Description
Immortal Characters of Ramayana Edited by Faren
Author: Raj Shah
Dasharatha
King Dasharatha is among the most popular, well-known kings in mythology. He was the ruler of Ayodhya and belonged to the Raghuvansha dynasty. He was strong and powerful and is regarded as the noblest of kings. Unable to have any children with his three wives Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, Dasharatha performed a ritual and thus had four 4 children. His eldest son Rama was set to be named Dasharatha’s successor when his second wife Kaikeyi requested two boons to ask that Rama be exiled. This was a turning point in Dasharatha’s life, but he obliged his wife in order to keep his word. However, he then spent his life pining for his son due to this curse. In his days as king, Dasharatha went hunting and shot an arrow at a deer, but heard a cry. He had mistaken a young boy for a deer. Rushing to him, he realized his mistake, but the boy was dying. He asked Dasharatha to take some water to his blind parents. Dasharatha did as he was told and told the parents how their son died. The parents then cursed Dasharatha saying that he too, like them, would die separated from and pining for his beloved son.
About Raj Shah
A software engineer by profession, Indian culture enthusiast, ardent promoter of Hinduism, and a cancer survivor, Raj Shah is a very positive and forward thinking person. Living in the United States since 1969, he considers the US as his Karmabhoomi, but does not forget his Mathrubhumi India even for a minute.
Promoting the rich culture and heritage of India and Hinduism has been his motto ever since he arrived in the US. Keeping those principles in mind he co-founded an organization – the VIP (Volunteers of India’s Progress) Club in Clifton, New Jersey, in 1972. Since then, he has been instrumental in promoting several community organizations. He serves as a Chairman of Board of Directors, Hindu University of America, South Florida campus.
Raj has written several articles on wide variety of subjects like, Hinduism, Indian culture, Hindu wedding and Indian Festivals. He has also written two books titled, Chronology Of Hinduism – Documenting the History of the World’s Oldest Religion and Understanding Hinduism – The Basic Facts about Hinduism and Frequently Asked Questions. He has also written a few Children’s books, Holi Hai, The Complete Ramayana in 100 Tweets and Welcome to my beautiful Mandir.
Grand dad of four lovely grand children, Raj is a family man and strongly believes in the old Hindu concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – “The whole world is one family.”
You can follow Raj Shah on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rajshahusa.
To set up an interview or a book reading and signing, please contact Raj Shah
