Dasaratha is a renowned character in the
Ramayana, specifically known as the father of
Lord Ram. He was the king of
Ayodhya (Kosala Kingdom), located in present day
Uttar Pradesh. He was a descendant of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Dasaratha ('Dasa' means 'ten' and 'ratha' means 'chariot') was called so because he was able to fight in ten directions simultaneously. During battle, he would create an illusion as if ten kings were fighting from ten chariots. He was often called by
Lord Indra during his fights with demons.
Kausalya,
Kaikeyi and
Sumitra were his queens. Lord Ram was born to Queen Kausalya,
Bharat to Queen Kaikeyi, while Lakshman, and
Shatrughna were born to Queen Sumitra.
