Episode 2 of 7 · Ayodhya Kanda

Into the Forest

Rama keeps his father's promise and walks to the forest with Sita and Lakshmana.

In Ayodhya, King Dasharatha wanted to make Rama the new king. All the people were very happy.
But Queen Kaikeyi reminded the king of two promises he had made to her long ago. She asked that Rama go to live in the forest for fourteen years.
The king was heartbroken, but he had given his word. Rama was not angry. "A promise must be kept, Father," he said gently.
Sita and Lakshmana said, "We will come with you!" They put on simple clothes and walked out of the city. The people waved and cried.
Rama's brother Bharata loved Rama very much. He did not want to be king. He ran to the forest to bring Rama home.
But Rama kept his promise. So Bharata placed Rama's sandals on the throne and looked after the kingdom until Rama came back.

The moralKeep your promises, even when it is hard.

Talk about it: Have you ever kept a promise that was hard to keep? How did it feel?

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Facts, a quiz and words to know

Rama's years in the forest are called vanavasa. In the story, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana lived in the forest for fourteen years.
Kaikeyi's two promises were boons that King Dasharatha had given her long before, in thanks for her help.
Bharata did not want the throne. He placed Rama's sandals, the padukas, on the throne and ruled from a village called Nandigram, outside Ayodhya.
Ayodhya stands on the banks of the river Sarayu. Its name is often explained as "the city that cannot be fought".