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== Saintly King (raja-rsi) ==

== Saintly King (raja-rsi) ==

When Dasharatha ruled Ayodhya, the great sage Visvamitra once came to him to take away Lord Ramacandra and Laksmana to the forest to kill a demon. When the saintly person Visvamitra came to the court of Maharaja Dasharatha, the King, in order to receive the saintly person, asked him, ''aihistam yat tat punar janma jayaya''. He asked the sage whether everything was going on well in his endeavor to conquer the repetition of birth and death. The whole process of Vedic civilization is based on this point <ref name=":3"> A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/5/10/15 (Bhagavata Purana)]'' The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Commentary on SB 5.10.15</ref> . Through the disciplic succession the royal order was on the same platform as great saintly persons (raja-rsis). Formerly they could understand the philosophy of life and knew how to train the citizens to come to the same standard. In other words, they knew how to deliver the citizens from the entanglement of birth and death.

When Dasharatha ruled Ayodhya, the great sage Visvamitra once came to him to take away Lord Ramacandra and Laksmana to the forest to kill a demon. When the saintly person Visvamitra came to the court of Maharaja Dasharatha, the King, in order to receive the saintly person, asked him, ''aihistam yat tat punar janma jayaya''. He asked the sage whether everything was going on well in his endeavor to conquer the repetition of birth and death. The whole process of Vedic civilization is based on this point <ref name=":3">A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/5/10/15 (Bhagavata Purana)]'' The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Commentary on SB 5.10.15</ref> . Through the disciplic succession the royal order was on the same platform as great saintly persons (raja-rsis). Formerly they could understand the philosophy of life and knew how to train the citizens to come to the same standard. In other words, they knew how to deliver the citizens from the entanglement of birth and death.

Dasharatha's in-depth knowledge of the Vedas, expertise in military sciences, far-sightedness in administration, purity of mindset and kindness and empathy made his kingdom flawless. <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>

Dasharatha's in-depth knowledge of the Vedas, expertise in military sciences, far-sightedness in administration, purity of mindset and kindness and empathy made his kingdom flawless. <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>

== Marriage ==

== Marriage ==

Dasharatha had 353 wives of which three were prominently known. Sri Rama had 350 step mothers besides Sumitra and Kaikeyi. 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.

Dasharatha had 353 wives of which three were prominently known. Sri Rama had 350 step mothers besides Sumitra and Kaikeyi. 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 ==

Dasharatha gave in charity one of his daughters, by the name Santa, to his friend Romapada because Romapada was without issue. Romapada accepted Santa as his daughter, and the great sage Rishyasringa married her. When the demigods from the heavenly planets failed to shower rain, Rishyasringa was appointed the priest for performing a sacrifice, after being brought from the forest by the allurement of prostitutes, who danced, staged theatrical performances accompanied by music, and embraced and worshiped him. After Rishyasringa came, the rain fell. Thereafter, Rishyasringa performed a son-giving sacrifice (putrakameshti yajna) on behalf of Dasharatha, who had no issue, and then Dasharatha had sons. <ref name=":1"> Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 9 chapter 23 ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/9/23/7-10 The dynasties of sons of Yayati]'' </ref>

Dasharatha gave in charity one of his daughters, by the name Santa, to his friend Romapada because Romapada was without issue. Romapada accepted Santa as his daughter, and the great sage Rishyasringa married her. When the demigods from the svarga loka failed to shower rain, Rishyasringa was appointed the priest for performing a sacrifice, after being brought from the forest by the allurement of prostitutes, who danced, staged theatrical performances accompanied by music, and embraced and worshiped him. After Rishyasringa came, the rain fell. Thereafter, Rishyasringa performed a son-giving sacrifice (putrakameshti yajna) on behalf of Dasharatha, who had no issue, and then Dasharatha had sons. <ref name=":1">Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 9 chapter 23 ''[https://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/9/23/7-10 The dynasties of sons of Yayati]'' </ref>

From Dasharatha's action, it is seen how one act of kindness reaps fruit, eventually. Dasharatha giving away his daughter to distressed Rompada was eventually the cause of Dashartha's joy.

From Dasharatha's action, it is seen how one act of kindness reaps fruit, eventually. Dasharatha giving away his daughter to distressed Rompada was eventually the cause of Dashartha's joy.

=== 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 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>

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 ===

== References ==

== References ==