RAMAKATHA RASAVAHINI – PART – 9

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Om Sri Sai Ram

 

RAMAKATHA RASAVAHINI – PART – 9

 

The Rama Story, Stream of Sacred Sweetness

As told by the Divine Lord Himself in the present Avatar as Bhagawan

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

Entering 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 stepmother 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, Vasishtha 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 Vasishtha 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 Vasishtha 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 Splendor. 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

Vasishtha 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 doorstep of the Royal Gate, Rama once again prostrated

before Sage Vasishtha, 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.

 

Then, he distributed largesse 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 endeavored 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! "

 

Chapter 14

Into the forest

 

" SUMANTHRA! " Dasaratha said, " My Ramachandra is an unshakable hero;

he will not turn back. His resolution cannot be shaken or suppressed

by any one. Efforts made for modifying it will be futile; and, we

will only be causing him distress by our attempts. Besides, Rama is

an unswerving adherent of Truth. Do not delay, for if even a little

time is spent in getting the chariot ready, you may miss his trail.

My subjects cannot bear the sight of Rama walking along the royal

roads of Ayodhya. Go, go! "

 

The Emperor hurried him out, with the words, " Carry with you in that

chariot, a few hampers of food and a few weapons and give them over.

Sumanthra! I forgot to tell you this. Plead as strongly as you can,

mention also that I told you to pray that Sita be directed to return

to Ayodhya. Take them into the chariot, and let them go with you some

distance towards the forest. Go into the forest along with them, for,

if Sita is frightened at the sight of the jungle, and you become

aware of her fear, immediately ask Rama for orders, and pray Sita,

the tender Princess of Mithila, to return to Ayodhya, bringing to her

mind that it is also my wish. Tell her that, if she cannot agree to

stay in Ayodhya, the Emperor will arrange to send her to her father,

Janaka " . Dasaratha repeated these words often, and laden with grief

at the pictures they evoked, he lost consciousness and rolled on the

ground.

 

Rising soon, he exclaimed, in great distress, " Sumanthra! Why waste

words and time? Bring my Rama, Lakshmana and Sita before me now; let

me have a look at all three. Decide on doing that, and make me

happy. " Then, he plaintively- requested Sumanthra, " Go fast, don't

delay, take the chariot to where they are and drive the vehicle as

far as it is possible for it to proceed, to the spot beyond which it

cannot go. Perhaps, it may be possible to journey in a chariot for

three or four days. At the end of that period, let them alight; stand

there watching them, until they move beyond the reach of your eyes,

before you turn back to bring me the news of their health and safety.

Now, go. Don't stay near me. Go. " Dasaratha asked the Minister to

hasten.

 

Bowing his head in acceptance of the Emperor's order, Sumanthra fell

at his feet and got the chariot ready. He caught up with Sita, Rama

and Lakshmana, who were going along the City roads on foot; he told

them what the Emperor had spoken to him; he had them seated inside

the chariot; then, he drove off in the direction of the forest. On

both sides of the Royal Road, masses of citizens were weeping and

wailing, and Sumanthra tried to exhort them to control their

emotions, and be calm. They crossed the City limits and moved a

little distance further. The populace from the Capital ran behind the

chariot, all in one panic-stricken mass, raising clouds of dust that

reached the high heavens. There was no sign of road or ground; It was

one vast plain of distraught humanity. Old men, women, men young and

strong, Brahmins, all with one voice, screamed amidst sobs, " Rama!

Rama! Take us with you! Don't leave us behind! " The streets of

Ayodhya were empty; the City was as silent as a City in sleep.

Darkness fell, like a heavy weight, on every roof.

 

Some men and women who could not travel stood like stumps, helpless

on the road. Many bolted doors and spent the days suffering utmost

anguish; avoiding food and drink, rolling on the floor, in whatever

place they were when Rama left. Some awaited the return of Rama at

nightfall, hoping that he might be induced by compassion to come back

to his beloved people.

 

Meanwhile, Dasaratha had himself seated in a chariot! He shouted

aloud, " Rama! Rama! ... Sumanthra! Sumanthra! Stop that chariot! I

will look at the treasure of my Love, just once. " He quickened the

pace of the horses and came faster and faster. The mass of citizens

following Rama was caught between his chariot and the chariot of the

Emperor, and many of them were so exhausted that they fell on the

ground. When they saw a chariot passing by with speed, they raised

their heads to find out whether Rama was returning seated in it; they

rose and tried to stop it, to have a glimpse of Rama, their beloved

Prince. But, when the groans of Dasaratha fell on their ears, they

too broke into sobs; they allowed the chariot to pass pleading

pathetically, " O King! Go soon, go and bring back our Ramachandra! "

 

Dasaratha saw the chariot of Rama speeding along the sand dunes

outside the City, and, he cried out, " Sumanthra! Sumanthra! Rein in.

