dasharatha was delighted at sons being born. He was devoted to rites and to the practice of dharma. He always served his superiors. In course of time, his sons grew and became greatly energetic. They became learned in the Vedas and their secrets and were skilled in the use of weapons." He described how Dasharatha, seeing himself growing old, consulted his advisers and priests about instating Rama as heir apparent. They all agreed — the time had come. Rama was everything a king should be: red-eyed and large-armed, dark and handsome, learned in dharma, skilled in knowledge, in control of his senses. He was pleasant even to his enemies. He protected those who followed dharma. He could not be vanquished. Dasharatha looked at his son and was delighted. He told his priest to prepare for the ceremony — the conjunction of Pushya nakshatra was auspicious. Let all the requirements be gathered. Let Rama be invited. But Manthara, the hunchbacked maid, heard the king's words and went to Kaikeyi. She spoke at the right moment, with the right poison: "O Kaikeyi! The king has proclaimed your great misfortune today. O unfortunate one! A fierce, angry and virulent serpent is biting you. Kousalya is indeed the fortunate one, since her son will be instated. Where is your good fortune if your son does not obtain a share of the kingdom?" Kaikeyi adorned herself in all her ornaments. She approached her husband secretly, smiling charmingly, and spoke honeyed words: "You are always truthful in your promises. O king! You had earlier promised me a wish. Grant me that favour now and free yourself of the burden." The king replied that he would grant whatever she desired. When she heard this, she bound him to his promise. "Let Bharata be instated with the ingredients that have been arranged for Rama. Let Raghava go to the forest." The king heard these terrible words and could not speak. But Rama, with dharma in his soul, went to the forest so that his father might remain true to his promise. Lakshmana followed with his bow. Sita, Janaka's daughter, followed too.