Difference between 2 kings

Rama and raja Janak are already so alike in their thinking, I think Rama will see that all that he wants to practice in Ayodhya is possible , and being done in Mithila!

Rama, I am sure will take raja Janaks ideology a step further in establishing Rama rajya and raja Janak will find a worthy son in law for his daughter who is as humane and kind and spiritual as his daughter!

Their meeting will also be something to see.

In Valmiki Ramayan, it is written that Dashrath was very much in tune with his people's wishes and desires. He often wore the clothes of a commoner and mingled with the people to understand what their thoughts and feelings were about his rule, and when he decided to make Ram his heir in Ayodhya Kand, he imported knowledge about how an ideal King should be. He told Ram that a King is actually the servant of the people, and not the other way around, and that a King should sacrifice everything to keep his subjects happy. It is this ideology that Ram followed when he became King.

Dashrath was a great King, well loved by his people as if he was their own father. SKR's Dashrath is totally different from the epic Dashrath.

And in no way, I'am feeling the show is degrading Dasharatha's character by exalting Janaka.

Yes, there are differences that are being shown, but per me, these differences are only to show, the 'rajarshi' title of Janaka.

So, in certain aspects, these difference shown can be taken in a positive light.

This is how I perceive.

For me Dasharatha is no villain.

And whatever situations he created for himself, are no imagination. They are documented...be it the accidental death of Shravan kumar, and so the curse that befalls on him, his desire for Sons, his fear wrt the curse, his respect for traditions, or his granting of vachans, sometimes without thinking of consequences., and finally, the curse taking his life itself.

And without all of these, Ramayana , would not have happened, in the first place.

I'm not saying Dashrath was a faultless character, and yes those stories you mentioned did happen, but the CVs have added a lot of unnecessary scenes that don't show him in a positive light. For example, the way they handled the Shanta story, by making it seem like Dashrath sacrificed his daughter to get sons, when in fact having sons had nothing to do with Shanta's adoption. Also, the way he seems so distant from his people is wrong, because Dashrath as a King was very much in tune with his people. He often went in disguise to see how they were doing, what they were feeling and thinking, etc. Before deciding to make Ram King, he first asked for the opinion of all his ministers, and even went in disguise around the kingdom to see what they thought of Ram. Dashrath as a King was well respected and renowned. He had a reputation of being kind, fair and just.

Here in the show, Dashrath appears very selfish and uncaring towards his kingdom, his people and his family. He does what he wants without any care for what everyone else is thinking.

On the other hand, the CVs show such beautiful scenes of Janak ploughing the fields with the farmers, being in tune with his kingdom and people, etc. Why can't they show such scenes of Dashrath too? He may not have been a Rajarshi like Janak, but he was still a good king.

Whereas if you look Dasrath he is a normal king. He is not bad. But he enjoys the wealth, power and status that comes with being the king. I dont take it as bad. And he is attached to his sons especially Ram a lot. In effect Moh Maya ties him down and blinds his eyes on certain things. Doing the customs/rituals of those times you cannot call it bad. He is in tune with the aspirations of society at that point. And it is a known fact in Ramayana that finally Moh Maya takes Dasrath down. And for me showing him bound to material things does not in anyway degrade his character. It shows him as a good king, but not a great king. And I guess if we have to give credit to Ram Rajya then obviously Ram has to do a lot of things Dasrath shouldnt have done. Also the show is showing beautifully why every person of Ayodhya wanted to accompany Ram when his Vanvass is announced. The defeat of Kaikeyi is there. When with his love and compassion Ram wins over the heart of the people of Ayodhya and even his brother. Dasrath loses in front of Kaikeyi and Kaikeyi in front of Ram. And Dharma survives with his noble sacrifice.

If lord had to choose the best man to be son of then it is very clear that it would be Janak and not Dashrat. Dashrat is being portrayed here as human King not an evil King. His charachter is not butchered. All kings of the time preferred sons over daughters and only exception was Janak. And most kings used to give daughters for adoption not sons even if they had many. So what Dashrat did with Shanta was pretty normal then, and his multiple marriages for sons were normal too. but it was avoidable like Janak avoided it. And that is why he is better than Dashrat.

That is what is being showed.

Just because Dashrat was lord Rams father doesn't automatically make him the best. parshuram's father asked his sons to behead their innocent mother, Vasudev was a weak yadav Chief compared to Kansa. And Dashrat was a good King, not the greatest King apart from Ram.