Stop " , and himself commanded his charioteer to speed up. Sumanthra

cast his glance back and espied the chariot following his. He told

Rama, " Ramachandra! Father Dasaratha is behind us; I feel it is best

to stop for a while and find out what his orders are. " Rama too saw

the huge muss of citizens, and the chariot carrying his father, fast

hastening behind him. He knew that if he stopped now, they would

surround him and break into un controllable grief, that those who sat

exhausted on the sides of the road would rise and race, impelled by a

new hope, and so, it would be only an act of greater cruelty on his

part, for he would be giving them hopes without any benefit. It will

also injure the realization of his promise. If the subjects witness

the wailing of Dasaratha, it will bring him down in their estimation.

Weighing all these considerations in his mind he told Sumanthra who

was his charioteer, that there was no need to stop the vehicle. He

said, it was best that he drove it even faster. At this, Sumanthra

prayed, with folded palms, " Rama! I have been ordered to be with you

for four days only. After that period, I have to return to Ayodhya,

haven't I? On seeing me, he will certainly reprimand me for not

stopping the chariot, as commanded by him. What shall I tell him in

reply? Kindly keep me with you, throughout all the years of exile in

the forest. I shall deem my life well and happily lived if I am

allowed to be in the forest with you. If you agree, I shall not stop;

I shall drive as fast as you wish. Kindly communicate your order on

this " .

 

Rama thought about the problem presented by Sumanthra and its

implications. He said, " Sumanthra! He, who ordered you to get into

the chariot and take us in it, right into the forest, as far as it

could negotiate, was your Master, the Emperor. He who now follows

this chariot, weeping and pleading with you to stop, is Dasaratha.

You have to listen to and obey the command of the Emperor, not the

orders of Dasaratha. You are the Minister of the country, of its

Ruler; not of an individual named Dasaratha. As individuals, between

us, there is the bond of affection that ties the son to his father.

But, as Emperor, he has imperial authority over you and me, equally.

Your loyalty and my loyalty towards him are the same. You have to

carry out your Duty. When Dasaratha chastises you for not giving ear

to the request he is now making, tell him that you did not hear him;

it is not wrong to say so. " And, Rama asked him to drive faster,

without caring to stop the chariot.

 

Sumanthra drank in with avidity the nectar of moral analysis that

Rama had vouchsafed to convince him. When Dasaratha saw that Rama was

driving on, he stopped his vehicle, and turned back towards Ayodhya,

moaning his lot, and wailing aloud. The people, however, followed the

chariot, undaunted by physical exhaustion, urged on by their

determination to hold on to their beloved Rama. Some of them who were

ready to sacrifice their life for him and die in their effort to

reach him, trudged along, breathless and broken, their feet devotedly

stepping on the track left by the chariot in which he sat. Rama saw

those subjects of the realm trekking behind him, drawn by the Love

they bore towards him; he was filled with compassion. He stopped the

chariot, and spoke to them sweet and soft words that touched their

hearts. He discoursed on the various moral aspects of the situation,

and pleaded with them to return to Ayodhya.

 

They replied that separation from him was unbearable agony for them

that they could not reside even for a moment in an Ayodhya wherein

Rama was absent and that they were prepared to die in the forest

rather than live in Ayodhya! While many among them asserted thus, the

younger among them declared that a City wherefrom the Divinity of

Dharma had disappeared was more horrible than the jungle, and that

they could not live in such a frightful place. The forest where you

reside is the Ayodhya for us, they said. Do not be worried in the

least, about our exhaustion or our travail. Observe your vow, your

duty as you have resolved; we too shall observe our vow. You have

decided to honour the wish of your father as a sacred duty; we, too,

have a sacred duty, to honor the wish of the Rama in our hearts, the

Atma Rama, our Master, the Authority we loyally revere. We will not

falter in our resolution. We will not return. Death alone can defeat

us, " they announced, amidst sobs and tears of despair.

 

The compassionate heart of Rama melted at those words of love and

loyalty. Sita shed tears in streams. Lakshmana watched the upsurge of

devotion rising from the common people of the realm; his eyes turned

red with anger, his tongue was tied with emotion, when he thought of

Kaikeyi, the stepmother, who did not have even an iota of this

sentiment towards Rama. He sat on the ground, his head heavy with sad

thoughts

 

Rama felt that it was best to persuade them, by whatever means, to

return home. He consoled them, sympathized with them, and reminded

them of the rites and rituals they had to perform every day and the

consequences of non-observance. He described the horrors of forest

life and the handicaps they would encounter when trying to live there

as hitherto, and advised them to perform the rites and rituals

correctly and without break, so that his years of exile may pass off

quick and smooth; they would be helping him to spend his exile in

peace and joy, and to return to Ayodhya at the proper time, fresh and

fine.

 

The Brahmin youths present before him could not be convinced by these

arguments! Rama pleaded with them, saying: " Your aged parents will

miss your devoted service; it is wrong to leave them unaided and

alone " . At this, they said, " Rama! Our aged parents are so weak and

dispirited that they cannot follow you to the very forest; they came

thus far and turned back, pouring their mental anguish in streams of

tears. They have directed us to follow you, and be with you, for,

they said, 'we are too weak; you are strong and young; Go! Serve Rama

on our behalf'. Those aged people are distressed more because you are

away from Ayodhya than because we are away from them. They will be

happy that their sons are with Rama, a fortune they could not enjoy.

Take us with you for this reason at least, to shower joy on those

aged people " . Praying thus, they fell at the feet of Rama and wept.

