Dashratha, the prince of Ayodhya, was out hunting when he heard the sound of an elephant drinking water. Aiming his bow the prince shot in the direction of the sound. Tragically, the arrow killed a youth who was filling water in a pitcher for his old and blind parents. The anguished father cursed Dashratha that one day he would die grieving for his son. Dashratha's son was the valiant and unparalleled, Rama.