Dasharatha: Father of Shri Ram

Who he was

Dasharatha, son of Aja, ruled Ayodhya from the city the Bala Kanda describes as prosperous, well-planned and content. His name means "ten chariots": he could drive his war-chariot in all ten directions. He had three queens, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, and for most of his life no heir, until the Putrakameshti yajna gave him four sons.

The two boons

Long before, Dasharatha had fought beside the gods against the demon Shambara. He was wounded, and Kaikeyi, driving his chariot, carried him from the field and saved his life. He offered her two boons. She said she would ask later. On the eve of Ram's coronation she asked: the throne for Bharata, the forest for Ram. See the Ayodhya Kanda.

Shravan Kumar's curse

As he lay dying, Dasharatha told Kaushalya of a sin from his youth. Hunting by night on the Saryu, proud of his skill at shooting by sound alone, he heard what he took for an elephant drinking and let fly. He had struck a young ascetic filling a pitcher for his blind, aged parents. The boy is known in tradition as Shravan Kumar. Dasharatha carried the water to the parents and confessed. The old father cursed him: as we die grieving for our son, so shall you. Years later the king died calling Ram's name, with none of his four sons beside him.

What we learn

Dasharatha was a good king and a loving father, and the Ramayana does not hide his faults. A promise made lightly in gratitude became a chain. A careless act in youth returned in old age. And at the test, he kept his word though it killed him, which is why his son could say that a father's promise is the highest duty.

For parents the lesson is double: be careful what you promise, and what you do when you think no one will be hurt. For children, see Respect for parents and teachers.

In Ayodhya his palace is remembered at Dashrath Mahal. Next: his son, Shri Ram, and then Luv and Kush.