Ramakatha Rasavahini, Chapter 18 - Sandals enthroned

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Chapter 18Sandals enthroned

 

On the sixth day of their stay, Bharatha called together, after the morning

rites, bath and devotional ceremonies like the worship of the Dawn, his brother

Satrughna and his own aides and followers. He watched for a favourable moment to

accost Rama and when he found one, he rose suddenly from his seat and mustered

sufficient courage to lay himself prostrate at his feet. Standing in front of

him with his palms folded, Bharatha prayed thus: "O, Mark of Auspiciousness on

the brow of the Royal Ikshvaku line! You have fulfilled my desires in every

way. On my account, you have determined to suffer miseries of all kinds. You

are undergoing all types of troubles for my sake. Lord! I am awaiting your

commands. For fourteen years, I shall be awaiting your return and serving you

in the kingdom. Show me the path

by which I can feast my eyes on your Lotus Feet when the period of exile ends.

Teach me the courage I need to survive these fourteen years of separation.

Rama! Your subjects, their families, the people residing in the vast Empire,

the Brahmins, the Pundits -- all are spiritually earnest; they are bound to you

by feelings of reverential devotion. They are bearing the pangs of misery buoyed

up by the love you bear unto them. I care not even for the attainment of

self-realization if, to attain it, I am separated from you. You are aware of

the inner feelings of your servants; you know their deepest desires. You can

guide me and lead me to the goal, here and hereafter. This conviction is the

sustenance and strength on which I exist. On account of this conviction, I

treat all this agony as just shriveled blades of grass. Till now I elaborated

before you my sorrow as if they were burdening my head. That was a failing on

my part; do not hesitate to reprimand me for this

fault."

Hearing this, the gathering hailed his statements and expressed their

appreciation. As the Hamsa, Celestial Swan, is able to separate the milk from

the water which is mixed with it and drink just the milk, so, they said,

Bharatha had separated the Truth from untruth and given expression to the Truth

alone.

Rama, compassionate towards the distressed, listened to those words poured from

the pure heart of his brother. Rama replied thus, in conformity with the place,

the time and the circumstance: "Brother! For you who reside at home, and for us

who reside in the forest, there is the One who fosters all, to foster and fend.

You have in a worldly practical sense, the Perceptor Vasishta and the Emperor

Janaka as guardians and guides. No trouble can bother either you or me, even in

our dreams; no, it can never happen. The highest duty for us is to carry out

strictly the commands of our father; that alone can confer on us all the good

we long for; that alone can enable us to earn lasting renown. That path is the

one approved by the Vedas. The Vedas declare that whoever reveres the commands

of the preceptor, the father and the mother and walks on the right path, is the

noble example for all.

"Be ever aware of this truth; throw away the shroud of grief; take up the burden

of Empire; rule over it for 14 years with justice and rectitude as your ideals.

The King is the face of the State. For, the face eats and drinks and thus

strengthens and activates all the limbs of the body. The King feeds and

sustains every section of his people. The mind encloses within itself all likes

and dislikes; so too, the King is the repository of all moves and movements in

the political field". Rama expounded many a useful doctrine of political ethics

to Bharatha. But, Bharatha was too agitated to earn mental peace as a result of

Rama's advice. The mothers, teachers, and ministers stood benumbed, for they

too were overcome by the imminence of the moment of parting. Suddenly, Rama in

his infinite Graciousness loosened his sandals and gave them to Bharatha. And,

Bharatha reverentially accepted them in his palms and placed them in his head.

Tears streamed from his eyes,

like the twin rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna.

Bharatha could not express his joy in words. "These are not the 'sandals' worn

by the Ocean of Mercy! These are the guardians of the lives and prosperity of

all mankind. These are the chests enclosing the precious treasure of Rama's

brotherly love. They are the protecting doors of the fort which enshrines the

royal fame of the Raghu clan. These are two hands that are ever engaged in good

deeds. These are the veritable eyes of the Universe. These are the symbols of

Sita and Rama who are coming with us as these two".

Bharatha extolled the 'sandals' thuswise and danced around them in sheer joy and

thankfulness. All present fell at the feet of Rama and acknowledged the

sublimity of Rama's Grace.

Bharatha prostrated before Rama and prayed that he might grant him permission to

leave. Rama appreciated the spirit of contentment with which he welcomed the

'sandals'; he drew Bharatha near and embraced him fast and firm with great

affection and delight. Satrughna also fell at Rama's feet; Rama embraced him

with great affection and he communicated to him also many a directive for

ruling the kingdom and carrying out the duties devolving on him. Consider

Bharatha as Rama himself, he told him. "Be his support and counsel and help him

to establish peace and prosperity in the Empire".

