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This mural painting from the Emerald Buddha Temple shows Rama bidding farewell to people at his father's palace in the kingdom of Ayudhya. Rama, whose skin is painted green, stands in golden royal clothes on a pavillion platform at the center. Subjects kneel on the tile floor below him. This scene takes place just before Rama leaves for his fourteen years of exile in the forest.
In the Ramayana, when Rama's father senses he is approaching death, he decides to declare that his eldest son Rama should succeed him. Rama tours in a procession around the kingdom of Ayudhya as the public announcement is made. All the people rejoice because Rama is known as a just and virtuous prince.
Just before the king dies, however, his second wife reminds him of an old promise to grant her two wishes. The king remembers and so must agree. This wife then asks that Rama be exiled to the forest for fourteen years and that her son, Bharata, be allowed to rule in his place. The king is in anguish but feels bound to fulfill his promise. Rama leaves for the forest, accompanied by his wife Sita and his most faithful brother Laksman. Rama's father then dies of grief.
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