King Dashrath: Shri Ram's Father and King of Ayodhya
King Dashrath is the king of Ayodhya and the father of Shri Ram, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughna in the Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas. He is honoured for his virtues and his deep love for Shri Ram. He wishes to make Shri Ram his successor, but Kaikeyi's two boons bring fourteen years of exile, and the king dies in separation from Him.
The father whose love draws the Lord close
King Dashrath's greatest blessing is that Shri Ram becomes his son. In Bal Kand, Doha 118, Goswami Tulsidas identifies the son of Dashrath as the Lord whom the Vedas praise and the sages contemplate. The child in the king's home is the saviour of His devotees.
The Lord responds to love. In Bal Kand, Doha 199, Shri Ram plays as a child in response to the love of King Dashrath and Kausalya. His childhood does not diminish His divinity. It reveals how freely He draws close to His devotees. Thus, Dashrath's place in the Ramcharitmanas rests on a relationship of love with the Lord.
Dashrath's joy at the wedding in Janakpur
In Bal Kand, Doha 287, King Janak sends messengers to invite King Dashrath to Janakpur. The reunion reveals the father's affection. In Bal Kand, Doha 308, Dashrath honours sage Vishwamitra and embraces Shri Ram and Lakshman, finding relief from the pain of separation.
Blessings deepen gratitude. In Bal Kand, Doha 325, Dashrath rejoices to see his four sons with their brides. Goswami Tulsidas compares his fulfilment to attaining the four aims of human life. Yet the king remains humble. In Bal Kand, Doha 330, he approaches his Guru, Vashishtha, credits his grace for the fulfilment of his wishes, and asks him to arrange gifts of cows to the Brahmanas.
The crown, the exile and the pain of separation
In Ayodhya Kand, Doha 2, King Dashrath hears praise of Shri Ram in his court. Seeing grey hair beside his ears, he recognises that the time has come to make Shri Ram his successor. His hopes then give way to grief when Kaikeyi's two boons bring fourteen years of exile for Shri Ram.
His love remains worthy of reverence. Goswami Tulsidas honours Dashrath in Bal Kand, Doha 16, for giving up his life when separated from Shri Ram. In Ayodhya Kand, Doha 173, Bharat is told that his father's glory deserves praise rather than lamentation. Read Dashrath's sorrow alongside these tributes. They teach us to recognise the depth of his devotion even in the grief of his final separation.
Verses
बंदउँ अवध भुआल सत्य प्रेम जेहि राम पद। बिछुरत दीनदयाल प्रिय तनु तृन इव परिहरेउ॥१६॥
I adore the King of Ayodhyā, Daśaratha, who cherished such true love for the feet of Śrī Rāma that he gave up his dear life as a mere straw the moment the Lord, who is compassionate to the humble and meek, parted from him. (16)
Bal Kand, Doha 16एक समय सब सहित समाजा। राजसभाँ रघुराजु बिराजा॥ सकल सुकृत मूरति नरनाहू। राम सुजसु सुनि अतिहि उछाहू॥१॥
One day King Daśaratha sat with all his court in the state assembly hall. Himself the embodiment of all virtues, the king was overjoyed to hear of Śrī Rāma’s fair renown. (1)
Ayodhya Kand, Doha 2सुख संदोह मोहपर ग्यान गिरा गोतीत। दंपति परम प्रेम बस कर सिसुचरित पुनीत॥१९९॥
The all-blissful Lord, who is above delusion and transcends knowledge, speech and all sensuous perception, played innocent sports like a child, yielding to the supreme love of the royal couple, Daśaratha and Kausalyā. (199)
Bal Kand, Doha 199बैखानस सोइ सोचै जोगू। तपु बिहाइ जेहि भावइ भोगू॥ सोचिअ पिसुन अकारन क्रोधी। जननि जनक गुर बंधु बिरोधी॥१॥
“Pitiable is the anchorite who has given up penance and has developed a liking for luxuries; pitiable the backbiter who is angry without cause and an enemy of his own parents, preceptor and brothers. (1)
Ayodhya Kand, Doha 173
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Who are King Dashrath's sons?
King Dashrath's four sons are Shri Ram, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughna. In Bal Kand, Doha 325, he rejoices to see all four with their brides. Goswami Tulsidas describes his happiness through the four aims of human life, showing how completely the sight fulfils the father's heart.
Why did King Dashrath die?
King Dashrath dies in the sorrow of separation from Shri Ram after Shri Ram leaves for fourteen years of exile. In Bal Kand, Doha 16, Goswami Tulsidas honours this love, describing how the king gives up his cherished life when the Lord departs. His death is remembered through his devotion.
Was King Dashrath a good king?
The Ramcharitmanas praises King Dashrath as a virtuous and greatly blessed ruler. Ayodhya Kand, Doha 2, describes the honour he receives from other monarchs. In Ayodhya Kand, Doha 173, Bharat hears that his father's glory is praised throughout the worlds. His suffering does not erase the virtues for which the text honours him.