 

Rama was struck silent at this sincere expression of love and

reverence. He was thrilled by the spirit of renunciation of these

young men, which he felt was grander even than his own renunciation

of the throne. His joy was not unmixed with a sense of pride at being

surpassed by his subjects in filial piety. Darkness descended on the

earth, while the pleadings and rejections were going on. So, Rama

asked them to take rest and refreshments for the night, rather than

trek back in the darkness.

 

In order to encourage them to do so Rama bathed in the Thamasa River,

which flowed by, partook of a meal of roots, tubers and fruits, and

rested awhile. The people who had followed him over long distances

were so tired physically that after the meal, they fell into deep

undisturbable sleep.

 

Rama knew that, on waking, they will all insist on accompanying him;

so, he woke Sumanthra up and directed him to get the chariot ready

without the least noise and drive the vehicle so that its track may

not be recognized. Sumanthra recognized that there was no other way;

he drove so that the tracks were confusingly complex, and even gave

faint indications that the chariot had turned towards Ayodhya itself!

After skillfully laying these tracks, he drove forward in the

direction of the forest.

 

The new day dawned! The citizens of Ayodhya rose and looked around.

There were no signs of the Royal Chariot! Nor were Sita, Rama, or

Lakshmana in evidence. They were thrust into deep agony; they aroused

the sleeping; they sought to trace the wheel marks on the ground.

They ran wildly in all directions, seeking to spot the vehicle.

 

One among them said, " Brothers! Rama saw how tired we were, how we

were sleeping out of sheer exhaustion; so, He left this place without

taking us with Him. " Then they started blaming each other, for

showing signs of exhaustion and inducing Rama to leave them and go

alone. Others condemned themselves as inferior to fish; for, they

said: " Fish cannot live without water, but, we are alive, though Rama

has left us stranded " . " Fie, fie, on our lives " , they cursed. " We

have brought on ourselves this separation from the Person dearest to

us. Why are we not bringing upon ourselves Death, which will end

sorrow, they moaned. But soon, they felt that since the Atma (Self)

in them is Rama, the act of Atma-Hathya (Self-destruction) was

unthinkable. It was also not a meritorious act. And, suicide can

succeed only when one's destiny is to die by one's own hand! So,

another among them suggested that they could pray to Destiny to

sanction that kind of end for them all.

 

They got involved in these pathetic discussions and doubts. They were

anxious to decide soon on the next step they had to take. Before

long, someone announced that the tracks left by the wheel, were

traced. It was good news indeed! For, the tracks showed that the

Chariot had proceeded towards Ayodhya! They followed the track for

some distance; but soon, they could not be seen any longer. They had

faded out. It became impossible to guess what had happened; so, they

returned to the City, their thoughts all in a mess.

 

Many consoled themselves, saying that Rama would certainly return to

the Palace, for he had seen their plight and his heart was full of

compassion towards the broken hearted. Rama would return before the

lapse of two or three days, they said. The women entered on various

vows and types of worship in order to propitiate the gods to persuade

Rama to return to his subjects.

 

People lived thereafter like Chakravaka birds, which have no lotuses

to live on, since the Sun is absent and lotuses would not bloom

without its warmth.

 

While the people were suffering thus, Sita, Rama and Lakshmana

reached the outskirts of the town of Sringivera, with Minister

Sumanthra. Rama noticed the river Ganga, and immediately directed

Sumanthra to stop the chariot. He alighted and prostrated on the bare

ground before the Stream of Holiness. Sita and Lakshmana as well as

Sumanthra got down and did likewise. Rama told the others that Ganga

was the source of all the wealth and prosperity, all the peace and

plenty that shone around. Ganga gave all beings Supreme Bliss and the

highest spiritual boons. Then they decided to bathe in the Holy

Waters.

 

Rama directed Lakshmana to find some place where Sita could get down

from the bank to where she could safely take bath. The banks of the

river were soft and slushy in the jungle area; so, Lakshmana chose a

spot, which he reinforced by placing stones and rocks so that she

could descend safely and ascend in comfort after her ablutions. He

prayed to Sita, the Mother, to use that temporary ghat for her bath.

She took great care, while stepping down; and before she entered the

river, she too prostrated to the Goddess Ganga. Lakshmana went into

the jungle to gather some edible fruits so that Rama and Sita could

recoup, with some food, after bath. He offered them, reverentially,

and they partook of them.

 

Meanwhile, a few boatmen could be seen collected there. Their eyes

fell on the Royal Chariot, as well as on the princely forms of Sita,

Rama and Lakshmana. They inferred that they must have arrived at that

place on a picnic. So, they hastened to their chieftain, Guha, and

informed him that some Royal Visitors were near. Guha sent a

messenger to inquire and ascertain who they were and what their

purpose was, in the forest, by the shore of the Ganga.

 

He brought back the information that they were none other than the

sons of Emperor Dasaratha, and that the Princess was Sita herself,

and that the Royal Minister, Sumanthra, accompanied them. Guha felt

that the supremely delightful moments should not be enjoyed alone! He

informed his kinsmen and comrades and friends that the great Prince,

Rama, had come to the Ganga with his brother and wife. He collected

fruits and flowers in plenty, and the entire party proceeded in

reverential humility towards the Ganga. Guha placed the fruit and

flower offerings at the feet of the Royal Visitors, and fell at the

feet of Rama. His kinsmen and friends also prostrated before Rama.

