(For Children)

(For Children)

Dhruva Jnanam
 Lesson 4
Daśaratha planning coronation of Rāma
Rāma – A heap of Virtues
Bharata and Śatr̥ughna left to Kēkaya kingdom along with
their maternal uncle, Yudhājit. Though they were treated with Maharṣi Vālmīki describes the
complete paternal affection, they both were always virtues of Rāma here.
remembering their brothers and aged parents, especially • His virtuous conduct with
father. Daśaratha also felt the absence of his other two everyone such as Gurus,
sons though he was very happy seeing Rāma and elders, ministers, servants,
listening to the extoll of Rāma’s virtues everyday by his and especially women.
subjects, courtiers, ministers, men, women, people from • His indomitable valor.
the town of Ayōdhya as well as from countryside alike. • His scholarship in all arts
Daśaratha thought that Rāma is as chivalrous as Indra, and sciences.
intelligent as Br̥haspati, an able administrator, worthy, and fit • His wisdom, knowledge,
from all viewpoints to be the next ruler of Ayōdhya. He also and self-control.
thought the coronation should happen as soon as it can and • Above all, His humility and
hence did not consider informing Bharata and Śatr̥ughna at compassion towards all the
Kēkaya. He called for a large gathering of all ministers, creatures.
courtiers, subjects from urban and rural areas, chiefs of
different groups of trades and professions.
Daśaratha addressed the gathering, ‘Following the footsteps of my ancestors, I’ve been
ruling this Kingdom to the best of my ability with support from all of you. Now the time
has come for me to move on and enjoy the rest of my life seeing my eldest son Rāma as the
king of Ayōdhya. You all have always been impartial and just in expressing your opinion. I
want to hear from you all.’
Everyone present in the assembly said, ‘We all are also eager to see Rāma come on a white
elephant protected under an umbrella. Hence, please inaugurate Him as the prince.’

Daśaratha, happy on one side but equally anxious, asked them, ‘Inform your real opinion.
While you all say that I’m ruling with righteousness, why are you so eager to see Rāma as
the king?’
They all spoke as follows – ‘O noble king! Rāma has many incomparable qualities. He
always speaks truth. He stands by His word. He is kind, treats everyone as His own family,
consoles and comforts all. He has no envy. He is patient. He is brave. He is delighted to see
everyone happy and pained to see someone afflicted. He is not submissive to anger, but
certainly knows when to punish and when to reward. Hence, O king! Pray that you make
Rāma our king as soon as possible.’

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 Daśaratha was overjoyed. He spoke with Maharṣis Vaśiṣṭha, Vāmadēva, and others to start
the arrangements of Rāma’s coronation to the delightful uproar from the assembly.

Character is important to become a Ruler

It is not sufficient just to be born of a royal lineage to become the ruler. It’s important
not only to be proficient in all kinds of arts, sciences, warfare, polity etc., but also gain
acceptance from the citizens, courtiers, ministers and Gurus.
A person without character should never either be chosen or appointed as the
ruler. In fact, a character-less person is not even eligible to hold any public office.
Itihāsās like Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata, and other ancient scriptures clearly stipulated
the essential qualities of a ruler and other people holding high positions.
Among the many qualities mentioned, top priority is given to ‘Vr̥tta’ i.e.
character, which has Satya and Dharma as its foundation. With what conviction
and courage, a person who himself is not based in Satya (Truth) and Dharma, can
establish righteousness and morality among the subjects?

Daśaratha called Rāma

Vaśiṣṭha then ordered the officers to procure all the items needed for coronation. He also
added to arrange for feeding the Brahmanas, decorating the idols of gods and goddesses in
temples along with the entire city of Ayōdhya. He then ordered Sumantra to bring Rāma
to the assembly.
Seeing Rāma arriving in a chariot from a distance itself, Daśaratha heart was elated. Rāma
walked into the assembly, bowed down to His father touching his feet telling His name.
Daśaratha seated Him on a diamond studded throne near him and told Him the wish of all
the people in the assembly as well as his wish to coronate Him. Daśaratha also told Rāma
to take initiation and observe some ritualistic procedures mandatory before coronation.
Some people nearby ran to Kausalya and informed her the good news. She immediately
gave diamonds, gold, and other items to those who informed her.
Meanwhile, Rāma went to His palace amidst crowds chanting cries of victory and adoring
Him all the way.

