RAMAKATHA RASAVAHINI – PART – 10

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Om Sri Sai Ram

 

RAMAKATHA RASAVAHINI – PART – 10

 

The Rama Story, Stream of Sacred Sweetness

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

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

Among Hermitages

 

Thus, Rama entered the hermitage of Bharadwaj taking Sita with him

and accompanied by Lakshmana and Guha. The sage appeared at the

doorway and walked forward to welcome him, as if he was waiting since

long to be blessed by the Darshan; seeing him, Rama prostrated before

him, and when Bharadwaj lovingly embraced him and invited him to

enter the hermitage, he was very happy to comply. The sage made them

sit on the seats he had spread on the floor, for each according to

his status.

 

He inquired after the welfare of every one of them and declared that

his heart's desire was fulfilled that day. He asked his pupils to

bring fruits and roots, and placing them before his guests, he

pleaded that they might partake of them. They spent the night in that

hermitage, accepting the sage's hospitality and service.

 

When day dawned, Rama proceeded to the confluence of the three rivers

at Prayag, and requested the sage too to give him company. Bharadwaj

said, 'Listen, O Lord! I chose this holy spot for my hermitage and

austerities, since I knew I could get here the Darshan I longed for

many years. To get the thrill of your Darshan, I undertook vows and

performed Vedic Yajnas and Yagas. I immersed myself in the chanting

of Divine Names and in meditation on the Divine Form, so that I might

be rewarded with the chance to converse with you. I was awarded

Darshan of all three of you. I have no more wants. I am no more

concerned with bath or with food. I do not want to be reckoned as a

fool who continued consuming drugs, even after he was cured of

illness. I am free now from the fell disease of birth and death. I

have seen God.'

 

Seeing him filled with ecstasy, with tears flowing, Guha was

overwhelmed with surprise. He said to himself, " O! What great good

fortune is mine! " ? He was overcome by supreme joy. Meanwhile Rama

suppressed His Divinity and acted as if he was just a man with common

human attributes. While Sage Bharadwaj was dilating delightedly on

the Rama Principle, Rama listened, as if it all related to another

person called Rama and not to himself! He replied, " O! Foremost among

sages! All those who are recipients of your hospitality are, for that

very reason, adorable. All such are full of virtue and wisdom. " The

pupils, ascetics, sages and monks of the hermitage who heard the

words of Bharadwaj and those of Rama were struck with wonder and

filled with joy.

 

After the holy bath at Prayag, Rama left the hermitage with Sita,

Lakshmana and Guha, and entered the deeper recesses of the forest.

Bharadwaj followed them as far as the riverbank, and there he clasped

Rama in loving embrace, wishing for them a happy journey. Rama prayed

for the blessings of the Sage and said, " Master! Tell us which

direction is best. " The sage replied, with a laugh: " Lord! There is

no path unknown to you in all the worlds, is there? You are playing

the role of a mere man, in this habiliment. Well, since I have been

asked, it is my duty to reply to the best of my knowledge. " Thus

saying, he beckoned to four of him pupils, and sent them with Rama to

show him the track that led to the next hermitage complex. Those boys

were delighted at the chance they secured to journey with Rama for

some little distance. They felt that it was a gift earned in previous

lives. They walked in front showing them the track. Behind them, Rama

went with Sita, Lakshmana and Guha. They went as far as the bank of

the Yamuna river, and there, they took leave of Rama and turned back,

without the least will to do so. Sita, Rama and Lakshmana were very

pleased with the pupils for the help they rendered; they blessed them

with all their hearts and allowed them to leave. Then, they got ready

to have the holy bath in the sacred Yamuna. Meanwhile, the

inhabitants of the villages on the bank noticed these visitors of

extra-ordinary charm and splendor, and gathered around them,

wondering who they were and whence they came and what their names

were. They were too shy and too afraid to ask. They were talking in

whispers among themselves.

 

Sita, Rama and Lakshmana finished their bath, with out paying heed to

them, and, coming on to the bank, Rama called Guha near, and

said, " Dear one! It is a long time since you joined us; it is not

proper that you should spend so much time with us. You must carry out

your duties to your subjects. Go home now, to your post of duty. " He

then gave him permission to leave. Guha found himself helpless to

answer him. " Can anyone give up the wish-fulfilling gem that he has

come by? How unfortunate I am to be forced to do so! " he wailed. He

could not disregard the command of Rama. So, he prostrated before

Sita, Rama and Lakshmana, and showered on his head the dust of their

feet. He left their presence, most unwillingly.

