Ramakatha Rasavahini, Chapter 13 - Entering into Exile

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Chapter 13Entering into Exile

 

Thousands had gathered in the quadrangle of the Palace. Their grief was

immeasurable. Meanwhile, the Minister went in, and aroused the Emperor who had

fallen unconscious on the floor. He made him sit up, and placed him in

position. He communicated to him the news that Sita, Rama and Lakshmana had

come to have audience with him. Rama had already stood near his father,

speaking words of soothing love. When Dasaratha saw Sita and Lakshmana, his

grief knew no bounds. He embraced Rama closely and fell on the floor. Anguish

choked his throat; he pressed his hands on his chest and tried to suppress the

agony. Sita and Lakshmana could not look on at the suffering Emperor.

Lakshmana saw Kaikeyi, standing by with an air of authority; his eyes became red

with rage; he looked daggers at her as if he would kill her on the spot. But he

controlled his anger, and cooled his emotion, watching the serenely calm face

of Rama. At that time, Kaikeyi said, "Rama! You are plunging your father in

deeper grief! The sooner you leave and reach the forest, the quicker will your

father be relieved from anxiety. Do not delay any longer! Prostrate before your

father, and go". These words so devoid of elementary kindness seemed to split

the heart of Dasaratha. Dasaratha suddenly shouted, "Demoness! Evil spirit! How

hard and adamantine are your words" and fell in a faint. Just at that moment,

Sita, Rama and Lakshmana fell at his feet. Rama said, "Father! Bless us and

permit us to leave. This is a time fit for rejoicing, not pining and grieving.

Over-attachment brings infamy in its train". Rama pleaded that he should be

courageous and give up the

delusion that makes him dote on him. Rama clasped his father's feet, and then

knelt on his Knees caressing and consoling.

Dasaratha opened his eyes and looked full at his beloved son. He sat up with

great difficulty and holding both hands of Rama in his, he said, "O my darling

Son! Listen to my words! You are possessed of self-control and discrimination.

You know what is right; it is proper that you should do only the right thing.

Now, it is not right when one person does wrong, for another to suffer from its

consequences, isn't it? The play of Fate is unpredictable, it is a riddle beyond

solution".

The Emperor began to pile argument on argument in his innocence and love, to

dissuade Rama from his resolve to proceed to the forest.

Rama was known to Dasaratha, the father, as a Master of the Codes of Morality,

and as a strict adherent of these Codes; he was skilled in justifying his acts;

he was unafraid of the consequences of his resolve. Dasaratha read from the face

of Rama who stood before him that he had come ready to take leave of him for the

journey into exile. When he saw Sita too before him, he called her near and when

she knelt by his side, he stroked her head softly, and described to her the

travails of forest life. He told her that the best course for her would be to

stay back, either with her parents-in-law, or with her own parents. His words

came through groans of unbearable sorrow. He gnashed his teeth in rage, when

his eyes fell upon Kaikeyi; all the while, he was fuming and fretting within

himself, unable to contain his grief.

Sita fell at his feet and said "Revered Father-in-law! My mind longs only for

the service of Rama. That good fortune awaits me in full measure in the forest.

I cannot stay back, losing this precious chance. Service rendered to parents or

parents-in-law cannot give the wife the joy of fulfillment that service

rendered to her husband can alone give. There is no joy or happiness greater or

higher than that. Do not oppose me or present arguments against my leaving.

Confer on me your blessings and send me with Ramachandra."

Dasaratha could well understand and appreciate the yearning of Sita. He extolled

her virtues with genuine enthusiasm, for the edification of Kaikeyi, standing

before him. Meanwhile, the wives of Royal ministers, and the wives of Royal

Preceptors who were in the room gathered around Sita, and, in their turn, they

too described the hardship inherent in forest life. The Court Preceptor's

spouse sought a cleverer ruse to dissuade her. She said, "Sita! You have not

been required to leave and go into the forest. It is your task to remain here

and comfort the parents of your husband who are sunk in sorrow. You are half of

Rama, aren't you? So, this half must stay in order to alleviate the sorrow that

the departure of the other half is causing them. Moreover since you are half of

the eldest son, the Heir to the Throne, you have the right to rule over the

Empire. If Rama moves into the forest and lives there to honour the word of his

father, stay and rule

over the realm and uphold the renown of Rama, filling his parents with delight.

As the wife of Rama, this is the correct step you should take; this is your

legitimate duty".

