Ramakatha Rasavahini - Part 1 (Serial #17)

May 3, 2006

SaiRam

Chapter 4

The Sons

The children grew fast on the fond care of the mothers. But, one curious thing was noticed early. It was observed very soon that Lakshmana always sought Rama and Satrughna always sought Bharatha! Since the day of his birth, Lakshmana was always wailing! The nurses, the ayahs and others tried various remedies and palliatives; but nothing could alleviate his misery or stop his wail. Internal pain was suspected and medicines galore were tried. They were of no avail. So, Sumitra was certain that the child's pain was beyond the reach of drugs; she sent for the Preceptor Vasishta; she fell at His Feet as soon as he entered the room. 'Master', she appealed, 'this Lakshmana is weeping since birth, and clamouring for something I am not able to discover. I have consulted doctors and treated him, as advised. But. the wailing is increasing day by day; he does not relish even mother's milk! As for sleep, it is totally absent. How can he be healthy and hearty if he goes on

like this? Kindly tell me why he is behaving so, and bless him that he may give up this continuous wail'.

Vasishta thought within himself for a while. Then he said: "O Queen! His pain is unique and you are trying to cure it by familiar means and drugs! His yearning is beyond the ken of mortals to understand. Do as I tell you and the child will be quiet and happy. The moment you do so, the child will cease wailing and begin playing about with gusto. Take him now and lay him beside Rama, the child of Kausalya. This is the panacea". After this, Vasishta left, leaving his blessings on mother and child. Hearing his words, Sumitra took her child to where the other child was, in its cradle. She laid him by the side of Rama. From that very moment, the wailing stopped! Laughter and play began!

Those who saw this transformation took it as a great wonder! Lakshmana, who was until then suffering, began to prattle aloud in joy, kicking his feet about, waving his hands in glee, as fish do when they are thrown back into water, gliding gleefully along, in quick darts. He was in the presence of Rama, immersed in bliss and aware of the Grace Rama showered.

The story of Satrughna was also on similar lines. He was melancholic, averse to food and play. He appeared very weak and tired. Sumitra was worried at this development. So she invited the Preceptor to the palace and inquired from him the reason, Vasishta smiled again; he said, 'Mother! Your children are not of the common stamp. They are born to enact a Divine Drama! Place Satrughna on the same bed as Bharatha! Then his daily routine will be joyful. He will be extremely happy. You need not worry any more'. Vasishta blessed her and left. Sumitra followed his instructions immediately. Since then, Satrughna spent time in the company of Bharatha. The children were in unbounded bliss together; their progress was beyond measure! Like the splendour of the Sun, they grew in intelligence and glory from hour to hour.

Sumitra had nothing to do now for her children; but, since she loved her twins as her dear life, she spent some of her time with Kausalya and some with Kaika, fondling the children and attending to their needs. She moved from one Palace to the other and relished her chore as a maid caring for the comforts of children. "I am not destined to mother them", she sometimes pined in solitude. Often she wondered how this strange situation arose of her children being happy with those mothers and not with her.

At last, she went to the Preceptor and prayed to him to allay her anxiety. He laid bare the real reason: 'Mother! Lakshmana is a 'part' of Rama; Satrughna is a 'part' of Bharatha." Even as these words fell from his lips, Sumitra exclaimed, "Yes, Yes! I realize it now! I am glad I know from you the truth", and she fell at the Feet of Vasishta and left for the inner apartments.

She said to herself, "When the eagle carried away in its beak the precious gift or payasam (Divine food) given by the Divine Messenger, I was so frightened at the prospect of the King becoming angry at my negligence that I informed Kausalya and Kaika about the calamity; she poured out for me a share from her cup and the other sister poured out another share from her own cup; so, I alone of the queens had twins, as a result of the twin shares I consumed! 0, the will of God is mysterious. It is beyond any one to know His might and majesty. Who can alter His decree?"

"Yes", she consoled herself, "I bore them for nine months; I went through the pangs of delivery. But, their real mothers are Kausalya and Kaika, there is no doubt". She was confirmed in this belief and she gladly entrusted her children to Kausalya and Kaika, and joined them in fondling and fostering them.

(Chapter 4 To be continued..)

SaiRam.