The Ayodhya Episode
Ayodhya was described as being like a heaven on earth ever since Rama and Sita came back from Mithila.
As King Dasharatha was getting old, he wanted to install his son Rama as Prince Regent.
He decided to start the ceremonies for his coronation the very next day.
The Devas however became very concerned at the prospect of Rama remaining in Ayodhya and not pursuing the wicked Ravana, and vanquishing him.
Something had to happen if Rama was to embark on his mission to rid the world of Ravana.
They approached Goddess Saraswati for help.

King Dasharatha has three wives.
Queen Kaushalya is the principal queen and the mother of Rama.
Queen Kaikeyi is the mother of Bharata and Queen Sumitra is the mother of Lakshman and Shatrughna.
Saraswati decides to influence the mind of one of Queen Kaikeyi's maid servants named Manthara.
Manthara's mind harbors evil intentions and she begins to talk to Queen Kaikeyi in harsh and conceited tones.
She finds fault with Kaikeyi for being supportive of the king's plan of installing Rama, as Prince Regent when her own mind tells her that Bharata would clearly be a greater king.
At that time Bharata is in Kaikeya country visiting his uncle and so he is unaware of what is happening in Ayodhya.
Slowly Queen Kaikeyi's mind is poisoned.
Manthara reminds Queen Kaikeyi of the two boons that the King had promised her.
Kaikeyi enters the private room in the royal palace, where the King gives audience to his queens and awaits Dasharatha.
Dasharatha is greatly alarmed and concerned that Kaikeyi is sitting in the sulking chamber, while the entire population of Ayodhya is greatly happy and eagerly anticipating the coronation of Rama.
Queen Kaikeyi speaks harshly to Dasharatha, which surprises the king.
She reminds him of the two boons he promised her and to his bewilderment, asks him to install her son Bharata as Prince Regent and send Rama into the forest for 14 years.
Queen Kaikeyi is unmoved by Dasharatha's lamentations and finally the king emotionally breaks down.
The king's assistant Sumantra sends for Rama with a request to meet his father.

Queen Kaikeyi speaks to Rama and explains to him the boons that she had asked of His father.
Rama is actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead incarnated on earth, yet He accepts His stepmother's request and decides to leave the kingdom as it serves his purpose as well.
The people of Ayodhya remonstrate against Queen Kaikeyi who firmly believes that she is doing the right thing.
 Rama attempts to dissuade Lakshman and Sita from joining him but is unable to do so.
The scene becomes very emotional as Rama, Sita and Lakshman greet their mothers before finally going to Dashratha to take leave of him.
Dasharatha attempts, in vain, to try to talk Sita out of joining Rama in the forest.

The residents of Ayodhya can't spare the thought of being away from Rama and decide to join him in the forest.
Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Sumantra  go incognito and in the dead of the night leave the city and move into the forest .
They leave for a place called Sringaverapur after which they meet Guha, the Nishad king.
They arrive at Prayag, the holy city where the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati meet.
 Rama meets with the Sage Bharadwaj at his ashram.
Rama is overwhelmed with the reception and love shown by the people inhabiting the banks of the Yamuna.
Rama then meets Sage Valmiki, the author of the Ramayan at Chitrakoot dham.
Valmiki recognises the true opulence of Rama and sings His praises.
At this point Tulsidas takes great care to describe the beauty of the land of Chitrakoot with some inspiring poetry.

Rama asks Sumantra to return to Ayodhya which saddens Sumantra.
He not only wants to stay with Rama, he is also afraid of going back only to face the anger and wrath of the citizens of Ayodhya.
Rama persuades him to go back.
On returning to Ayodhya, Sumantra meets Dasharatha, who asks him the whereabouts of Rama.
The pain of separation from Rama is too much for Dasharatha who passes away crying Rama's name.

Sage Vashishtha knows that Rama will not return to the
The Ayodhya Episode
Ayodhya was described as being like a heaven on earth ever since Rama and Sita came back from Mithila. As King Dasharatha was getting old, he wanted to install his son Rama as Prince Regent. He decided to start the ceremonies for his coronation the very next day. The Devas however became very concerned at the prospect of Rama remaining in Ayodhya and not pursuing the wicked Ravana, and vanquishing him. Something had to happen if Rama was to embark on his mission to rid the world of Ravana. They approached Goddess Saraswati for help.
King Dasharatha has three wives. Queen Kaushalya is the principal queen and the mother of Rama. Queen Kaikeyi is the mother of Bharata and Queen Sumitra is the mother of Lakshman and Shatrughna. Saraswati decides to influence the mind of one of Queen Kaikeyi's maid servants named Manthara. Manthara's mind harbors evil intentions and she begins to talk to Queen Kaikeyi in harsh and conceited tones. She finds fault with Kaikeyi for being supportive of the king's plan of installing Rama, as Prince Regent when her own mind tells her that Bharata would clearly be a greater king. At that time Bharata is in Kaikeya country visiting his uncle and so he is unaware of what is happening in Ayodhya. Slowly Queen Kaikeyi's mind is poisoned. Manthara reminds Queen Kaikeyi of the two boons that the King had promised her. Kaikeyi enters the private room in the royal palace, where the King gives audience to his queens and awaits Dasharatha. Dasharatha is greatly alarmed and concerned that Kaikeyi is sitting in the sulking chamber, while the entire population of Ayodhya is greatly happy and eagerly anticipating the coronation of Rama. Queen Kaikeyi speaks harshly to Dasharatha, which surprises the king. She reminds him of the two boons he promised her and to his bewilderment, asks him to install her son Bharata as Prince Regent and send Rama into the forest for 14 years. Queen Kaikeyi is unmoved by Dasharatha's lamentations and finally the king emotionally breaks down. The king's assistant Sumantra sends for Rama with a request to meet his father.
Queen Kaikeyi speaks to Rama and explains to him the boons that she had asked of His father. Rama is actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead incarnated on earth, yet He accepts His stepmother's request and decides to leave the kingdom as it serves his purpose as well. The people of Ayodhya remonstrate against Queen Kaikeyi who firmly believes that she is doing the right thing.  Rama attempts to dissuade Lakshman and Sita from joining him but is unable to do so. The scene becomes very emotional as Rama, Sita and Lakshman greet their mothers before finally going to Dashratha to take leave of him. Dasharatha attempts, in vain, to try to talk Sita out of joining Rama in the forest.
The residents of Ayodhya can't spare the thought of being away from Rama and decide to join him in the forest. Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Sumantra  go incognito and in the dead of the night leave the city and move into the forest . They leave for a place called Sringaverapur after which they meet Guha, the Nishad king. They arrive at Prayag, the holy city where the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati meet.  Rama meets with the Sage Bharadwaj at his ashram. Rama is overwhelmed with the reception and love shown by the people inhabiting the banks of the Yamuna. Rama then meets Sage Valmiki, the author of the Ramayan at Chitrakoot dham. Valmiki recognises the true opulence of Rama and sings His praises. At this point Tulsidas takes great care to describe the beauty of the land of Chitrakoot with some inspiring poetry.
Rama asks Sumantra to return to Ayodhya which saddens Sumantra. He not only wants to stay with Rama, he is also afraid of going back only to face the anger and wrath of the citizens of Ayodhya. Rama persuades him to go back. On returning to Ayodhya, Sumantra meets Dasharatha, who asks him the whereabouts of Rama. The pain of separation from Rama is too much for Dasharatha who passes away crying Rama's name.
Sage Vashishtha knows that Rama will not return to the 
Ramcharitmanas