#020, WAS RAMA OUSTED FROM HIS KINGDOM OR DID HE ABDICATE?

There is an alround impresssion that Shri Rama abdicated his right of succession to his father's kingdom voluntarily. The preachers of the Epic in temples always make it a point to repeat and praise that Rama left Ayodhya to forests out of his own freewill and without any coerction. At many places, there are unstitched holes which indicate that Rama was ousted from his kingdom. Example:-

3-7-8 Sanskrit verse
Book of Forests (Aranya Kaand`a)
Chapter 7
Pratiikshamaan`aha tvaam eva
na aarohe aham mahaa yas`aha
Deva lokam ito viira
deham tyaktvaa mahiitale

Context:
Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana arrive at the hermitage of the sage Sutiikshan`a. The sage invites him with open hands. He says: "Oh person of Great Reputation! I am waiting your arrival without relinquishing my body and ascending the heaven. I heard that you arrived at Chitrakuut`a, having been repudiated from your kingdom."

Citrakuut`am upaadaaya raajya bhrasht`oo asi me shrutaha.

BLOGGER'S VIEWS
If Rama voluntarily relinquished his kingdom, the sage would have used the words "having relinquished your kingdom (raajya tyaktvoo)" . The news in circulation was that Rama was repudiated or ousted, an indication that Rama was at the receiving end and that there was no voluntariness.