 

A short time after Guha left them, the three resumed their journey.

Soon, they saw before them a City, which shone brighter than even the

City of the Nagas. As they neared the light, they wondered which City

it was. The nearer they came, the more delighted they were at the

grandeur and charm of the City and its suburbs. Reaching quite near,

they took it to be Amaravathi, the City of the Gods and they were

still more delighted. They felt that the citizens must be gods, not

men. They sat under a tree in its cool shade and admired its splendor

and magnificence. The people came around them and questioned among

themselves whether they had come down from 'heaven', and were the

Immortals themselves. They ran into the town and spread the good news

that some divine personalities were coming into the City bringing

great good luck with them. Every one who heard them ran towards the

visitors and vied with each other in attending to their comforts.

Some placed milk before them; some spread fruits; all looked at them

without even a wink! No one could leave them and go back. They stood

unwilling to depart.

 

One of them, bolder than the rest, came forward, and spoke; " Sirs!

Your charm and imposing personality make us infer that you are

princes of royal blood. But, you are journeying by foot along these

rough jungle paths, with this damsel. You are climbing mountains and

crossing rivers; you are hard travelers braving all the dangers of

the trek; so, we have to conclude that you are like us, mere

citizens. We cannot understand how you manage to travel across this

forest where lions abound and herds of wild elephants roam. And, you

have with you this tender embodiment of loveliness and beauty. Have

you no kith and kin, no friends and comrades, no well-wishers? If

there were any such, certainly, they would not have allowed you to

venture on this journey " . He inquired into the nature and cause of

the journey and put a number of other questions to Rama.

 

Meanwhile, a woman advanced from the gathering towards them, and

addressed Rama thus; " 0 Prince! I am placing a prayer before you.

Woman that I am, I am afraid to express it. Pardon my effrontery. We

are common folk, unacquainted with verbal finesse. Your physical

charm reflects the luster of emerald and gold, which seem to be the

source of your brightness. One of you has the complexion of the rain-

cloud, while the other is resplendent white. Both are as enchanting

as a billion Gods of Love, moulded into human bodies. Again, we are

not aware how this sweet damsel is related to you? She has the

exquisite charm of the Goddess of Love, Rathi Devi. Watching her

modesty and innate humility, as well as her charm, we women are

ashamed of ourselves. Kindly tell us who you are, and for what

purpose you have come thus wise. "

 

Listening to their prayers and watching their eagerness and joy, Rama

and Lakshmana were very much amused. Just then, Sita turned towards

the women and spoke to them thus: " Sisters! This simple, sincere

person with the golden complexion is Lakshmana. He is my Lord's

brother, a younger brother. Then about the dark-blue person: he with

the Lotus-petal-eyes that enrapture the worlds, with the long, strong

bow-arms, (here, she turned towards Rama), this is my Lord, the very

breath of my life. " Saying this, she bent her head and looked at the

ground. Just then, a young maiden interjected, " Ma! You haven't told

us your name! " Sita immediately said, " My name is Sita. I am known as

Janaki, the daughter of Janaka. " The women looked at each other in

wonder and appreciation and then, with one voice, they blessed Sita

profusely, saying, " May you both be as happy a couple as God Siva and

Goddess Parvathi and may you live together, as long as the Sun and

Moon, as long as the Earth rests upon the hood of the snake Adisesha,

in harmony and unbroken joy. "

 

Rama too spoke to the men and informed them that they had come to see

the grandeur and beauty of the forests and that their journey so far

had been quite comfortable and useful, that they were not in the

least exhausted or inconvenienced. He asked their permission to

leave, and then, they turned to the forests again. Having nothing

left to do, the men and women hied homeward. Sita, Rama and Lakshmana

wended their way, talking among themselves about the citizens and the

questions they asked, the affection they manifested and the joy that

glinted in their eyes. Suddenly, Rama noticed signs of exhaustion on

the face of Sita, and proposed that they rest a while under a shady

tree. A cool broad stream flowed near by. Lakshmana ventured into the

jungle and soon gathered some fruits and tubers, which all three ate

with relish. They spent the night there, quite happily.

