The story of Raama Part 1
Baala Kaanda
In the kingdom of Kosala, lived a righteous king
Dasaratha was his name, and his main wives were three
Happy in every way except one, he prayed to the Almighty seeking a son
Guided by Rajguru Vasishta, performed the powerful Putra Kameshti Yaga
The Gods were pleased and gave him paayasa,
He promptly gave it to favourite Kaikeyi and chief queen Kausalya
Poor Sumitra was forgotten, but not by the other two
She received a part of both of theirs, and thus were born two noble heirs
Shatrughna loyal to Kaikeyi’s son, Lakshmana inseparable from Kausalya’s
Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata, the noble; and Kausalya to Ramachandra
They grew into handsome young lads, loved by everyone in the nearby lands
To help Vishwamitra went young Rama, to the dense forest of Dandaka
Along with Lakshmana, he slayed the man-eating demoness Tataka
Protecting the sages, killing demons, chasing off Maricha
On the way to the palace of Janaka, redeeming Ahalya,
The petrified wife of penitent Rishi Gautama
In Mithila, princes vied with each other at Sitaswayamvara
Pre-ordained the name of the groom, Shri Ramachandra
To string it was every prince’s strength’s token
The bow was effortlessly strung and broken
Sita was to wed victorious Rama
The hands of his other daughters, overjoyed Janaka
Offered Mandavi, Shruthakeethi and Urmila
To princes Bharata, Shatrughna, Lakshmana
Ayodhya Kaanda
Years passed and all was well, love for Rama made people’s hearts swell
While Bharata and Shatrughna had gone a-visiting
To crown Rama, Dasaratha thought befitting
Kaikeyi’s hand-maiden Manthara, a hunchback
Upon hearing the news, was taken aback
Poisoned she, the mind of noble Kaikeyi
Who decided to extract a promise long given by
Flying into a temper, forcing Dasaratha to tears
Banished Rama to the forest for fourteen years
To be crowned was her unsuspecting Bharata
Like wildfire the news spread, tears flowed like a river
But Rama, the king- in- waiting, did not as much as quiver
Casting off finery, dressing in beads and hide
Promised Kaikeyi that he would abide
Upholding the tradition of the Ikshvaku dynasty
To honour every promise however nasty
Aranya Kaanda
Off they left for the forest, Sita accompanying Rama
And of course, the inseparable loyal Lakshmana
Followed they were by the people of Ayodhya
Crossed they the mighty Ganga, aided by boatman Guha
The people of Ayodhya were left behind
Beautiful Chitakoot gave them peace of mind!
Unaware they were of the foreboding news
That to them brought Bharata...very distraught
Their father’s death broke them down, pleaded Bharata for Rama’s return
Rama would not break his word, Bharata would not turn homeward
Taking Rama’s sandals, Bharata relented
To rule in Rama’s name till the exile ended
From Chitrakoot to Panchavati, there they met Shoorpanaki
Rebuffed by Rama, jealous of Sita, lost her ears and nose to sharp Lakshmana
Off she went to her brother with ten heads
“Oh Brother! Of what use is a harem full of women
When the most beautiful is wedded to a man?”
Besotted Ravana went to Maricha, his uncle
Conjuring demonic magic came he to the jungle
No ordinary deer this, made of golden skin
Bewitching the royal princess like an enchanted djinn
Pleaded she to have the deer, Rama said be not fooled, my dear
Persistent was Sita, successful the ruse
Lakshmana followed Rama, the plan did not amuse
Fiery Lakshmana who had his own suspicion
Drew a circle around Sita and laid a restriction
A false sage drew Sita out, the circle thus lost its clout
The mask slipped, true nature revealed
The ten headed demon whom Sita had believed
Grabbed her and flew skyward, to meet a most unlikely defender
Old Jatayu, a bird-friend of Dasaratha, valiantly fought to rescue Sita
Rama met Lakshmana and both immediately knew
All was not well, where Sita was they had no clue