Then, Bharatha and Satrughna embraced Lakshmana in fraternal love, saying,

"Brother! Your luck is indeed great. Yours is the best of luck. In all worlds

there is none so fortunate as you." They praised Lakshmana to their hearts'

content and took permission to depart. Lakshmana too called them near and told

them that the 'sandals' of Rama are the springs of all varieties of

auspiciousness and so, they, who have won that gift, were indeed more fortunate

than any. He advised them to act worthy of the gift and earn the Grace of Rama

forever. "That is your duty now", he reminded them.

Later the brothers proceeded to where Sita was and fell at her feet. On seeing

her, they could not contain their grief; they burst into sobs. She consoled

them softly and sweetly in various ways. "Is there naught else than the armour

of Rama that can protect any one in the world? You are indeed blessed. The

fourteen years will roll by as swift as fourteen seconds, and the Empire will

smile in plenty and peace with the return of Rama. Carry on the administration

with patience and devotion; don't deviate a little from the guidelines he has

marked out. By this rigorous obedience you will be able to secure the fruits of

your desires."

Then the brothers, Bharatha and Satrughna, went straight to Emperor Janaka and

fell at his feet in exemplary reverence and said, "Lord! You have such

compassion on us that you came to Ayodhya when you heard about the death of our

father and of the exile of Rama in the forest. You observed our plight with your

own eyes and comforted us during those critical days. You gave us appropriate

advice to resuscitate ourselves. In order to fulfill your inner desire, you

subjected yourself to all this strain and trouble, coming over here into this

jungle. You have shared with us our grief and contributed your valuable part in

the pleading we made to Rama to persuade him to return. When those pleadings

failed, you consoled us and taught us to bear the disappointment and distress,

and enriched us with your blessings. We offer our reverential gratitude. What

more can we say or do? Your blessings are the most effective reinforcements we

require". Janaka listened to

these words uttered so sincerely and so thankfully by the two brothers. He

appreciated their reactions and feelings, their character and conduct; he drew

them near himself and he lovingly caressed them and stroked their heads.

He said, "Sons! May you walk along the path laid down by Rama and may you

thereby win his Grace. I am proceeding to Mithila straight from here". The

ministers, feudatory rulers, Brahmins, sages, ascetics, and others who had come

with the brothers, went one after another towards Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, and

falling at their feet, they took leave of them and turned their faces homeward,

their hearts heavy with a sense of gloom. Sita, Rama and Lakshmana went to where

the mothers were and prostrated before them. They consoled them, saying, "Do not

worry in the least. Be engaged in the correct performance of your duties and

responsibilities. Have before you ever the wishes and ideals that father has

laid before us". As for themselves, they said they would be spending happily

and peacefully the period of fourteen years as a quick span of fourteen

seconds, and returning joyfully to Ayodhya. These words restored the spirits of

the queens.

They fell at the feet of Kaikeyi and told her that she had not an iota of

responsibility for the exile of Rama into the forest and that she was ever

worthy of their reverence and worship. She had never intended any harm, they

said. They assured her that they would ever pray for her; they pleaded with her

that she should not have the least worry over them in the forest. They gave her

a great deal of courage to bear her burden of repentance. "Bharatha had spoken

rashly and impertinently, in a fit of senseless fury, when he was suddenly

confronted with the two calamities: the death of his father and exile of his

brother. He flew into a passion, for his blood boiled at the person he imagined

was responsible for these events. He did not even care for the fact that you

were his mother!" Rama, Sita and Lakshmana prayed that she should not blame

Bharatha for that incident; they begged her to pardon Bharatha for the

indiscretion.

While Rama was speaking thus, Kaikeyi was downcast with shame at the memory of

her iniquity. She could not look Rama in the face. She felt within herself,

"Alas, that I should be the cause of inflicting so much misery and suffering on

this son endowed with a heart of compassion and a mind full of virtues, a son

who is unalloyed gold, nothing less. Am I not the reason for him to spend his

years in this terrifying jungle? O, what a devilish deed did I perpetrate? But,

did I do it on my own? Or, was it Rama that willed the turn of events through my

instrumentality? Whatever the truth, I cannot escape; I have committed the

gravest sin".

Kaikeyi was overcome with sorrow over the irrevocable past; she held both hands

of Sita in her grasp and petitioned for pardon. Soon, she added, "No. No. It is

not just that you pardon a sinner who brought about such unbearable travail on

such a pure and tender woman." She continued to lament her misfortune for long.

