SRIMADVALMIKI RAMAYANAM-AYODHYAKANDAM

The real-life story of Shri Rama was first written by Valmiki Maharishi thousands of years ago. This book details the portion of Ayodhyakandam. The Ayodhyakandam tells the story of Rama’s dropped incarnation as the crown prince of Ayodhya, Kaikaye, the step mother of Rama, demanding two boons given to her by Dasaratha when she helped him in a war long before. The demands are to incarnate Bharatha, as the crown prince of Ayodhya and also to exile Rama to the forest for 14 years wearing the robe of an ascetic. Lakshmana and Sita accompany him to the forest. Rama and Guha, become friends. Rama after meeting Bharadhwaja Maharishi in his ashram and based on his advice decides to stay in a place called Chitrakuta in the forest. In the meantime, Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya passes away and Bharatha on return to Ayodhya, scolds Kaikaye for her evil designs. Bharatha meets Rama in the forest to hand over the reins of Ayodhya to him. Rama refuses in keeping with his promise given to their father. Bharatha with the blessing of Rama and his Padukas rules Ayodhya wearing the dress of an ascetic from Nandigramam, a small village on the outskirts of Ayodhya daily reporting to Rama’s Padukas. The Ayodhyakandam contains 4357 slokas in 119 Sargas(Chapters).