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Dasaratha Jataka () is a Jataka tales found in Buddhist literature about a previous life of the The Buddha. It is found as 461th Jataka story in Khuddaka Nikaya of Sutta Pitaka in the Pali Canon.
Rama, the crown prince of Varanasi, was exiled for twelve years by his father, King Dasharatha, who feared that Rama's stepmother might attempt to harm him to secure the throne for her own son, Bharata. Accompanying Rama into exile were his younger brother, Lakshmana, and their sister, Sita.
After nine years, King Dasaratha passed away. Bharata, being honorable and just, refused to take the throne, as he believed that the rightfully appointed king was Rama-Pandita. He and his companions set out to find Rama and inform him of their father’s passing.
Upon hearing the news, both Lakkhana-Kumara and Sita were overcome with sorrow. However, Rama-Pandita remained calm, explaining that grief could not bring their father back. He reminded them of the impermanence of all things, helping them overcome their sorrow.
Despite Bharata’s insistence, Rama refused to return before completing his full twelve years of exile, honoring his father's decree. Instead, he symbolically handed over his slippers for Bharata to rule in his place. Once the exile was completed, Rama-Pandita returned to the kingdom, where the people celebrated his arrival. He then ruled wisely for 16,000 years.
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