Digital Ramayan, Ayodhya Kand: Lord Ram fulfils father's promise

Ayodhya Kand is one of the important kands in Ramayan and narrates the arrangements for Lord Rama's coronation and his exile into the wilderness for a period of 14 years in order to fulfil his father's wish.

The kand portrays the obedience and determination of Rama who refused to return to Ayodhya without fulfilling his father'orders. 

It involves the exchange between King Dashratha and his queen Kaikeyi, where the latter asks for her two boons. The kand throws light on the calm self-control character of Rama who with absolute submission accepted his father's decree for the sake of his honour. 

It also shows the sacrifice of Sita who decided to stay by her husband's side during the exile. We have weaved Ayodhya Kand in the form of a story especially for you. 

Read | Ramayana through illustrations: Baal Kaand

After his sons' marriage, King Dashrath decides to pass the throne to Lord Ram. But this was not acceptable to queen Kaikeyi's maid Manthara, who advised the queen to use her two boons and demand her son Bharat's coronation. 

On Mathntra's advice, Kaikeyi went to kop bhavan and wore soiled clothes and weeped in anger. The king tried to console her but to no avail. 

Kaikeyi demanded that Bharata should be made the king while Rama should be exiled into the wilderness for a period of fourteen years. The king was heartbroken.

Prince Ram decided to honour his father's promise and decided to go into banishment in the forest. Rama's wife Sita and brother Lakshmana accompanied him the exile. 

After his son's departure, King Dashratha was unable to bear the pain and passed away. 

Bharat refused to benefit from any of his mother's wicked scheming and tried to convince Rama to come back. The Lord refused, instead, he gave his sandals to Bharat and asked him to serve Ayodhya until he returned.

In pics: Ramayana through illustrations: Ayodhya Kand