As Ayodhya prepared for the coronation of Ram, the wicked maidservant Manthara poisoned the mind of Queen Kaikeyi. She reminded the queen of the two boons Dasharatha had promised her years ago. Kaikeyi, influenced by Manthara's malice, demanded that Bharata be made king and Ram be exiled to the forest for fourteen years.

The entire joy of Ayodhya turned into mourning. Dasharatha was devastated, but Ram accepted the decision with a smile, showing that the word of a father is more important than a kingdom. His calm acceptance in the face of such a massive loss is one of the highest examples of ideal character.