His life slowly ebbed away and that night at some time unobserved by any, the
King breathed his last.
As described by Vaalmeeki in the early
pages of the epic, Dasaratha was one who had mastered all the Vedas and Shaastras, was
a farsighted person, the hero of many battles, the performer of many sacrifices, follower
of dharma, a far-famed king with many friends and no foes, one who had conquered
his senses. His power was like Indra's. His wealth was like Kubera's. In statesmanship, he
was like Manu. Fate had ordered that such a one should exile his beloved son and die of a
broken heart, with none by him in his last moments but two faithful women stricken by
himself with a common sorrow. |