 

At dawn they awoke, and finishing the morning ablutions, they started

off on the next lap of their journey. Soon, they entered the fearsome

recesses of the forest. The towering peaks, dark dreadful tangle of

trees, and the deafening roar or flooded streams, produced a queer

feeling of awe and mystery.

 

Right in the midst of that frightful area, they came upon a patch of

garden, nursed and fostered by man, and upon it, a hermitage that was

charming to behold. That was the ashram of the sage Valmiki. On one

side of the hermitage rose the cliffs of a tall mountain; on the

other side, far below, at the bottom of a deep trough, flowed a

murmuring stream. The hermitage was a picture of beauty; it shone

like a gem on that green carpet. Sita felt considerably relieved and

assuaged when her eyes fell on that picture.

 

Learning from his pupils that they had entered the garden Valmiki

emerged from the hermitage and appeared at the door. Sita, Rama and

Lakshmana hurried forward and fell at the feet of the sage. The sage

too, moved forward and, as if he had known them long, he welcomed

them, with fond embrace. He invited all three to enter the hermitage.

The sage Valmiki provided comfortable seats for Rama whom he loved as

his very breath, and for Lakshmana and Sita; he called for fruits and

edible tubers and placed them before the three. As desired by

Valmiki, they partook of them, and expressed their pleasure. Valmiki

sat before them, watching Rama and quenching the thirst of his eyes.

He was filled with inexpressible delight.

 

With utmost humility, Rama addressed the great sage thus: " Most

venerable Sage! You are conversant with the past, the present and the

future of all; so, the reason why I have entered this forest must be

as clear to you as the berry in one's palm. Nevertheless, I feel it

right that I should discharge my duty of informing you why I am here,

with my wife and brother. " Then Rama described how Queen Kaikeyi sent

him into exile in the forest, and how brother Bharatha was crowned as

ruler of the realm, according to the promise made by the father.

 

The sage listened to the story, and communicated his joy with a face

lit with smiles. He said. " Rama! As you fulfilled their desires then,

you have satisfied my desire now. My austerities, vows and yearning

have at last yielded fruit today. I must confer on Kaikeyi my

heartfelt gratitude and a share of the bliss I am now enjoying. "

 

Valmiki sat long in silence, with his eyes closed, while trying to

keep within control the emotions of gratitude and joy surging inside

him. Tears gathered in his eyes, tears of Ananda, and they rolled

down his cheeks in big drops that chased each other.

 

Rama broke the silence and said, " We shall reside at the place where

you direct us to live. Indicate to us a place where we shall not

cause any trouble to any one and where we shall not come in the way

of hermits and hermitages; give us proper advice. We shall put up

a 'thatch' of leaves at that place and spend some time therein. "

 

These words from a pure sincere heart moved the sage; he said, in

reply, " 0 Rama! I am indeed blessed. You are as the Flag that

proclaims the glory of the Raghu dynasty. For what reason are you

voicing thus? You are the force that fosters the path laid down in

the Vedas; you are the power that safeguards it from harm. Sita

is 'the deluding half of your personality, your Maya. She creates,

maintains and destroys (as you 'will') worlds beyond worlds. And,

Lakshmana is the very basis of the movable and the immovable,

the 'thousand-hooded serpent', the Primal Sesha-Nag, which upholds

the Universe. You have assumed forms, in order to carry out the

wishes of the Gods, that you re-establish righteousness in the world.

You will, I am sure, destroy all demonic hearts, pretty soon. You

will protect the good and the compassionate. Rama! You are the

eternal Witness of the play named 'The World'. The Universe is

the 'seen'; you are the Witness. Even the gods fail to gauge your

Reality and your Glory. How then can ordinary mortals understand your

Mystery? Only those who have received your Grace, namely, Wisdom, can

claim to have known something of your Truth and your Majesty. You

have taken this human form in order to promote the peace and security

of good men and the gods; as a consequence, you are conversing and

behaving like one of us. Only fools are misled into behaving that you

are a man among men! We are all puppets who play about as you direct,

as you pull the strings. Who are we to direct you to act thus wise or

to stay at a certain place? Rama! Are you planning to delude us,

ascetics, by your words? 0, how wonderful is your play! How realistic

is your acting! Don't I know that you are the Director of this cosmic

drama? I cannot understand why you are asking me to select a spot

where you can stay for some time in this forest. Which spot can I

choose and recommend? For, is there any spot in the whole Universe

where you are not, already? Answer me this question, and thereafter,

I shall point out the place to which you can go and where you can

stay " Valmiki said, looking at the charming face of Rama; in the

extremity of his delight, words melted away on his tongue.

