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Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 Though he ruled the earth for 60,000 years with a gynaeceum of 60,000 wives, Dasaratha had no children. At least his first two queens did not bear any child, which led him to marry his third queen, Kaikeyi. The Bala Kanda gives us the information that he had a daughter by name Santa, who was adopted by Romapada and was given in marriage to Rsyasrnga. Sumantra mentions this when he suggests to Dasaratha to bring Rsyasrnga to Ayodhya to perform putra-kameshti yaga.
“In this way (according to the suggestion of the family priest and the ministers of King Romapada) the Rsi’s son (Rsyasrnga) will be caused by Romapada (the ruler of the Anga territory) to be brought (to his own capital) through courtesans, when the rain-god will cause clouds to send down rain and Santa (Dasaratha’s daughter adopted by Romapada) will be given (in marriage to Rsyasrnga). (Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda, Canto IX, Sloka 18).
But the fact remains that his patta-mahishis did not bear any child that would protect the country after Dasaratha. He therefore married Kaikeyi. At the time of his marriage, he assured the King of Kekaya that he would give the kingdom to the child borne by Kaikeyi. But it so happened that Kaikeyi also did not bear any child and he had to perform the sacrifice of putra-kameshti. Now, Rama was born to Kausalya, the first of the three queens and the assurance given to King Kekaya is nullified now, because of the changed circumstances and because of the personal charms of young Rama had won him great acclaims and favour among one and all in Ayodhya, at all levels.
However, this thought of the promise must have been troubling the mind of Dasaratha and he might have even anticipated trouble from Bharata, though Bharata’s personal quality would not have allowed him to do so. We see Dasaratha expressing his fears in a veiled manner, when he speaks to Rama about his proposal to make him the Prince Regent.
“Let your friends vigilantly guard you on all sides tonight; for ceremonials of this kind (as your installation in the office of Prince Regent are hampered by many obstacles. Your installation (as Prince Regent) in my opinion must take place during the very interval when Bharata is away from this city of Ayodhya. Although your (half-) brother Bharata scrupulously abides by the conduct of the righteous, is obedient to you (his elder brother), pious of mind and full of compassion and brought his mind under control, the mind of men nonetheless is inconstant; such is my belief.” (Ibid, Canto IV, Sloka 24-26)
 ‘I know Bharata is very pious and is devoid of greed. Even then, let your installation take place in his absence, for fickle is the way of human mind.’ As far as Rama was concerned, it was a responsibility he was assuming and it did not make any difference to him either to assume it or to relinquish it.
Though there is no direct mention in the epic that Dasaratha narrated the events of those days to Rama, we see Rama in possession of the information. He narrates this assurance of Dasaratha to the king of Kekaya in a later scene, when Bharata comes to Citrakuta to take him back to Ayodhya.
More follows...
Hari Krishnan
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