King Dasharatha, sovereign of the Kosala kingdom centered at Ayodhya, hailed from the Ikshvaku dynasty and the solar lineage. Born Nemi, he earned the name Dasharatha ("ten chariots") through unmatched skill in battle, maneuvering his chariot to face foes in all ten directions at once. As a prince, he displayed martial strength by conquering neighboring lands and vanquishing many asuras. He wed three principal queens: Kausalya of Dakshina Kosala, Sumitra of Kashi, and Kaikeyi of the Kekeya Kingdom. Despite his many wives, he remained without an heir, compelling him to conduct the Putrakameshti yajna under Sage Rishyasringa's guidance. A divine figure emerged from the sacrificial fire, presenting celestial porridge. Dasharatha apportioned half to Kausalya, a quarter to Sumitra, an eighth to Kaikeyi, and the final eighth again to Sumitra. This resulted in the births of Rama (Kausalya), Bharata (Kaikeyi), and Lakshmana and Shatrughna (Sumitra). A pivotal earlier event occurred while Dasharatha hunted near the Sarayu River. Mistaking sounds for an animal drinking, he loosed an arrow by sound alone, piercing Shravana Kumara, a youth collecting water for his blind parents. Dying, Shravana forgave the king but asked him to deliver the water. Learning of their son's fate, the parents cursed Dasharatha to die from the sorrow of separation from his own son. Dasharatha owed Kaikeyi a critical promise. She saved his life during a battle between devas and asuras by mending his chariot wheel mid-conflict. Grateful, he granted her two boons, which she reserved. Years later, on the eve of Rama's coronation, influenced by her maid Manthara, Kaikeyi demanded her boons: Bharata's coronation and Rama's fourteen-year forest exile. Bound by his vow and royal duty, Dasharatha reluctantly complied, despite his deep love for Rama. Rama's exile triggered Dasharatha's remembrance of Shravana's curse. Overcome by grief and guilt, his health swiftly declined. Confined to his chambers and lamenting his powerlessness against Kaikeyi's demands, he recounted the curse to Queen Kausalya as its fulfillment. He succumbed to heartbreak soon after Rama's departure. Bharata and Shatrughna performed his funeral rites upon their return to Ayodhya.