We all know about Ramayana, one of the greatest epics of Hindu mythology. Also, we know how Kaikeyi under influence of Manthara sent Rama to the forest for 14 years. But, Why did she ask for exactly 14 years? Why not more?
There are 3 prominent reasons associated with this which we will tell you today.
Reason 1
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We all know about Ramayana, one of the greatest epics of Hindu mythology. Also, we know how Kaikeyi under influence of Manthara sent Rama to the forest for 14 years. But, Why did she ask for exactly 14 years? Why not more?
There are 3 prominent reasons associated with this which we will tell you today.
Reason 1
Valmiki Ramayana
The first reason was a political one. We all know Ramayana is the story of Treta Yuga. During that time there was a rule that if a king would abandon his kingdom for 14 years then he would lose all his hereditary rights on that empire. Tough, he can regain the kingdom by winning it back in a war or by any other means, but he cannot claim his right based on his royal blood anymore. This rule is mentioned by Sage Valmiki in “AYODHYA KAND” of Valmiki Ramayana.
Kaikeyi being the witty person she was, she knew about this law. Hence she asked for exactly 14 years for Rama’s exile. So, even if Rama would come back he wouldn’t be able to claim any right over the empire.
(Though, It is altogether a different story that Bharat denied to accept the throne and ruled as a representative of Lord Rama for next 14 years.)
Dwapar Yuga
Similarly, there was a rule in Dwapar Yuga as well; where a king would lose his empire after 13 years. This was the reason why Duryodhana asked for 12 years of forest exile (Vanvas) and 1 year of Agyatvas for Pandavas.
Modern Law in India
You must be aware of the fact that if you do not put an explicit claim on your property for 12 consecutive years, you would lose any right you had on that property. This is mentioned in the Limitation Act 1963 constitution amendment (We encourage you to verify this). As per this act one needs to put his/her claim within 12 years on a private property and within 30 years on a government property. And, failing to do so would result in loss of all the rights he/she had on the said property.
Reason 2.
There was a belief prevailing back then in Treta Yuga that after living a certain type of lifestyle for 14 years, it would change all characteristics and behavior of an individual. In other words, if you change your lifestyle for 14 years, you wouldn’t be the same person anymore. So, Rama would never even think of coming back as after these many years he would be a totally different person.
Rama in forest with Sita and Lakshman
In Valmiki Ramayana there is a Shloka which confirms this fact.
नव प़ञ्च च वर्षाणि दण्डकारण्यमाश्रितः।।२.11.२६।।
चीराजिनजटाधारी रामो भवतु तापसः।
(दण्डक वन में 14 वर्ष तक पेड़ की छाल, जानवरों की खाल पहनने और बालों को जटा-जूट बनाकर जीवन जीते हुए राम अपना पूरा जीवन तपस्वियों जैसा ही जीने लगेगा.)
In English it translates to..
“Rama has to take refuge in the forest of Dandaka for fourteen years and let him become an ascetic wearing rags, deer skin and matted hair”
Reason 3.
Lord Rama was the favorite son of King Dashratha. Dashratha always dreamt of his coronation and was eager to see him as the King of Ayodhya. Because of this he took the decision of Rama’s coronation in consultation with Sage Vasistha only. He did not take anyone els’s opinion. Moreover, Before taking this decision no queens of his were consulted or even informed. On this side, even after being the wife of Dashratha, Kaikeyi came to know about this news from Manthara after 14 days from the day when the decision was taken.
Kaikeyi with Dashrath and Rama
Promoted by this exclusion, she started feeling unimportant and insignificant for which she wanted to take a revenge. Besides, Manthara fueled her insecurities by pointing out that this is just the beginning and in longer run his son Bharat would become a mere servant to Rama. Infuriated by all this, Kaikeyi retaliated by sending Rama to forest for one year for each day she was kept in dark from the information of Rama’s coronation.
Apart from this, know more: How Kaikeyi met Manthara? Why was Manthara resentful towards Rama? And was Manthara really a bad person?
