Five Things Rama Gave Up In Leaving For The Forest

“Carrying out the order of His father, who was bound by a promise to his wife, Lord Ramachandra left behind His kingdom, opulence, friends, well-wishers, residence and everything else, just as a liberated soul gives up his life, and went to the forest with Sita.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 9.10.8)

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य: सत्यपाशपरिवीतपितुर्निदेशं
स्त्रैणस्य चापि शिरसा जगृहे सभार्य: ।
राज्यं श्रियं प्रणयिन: सुहृदो निवासं
त्यक्त्वा ययौ वनमसूनिव मुक्तसङ्ग: ॥

yaḥ satya-pāśa-parivīta-pitur nideśaṁ
straiṇasya cāpi śirasā jagṛhe sabhāryaḥ
rājyaṁ śriyaṁ praṇayinaḥ suhṛdo nivāsaṁ
tyaktvā yayau vanam asūn iva mukta-saṅgaḥ

Just how much did Shri Rama love His father, King Dasharatha? Just how strong was the bond between the two? We know that from the other side, from the viewpoint of the father, there could be nothing more important.

Rama was the son that Dasharatha had longed for. Rama was the desperately needed heir to the throne. The Raghu dynasty would be able to continue. Dasharatha would be able to pass along something valuable, in the same manner that he received it.

From a single decision, Rama showed so much. Without having to say a word, the sentiment towards the father was clear. It became apparent to everyone that the son loved the father just as much as the father loved the son.

1. His residence

Imagine if you lived in the best house possible. If we find the perfect home, the one of our dreams, there are still some shortcomings. The larger the dwelling, the more effort goes into maintaining it. Someone still has to wash the dishes, so to speak.

Someone has to do laundry and take out the garbage. The garden outside requires constant attention. Experts to meticulously landscape the surroundings. Keeping everything inside neat, clean, and orderly.

Rama’s residence was fit for a king. It was fit for the prince regent. It was suitable for someone who would one day become the leader. This was Dasharatha’s cherished desire, after all. He had reached the decision on his own, but he also followed protocol in taking the consensus of his advisors.

Rama would be the next king. This was the news around Ayodhya. Rama left His residence to reach Dasharatha, to hopefully prepare for the formal transition of power. It was something everyone in Ayodhya wanted.

2. His well-wishers

It is said that not even the criminals in Ayodhya could say a bad word about Rama. If they were to be apprehended, punished, or admonished, they inherently understood the fairness to the exchange. They knew that Rama was anything but a “dirty cop.” Dasharatha’s eldest son kept dharma in mind in everything He did.

For this equal disposition, which mirrors the outlook of the humble sage, Rama had countless well-wishers. They felt this way from the very beginning. They were concerned when Rama and His younger brother Lakshmana left with Vishvamitra Muni to the forest. Since the brothers were young at the time, the people prayed that not a hair on their head would be harmed.

“They pray to God to grant them blessings: ‘May You garner fame and return victorious. May You not lose a single hair while bathing.’” (Janaki Mangala, 29)

3. His friends

It is said that a person should offer mercy, daya, to people that are subordinate to them. To the respected authorities, they should offer service, seva, and respect, mana. This is for the benefit of everyone involved. Society functions properly when these relationships are followed.

For the people on an equal level, we make friends. We share something in common with them. We are going through something similar. We have ways to relate to one another. As He had many well-wishers in Ayodhya, Rama had friends, as well.

4. His opulence

Take a stick and throw it. Then measure the distance of the travel. From where the stick launched to where it landed. That is how much wealth Rama would hand over to those in need. This was one such exercise, but made in fun.

Rama’s opulence was beyond measure. He was the son of a king, after all. The pious rulers impose taxes not for the purpose of punishing or to move forward nefarious, corrupt schemes. The tax revenue pouring into the treasure is for protecting against foreign attack, for maintaining the people, and for giving in charity to the brahmana community.

5. His kingdom

This was a special kingdom. It was in the dynasty of the sun-god. Ikshvaku was one of the founding members. Rama was something like the sun of the solar dynasty. Since He was the hero of the Raghu clan, Rama was also known as Raghunayaka.

According to Shrimad Bhagavatam, Rama left these things behind. The purpose was to uphold the name and honor of Dasharatha. This behavior is God exhibiting the quality of vairagya. The Supreme Lord can be known as one who holds the opulence of renunciation to the highest degree.

Rama left everything behind for someone else. Who can be more loving? Who can ever dream of sacrificing more? Who can ever match that husband of Sita, who is protecting everyone and wishing well to every living being?

In Closing:

With opulences there,
And well-wishers to care.

With dwelling the best,
But then of loyalty test.

Rama for the forest leaving,
After news of promise receiving.

All for the father’s sake,
The best son to make.