Sai message for the day

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Kaikeyi had sent Rama to the wilderness on the eve of his

installation as the crown prince. What was Rama's attitude to her?

Generally, it would be one of hostility, wouldn't it?

 

Rama is the embodiment of Dharma, the embodiment of Tranquility.

Under no circumstance did he hate Kaikeyi. It was only after bowing

down at her feet that he left for the forest accompanied by Sita and

Lakshmana. Longing for the dars'an of Rama, Bharata too proceeded to

the forest, accompanied by feudatory kings, the army, citizens of

Ayodhya, and the sages. Falling at Rama's feet, he sought to be

pardoned, and prayed to Rama to return to Ayodhya and rule the

Kingdom. Kaikeyi stood pitiably to one side. Rama surveyed the

gathering. Right away Rama addressed Bharata with these

words: " Bharata! Has mother Kaikeyi arrived? Where is she? " Turning

to her, Rama bowed at her feet. Her words, like the prelude to a

great drama, had inaugurated the mission of the incarnation. Had she

not expressed her desire as she did, the events of the Ramayana would

not have taken place. She auspiciously initiated the work of the

Divine Master Plan. Rama, indeed, knew this. Then, what scope is

there for hostility and hatred?

 

Moreover, in this context, Rama had to uphold another dharma as well.

At the time of Kaikeyi's wedding with Dasaratha, her father, the king

of Kekaya had made known his desire: " O King Dasaratha! You have

contemplated marriage with my daughter, Kaikeyi, in order to have

progeny. Then, it is her son, who should become king, your successor,

shouldn't he? Is this acceptable to you? If your queens Kausalya or

Sumitra give birth to sons, Kaikeyi's son would lose the right to

kingship, wouldn't he? " King Dasaratha listened to this wish,

consulted Kausalya and Sumitra in the matter, apprised them of the

implications, and won their approval. Then, Kausalya

remarked: " Swami! After you had promised that Kaikeyi's son alone

would become king of Ayodhya, even if we were to conceive and give

birth to sons, they would never act contrary to their father's word

of honour. None assuredly would be born in our dynasty but those who

accept respectfully the fulfilment of their father's wishes. "

Accordingly, for Sri Ramachandra the practice of dharma and the

fulfilment of his father's wishes were supreme. Therefore, Kaikeyi's

wish is lawful and righteous. This was not unknown to Rama.