 

Rama laughed within himself when he listened to the revered sage.

Meanwhile, the sage spoke again, soft and sweet, with a smile beaming

on his resplendent face. " Rama! I know in reality you reside in the

hearts of your devotees. Now, I shall tell you the best place where

this form of yours can stay. Listen. You can reside there with Sita

and Lakshmana. Select those whose ears, like the ocean, receive

gladly the streams of stories recounting your exploits, and are ever

happy, listening to the narratives of your divine acts and words,

whose tongues are busy repeating your name and tasting its nectarine

sweetness, whose throats recite and revel in the recitation of your

praise and of your words which are soft and refreshingly sweet, whose

eyes yearn to see your cloud blue form as the Chatak bird yearns for

the first cloudburst, whose ever-present longing is to discover you

anywhere, in any quarter, and delight in the discovery when you find

any such. O! Rama, dwell there, with Sita and Lakshmana.

 

" Rama! If you wish that I elaborate further, listen: Stay in the

heart of the person who discards the evil in others and loves them

for the good they have, who trudges along the journey of life in the

path of morality and integrity, who observes approved limits of

conduct and behavior, and who has the faith in thought, word and

deed, that the Universe is your creation and that the entire

objective world is your body.

 

" Nevertheless, since you have assumed now this human body and come

here in order to carry out the commands of your mother and father,

and questioned me in that role, I am venturing to answer, as if that

role is real. You can reside on the Chitrakuta Hill. It has all

facilities for comfortable stay. It is a holy place, and a charming

beauty spot. The atmosphere is saturated with love and peace. Lions

and elephants roam together there, with no trace of rivalry. The

river Mandakini, extolled in the Vedas, flows round the hill. Sages

like Athri live there in hermitages, which you can visit and render

more sacred. Confer your blessing on that sublime spot and on that

dear divine river. "

 

As soon as Valmiki gave this direction, Rama agreed and receiving his

permission to leave, he resumed his journey with Sita and Lakshmana.

Within a short time, they saw the Mandakini, and were happy to bathe

in its sacred waters, and perform the prescribed ceremonial rites.

They rested awhile under a shady tree, and ate some fruits, before

walking over the grass for some distance, admiring the verdure and

the scenery.

 

Then, Rama spoke to Lakshmana thus: " Lakshmana! I am at a loss to

decide on the exact spot where we can erect a cottage of leaf thatch

and bamboo for our stay in this place; I do not find it easy to say

which place is good and which is not; so, select and fix upon a spot. "

 

No sooner did these words fall on his ears than Lakshmana crumpled on

the ground right at the feet of Rama. He was in evident

anguish. " What wrong have I committed that you should speak to me

thus! Is this a sentence for any sin? Or, are you testing me, and my

nature? Or, are you joking and making fun of me? " , he asked. He was

in great sorrow and he stood with his head bent with fear and anxiety.

 

Rama was surprised at his behavior. He went near him and clasped him

to his bosom. " Brother! What happened now to make you so sad? I

cannot guess why you are so heart-broken, " he said. " Tell me " , he

pleaded, " tell me the reason, do not prolong my astonishment and

sorrow. "

 

Lakshmana replied immediately. He said, " Brother! I have surrendered

everything to you. I have no likes and dislikes. What is pleasing to

you is, on that account, pleasing to me. You know that this is the

fact. But, yet, you now ask me to select a place which I like and

erect a cottage for you thereon! My heart received a shock when you

directed me to exercise my will. Order me where it is to be raised; I

shall do so. Be merciful, do not speak to me in this strain, bless me

by accepting the surrender I am offering at thy feet of all of me,

the will, the intelligence, the mind, the senses, the body, all with

no exception and no reservation. I am your servant, following you in

the hope of having the chance to serve you. Use me. Command me, and

have the command obeyed and the action accomplished. "