 

Watching the joy that thrilled them, Rama called Guha near and

inquired of him how they fared and whether they were all happy and

peaceful. He asked the chieftain Guha how far his administration was

helping the community to prosper. Guha answered, " Lord, Rama-Chandra!

Beholding your Feet, we have all derived limitless Ananda. We

achieved this great good luck only through the merit accumulated by

us, by good deeds in the past. Or else, can we, who spend our days in

this inaccessible forest, ever hope to be blessed by your visit and

the Darshan of your Lotus Feet? From now on, this region is certain

to enjoy plenty and peace, for your Feet have trodden this soil.

There can be no doubt on this, the transformation is bound to happen. "

 

Lakshmana, Sita and Sumanthra noted the sincere expression of his joy

and the tears of Ananda. They were astonished at his devotion,

humility and wisdom. Meanwhile, Guha held fast the Feet of Rama and

said, " Lord! All this is yours; all the riches, territory, and

authority that I have as Chieftain, as well as all my subjects are

yours. They are awaiting your commands; they are at your disposal,

usable for your purposes, your services, I am your servant. Accept me

as such, accept all that I am offering and enter the City where we

dwell. "

 

When Rama heard this prayer, he smiled and replied, " Guha! You are a

staunch devotee; you are deeply virtuous. Your heart is very pure.

But listen, I have to roam the forest as an exile, wearing the

habiliments of a hermit, in obedience to the command of my father. I

should not step into a town or city. I must take only the food

prescribed for monks engaged in austerities. I have to live in

accordance with regulations laid down for ascetics doing Thapas. For

these reasons, I am unable to fulfill the wish that you have

expressed now. "

 

Hearing these words, Guha was stricken with sorrow. The large

gathering of people who had come there from the city, Sringivera,

whispered among themselves about the divine charm of Rama, Sita and

Lakshmana. One of them wondered how the parents of those lovely

brothers and that angelic lady could possibly exile them into the

forest. " How could their tongues ever pronounce such a sentence? " At

this, another retorted, " Keep quiet, you fool! Those parents have

really done good. Had they not spoken that sentence, we could not

have feasted our eyes on their Divine Forms. This day, our eyes are

enjoying a rare festival. " This filled many with satisfaction and

joy. The Nishada tribesmen who comprised the gathering spoke among

themselves words of worshipful admiration of the royal visitors. They

extolled the beauty, the tenderness, the soft sweet natures of Sita,

of Rama and Lakshmana.

 

Guha was immersed in sorrow that he had lost the fortune of welcoming

Rama into the capital City of the Nishadas, whose chieftain he was.

He felt that even if the City, was 'seen' by Rama, even if his eyes

glanced at it once, it would be blessed with peace and prosperity for

ever; so, he suggested that Rama should walk up towards a gigantic

but gorgeous Simsupa tree that grew near by and Rama agreed. Guha

knew that Rama's eye had fallen on the City from that spot. He was

pleased at the thought. Rama too was happy when he saw the City from

a distance. He allowed the Nishadas to touch his feet and directed

that they should return to their homes, since nightfall was imminent.

 

Then Rama went through the holy rites that had to be observed at

dusk. Meanwhile, Guha gathered quantities of soft grass and tender

leaves, and prepared soft beds. He sent his subjects to collect

tubers and fruits, tasty and fresh, from the trees and creepers of

the forest, and to bring them packed in leaves, for being offered to

the distinguished visitors. Sita, Rama and Lakshmana as well as

Sumanthra partook of the frugal meal, and retired for rest and sleep.

 

Sita slept on the soft bed of grass. Lakshmana sat at the Feet of

Rama, in order to massage them tenderly, to relieve the tension of

exertion. Rama realized that Lakshmana would continue the service, so

long as he appeared to be awake; he desired to induce him to take

rest; so, he pretended as if he had gone into deep sleep. At this

Lakshmana feared that any further pressing of the feet might disturb

the sleep, and he quietly slipped into the distance. There, he sat in

the 'hero' posture, so that he could gaze intently at the four

directions, and recognize at once any wild animal approaching the

spot, or any demon or demonic person bent upon disturbing the sleep

of Rama; he was all attention and vigilance.

 

Seeing this, Guha too instructed his faithful lieutenants to guard

the area and ensure that nothing happened to disturb the sleep of

Rama. He put on his shoulder the pouch of arrows, and holding the bow

in readiness, sat near Lakshmana, eager to share his vigil.

 

Guha, his eyes filled with tears, held his palms folded before him,

and asked him, " Lakshmana! The Palace of Emperor Dasaratha is, I

guess, grander and more magnificent than the Divine Mansion of the

Ruler of the Gods, Indra. In that Palace, everything is charming and

beautiful; everywhere there is fragrance and sweetness; soft feather

beds and lamps embossed with precious gems, add to the grandeur and

comfort of the palace. There, the beds have sheets light and white

like froth on fresh milk, and pillows to match. Sita and Rama who

used to sleep on such luxurious beds are now lying on a grassy heap,

with no coverlet or pillow, sleeping through sheer physical exertion!

