Changes

== Marriage ==

== Marriage ==

Dasharatha had 351 wives of which three were prominently known. Sri Rama had 350 step mothers. त्रयः शत शत अर्धा हि ददर्श अवेक्ष्य मातरः || <ref name=":0"> Valmiki Ramayana : Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39.36) ''[http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga39/ayodhya_39_frame.htm Valmiki Ramayan]'' </ref> It is mentioned in Vishnu Purana that to be exempted to be killed by Parasurama, Dasharatha married many times. Parasurama has vowed to empty the earth of all Kshatriyas. But he would not kill a Kshatriya, who had marriage kangan on his wrist. This kangan, yellow band of thread was used to be worn for one year from the date of marriage. Whenever Dasharatha Maharaja heard the news that Parasurama is on his way, Vasistha muni would tell him to get married. It was essential for the king to survive for the society to survive.

Dasharatha had 351 wives of which three were prominently known. Sri Rama had 350 step mothers. त्रयः शत शत अर्धा हि ददर्श अवेक्ष्य मातरः || <ref name=":0"> Valmiki Ramayana : Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39.36) ''[http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga39/ayodhya_39_frame.htm Valmiki Ramayan]'' </ref> It is mentioned in Vishnu Purana that to be exempted to be killed by Parasurama, Dasharatha married many times. Parasurama had vowed to empty the earth of all Kshatriyas. But he would not kill a Kshatriya, who had marriage kangan on his wrist. This kangan, yellow band of thread was used to be worn for one year from the date of marriage. Whenever Dasharatha Maharaja heard the news that Parasurama is on his way, Vasistha muni would tell him to get married. It was essential for the king to survive for the society to survive.

== Birth of four sons ==

== Birth of four sons ==

=== Promise to Ashvapathi ===

=== Promise to Ashvapathi ===

His anxiety was how to tell Ashvapati that his daughter's son, Bharata, cannot become king. Rama was elder, qualified and was loved by all the citizens. He was supposed to be the king. Also, Kaikayi did not know of the promise of Dasharatha to Asvapati.  

His anxiety was how to tell Ashvapati that his daughter's son, Bharata, cannot become king. Rama was elder, qualified and was loved by all the citizens. He was supposed to be the king. Also, Kaikayi did not know of the promise of Dasharatha to Ashvapati.  

=== Sonic Archery ===

=== Sonic Archery ===

In the youth, Dasharatha used to venture out on hunting expeditions, where he loved using the powerful method of sonic archery (sabda vedi) as often as possible. He was in fact lookinf for one such opportunity when he heard a sound, much like the rumblingof a tiger or like an elephant drinking water from a river. He shot an arrow in that direction. Little did he realize that the sound was that of a pot being dunked into the river; an eager-to-serve son was filling water for his thirsty parents. The arrow had hit right its mark, which was followed by the agonizing scream of the boy, Shravan Kumar. <ref name=":2"> Shubha Vilas ''[http://www.jaicobooks.com/j/j_searchtry.asp?selcat=author_name&keyword=Shubha%20Vilas (Ramayana, The Game of Life)]'' Book 1 : Roar with courage page 21-25</ref>

In the youth, Dasharatha used to venture out on hunting expeditions, where he loved using the powerful method of sonic archery (sabda vedi) as often as possible. He was in fact looking for one such opportunity when he heard a sound, much like the rumbling of a tiger or like an elephant drinking water from a river. He shot an arrow in that direction. Little did he realize that the sound was that of a pot being dunked into the river; an eager-to-serve son was filling water for his thirsty parents. The arrow had hit right its mark, which was followed by the agonizing scream of the boy, Shravan Kumar. <ref name=":2"> Shubha Vilas ''[http://www.jaicobooks.com/j/j_searchtry.asp?selcat=author_name&keyword=Shubha%20Vilas (Ramayana, The Game of Life)]'' Book 1 : Roar with courage page 21-25</ref>

=== Curse of Shravan's parents ===

=== Curse of Shravan's parents ===

=== Boon to Kaikeyi ===

=== Boon to Kaikeyi ===

Kaikeyi, the daugher of Ashvapati had served Dasharatha very pleasingly, and he therefore wanted to give her a benediction. Kaikeyi, however, said that she would ask for the benediction when it was necessary. At the time of the coronation of Prince Ramacandra, Kaikeyi requested her husband to enthrone her son Bharata and send Ramacandra to the forest. Dasharatha, being bound by his promise, although pained at heart, was subjected to order Ramacandra to go to the forest, according to the dictation of his beloved.

Kaikeyi, the daughter of Ashvapati had served Dasharatha very pleasingly, and he therefore wanted to give her a benediction. Kaikeyi, however, said that she would ask for the benediction when it was necessary. At the time of the coronation of Prince Ramacandra, Kaikeyi requested her husband to enthrone her son Bharata and send Ramacandra to the forest. Dasharatha, being bound by his promise, although pained at heart, was subjected to order Ramacandra to go to the forest, according to the dictation of his beloved.

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