Daśaratha again called Rāma to his presence and explained that he has been seeing some
bad omens and bad dreams, and hence the haste for the coronation.
Later, Rāma, after being permitted by His father to leave, went to His mother Kausalya who
received Him happily and blessed.
On his way back, Vaśiṣṭha saw festivities all around in Ayōdhya.
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 Manthara succeeds in turning Kaikēyī
Manthara, a maid of Kaikēyī, casually went to the top of terrace and
saw Kausalya distributing gifts to many people. Upon enquiry, she
came to know about the anointment of Rāma the next day.
She immediately came down, approached Kaikēyī and told her as if the
sky were falling on them about the anointment of Rāma. Immediately,
Kaikēyī was overjoyed. She gave Manthara a beautiful necklace for
giving the most pleasant news and even offered to give her a boon. But,
Manthara threw the necklace away, and told Kaikēyī that she is not
realizing the impending danger. She extrapolated the situation saying that once Rāma
becomes the king, Bharata will become His attendant and Kaikēyī should become
subservient to Kausalya.
Kaikēyī did not yield to any of those words. Moreover, she It’s all Divine Play
listed the virtues of Rāma, His respect towards elders, Gurus,
parents, and especially towards her. She also chided Manthara Many here curse Manthara or
for being somewhat envious and unnecessarily agonized. Kaikēyī or both. But Maharṣi
Vālmīki gives indications at
Now, Manthara sharpened her vicious attack further that many places that it is the divine
there is danger even to the life of Bharata. She adds further providence that is playing all the
that Kausalya will take revenge on Kaikēyī, once Rāma way in shaping the turn of the
becomes the emperor. events.
Kaikēyī now came under the effect of the words of Manthara. Hence, it is always important
Upon the advice of Manthara, she decided to make use of the to remember that God’s grace
two boons Daśaratha gave her at the time of war between god is absolutely essential for
and demons. She presumed anger, left all the jewelry, and each and every act at every
entered the house of wrath waiting for the king. moment of the life.
Kaikēyī seeks her two boons from Daśaratha If Rāma, an embodiment of Satya
and Dharma, who was told by
Daśaratha, having been fully assured that all the required
His father that He would be
arrangements are complete, retired to the palace of Kaikēyī.
coronated the next day, but had
She found that the queen is in anger and went to pacify her.
to leave to forest, what about
Upon pleading multiple times and asking what she wants, she
ordinary people devoid of
finally told that she wants her desire to be fulfilled.
Dharma?
Daśaratha said that none in the world except Rāma are dearer
to him than Kaikēyī. He took oath on the name of Rāma to fulfill right at that instant
whatever she wishes for. Kaikēyī then invoked all the gods, celestials and many others as
witness saying, ‘Let thirty-three celestials with the God of Fire in the forefront hear your

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 words giving boons to me, preceded by series of your
oaths. Let your words be heard by sun, moon, sky,
planets, day, night, the directions, universe, earth,
celestial musicians, demons, spirits wandering in nights,
house-gods and other spirits.’ Kaikēyī then asked her two
boons -
abhiṣēkasamārambhao rāghavasyōpakalpitaḥ |

anēnaivābhiṣē kēṇa bharatō mē abhiṣicyatām ||

- Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 11 Ślōka 24
Coronate my Bharata with all the arrangements made for
Rāma’s coronation.