Every one who had come from Ayodhya took leave of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana as

and when they could get the chance. Afterwards, they ascended their chariots in

due order.

Sita, Rama and Lakshmana approached each chariot before it left and consoled and

comforted each occupant and persuaded them to leave. Sita, Rama and Lakshmana

fell at the feet of the Preceptor, and apologized to him, saying that they had

caused him and his consort a lot of trouble; they expressed sorrow that they

could not serve them as well as they wished to, and as their duty demanded.

Then they asked permission to stay back.

Vasishta was of course a Brahmajnani and a Maharshi; so he could know the inner

feelings of Sita and others. He appreciated the devotion and humility of the

brothers and Sita and their strict adherence to the path of Dharma. Vasishta

and his consort could not leave the presence of Rama, for they were so attached

to the virtues he embodied. The picture of those three standing by the side of

the jungle track with folded palms, bidding adieu to each passing chariot and

the people inside, melted the most adamantine heart. Vasishta and his consort,

Arundhati, were very much moved at the sight of their large hearted sympathy.

Then, Rama saw the chieftain of the Nishadas standing before him, amidst his

followers. He went forward to him and extending his arms, he embraced him, more

warmly than when he clasped to his bosom his own brother. He consoled Guha, with

affectionate appeals to calm himself and persuaded him to accept the separation

wisely. Guha could not do anything to change the turn of events; so he fell at

the feet of Rama, and rose with a heavy heart, and walked off, with his eyes

fixed on Rama for as long as he could catch sight of that picture of charm.

Sita, Rama and Lakshmana stood under a spreading tree, until the last of them

left. Meanwhile, Emperor Janaka also prepared to leave, at the head of his

party, for Mithila. Rama and Lakshmana prostrated before their father-in-law

and mother-in-law; Sita fell at the feet of her parents. The parents embraced

her and stroked her head in fond tenderness. They said, "Daughter! Your

courageous determination and your devotion towards your husband will bring us

great renown. Through you, our family and clan have been rendered holy. We must

have accomplished some great vow and fulfilled some great austerity or else you

would not have been born in lour line". They extolled her in profuse terms and

expressed their joy and exultation. They assured her, "Sita! You can suffer no

want; Rama is the breath of your existence. We know that since you live in his

shade, no harm can touch you. However, as a result of you two being different

entities, problems and

perplexities might now and then confront you. Those are but the play of destiny,

just passing clouds". Janaka presented before them many Vedantic truths to bring

them comfort and contentment. Then, he too left the hermitage and took the track

that led him out of the forest.

Sita, Rama and Lakshmana stood in the shade of that tree, until the people from

both Ayodhya and Mithila went beyond the range of their eyes. Then, they

returned to their thatched cottage, and there, while Rama was describing with

appreciative ardour, the devotion and faith of Bharatha and Satrughna, their

exemplary love and loyalty, and the affectionate attachment of the subjects of

the Empire, Sita and Lakshmana listened attentively and echoed the same

sentiments. Their hearts felt sore at their departure; they would fain have

liked their presence longer. Often during the talk, they remembered the death

of Dasaratha and tears rolled down their cheeks as they recalled the Emperor's

affection towards them. Seeing their plight Rama's face was lit up with a

smile; he expatiated on the mystery of life and the key to its unraveling.

Thus, they spent that eventful day, in the silence of that sylvan retreat.

Meanwhile, the stream of people emerging from the edge of the forest towards the

populated areas near Ayodhya -- the ascetics, the sages, the Brahmins, the

brothers Bharatha and Satrughna, the queens Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, the

ministers and the vast mass of citizens -- could not contain the burden of

sorrow, which became heavier the farther they went, and the nearer they

approached the City. They spent the time describing to each other the events of

the five days they had spent in Rama's presence, and admiring the ideals that

Rama had embodied and exemplified and his love, compassion and affection. They

did not halt anywhere for food or even for sleep, since they felt neither

hunger nor the prompting of sleep. Sorrow at the separation had overwhelmed and

put to flight all minor insufficiencies.

The second day, they encountered the mighty Ganga river; the Chieftain of the

Nishadas arranged boats to row them across and also prepared plentiful repast

for the tired populace and for the distinguished persons from the Court. But,

no one partook of the hospitality he provided, for their grief at having come

away from Sita, Rama and Lakshmana lay too heavy on their hearts. Unable to

displease Guha and unwilling to wound him, they just sat before the plates,

fingered the items and getting up soon, threw the contents away. Why? Even the

horses had no wish to feed. They just refused. Vasishta, the Royal Preceptor

noticed this, and he said, "See! Rama is the inner Resident, the Atma that is

in all; He is the Intelligence, the Awareness that marks out each Being".