 

When Lakshmana prayed and supplicated so sincerely, Rama consoled him

and pacified his feelings. " Lakshmana " , he said, " Why are you worried

so much on this little matter? Do not take it so much to heart. I

gave you that direction in just a casual way. I am not unaware of the

loyalty that fills your heart. Well. Come along with me. Right! I

shall select the spot myself. " And, with Sita by his side, he took

the forest track, along with Lakshmana, and shortly, they sighted the

northern bank of the Mandakini river. That length of bank was curved

like a bow; it appeared as if the Chitrakuta peak standing behind it

like a hero held the bow. One felt that the arrows it was ready to

let loose were Sense control. Mind control, Charity, Renunciation,

etc., and the target they were intended to destroy was the Gang of

Sin. Rama described the spot thus and added: " This hero will not

withdraw from the fight " ! He directed that the cottage be built on

that captivating spot.

 

Lakshmana requested Rama and Sita to rest a while under a tree, and

set about collecting poles, leaves, creepers and fiber from tree-

barks to spin ropes from. In order to raise a hut spacious enough for

three, he dug pits, planted poles, and labored quickly to complete

the construction. When Sita and Rama rose from the shade after some

rest, they found the cottage rising before their eyes, a thing of

beauty, certain to be a lovely home by all counts. Rama felt that he

too should give Lakshmana some help in his work, and so, seeing his

brother on the roof, giving the finishing touches, he handed him from

the ground bits of string to tie the bundles of dry grass to the

cross poles in order to thicken the thatch. Sita too desired to give

a helping hand; she plucked long leaves from the tree branches

Lakshmana had brought, and gave sheaves of them into Rama's hands to

be passed on to Lakshmana.

 

The house was ready for occupation, even before sun set. Rama looked

often and long at the neat little cottage, and he praised the

devotion and skill of his brother to Sita, in high terms. Sita too

appreciated the house and said that she had at no time seen a

dwelling place of such charm; she had for a long time yearned to live

in just such a habitation. She told Rama that her long-cherished

desire was fulfilled that day.

 

Meanwhile, Lakshmana came down from the roof; he went round the

cottage to examine whether anything was wanting. Then, he asked

permission from Rama to proceed to the Mandakini for a bath. A short

while after, Sita and Rama both went to the river and had their bath;

they returned to the cottage and partook of the fruits that Lakshmana

had gathered in the morning, and slept soundly on the floor of their

new home.

 

Before another day passed, the news that Sita, Rama and Lakshmana had

taken residence on the Chitrakuta Hill spread among the hermits of

the forest and groups of them, bringing their pupils and comrades,

approached the sacred cottage, and after taking Darshan, left for

their hermitages. Rama asked them about their health and progress and

also enquired about the difficulties they encountered. Rama assured

them that whenever they required his service, he was ready, with his

brother, to go to their rescue.

 

But they mentioned no difficulties and referred to no troubles. They

said, " Rama! The fact that we have been able to see you is enough to

make our lives trouble-free. We have no difficulties, nor can any

difficulty come into our lives. Your Grace is enough protection for

us. " They sat petrified with wonder at the charming personality of

Rama. Rama welcomed the ascetics and treated them with affectionate

regard. Seeing him and being in his presence cooled the pining hearts

of the ascetics and gave them immense consolation and confidence. A

deep calm descended on their consciousness.

 

Rama is predominantly Love. He made every one of the forest-dwellers

happy. He discoursed with them, and slaked the thirst for Love that

was tormenting them. Those who came to him, whether ascetics or

hunters, received from him instruction that was appropriate to their

aspirations. Rama elevated their occupations into a higher level by

his sympathy and counsel. Those who went to him and returned from his

presence talked among themselves of his virtues and compassion; they

reached their homes extolling him and congratulating themselves. The

forest where they had resolved to reside shone with a new glory and

thrilled with a new joy, right from the day they entered the cottage.

It was charming to the eye and saturated with a coolness that

delighted the mind. The ascetic communities that lived in the forest

had fear and anxiety removed from their lives; in their place, Ananda

grew and flourished. Even the hard-hearted hunter clans started

observing the rules of morality; they soon became ornaments of the

human race. The Vindhyan Range was sad that the Chitrakuta Mountain

had won this fortune. Why? Not the Vindhyan Range alone; all mountain

ranges continued to be sad, for they could not attract Rama to select

them for his residence.