nava pañca ca varṣāṇi daṇḍakāraṇyamāśritaḥ |

cīrājinajaṭādhārī rāmō bhavatu tāpasaḥ || - Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 11 Ślōka 26
Rama has to live in the forest of Daṇḍaka for a total nine and five i.e. fourteen years like an
ascetic wearing rags, deer skin and matted hair.
Daśaratha was shocked beyond expression. He first thought it was either an eclipse or a
wild dream. He lamented, became unconscious, and fell on the ground. After regaining
consciousness, Daśaratha requested, begged, and finally threatened that he would not be
able to live without seeing Rāma and his life would leave his body once Rāma leaves to the
forest. He requested her multiple times to take back her word of sending Rāma into the
forest. For a while, he shouted in fury, again recounted her various tales of extolling the
virtues of Rāma, told her that he can’t face the subjects, ministers, elders, Kausalya and
other queens, finally warned that she would gain nothing but lose everything of hers, and
get ill-famed. But all the efforts of Daśaratha were futile.
Kaikēyī did not yield to any words of the king, remained stubborn, and rebuked him for
swerving from his promise and reminded to follow Satya and Dharma.
Daśaratha finally said, ‘Ha Rāma!’ and fell down like a huge tree cut at its base.

Kaikēyī sends for Rāma

In the morning, Sumantra came to Daśaratha upon the orders of Vaśiṣṭha
and was perturbed to see the distressed emperor in such awful situation.
Realizing the grimness of the situation, Kaikēyī ordered Sumantra to fetch
Rāma immediately, for, the king wants to see his eldest son.

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 On his way to the palace of Rāma, Sumantra saw festivity all around. Rāma, having known
that Sumantra himself is waiting, promptly came out and set out to see the emperor, His
father Daśaratha.

Passing all the people shouting cries of victory, conferring blessings, wishing auspicious
tidings for Him, Rāma finally arrived at the palace of Daśaratha.

Rāma is determined to establish His father in Truth

Rāma was grieved to see Daśaratha in such agitated condition. He first saluted His father
and then Mother. Looking at the face of Rāma, Daśaratha just said ‘Rāma’, became dejected
and tearful.
First look at you, then others
In every situation, the conduct of Rāma has to be understood well and thoroughly
followed. Here, in this situation also, Rāma asks Kaikēyī if He did any mistake which
incurred the wrath of His father. Self-introspection always helps to achieve success.

Rāma asked Kaikēyī the reason and wanted to know the cause of king’s perturbation. He
further said that it is His duty as a son to immediately fulfill whatever His father wants. At
once, Kaikēyī told him that the king is not in anger but was worried whether he would be
able to fulfil his word because of Rāma.
tat brūhi vacanam dēvi rājñō yad abhikānkṣitam |

kariṣyē pratijānē ca rāmaḥ dvir na abhibhāṣatē || - Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 18 Ślōka 30

Immediately, Rāma said, ‘O Mother! Do not even say such

words. I shall do anything – jump into the fire or sink to the
bottom of the ocean for the sake of My father. Rāma does not
speak two things (rāmaḥ dvir na abhibhāṣatē).
Kaikēyī then told Rāma about the boons king granted her a
while ago, and what the boons she asked for. Delighted to hear, Rāma told that He would
retire into the forest at once leaving out everything. Rāma said that He only grieved that
the king did not tell Him directly, for not just the kingdom and the wealth, He would have
even left Sītā for the sake of Dharma and to establish His father in truth at the slightest
command of Daśaratha.
nāham artha paraḥ dēvi lōkam āvastum utsahē |

viddhi mām r̥ṣibhis tulyam kēvalam dharma māsthitam ||

- Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 19 Ślōka 20

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 Oh queen! I am not concerned with wealth. Know Me as equal to a Rṣi, abiding in Dharma
(righteousness) alone.

Hold Dharma alone

Rāma here clearly states that Dharma is ‘Supreme’ to Him than anything else, and He
can’t leave Dharma at any moment. Further, He mentioned that He can even leave Sītā
for the sake of Dharma, which was proven in His life later. Another noteworthy point is
mentioning that He shall never bother about wealth over Dharma i.e. He is not money-
minded and would lead the life of an ascetic. Rāma remained equipoise in both gain
and loss, pain and pleasure, and joy and sorrow.

Daśaratha wept loudly seeing Rāma leaving the place. Rāma then circum-ambulated
around the sacred materials brought for coronation, did deep obeisance to His father and
mother, and left the palace saying that He would leave to the forest the same day.