These words were spoken as soft and sweet as the whispering of autumn moonbeams

into the ears of chakravaka birds; but they made Sita reel in misery. She was

so overcome that no reply came from her.

During this interval, Kaikeyi had secured hermit's robes of fiber as well as

rosaries of tulsi; she held them before Rama and said, "The Emperor holds you

as dear as his very life. So, he is bringing down eternal infamy on his head,

unwilling to let you go. His affection for you is clouding the righteousness of

the course. He will not utter the words, 'Go into the forest', at any time,

under any circumstance. It is fruitless to await his agreement and his

permission. So, decide on any one of these two steps: Are you courting infamy

and dishonour and staying to rule over the Empire? Or, are you leaving for the

forest and bringing eternal glory to the Ikshvaku Dynasty? Decide and act".

Rama was glad that she spoke so. But, the words entered the heart of Dasaratha

like sharp nails driven in by heavy hammer-strokes. "Alas! What cruel fate is

mine! That I should be alive even after hearing such harsh words!", he

exclaimed, and rolled to the floor in a faint. Regaining consciousness, he

recalled the words he had heard, and again, became unconscious. Rama could not

bear the sight of his father's helplessness in the face of the situation that

confronted him. He felt that he should accept the suggestion of Kaikeyi and

leave; for, the sooner he left, the better it would be for all concerned.

He received in his hands the fiber-robe his step-mother had brought and winding

one of them around himself, he gave the other to Sita. She stood holding it in

her hands, with her head bent in embarrassment, for she did not know how to

wear it or fasten it around her. It looked too short a piece. Rama, who had

already worn his robe, came near and spoke to her in a low voice. She was

ashamed to confess that she did not know how to wear the fiber-garment, which

hermit women draped around themselves so elegantly. She whispered, "Besides,

this is not like the ones we wear; it is too short and not wide enough!" Rama

consoled her, and, putting courage into her, took her aside, and saying that it

could be worn 'thus-wise', he wound it round her himself. Seeing this, the wives

of the hermits and other women of the palace shed tears of sympathy.

At this juncture, Vasishta the Royal Preceptor, arrived at the scene; he stood

aghast, taking in the situation at a glance. He fell foul of Queen Kaikeyi. He

declared that Sita need not wear the garment of fiber. He asserted that Kaikeyi

had asked for and had been granted two boons only - Bharata to be crowned and

Rama sent into the forest. He said that Sita could go into the forest with all

regal paraphernalia and every requisite for a comfortable sojourn there.

At this, Rama unwound the garment he had placed over her dress. But Sita came

forward and fell at the feet of the Sage. She said, "Master! Of course, my

wearing that garment is not the direct consequence of mother Kaikeyi's desire.

Can I not follow the ways of my Lord? Would it be proper for me, would it bring

credit for me, if I live in the forest bedecked in jewels and costly silken

garments, when my Lord is wearing the garment of a hermit? It would be

extremely absurd for a dutiful wife to adopt this attitude, wouldn't it be?

Therefore, give me permission to put on these garments, so that I may maintain

the wife's code of conduct and carry out my duty".

The adherence to righteous conduct which prompted this prayer moved the mighty

Sage into tearful compassion. With sorrow stuttering his voice, he said, "Sita!

This line of thought comes quite naturally to you, since you are the embodiment

of virtue. But, as kings and rulers, there are certain principles to be

respected, by you and others. The crooked and wicked brain of your

mother-in-law Kaikeyi needs some correction and warning. As a matter of fact,

this day, your husband was to be crowned Emperor of this realm. Though that

event did not take place as a result of a combination of circumstances,

including promises made long ago, I must say that it is against political

justice to crown Bharata instead. Only the eldest son has the right to the

Throne; no one else has the claim. If he for any reason gives up the right

through his own free will, as he has done now, you, as the other half of his

person, have the right to wield that authority; no third

party can exercise it.

When Vasistha was expounding rules of political morality, Kaikeyi was visibly

affected by fear. But she was not unaware of the fact that Sita would not

desire to exercise regal authority and power. However long Vasishta elaborated

on her rights and claims, Sita refused to pay attention to them; she was

yearning for the chance to wear the fiber garment of the hermit in preference

to the robes of Imperial Splendour. The wife of the Royal Preceptor felt that

Sita would never retract from her resolve; so, she and others took the garment

and wound it round her, in correct hermitage style.