 

Lakshmana had the unique chance of feasting his eyes upon the Lotus

Feet of Sita and Rama, and imbibing the affection they bestowed on

Him; so, he forgot everything else, and immersed himself in supreme

spiritual ecstasy, Sath-Chith-Ananda. His mother, Sumitra Devi, or

his wife Urmila, or his other kinsmen did not appear before his

vision, even in dreams. So austere was his refusal to remember them.

Sita too never recalled, even for the fraction of a second, her

relatives or parents, or the Cities of Mithila and Ayodhya. She was

fixing her eyes and attention on the Lotus Feet of Sri Ramachandra.

That was the veritable festival for her eyes; she watched the stream

of sages and their consorts who came to Rama for instruction and

guidance. Time flowed by her without her noticing the passage of

night and day. The chakora bird delights to the point of self-

forgetfulness when the moon shines in the sky; so too, Sita reaped

delight, fixing her eyes intently on the Face of Rama. For Sita, the

lovely little grass-thatched bamboo cottage was so attractive that

she forgot the palace of Mithila, where she grew up into maidenhood,

and the palace of Ayodhya where she spent years as the Princely

Daughter-in-law. That cottage was to her more pleasing and palatial

than all the mansions she knew.

 

Off and on, Rama used to relate stories of ancient heroes famed in

Puranik lore and describe the varied achievements of persons who had

mastered the mysteries of austerity. Sita and Lakshmana heard these

eagerly and with enthusiasm. In the midst of these narrations, Rama

used to remember his parents, and remind them of their grief at being

separated from them; on these occasions, Sita had her eyes filled

with tears at the thought of her father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Drops rolled down her cheeks when she pictured the plight of Queen

Kausalya. Suddenly, she pulled herself up, with the thought that she

was with Rama, the Lion among Men, that it was not proper to give in

to sadness or anxiety in the forest while she was in his presence and

that whatever happens must be welcomed as the Leela (cosmic play) of

her Lord. Thus, Sita spent her days in undiluted happiness in that

cottage, with Rama and Lakshmana. They too were guarding her like the

lids of the eye against the slightest disturbance or noise that might

affect her equanimity, and raise fears in her mind. No worry affected

them; no grief or pain or shade of sadness marred their happiness at

Chitrakuta.

 

Chapter 16(a)

Gloom over Ayodhya

 

Meanwhile, the Ruler of the Nishadas who was returning to his kingdom

after accompanying Rama for some distance into the forest saw the

Minister Sumanthra sitting in his chariot on the bank of the Ganga,

the horses having been tied by their reins to a shady tree. Guha

found Sumanthra weeping and wailing inconsolably, alone. Guha himself

could not control any longer the anguish he had restrained so long.

He cried out, 'Rama', and ran towards Sumanthra. He embraced the old

man and both sobbed aloud in agony, unable to put their grief in

words. They stood under the tree together, but fell on the ground as

if they were themselves trees felled by an axe. They lamented the

fate of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana and poured abuse on Kaikeyi, the

cause of all the calamities.

 

The horses stopped grazing, and desisted from drinking water. Tears

rolled from their eyes. Whenever they heard Sumanthra and Guha utter

the names of Sita or Rama, or Lakshmana, they raised their heads

aloft, and peered into the distance, anxious to catch a glimpse of

those whom they adored and loved with as much zeal as the two men in

the agony of separation. Sumanthra noted the grief, which was

tormenting the animals and his anguish, became even greater.

 

Some hours must have passed by this heart-rending wail. At last, Guha

managed to recover a little; he mustered some courage, as needs some

one must; he addressed Sumanthra thus: " Ah, Minister! You are

profoundly intelligent, steadfast in morality and a person who has

identified the Reality behind all this passing show. Fate plays

strange tricks, and so, one has to learn to put up with them. Rise!

Return to Ayodhya! Convey the news to Kausalya and Sumitra, who are

yearning to see you and to listen to your account. " He raised

Sumanthra forcibly from where he had fallen. He seated him in the

chariot. He brought the horses and yoked them to the central pole.

 

Sumanthra realized that what Guha was insisting was the correct step.