Rāma pacifies Lakṣmaṇa and Kausalya

Rāma reached the palace of Kausalya. Kausalya, who spent the whole night worshipping
Viṣṇu for the welfare of her son, and now propitiating the gods with sacred fire ceremony,
received Rāma happily. She smelt His head and blessed with to have all auspiciousness.
Rāma told Kausalya about the happenings and sought her permission to leave to Daṇḍaka
forest.
Hearing that terrible news, Kausalya was aghast and fell like tree cut down with an axe.
Rāma comforted her. After regaining consciousness, she said that she is feeling that all her
austerities, worship, and charity went in vain. She also said that she would not be able to
live without Rāma, and hence Rāma should also take her into the forest along with Him.
Seeing the lamentation of Kausalya, Lakṣmaṇa was moved and said that the king is acting
out of his old age and lust for his queen. He said that even God of Death can’t dare to look
at Rāma with him by His side. Further, he said he would kill even Bharata and all others, if
they tried to stop the coronation of Rāma.

The words of My Father are Supreme

Rāma gave many examples to Kausalya from the past where the words of father were
obeyed as the supreme command. He mentions about Maharṣi Kaṇḍu who even killed a
cow to honor the words of his father, sons of Sagara from their own clan who dug the
entire earth to bring back the sacrificial horse of their father, and Paraśurāma who killed
his own mother following the instructions of his father Jamadagni. When Kausalya tells
him to follow the instructions of Mother, He tells how important it is for all of them to
follow the order of Daśaratha. Here, Rāma not only protects His own Dharma, but also
protects the Dharma of others around Him.

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 Rāma further says that He is not swerving from the path the ancestors followed. He adds
that He is sticking to Dharma, and in fact, it is the duty of Kausalya also to stick to the
words of king and her husband, who is law-personified to all of them. Also, the primary
Dharma of Kausalya is to serve her husband Daśaratha. Rāma says that following Dharma
alone brings happiness to everyone.
dharmaḥ hi paramaḥ lōkē dharmē satyam pratiṣṭhitam |
dharma saṃśritam yētacca pitur vacanam uttamam ||

- Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 21 Ślōka 40

In obtaining the fruit of good works in the world, one should establish firmly in Satya and
Dharma alone, which brings everything.
Turning towards Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma says that it is the same king who told the previous day
that coronation shall take place, and the next day the other order. Rāma says that it is not
justified for oneself to honor, love, and appreciate the other person only for opportune
tidings, but hate and fight when the instructions are not in one’s favor.
Rāma mentions that it is all the play of destiny, nothing
else. He tells Kausalya to stay in the service of her husband.
Kausalya now sees that Rāma indeed is determined and it
is not at all possible to turn His mind away from Dharma.
She then blessed Him auguring safe and auspicious things
all along His path invoking the Truth He decided to follow
and all the gods chanting propitious hymns. Lakṣmaṇa also
bows down to the words of His elder brother Rāma.

Sīta and Lakṣmaṇa accompany Rāma

Rāma reached His palace and told Sīta that He has leave to forest the same day and asked
Her to stay back in the palace looking after His parents. Sīta mentioned that it is the duty
of a woman to accompany the husband at all times, especially in times of distress, and
hence She shall follow Him into the forest. Rāma explained all the trials and tribulations in
the forest. Unperturbed, Sīta said that none can even dare to disturb Her when present in
the company of Rāma. Moreover, Sīta tells that the predictions of astrology during Her
childhood that She would spend some time in forests after marriage is now coming true.
She finally states that She would die without His presence and He has no other go but to
take Her to the forest along with Him.
When Rāma did not yield to all Her requests, Sīta said the following -

