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36
In the Padma Purana
The heart-wrenching nature of the story is extraordinary. After this, King Janaka of Mithila sets out for conquest with Kanaka, along with Bhamaṇḍala.
[6] Rāma
Rāma is the rightful son of Queen Kausalya, the undefeated wife of King Daśaratha. He is the protagonist of this text. By nature, he is simple and valiant. King Daśaratha, desiring to renounce worldly life, prepares to take initiation, but Bharata wishes to renounce before him. Father Daśaratha and Rāma try to explain to him, and Rāma, with the affection and tenderness befitting his importance, persuades Bharata. Somehow, Bharata calms down.
Preparations for Rāma's coronation are made. Kekaya wishes to crown her son Bharata. Due to his promise, Daśaratha feels compelled. When Rāma learns of this, he immediately departs for the forest with equanimity. "Our father is the rightful king; we must obey his command," reflects Rāma, and there is no turmoil in his heart. Although a seed of rebellion arises in Lakṣmaṇa's heart, thinking their father is unjustly swayed by a woman, he remains silent after witnessing Rāma's calmness.
When Rāma is called for the coronation, no signs of joy appear on his face, and when he receives the order to go to the forest, no mark of sorrow shows. Rāma departs for the forest with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, yet his heart harbors not even a trace of resentment toward Bharata. King Amitavīrya, campaigning against Bharata, becomes known. When Rāma learns this, he secretly attempts to protect Bharata. At that time, he openly speaks to Lakṣmaṇa, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa's brothers, delivering a long discourse that reveals there is none like those who, like clouds in the night, conceal themselves yet do good for others. Consequently, he enters Amitavīrya's court disguised as a dancer, first enchanting him with his art, then defeating him. In the yajnashālā of Kapila the Brahmin, weary Rāma wishes to rest but is met with such hostility by the Brahmin that he sets off straight for the forest. Although Lakṣmaṇa, enraged, wishes to overpower Kapila, there is no sign of diminishment in Rāma's seriousness. He explains to Lakṣmaṇa beautifully.
Rāma's stay in the city created by the Yākṣas and his rescue of the same Kapila Brahmin reminds one of Sudāma's story. After Sītā's abduction, despite some agitation within Rāma, there arises a time during the Rāma-Rāvaṇa war when some people request Rāma's command to obstruct Rāvaṇa; Rāma disapproves, considering such an act abhorrent. Victory is attained in battle. Rāma says, "Brother! Enmity toward Rāvaṇa was only until death, now what is the reason for hostility?" Saying this, he performs the last rites and advises everyone. By saying, "This is how it is meant to be," he pacifies them all. He assumes the throne. Due to fear of public opinion, Sītā is abandoned. Rāma remains sorrowful within like a covered pot, while outwardly everything continues as usual. Thus we see that Rāma, despite suffering, desires to uphold societal norms, earning him the name of Maryādā Puruṣottama in the world. He orders Sītā for the Agni Parīkṣā, yet upon seeing the towering flames, he becomes overwhelmed with compassion and says to Lakṣmaṇa, "Lakṣmaṇa! May Sītā not get burned!" After the death of Lakṣmaṇa, his love makes him almost mad for six months. Afterward, he becomes alert and assumes initiation. In the meantime, Sītā completes her penance and takes birth in the celestial realm of Acyuta. She is seen to be very composed in her efforts to distract him with her changeable nature, in the mastery of the disguise arts.
Upon the return of Vibhīṣaṇa, Maṇḍodarī, and others to Ayodhya...