It is insufferable agony for me to contemplate this scene. There his

father and mother, his aids and maids were looking after his needs

and comforts in various ways. Sita and Rama who lived royally until

yesterday are now lying on the ground! Alas, my heart is torn to

pieces by grief.

 

" Sita is the beloved daughter of the world-renowned Emperor Janaka;

yet, now, she is lying on a spread of dry grass. What a strange turn

of fate is this! Are Sita and Rama fit for life in the forest? O, it

is now being proven true that the consequences of one's acts are

binding, in spite of everything else.

 

" Kaikeyi is the daughter of the King of Kekaya State. No one can

believe that she is capable of this atrociously sinful act. These two

are at a period of their lives when they have to be happy together.

What a reprehensible act is it to inflict on them this hard sentence!

Such a fate should not overtake even one's worst enemy.

 

" The Kekaya Princess has proved herself to be the axe that would cut

asunder the very roots of the Tree of the Solar Dynasty. Her selfish

greed has sunk the world in sorrow. Ah! My horrid eyes are destined

to look on this pathetic sight! What despicable sin did I indulge in

to deserve this punishment? Whose happy life caused my eyes in the

past to become red with envy, that I had to see my beloved Rama in

this plight? "

 

Guha wailed thus; unable to stop the onrush of the surging waves of

grief, he kept his mouth shut, and sat with head bowed in

irrepressible agony. At this, Lakshmana too was plunged in gloom.

 

Lakshmana gathered some courage and said, " O! Chieftain of the

Nishadas! One does not get happiness through another, nor does he

become miserable through another. He cannot get good fortune or bad

fortune through another. There is no possibility for such indirect

means to succeed. Nor can one really be either happy or miserable.

Each one comes for some purpose, urged by the potentiality of his

acts in the previous birth or by some Sovereign Will and Resolution.

And, in the course of fulfilling that purpose, they appear to be

happy or miserable, that is all. A beggar dreams that he is a king; a

king dreams that he is a beggar. When they awake, they find that the

happiness and the misery were unreal and short-lived. So too, the

world is a dream, unreal, illusory. It is Mithya. You feel sorrow

because Rama is in this plight, but Rama is above and beyond grief

and joy. For those who watch him, according to the good fortune or

misfortune as decided by the merit or demerit acquired and

accumulated, he may appear to be happy or miserable; what you see as

joy or grief in Rama is only the reflection of your own mental

state. " At this, Guha calmed himself, and gave up the rage he had

directed against Kaikeyi, a little while ago. He understood that it

was not proper to find fault with another and assign blame.

 

" People are all laid up in the sleep of delusion. And, they are

engaged in witnessing a variety of dreams. This is the way men spend

the night called 'life'; the Yogis, self-mastered people, they alone

keep awake in the night, without being caught up in or enchanted by

dreams. They have no use for the world and its contents. They have

turned away from all sensual pleasures and entanglements. Until this

stage is reached, people cannot refer to themselves as 'awake'. When

Jnana is attained and the Reality is realized, then the bonds of

delusion fall off, and Love is fixed on the Lotus Feet of Sri Rama " .

Guha's thoughts ran on in this strain. He was comforted and

strengthened by them. Guha and Lakshmana, narrating to each other the

super-human attributes of Rama and the fullness of the Glory that was

latent in him, spent the rest of the night.

 

Meanwhile it was dawn; while one of them stood guard where Rama

slept, the other finished his morning ablutions and returned. Soon

Rama moved his limbs, rubbed his eyes, and sitting up, looked at the

four quarters. He awakened Sita, and both wended their way to the

river Ganga. After bathing, and completing the morning rites, they

came to the place where Guha and Lakshmana were. Rama directed

Lakshmana to bring a quantity of the milky juice of the ficus tree.

Lakshmana moved off without murmur into the forest near by, and

without much delay, he brought with him a leaf-bowl full of the

juice. Rama applied the juice to the locks of hair on his head, and

they turned into a thick matted lump, the like of which is generally

worn by hermits.

 

Looking on at this act, Sumanthra could not restrain his sobs. He was

shocked that the head, which had to wear the jeweled crown, was now

carrying the burden of matted hair. He lamented that his eyes were

destined ever to see this tragic sight. His heart was scorched by

agony. " I cannot be with you any longer in the forest; it has become

impossible. I have accomplished the orders of the Emperor. Fate is

cutting short my stay in your presence. He ordered me to take you in

the chariot until we arrive on the banks of any holy river, and then

leave you there and return. I have the duty to inform you this fact;

now, It is your turn to tell me what I have to do, " said Sumanthra,

standing before Rama, with head bent in sorrow, in humility, tears

flowing freely from his eyes.

 

" Do not grieve " , Rama said, " Accomplishing the orders of the Emperor

is your duty, and mine too. I am very happy that you carried out the

orders he gave you. Thenceforward, I shall carry out the order that

he has given me. I shall follow his directions with the greatest

reverence, and in scrupulous detail. Do not delay; return to Ayodhya.

