Rama the prince of Ayodhya is the eldest son of the mighty king Dasharath dark and handsome a great warrior and epitome of all virtues he is loved by all. At a "Swayamvar" or the contest to select the most heroic groom for `Sita` the beautiful princess of Mithila Rama breaks the indestructible bow of Lord Shiva and wins the hand of Sita. King Dashrath happy and contented plans to crown Rama as his heir and retire. But his third wife the young Kaikei has other plans. She claims the two boons Dashrath had granted to her long ago when she had saved his life. First she demands that her own son Bharat be crowned as the king instead of Rama and second that Rama be exiled from the kingdom for fourteen years. Dashrath is devastated. Prince Rama however decides to honour his father`s promise and go into wilderness leaving behind his throne and the kingdom. His loving wife Sita and the devoted younger brother Laxman decide to accompany Rama into the exile.