kim tvā amanyata vaidēhaḥ pitā mē mithilā adhipaḥ |

rāma jāmātaram prāpya striyam puruṣa vigraham ||
- Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 30 Ślōka 3
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 What my father, the king of Mithila belonging to the country of Vidēha, think of himself
having got as so-in-law you, a woman having the form of a man?
Līla Rūpaḥ
Rāma said that He would never want to force anyone, but now that Sīta
Herself is willing to come, She shall certainly go and in fact, that would Mantra treatises mention
make Him also happy. that ‘Rāmōstu Lalitāmbikā’
sā hi diṣṭā anavadyāṅgī vanāya vadirēkṣaṇē | i.e., Rāma is the Divine
Mother Lalitā Tripura
anugaccasva mām bhīru saha dharma carī bhava || Sundari Herself, and hence
- Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 30 Ślōka 40 the subtle reference that
‘Rāma’ is indeed a ‘Woman’
O timid lady, Sīta! Since you were allowed to come to forest, Follow Me in the form of a ‘Man’.
in My Dharma.
Rāma then told Sīta to distribute all their possessions among Brahmins and others
in preparation for the departure into the forest.
Lakṣmaṇa clung to the feet of Rāma and sought permission to accompany Him into the
forest, despite strong persuasion by Rāma to stay back in Ayōdhya. Rāma had no other way
but to accept the pressing request of His doting brother. He told Lakṣmaṇa to fetch their
weapons and armor.

Rāma, Sīta and Lakṣmaṇa take leave of Daśaratha

Rāma, Sīta, and Lakṣmaṇa reached the palace of Daśaratha to take his leave and sent
Sumantra to inform the king about their arrival. On their way, they heard people cursing
Kaikēyī and some even mentioning that they all would accompany Rāma into the forest
leaving a deserted Ayōdhya to Kaikēyī and Bharata.
Rāma bows down to His father Daśaratha along with Sīta and Lakṣmaṇa seeking permission
to leave to the forest. With all his wives surrounding him, Daśaratha told Rāma to confine
him and then take over the kingdom of Ayōdhya. It is important to note here that
Daśaratha tells to restrain him to take control of the kingdom and stay back, but
never tells that he would not fulfill the promise given to Kaikēyī, because he also
wants to stay in Satya and Dharma.

na ēva aham rājyam iccāmi na sukham na ca maithilīm |

tvām aham satyam iccāmi na anṛtam puruṣa ṛṣabha ||
- Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 34 Ślōka 47
O the valiant among the men! I do not crave for kingdom or happiness nor again for Sīta nor
even all these enjoyments nor for heaven nor even for life. I only want Satya i.e. Truth. I’m not
uttering a lie.
Daśaratha saw the firm resolve of Rāma but requested Him to stay one more day. Rāma
said that it shall not make any difference. Meanwhile, Sumantra and another minister
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 Siddhārtha attempted to convince Kaikēyī unsuccessfully. Daśaratha ordered all four limbs
of army and all other items of pleasure to accompany Rāma into the forest. Kaikēyī thwarts
the attempt saying that it is not acceptable. Vexed, Daśaratha wanted to go to the forest
along with his eldest son.

Meanwhile, Kaikēyī fetches garments of jute and tree-

bark and gives them to Rāma, Sīta, and Lakṣmaṇa.
While Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa put them on, Sīta, who did
not even know how to apply them, looks at them in
amazement. Rāma helps Her showing how to put them
on atop Her existing silk-clad garments. Looking at this
heart-rending scene, all the women folk lamented
loudly.
Vaśiṣṭha then told Kaikēyī that she is crossing her limits. He
Sīta went like a Queen
then ordered that Sīta need not wear those clothes and shall
accompany Rāma like a queen with all silk garments, jewelry, Many popular depictions in many
and other accessories. He further says that the bark of the trees types of media such as cinema,
is not ordained for Sīta. comics, story books etc. showed
Rāma then sought the blessings of Daśaratha who ordered this aspect quite wrong. It is
Sumantra to bring his chariot and take those three into the important to note that Sīta went
forest. Sumitra consoled Kausalya that it is Rāma going into the into the forest like a queen with
forest and hence there is nothing to worry. She blessed all jewelry and other accessories.
Lakṣmaṇa to accompany Rāma without any doubt.
rāmam daśaratham viddhi mām viddhi janakātmajām |
ayōdhyām aṭavīm viddhi gacca tāta yathā sukham ||

- Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 40 Ślōka 9

Know Rāma to be Daśaratha. Look upon Sīta, the daughter of Janaka. as
myself. Consider the forest as Ayōdhya and depart happily, my son!
Rāma, Sīta, and Lakṣmaṇa set out. Daśaratha, forgetting his position, ran
behind the chariot and shouts out to Sumantra to stop the chariot. Rāma
tells him to move forward. For a while, Sumantra mind went back and forth
with confusion like the wheel of the chariot. Sumantra asked Rāma what he
should do when the king asks him after going back as to why he did not stop.
Rāma tells Sumantra to tell the king that he could not hear in the noise of
the chariot wheels.