My parents will be awaiting your arrival with unbounded anxiety. They

are longing to hear from you the description of your journey so far.

So, take the chariot back and proceed fast " , he urged.

 

Sumanthra pictured to himself the place he had to go back to. He

pleaded pathetically, " O Ramachandra! Let not Ayodhya become an

orphan city. The Emperor will find it difficult to hold himself

together in your absence. Bharatha will find it impossible to reign. "

Sumanthra fell at the feet of Rama, unable to bear the weight of his

sorrow. Rama lifted him up, and holding him by the shoulder, he

consoled him. " Sumanthra! No principle of righteousness is higher

than Truth. The Vedas, the Puranas, the Epics, all assert and

proclaim this, as you know. Now, I have been assigned the task of

following this supreme principle of Righteousness! What great good

fortune is this! If I miss this chance and lose this fortune, my

dynasty and I will earn eternal infamy in all the three worlds.

Infamy will burn the righteous more excruciatingly than a million

deaths and cremations. Go, fall at the feet of my father and make

clear to him my determination and my joy. You must be vigilant to see

that my father is not worried about me, Sita and Lakshmana. "

 

Guha and his followers heard these words of Rama, and were visibly

affected by them. Without being aware of it, they started shedding

tears. Lakshmana could not bear the anguish; he uttered a few words

of anger and bitterness against those who had caused this tragedy.

But, Rama realized his temper and stopped him forthwith. Then, he

turned to Minister Sumanthra and said, " Sumanthra! Lakshmana is a

stripling; do not attach importance to his words. Do not communicate

them to father. Lakshmana's mind is undergoing such suffering since

he has great affection for me, and since he is affected by the

troubles that afflict Sita. He gave vent to such expressions, for he

has a mistaken notion about those who sent me to the forest in exile.

By nature, Lakshmana is endowed with very good qualities " Then, Rama

began to describe the virtues of his brother.

 

Sumanthra raised his head and pleaded with Rama about Sita. " Lord!

Janaki is tender and soft natured. She cannot brave the travails of

forest life. It is necessary to advise her to return to the city, and

convince her that it is the proper thing to do. She is the life-

breath of Ayodhya. She is the Goddess of Prosperity for the Empire.

If she cannot come to Ayodhya, the inhabitants of that City will

suffer like fish in a dry tank. Let her return, and reside, as she

desires, with her mother-in-law or her parents. The Emperor has

commanded me, again and again, to tell you this in these very words.

When you return to Ayodhya at the end of the fourteen years, Janaki

could be brought from her father's palace " . While Sumanthra was

importuning in this manner, Rama signed to Sita, as if to draw her

attention to his yearning and prayer.

 

When Sumanthra had concluded, Rama addressed Sita, " Sita! Did you

listen to the message of father? Go home and let my parents forget at

least a part of the agony they feel at my separation. In their old

age, they are too weak to put up with this terrible situation. So, it

is very necessary that you go back with the minister to Ayodhya " .

Rama used various other arguments to persuade her to accept the

request of father.

 

Sita replied, " Lord! You are omniscient. You know the ideal moral

conduct prescribed for each section of mankind. I have no need to

remind you. Please listen for a while to my prayer. The shadow has to

follow the substance. Can it be away from it? Solar rays cannot exist

separate from the Sun. Moon-light cannot exist separated from the

moon. In like manner, this Sita shadow cannot leave and exist after

leaving Ramachandra, the Rama Moon. "

 

Then, she turned to Sumanthra and said, " Sumanthra! You are to me as

venerable as my father and father-in-law. You are my well-wisher.

Please consider this: I do not seek any other refuge except the Lotus

Feet of my Lord. The world knows that the daughter-in-law who is

brought into the family cannot be any nearer than the son born in the

family. That they will forget their agony at the separation of the

son, if the daughter-in-law returns, is a statement that has no

meaning. As regards the wealth and comfort of my father's palace, I

have enjoyed them enough in my child hood days. Now, they appear to

me as dry and as cheap as grass, without my Lord being with me. I

have no other path, except the path which he treads. Therefore,

without misunderstanding me, please agree to my words; drop this

attempt to take me back to Ayodhya. Forget It. Convey my prostrations

to my parents-in-law and assure them that there is no cause for

anxiety about us. Tell them that Sita is happy, many thousand times

happier than when she was in Ayodhya or Mithila. I am with the Lord

of my heart, with the great hero, the best of warriors, his brother,

Lakshmana so, I am passing these days in the forest, happily,

undisturbed by fear, anxiety or agitation of mind. Tell them I am not

tired in the least by the journey. Tell them I am very happy, that I

consider this exile a great piece of good fortune. "

 

Hearing these words, Sumanthra was so overwhelmed with admiration and

grief, that he could not look up at the face of Sita; he could not

listen any more to such profoundly moving words; he could not himself

find words to speak to her. He reflected on her virtues, on her pure

feelings, and on her steadfastness; he deplored the fate that

deprived Ayodhya of the presence and inspiration of a lady of such

supreme character.