Meanwhile, Lakshmana too wore the same sylvan garments, as Rama had on. Rama

decided that there should be no more delay. The three prostrated reverently

before Dasaratha, who fainted away at the sight of his sons in their ascetic

attire. They prostrated also before Kaikeyi who was standing nearby. They fell

at the feet of sage Vasishta and of his Consort. And they started towards the

forest.

Citizens of Ayodhya who had gathered at the Palace gates saw them walking as

hermits; they broke into bitter sobs. Many were so shocked that they fell

unconscious. Many beat their heads in sheer despair. While on the door step of

the Royal Gate, Rama once again prostrated before Sage Vasishta, and spoke a

few words exhorting the people to remain calm and to uphold virtue. He told

them that they should not grieve over the turn of events, that he would return

to Ayodhya after the fourteen years of stay in the forest, and that the order

of exile was only for their good, for his own good and for the good of the

whole world.

Shri Shri Sita Rama Lakshmana Hanuman

Then, he distributed largesses to the poor; he gifted houses as well as gold,

lands and cows to Brahmins, so that they could perform ritual worship and

sacrifices without stint. He prayed to the Sage to arrange for the performance

of Vedic sacrifices on appropriate occasions. He stood with folded palms before

him and said. "Holy Sage and Preceptor, for these, the people, and for my

parents, you are the real parents. Advise the King, admonish the King, that he

may rule over the people as he would treat his own children". When the people

heard this prayer repeated on their behalf, they became sad, heart-broken. Some

of them beat their breasts, cursing themselves for losing the fortune of being

ruled by such a Prince. Some inflicted injuries on their own heads. Some rolled

on the ground and wailed aloud.

Meanwhile, Rama turned again towards the mass of citizens, and with palms

folded, he spoke a few words to them. "My dear people, you are as dear to me as

my very life. Our Sovereign Ruler has sent me to protect and foster the forest

region. Do not entertain any animosity against him for this reason. Guard him

and pray for him at all times. Adhere to his commands; make him happy and be

happy yourselves. Your love for me should not lead you to dislike the King.

Never wish ill for him. Those only are dear to me who work for the happiness of

the King, after I leave for the forest. Those are the people who are really

devoted to me, who do what I really like. Fulfill this desire of mine; honour

these words of mine; make me happy. My dear people! Being separated from me, my

mother Queen Kausalya will naturally be immersed in grief. Every mother in a

similar situation will have unbearable agony. But, I plead with you, since you

are intelligent and

full of sympathy "do your best to alleviate her sorrow and comfort her".

Then he called Minister Sumanthra near, and said, "O Sumanthra! Proceed now to

Father. Advise him and quieten him. That is the task on which you have to busy

yourself". Sumanthra was overcome with grief; he stood silent, with tears

streaming down his cheeks. He could not restrain his sorrow; he sobbed and wept

aloud. Other Ministers who were standing around him, as well as the Aides in

attendance, attempted to bring him round into a state of calmness and courage.

But they were too sad to stand there. So, they went into the Palace, in

accordance with the directive given by Rama. The entire city was sunk deep in a

vast sea of sorrow.

Meanwhile, Dasaratha recovered from his faint and became conscious of what had

happened. He lamented, "Rama! Rama!" and tried to raise himself up. But, heavy

with grief, he fell on the floor again. When he rose, he tried to walk, but

could not; he moved falteringly around.

At that moment, Sumanthra entered the room, and endeavoured to hold him and

console him. But, with huge outbursts of anguish surging in him, how could he

convey consolation to his master? However, he remembered Rama's order to that

effect; and, so he dutifully swallowed the sorrow that was overwhelming his

heart and sat by the side of the Emperor with tears still flowing in streams.

He could not utter any word for a long time.

Dasaratha opened his eyes; he saw Sumanthra by his side; exclaiming in

uncontrollable grief "Rama!", he fell into the lap of the old minister and

poured out his sobs. Then, he rose and groaned, "Sumanthra! Rama has gone into

the forest; yet, my life has not gone out of this body! What can my life gain

by sticking to this body?" Then, getting a little calmer, he said, "Here!

Hasten behind Rama! Take a fast chariot and go. My daughter-in-law can never

bear the heat of the sun. She will soon have blisters on those lotus petal

soles! Go! Go with the chariot!"

Bhajan: Rama Rama Rama Sita

Ramakatha RasavahiniThe Sweet Story of Rama's GloryOriginal in Telegu written by

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai BabaRendered into English by Professor N. Kasturi

Source: http://www.vahini.org/ramakatha/chapter13.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

 

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