Rāma and Ayōdhya

Rāma is called ‘Ayōdhya Rāma’ associating Him with His birthplace. What is so distinct
about this special bondage between Ayōdhya and Rāma? The citizens of Ayōdhya were

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 attracted towards Rāma due to His divine qualities, inimitable Association with Rāma
virtues, invincible valor, unblemished character, pure love, and
above all unbounded compassion in attending to all their tasks A unique distinction of Rama
just like a father takes care of his children. They loved Him right incarnation is His association and
from childhood. When He became young, their minds chose Him bondage with everyone and
as their king. everything. He is called
‘Daśaratha Rāma, ‘Kausalya Rāma
yāśca rāmaṁ na paśyēttu yaṁ ca rāmō na paśyati and ‘Jānaki Rāma connoting His
nindita sarvalōkēṣu svātmāpyēnaṁ vigarhatē relationship with His parents and
wife. He is also called ‘Kōdanḍa’
- Ayōdhya Kāṇḍa Sarga 17 Ślōka 14 Rāma after the bow He carried. He
All the people blamed the one who did not see Rāma and the one is called ‘Raghu’ Rāma after the
who was not seen by Rāma. Such a person would blame himself dynasty He was born into.
of it. This speaks volumes
about the devotion and love the people of Ayōdhya
had for Rāma. Not only shall everyone from his
family, friends, and relatives etc., his own self
ridicules him for not seeing Rāma. He was
everything for them. He was their mother, father,
friend, preceptor, wealth and their very life. One
more thing to be noted here – Maharṣi Vālmīki
prescribed the order also distinctly – One should see
Rama first and then Rāma looks at them. In other
words, one should first cultivate Bhakti towards
Rāma first and thereafter automatically one
shall be bestowed with Rāma’s grace.

How Ayōdhya reacted to this sudden turn of events?

1. Entire Ayōdhya was shattered. Everyone was in tears.
2. Many left Ayōdhya leaving their families behind, to stay with Rāma in forest.

3. Those who could not leave became lifeless.

4. Even animals, trees and plants expressed their grief – Calves did not go to cows for milk.
Neither did cows notice that their calves did not get milk that day.
5. Children did not eat. Nor did parents call them.
6. A mother blessed with her first child did not feel pleasant or blessed.

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 7. People in Ayōdhya countered those who came back leaving Rāma asking for achieving
what they came back.
8. They all unanimously determined that Lakshmana was the only Satpurusha i.e. virtuous
man, who opted to accompany Rāma.
9. Though Bharata came back with Rāma Pādukās, Ayōdhya became resplendent and shone
in all its glory only after Rāma came back.
10. When Rāma became king, everything became Rāma for everyone, as described by
Maharṣi Vālmīki ‘Rāma Bhūtam Jagadabhūt’.

Make heart the empire of Rāma

Maharṣi Vālmīki says that everyone became devoid of their violent tendencies and negative
thoughts, because they are always seeing Rāma. ‘Ayōdhya’ means that which can’t be
destroyed by enemies. If one’s heart is completely filled with Rāma, internal enemies such as
lust, anger, delusion, greed, pride and envy can’t win over oneself. Thus, one’s heart shall
become the empire of Rāma’s devotion.

