The Mythology Associated with Deepavali
Rama Goes in to Exile
This second episode also became a thing of the past. After a few more years when Dashratha's eldest son Rama attained manhood, Dashratha felt it was time up for him to renounce worldly pleasures and relinquish his throne in favour of Rama. On hearing this, the people of Ayodhya were jubilant. But all human minds are not identical. Kaikeyi's maid Manthara was jealous of Rama and to prevent his accession to the throne, she went to Kaikeyi and instigated her against Rama by telling her that if Rama became king, she (Kaikeyi)would lose her importance as queen. So she should ask Bharat (Kaikeyi's son) to be installed aiking and Rama be exiled for fourteen years. And if Dashratha did not accept these demands, Kaikeyi should ask him to redeem the boons that he had granted her. In the beginning Kaikeyi resisted Manthara's malicious advice, but as temptation got the better of sagacity, she relented and Dashratha had to redeem the three boons by:
1. Not making Rama the King of Ayodhya
2. Agreeing to install Bharat on the throne of Ayodhya
3. Asking Rama to into exile for 14 years.

Sadly Dashratha agreed and Rama set off for exile with his wife the virtuous Sita and his noble brother Laxman. Soon afterwards, Dashratha died, a heartbroken man. Not only had Dashratha's boons been redeemed but also the curse of Shravana's broken hearted parents, the occurrence of which had escaped Dashratha's memory.

Rama Battles Ravana
The story of Ramayana does not end here. In exile Sita is abducted by Ravana (King of Rakshashas - Demons) and taken to his abode Lanka (modern day Sri Lanka or Ceylon). Rama and Laxman, collect an army with the help of the monkey king Hanuman (possibly a tribal chief) and rescue Sita.

At the end of fourteen years, Rama, Laxman and Sita return to Ayodhya and are given a hero's welcome by the people. Lord Rama is said to have reigned for a long time during which the people were happy and contented. Ramrajya (the reign of Rama) has come to connote an era of peace and prosperity. The festival of Diwali; we were told is celebrated to commemorate Rama's return from exile. Ramnavami;, another festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama, sometime in March.

Page:   1    2    3    4    5    6    7