These Mythology stories teach morals and values.

The story of King Dasharath, the ruler of Ayodhya, and his sons is one of sacrifice, honor, and unwavering commitment to one’s word. The sense of duty displayed by Lord Rama, the eldest son of Dasharath, serves as an eternal lesson in upholding promises. Yet, behind the curtain of noble duties lies a lesser-known story—one involving the crown of Ayodhya and a mysterious encounter between Dasharath and the vanara king, Vali.

This story, which was revealed to Bharat in his plea to bring Rama back to Ayodhya, speaks volumes about the principles that guided the royal family and how even the smallest of actions had the weight of destiny behind them.

After Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, had left for exile following Kaikeyi’s demands, Ayodhya plunged into a feeling of deep sorrow. The city’s heart ached for its beloved prince, and Bharat, who had been away during the events, was devastated upon learning of the exile. Determined to right the wrongs of his mother, Bharat set off to bring Rama back to Ayodhya, accompanied by Sage Vashishtha and a group of devoted sages.

Bharat was prepared to do anything to bring Rama back. He offered to trade places with his elder brother, proposing that he and Shatrughna would spend the fourteen years in the forest so that Rama could return to his rightful place as the king of Ayodhya. But despite Bharat’s heartfelt plea, Rama, steadfast in his resolve to honor his father’s promise, refused to return to Ayodhya until the exile was completed.

It was then that Bharat, desperate and out of options, turned to a final strategy—a question that he hoped would change his brother’s mind.

“O Maryada Purushottam,” Bharat addressed his brother, “what is the value of a word given to our family?”

Rama, true to his nature, responded, “Pran jaya par vachan na jaye,” meaning, “One may lose their life, but never break their word.”

Bharat, however, was quick to point out an inconsistency. “But you have broken your word, dear brother! Our father granted two boons to my mother, and you promised to fulfill them.”

Confused, Rama questioned, “Am I not doing just that? Have I not gone to the forest as per the second boon?”

Bharat then revealed his argument, “The two boons granted by our father were: first, the coronation of Bharat, and second, your exile. You have honored the second but ignored the first. Come back to Ayodhya, attend my coronation, and then return to the forest. Only then would the promises be fully kept.”

This clever proposal put Rama in a difficult position, as he knew that if he returned to Ayodhya, the people would never allow him to leave again. But Bharat’s argument was compelling. It was a matter of honor, of upholding their father’s wishes to the letter.

The Hidden Story of the Crown:

Realizing that his younger brother would not relent easily, Rama took Bharat aside, away from the prying eyes of the courtiers, and led him into his humble forest dwelling. There, Rama revealed a secret that had been kept hidden for years—a secret about the crown of Ayodhya, which held far more significance than Bharat could have ever imagined.

Rama began to recount a story involving their father, King Dasharath, and an encounter with Vali, the mighty vanara king. This story buried deep in the journey of their family history, would shed light on why a coronation could not take place yet.

King Dasharath’s Fateful Encounter with Vali:

Many years ago, during a royal hunting expedition in the jungles of Chitrakoot, King Dasharath, accompanied by his favorite queen Kaikeyi, encountered an unusual sight. A monkey approached the king, but this was no ordinary monkey. This monkey, in truth, was Vali, the powerful Vanara king who possessed great strength and wisdom.

Vali had heard of Dasharath’s reputation—that the king of Ayodhya never turned away anyone who sought his help and never broke a promise once given. Testing this legendary integrity, Vali approached the king, asking for alms.

“Is it true, great king of the Raghukul dynasty, that you never turn away anyone who seeks help from you, and that you never break your word once given?” Vali asked.

Without hesitation, Dasharath replied, “Yes, it is true, Kapi (monkey). If there is anything you want, just ask, and it shall be granted.”

Vali, knowing that what he was about to ask would place Dasharath in a difficult position, cautioned him. Think carefully before you make a promise, mighty king. You may not be able to fulfill my request.”

But Dasharath, ever the noble ruler, assured Vali, saying, “I give you my word, whatever you ask for, I shall grant it.”

With that, Vali revealed his true form as the mighty vanara king and presented Dasharath with three requests. The first was a challenge: Vali asked that Dasharath fight him in battle, with the victor winning the kingdom of Ayodhya. This request immediately worried Queen Kaikeyi, who knew of Vali’s divine boon that made him unbeatable in combat.

“Don’t accept that challenge!” Kaikeyi urged her husband. “Vali’s boon makes him unbeatable. No enemy can defeat him in combat.” If you accept, we will lose Ayodhya.”

Reluctantly, Dasharath passed on Vali’s first request.

Vali then made his second demand: he asked for Kaikeyi herself. Dasharath, deeply disturbed by this request, hesitated, unwilling to part with his beloved queen.

Sensing Dasharath’s discomfort, Vali made his final demand: he asked for the crown of Ayodhya—the crown that Dasharath wore upon his head. Relieved that he did not have to give up Kaikeyi, Dasharath handed over the crown to Vali. From that day onward, the crown Dasharath wore was a mere replica, while the real crown of Ayodhya remained in Vali’s possession.

After revealing this story to Bharat, Rama explained why a coronation could not take place yet. The true crown of Ayodhya still lay in Vali’s hands. If Bharat were to be crowned, it would have to be with the real crown, not a replica. Rama promised that once he retrieved the crown from Vali, they would hold the coronation.

Bharat, now aware of the weighty secret his father had carried all these years, was left speechless. He realized the significance of Rama’s mission and understood that his brother’s exile was about far more than fulfilling a boon. It was a matter of honor, of reclaiming the true symbol of Ayodhya’s sovereignty.

Unable to persuade Rama to return, Bharat took his brother’s sandals as a symbol of Rama’s rightful place on the throne. He returned to Ayodhya and ruled in Rama’s name, vowing to keep the kingdom safe until his brother’s return.

The secret of the story:

The story of King Dasharath and Vali, and the hidden truth about Ayodhya’s crown, reveals a deeper layer to the Ramayana. It is not just a story of exile and duty but also one of legacy, honor, and the burden of kingship. Rama’s unwavering commitment to his father’s promises, coupled with the secret of the crown, illustrates the complexity of the royal family’s sense of duty.

For Bharat, this revelation marked a turning point. He realized that being king was not about wearing a crown or sitting on a throne—it was about upholding the principles that defined their family and kingdom. Bharat ruled Ayodhya in Rama’s name, placing his sandals on the throne, and hoping for the day when Rama would return and take his rightful place.