 

He spoke to Rama: " Rama! In that case accept one prayer. Keep me too

with you in the forest and allow me to serve you for the fourteen

years here itself " . Rama replied: " Sumanthra! You are well versed in

law and the rules of morality. You are the Minister of Emperor

Dasaratha, not a minister under me. It was he who has commanded you

to come back; how can I permit you to stay? Even otherwise, it is not

desirable that you stay away from the Emperor at this particular

juncture. You are as the right hand to the Emperor. You should not

pay attention to your own Ananda and try to keep away from him; go,

go to him, without further delay. If you go soon, you could give me

and my parents a great deal of consolation and assurance " . Rama

persuaded him to go, using various other arguments and examples.

Finding it impossible to resist, Sumanthra wept aloud and prostrated

before the three; his steps were heavy and hesitant when he turned

back; both his mind and his body were unwilling.

 

Rama caught his hand, helped him to walk up to the chariot, and

ascend to his seat thereon. Rama spoke sweet and soft to Sumanthra,

as well as to the horses of the chariot, in order to induce them to

turn and proceed to wards Ayodhya.

 

Sumanthra drove the chariot back to Ayodhya. The horses were

reluctant to retrace their steps; they turned back towards the place

where Rama was, longing to be with him and loath to move away.

Despite prodding and persuading they could scarce move on. They

neighed pathetically in protest; they stopped off and on craning

their necks to catch a glimpse of Rama.

 

Sumanthra too was turning back in unbearable sorrow; he wiped the

stream of tears that flowed down his cheeks; he kept his head hanging

as if unwilling to show his face to men. When Guha saw the plight of

Sumanthra, he was so overpowered with agony that he leaned on to a

tree, sobbing, with his head pressed against its trunk. After sending

the aged Minister back, Rama proceeded to the Ganga, with his wife

and brother.

 

" When even dumb animals found it impossible to live away from Rama,

what can be said of the anguish suffered by the parents who had borne

him and brought him up lovingly and with such great hope, and by the

subjects of the realm who adored him with loyalty and love. Alas! Who

can measure the grief that was harrowing the heart of Queen

Kausalya? " Guha thought within himself. The sorrow seared his soul.

His eyes soon fell on Rama, Sita and Lakshmana walking towards the

Ganga; so, he hurried towards them, and realizing that they desired

to cross the river, he shouted to the boatman who was on the opposite

bank, to bring the boat to the ferry. When the voice of his master

fell on the ear, the boatman hastened to row it across and, within

minutes, it was ready where Rama was awaiting its arrival

 

Guha called the boatman aside and told him to clean the boat and make

it fit for the Prince of Ayodhya, the Son of Emperor Dasaratha, his

Consort and brother, to go across the Ganga, on their way to the

forest where they intended to spend some years. The boatman had heard

from his Nishada brothers the sad tale of the exile of the heir-

apparent to the throne; so, he lost no time in coming over. But he

had one disturbing doubt that had to be resolved. He had come to know

that Rama had placed his foot on a rock and that it was suddenly

transformed into a woman; was this the same Rama, or was he a

different person? That was the question he asked Guha. Guha said, " My

dear boatman, what a strong memory you have! I am glad you remembered

that incident which happened long ago, and you have reminded me too

of it! " He turned to Rama and said, with great exultation, " Rama!

Listen! This man, my tribesman, this boatman has treasured in his

mind your majesty and glory; he is now bringing back to my memory how

you released Ahalya, the wife of Sage Gauthama, from the stone into

which she was cursed. My subjects were very much agitated over the

terrible curse that was inflicted on that lady. And, they were

delighted when they knew of your Divine Power that liberated her. O,

how fortunate are my people, that they are aware of your Divinity! "

Guha was describing the faith and devotion of his boatman in great

joy.

 

Meanwhile, Rama moved towards the boat; the boatman stood before Rama

with folded palms and said, " Ramachandra! All the years of my life

have become worthwhile with the good fortune that has come to me

today. The Rama of whom I had heard long ago, I am able to look upon

today. That I could row you, your consort and your brother across the

Ganga is the reward I have earned by accumulating merit through many

previous lives. Let me pray for one blessing; Allow me to sprinkle on

my head the water sanctified by washing your feet, before I row you

across. " Guha had not realized that his servant, the boatman was so

deep in devotion to Rama. He was surprised at the request he had so

humbly laid before Rama; he was supremely delighted that the man had

prayed so. He said, " Listen to me, brother! Let Rama take his seat in

the boat; then, you can wash his feet with the waters of the Ganga

taken in a vessel; It is not good manners to wash them while he is

standing on the bank. " Guha reprimanded him for his obstinacy and

simplicity.

 

But, the boatman would not yield. He pleaded, " Lord! You possess vast

wealth. I am helplessly poor. I am scraping together the wherewithal

to maintain my family through the fees I get for ferrying people

across. I find my daily income insufficient even for running my

little family. How can I be happy, if even this income is lost?

Therefore, please do not misunderstand me. Permit me to wash your

feet, even before you step into the boat " .

