Dasaratha decided to name Rama, the son of his first queen Kausalya, as the crown prince of Kosala. However, his third queen Kaikeyi, mother of Bharatha, urged by her maid servant, requested Dasaratha to send Rama to the forest in exile, so that her son could become crown prince. The king was distressed, but couldn't refuse as he owed Kaikeyi a boon, for she had once saved his life.

Rama readily agreed, and along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, who refused to part with him, set out to the forest for 14 years in exile.

	Book of Youth	Book of Forest