THE RAMAYANAM : (Delivered at the Shakespeare Club, Pasadena, California, January 31, 1900)-24.

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Part-24.


Early during the period of exile, Bharata, the younger brother had come and informed Rama, of the death of the old king and vehemently insisted on his occupying the throne.

During Rama's exile Bharata would on no account ascend the throne and out of respect placed a pair of Rama's wooden shoes on it as a substitute for his brother.

Then Rama returned to his capital, and by the common consent of his people he became the king of Ayodhya.



After Rama regained his kingdom, he took the necessary vows which in olden times the king had to take for the benefit of his people.
The king was the slave of his people, and had to bow to public opinion, as we shall see later on.

Rama passed a few years in happiness with Sita, when the people again began to murmur that Sita had been stolen by a demon and carried across the ocean.

They were not satisfied with the former test and clamoured for another test, otherwise she must be banished.

Swami Vivekananda

To be continued  ...



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