Rāma meets Guha

Rāma convinced all the citizens of Ayōdhya to return to their homes. But they did not heed
to His words. Meanwhile, they all reached the banks of river Tamasa by the night. While
everyone is still resting in the early morning hours, Rāma told Sumantra to take them away
after skillfully driving the chariot in the direction of Ayōdhya for a while so as to elude
them. Later, everyone wakes up, finds the marks of chariot in the direction of Ayōdhya, and
return home.
Meanwhile, Rāma, Sīta, and Lakṣmaṇa cross the rivers Vēdaśruti, Gōmati, and Śyāṇḍika
passing the borders of Kōsala kingdom and enter into Śr̥ṅgāvērapura, the kingdom of
Niṣādas, whose king Guha is the friend of Rāma.
Delighted at the arrival of such an exalted guest, Guha welcomes Rāma into the kingdom.
Rāma softly informs him that he could not enter any kingdoms now at the order of His
father, but requests Guha to take care of the horses of His father.
Later, Rāma ate the food brought by Lakṣmaṇa and took rest there along with Sīta.

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 Rāmāyaṇa Lesson 4 - Questions - Answer the questions for your level

Level 1

1. With whom did Maharṣi Vālmīki compare Rāma in intelligence?

2. Is it sufficient just to be born in the lineage to become the ruler? (Yes /No)
3. Who is Manthara?
4. Who ordered Sumantra to fetch Rāma?
5. Who did Kausalya worship the whole night before coronation of Rāma?
6. Which brother of Rāma became agitated at the boons of Kaikēyī?
7. Who was the king of Niṣadas?
8. Match the following –
Rāma’s Name Association with Rāma
1. Daśaratha Rāma a. Father
2. Kausalya Rāma b. Dynasty
3. Raghu Rāma c. Bow
4. Ayōdhya Rāma d. Mother
5. Kōdanḍa Rāma e. Wife
6. Jānaki Rāma f. Birthplace

Level 2

1. What is the most important quality to become a ruler?

2. Was Rāma present in the assembly when Daśaratha was seeking their opinion about
the next ruler? (Yes / No)
3. Who saw Kausalya distributing gifts to many people?
4. What are the two boons asked by Kaikēyī?
5. What is ‘Supreme’ to Rāma over everything?
6. Who dug the entire earth to bring back the sacrificial horse of their father?
7. Did Sītā carry all Her jewelry while going to the forest along with Rāma?
8. Who killed his own Mother at the command of father?

Level 3

1. What is the foundation in shaping one’s character?

2. Who informed Kaikēyī about the coronation of Rāma?
3. It is always important to remember that God’s grace is absolutely essential for each
and every act at every moment of the life. (True / False)
4. On whose name Daśaratha vowed to fulfill the desire of Kaikēyī?
5. What is dearer to Rāma than even Sītā and wealth?
6. What was done by Rāma and Sītā in their preparation to depart to the forest?

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 Level 4

1. Describe few virtues of Rāma which Daśaratha heard from everyone.

2. How Daśaratha chose Rāma to be the next king of Ayōdhya?
3. What was the first reaction of Kaikēyī after hearing about the coronation of Rāma?
4. How did Rāma feel to see Daśaratha in agitated condition?
5. Self-introspection always helps to achieve success. (True / False)
6. What did Rāma choose over wealth?

Level 5

1. Why Daśaratha did not inform Bharata and Śatr̥ughna at Kēkaya about Rāma‘s coronation?
2. Who should never be chosen either as a ruler or appointed to a high office?
3. Why Rāma Himself said to Kaikēyī that He is equal to a Rṣi?
4. How Rāma convinced Kausalya not to accompany Him into the forest?
5. What did Rāma tell Lakṣmaṇa when he blamed Daśaratha?
6. Why Daśaratha told Rāma to confine him and take control of Ayōdhya?

Level 6

1. How did the assembly justify their opinion that Rāma should be the king?
2. What should we learn when Rāma asked Kaikēyī if He did any mistake?
3. Explain the meaning and context of ‘rāmaḥ dvir na abhibhāṣatē’
4. How can you say that Rāma not only protects His own Dharma, but also protects the
Dharma of others?
5. What made Daśaratha realize that Rāma is firm in His resolve to leave to the forest?
6. What is mentioned in Mantra treatises about Rāma and Lalitā Tripura Sundari?

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