They had no inclination to turn aside in order to snatch a few hours of rest.

Bharatha had resolved to travel straight to Ayodhya and not delay on the way.

He was anxious to present before the citizens pining in Ayodhya the holy

sandals of Rama, and bring them some little comfort and courage. So the party

forded the Gomathi and the Sarayu rivers and reached the outskirts of Ayodhya,

on the fourth day of their journey.

The aged, the children and the women of Ayodhya who could not join the vast

assembly that marched to the place where Rama had fixed his camp, were watching

for the signs of their happy return, after accomplishing their mission, namely,

persuading Rama to take up the reins of rulership. Their eyes had well nigh

gone blind, with exhaustion and extreme anxiety. When they heard the distant

whirr of chariot wheels, they ran out into the streets and peered into the

passing vehicles, asking "Where is our Lord?" But, since dusk soon thickened

into darkness, they went back into their homes, and spent the night in joyous

hope that they could see their beloved Prince, with the first rays of the

rising sun. Vast disappointment not unmixed with a little satisfaction awaited

them next morning, for, they learnt that Rama did not return to the Capital

from the forest, but had sent instead, the Sandals he wore, as his

representative.

Meanwhile, Bharatha called together the Royal Perceptor and the Ministers of the

Court and assigned to them the various duties of administration. He entrusted

them with the authority to perform their duties. He then called Satrughna near

and allotted to him the task of fostering and consoling the queen-mothers. He

arranged a gathering of Brahmins and Pundits, and standing before them with

folded palms, he told them that he would fulfill their wishes, whether great or

small, for he knew they would only promote the best interests of himself and the

people. He wanted that they should place their demands before him without

hesitation.

He also called for a gathering of the citizens of Ayodhya and the leaders of the

people from all parts of the Empire and he described before them all that had

happened in the Capital and at the place where Rama was living in exile. He

gave them a summary of the conversations he had with Rama, and appealed to them

to adore and revere the Sandals of Rama for the period of fourteen years when

Rama would be away, as the authentic Presence of Rama himself. "They will guard

us all, they are our refuge and resource", he said. "In the full confidence that

the sandals are ruling over us, let us", he said, "live with Rama installed in

our hearts; after his return, Rama will rule over us directly, granting us the

joy of his physical presence and direction. Our duty from this moment is to

wait for that happy day, with prayer in our hearts".

Then, Bharatha decided on an auspicious hour, when the Sacred Sandals could be

installed on the throne, for, he had the joy of all classes of the population

in view, the Royal Preceptor, the Pundits, the ascetics, the priests, the

ministers and others of the Court, the leaders of the people and the common

ranks of citizens. He saw to it that arrangements were made on a grand scale to

celebrate the event.

That day, he prostrated before the mothers, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi and

then proceeded tot he Throne with the Sandals borne on his head. Praying for

the blessings of Vasishta and permission from him and all those assembled, he

placed them on the throne, offering them reverential loyalty. He placed all his

responsibilities safely in their custody.

Later, that steadfast adherent of Dharma, that incomparable hero, Bharatha

walked towards the village of Nandigrama, where he had a thatched hut made

ready for his residence. He wore his hair braided into a knot, as Rama and

Lakshmana had done; his apparel was made of the bark of trees, as theirs was;

he lived in a cave specially dug into the earth. His food and dress were the

same as those of the ascetics of the forest; his acts, thoughts and words too

were austere and spiritually oriented.

Bharatha renounced the luxurious life of Ayodhya which Indra, the Ruler of

Heaven praised, as unattainable by Him; he gave up the rich life of the Royal

Palace, which even Kubera, the God of Riches envied. He was happy in that tiny

village, living unseen by others, inside the 'grass-thatched' hut! He vowed

that he would not look at the face of any one until Rama returned from exile.

His mind was fixed on Rama and on the day of his return from the forest into

which He had gone. His body became weaker with every passing day. But, the

spiritual splendour on his face brightened more and more with the passage of

time. His devotion to Rama grew to vaster and vaster proportions. He was

transformed into a pure soul that has achieved fulfillment. In the firmament of

his heart, the stars shone in glorious galaxies; below them, his feelings and

emotions shone like

the Ocean of Milk, calm, deep and pure.

Krishna Bhajan: Srî Vaishnava PranâmaText Bhajan

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/chapter18.htmlVahini.org: 'Vahini' Books

written by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

 

 

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