The Day Rama Questioned the World: A Story of Dispassion and Discovery
Rama and the Dawn of Dispassion At fifteen, Prince Rama—heir of Ayodhya and beloved son of King Dasaratha —set out on a journey that few undertake so young. His heart burned with a yearning to understand life beyond the palace walls, so he travelled across India , visiting sacred rivers, timeless shrines, and ancient pilgrimage routes. But the journey did not return him with the joy and inspiration his family had expected. When Rama came back to Ayodhya, his body looked frail, and his eyes carried a depth far beyond his age. What he had witnessed in the world had shaken him. The apparent glitter of life—its pleasures, pursuits, and promises—seemed hollow. Rama had tasted the world, and instead of delight, he found profound disillusionment. King Dasaratha grew deeply troubled. This was not the vibrant prince he had sent on pilgrimage. When Sage Vasistha arrived at court, the king expressed his fear. The sage, serene and insightful, reassured him: “Do not worry, O King. Rama’s ...