 

Rama grasped the undertone of the boatman's strange request; he

smiled and turned towards Sita, saying, " Did you notice this

boatman's fear? " Guha could not under stand what it all meant, and

why Rama had smiled. He was perplexed at the fellow's behavior. He

said, " Hello, boatman! I do not understand what you are talking. How

is the cost of maintaining your family related to this present duty

of yours - taking Rama across the Ganga so that he might enter the

forest and live there? Are you demanding more fees from Rama for this

hereditary task? If so, you are only revealing your greed! In case

your earnings are not enough for the support of your family, I am

ready to supplement it, as the chief of this realm. Don't yearn to

get it from Ramachandra. Attend to your business and get the boat

ready " . Guha grew angry at the persistence of the fellow.

 

At this, the boatman submitted that he had heard people say that the

feet of Rama had some peculiar power. They say when the feet

contacted a stone, it turned into a woman. Putting together many

pieces of timber makes my boat. If each piece becomes a woman, my

Lord would leave them all to my care, for, they were born from the

parts of my boat! How can I bear the additional burden? But, if the

feet are washed before he places them in the boat, I can be free from

fear. Besides, when I sprinkle the wash on my head, my sins too would

vanish. Therefore, please permit me to have my wish fulfilled. " Guha

was lost in thought. But, Rama called the boatman near him, and he

said, with a smile lighting up his face, " My dear man! Come, wash my

feet " and he placed his feet in the palms of the boatman! His joy

knew no bounds. He kept the feet within his palms and washed them

both very care fully and lovingly, not missing the space between the

toes, using the sacred Ganga water. Then, he sprinkled the wash on

his own head, and over all parts of the boat, to guard them against

malefic powers. He was immensely de lighted at the success of his

plan.

 

He held the hand of Rama, as he placed his feet in the boat and got

in. Rama helped Sita to board the boat, holding her hand firm in his

grip. He made Lakshmana sit beside him on one of the cross planks.

They spoke to each other of the devotion and childlike innocence of

the boatman, and enjoyed the movement of the boat over the waters.

They conversed with Guha on various topics and the time passed so

quickly that they found themselves on the other bank without being

aware of the journey. Rama pretended to be ashamed of himself when he

found he had not even a cowrie shell to offer the boatman, in lieu of

the fees due to him. Sita knew the feeling of her Lord's heart, by

instinct. She removed a ring from a finger of hers and placed it in

the hands of Rama. Rama hailed the boatman and said, " Here, Boatman!

This is your fee. Take it. " The boatman fell at the feet of Rama,

exclaiming, " O Rama! This day I achieved the gift of gifts. All my

sins have been mashed into dust. I am liberated from the awful doom

of birth and death. The pangs I endured for many lives on earth have

borne fruit; my God has blessed me; my fore fathers and my progeny

have been freed from sin by this blessing. Lord! Enough for me if I

receive and deserve your blessings. And, when you return, O Lord!

come this way, and confer on me the chance to do this service. That

is the reward I value most in life. " He fell prostrate on the ground

before Rama, with tears rolling down his cheeks.

 

Rama and Lakshmana consoled the boatman and tried to assuage his

ecstasy. They attempted to persuade him to accept the gift. But, the

boatman protested, saying, " If I accept fees for taking you across

this tiny stream, tell me how much are you receiving as wages for

taking generations of my line, and billions of my fellowmen across

the vast and terrifying ocean of Samsar which involves all beings in

the fast moving current of change. I am immersed in Bliss since I got

this chance; please do not bind me further by forcing me to accept

wages for this lucky chance that fell my way. " These words touched

the heart of Rama; he felt that it would not be good to put pressure

on him. Rama blessed him most liberally and allowed him to depart.

 

Rama and Lakshmana placed their bows and arrows on clothes spread on

the bank, and they stepped into the river for bath. When they

finished, Sita too stepped into the sacred river and after bath, she

offered prayers to Ganga, and vowed that she would return after

spending fourteen happy years with her Lord and sprinkle on her head

the sacred water in thankfulness for the conclusion of the exile.

 

Then Rama called Guha near and said, 'Dear friend! I have already

used for my own purpose too much of your time. Now, you must go back

to your town. " When this command fell on his ear, the face of Guha

fell. Tears flowed down the cheeks in streams. With palms folded, he

prayed, " Rama. Please listen to my words. I shall be with you for

some time in the forest; I know all the paths of the jungle; I can

give you useful information. I am desirous of serving you this way.

Please do not say, no. " Rama was happy when he noticed Guha's love

and devotion, and he took him with him. Walking some distance, they

rested awhile when evening fell, under the shade of a wide spreading

tree.

 

Guha and Lakshmana hurried to sweep the area clean and make it fit

for Rama and Sita to rest. The fruits on that tree were looking very

eager to fall and be of service to the Divine visitors; they turned

red with excitement and joy. Guha and Lakshmana collected the fruits

and placed them on broad leaves before Sita and Rama. But, Rama asked

his brother, " Lakshmana, can we eat these fruits without first

performing the evening rites? " So, they proceeded to Prayag, the

confluence of the holy rivers, which was nearby and had the holy

sight, before they took their bath; Rama described to them the

glories of the spot, while returning from the river. He said that the

efficacy of the waters at the confluence of the three holy rivers was

so potent that it could cleanse man of all the sins that tarnish his

mind.

 

To Be Continued.....