Moved by a spurt of blind courage the old man signed to the horses to

move forward; his body lost strength as a result of the anguish of

separation from Rama. Therefore, however much he tried he could not

drive the chariot as of old. He rolled down inside the chariot and

rose in his seat many times in a few minutes. And the horses? They

too would not move. They were set on turning back and straining their

necks to see the road behind.

 

Sumanthra cursed himself and his fate. " Fie on me " , he said. " May

this horrid life of mine be ended. This body has to be burnt into ash

some day. Far better it were if, instead of dying through some

disease or some worldly calamity, it died as a result of unbearable

agony at separation from Rama. That would have made my life

worthwhile. That would have made my fame ever-lasting; earning that

fame is enough compensation for all the ills of life. " " No,

Sumanthra, " he said to himself. " Had you the good luck, you would

have stuck to Rama; when bad luck haunts you, what else can you do

than come away and be alive? Of what use is it now to pine and blame

yourself? " Sumanthra chided himself most mercilessly, in this strain.

 

He started again the dialogue with himself. 'With what face am I to

present myself in Ayodhya? When the citizens ask me where Rama is,

what can I answer? When they ask me, 'how could you come away leaving

Rama in the jungle,' what can I tell them? Will I not be overwhelmed

by shame and sorrow? O, my heart has become stone. Else, why has it

not split into fragments at all that I have gone through? " Sumanthra

was disgusted at his own meanness; he wrung his hands in despair. He

decided that he should not enter the City during the hours of sun-

light, when people would be moving about. It would be less

humiliating, he felt, to enter the City at night, after every one had

gone to bed and was fast asleep.

 

But, soon, his inner voice told him, " What? Can the people of Ayodhya

ever sleep? No, no. They cannot. It is just my foolishness and

ignorance that make me imagine they do. They would be awake, awaiting

news of the return of Rama or, at least, any news about him. I cannot

escape the humiliation and the shame, whether I enter the City at

night or during day. Well. For me, who did not deserve the grace of

Rama, this ill fate is the proper meed. It is best I go through it

and bear the burden of that blame. " Thus, Sumanthra wended his way

slowly and haltingly, spending time in framing questions to himself

and presenting answers to them

 

At last, he reached the bank of the Thamasa River. So, he decided to

spend a few hours there, allowing the horses to graze a bit and

himself preparing for the entry into the City after nightfall, when

the people would not be about the streets, but would be safe in bed.

Finally, the chariot rolled into the gate of the City and began to

move through thoroughfares.

 

Sumanthra took extra care to ensure silence from wheel and hoof; the

chariot moved at the pace of a snail. But, who could silence the

agony of the horses? They recognized the streets through which they

had taken Rama; they groaned aloud at their present fate, when their

dear Rama was far, far away.

 

The populace of the City heard this pathetic neigh; their ears were

set to hear this piteous cry; they told each other that Sumanthra had

returned with an empty chariot; they ran into the street and stood

pathetically on both sides to witness the sad spectacle.

 

Sumanthra bent his head low, when he saw the crowds. Seeing him in

this pitiable posture, they guessed that Rama had not returned, and

swooned on the spot, falling wherever they stood. Many wept aloud.

The residents of the palaces of the Queens, when they heard the

neighs of the grief-stricken steeds, sent maids in haste to inquire

why; they hurried in groups towards Sumanthra and showered questions

on him. He sat dejected and crestfallen, like a mute person, unable

to find words to tell them the answers. He sat unmoved like a broken

pillar, as If he was deaf and could not hear what they were so

earnestly asking him.

 

From his behaviour, the maids inferred that Rama had rejected all

importunities to return. They lamented, " O Minister! Have you left

Sita in the terror-striking forest, and come back yourself, alone? "

and broke into a sudden sharp wail.

 

One maid was more courageous than the rest. She told Sumanthra that

Kausalya had ordered that he should come straight to the palace where

she was.

 

There Sumanthra found the Emperor prostrate on the floor, exhausted

without sleep or food, in disheveled clothes. Sumanthra mastered the

surge of sorrow within him, and uttering the words " Jai! Jai " , which

are traditionally to be pronounced first in the imperial presence, he

stood by, shaking head to foot. Recognizing that voice, Dasaratha sat

up quick, and plaintively asked him, " Sumanthra! Where is my Rama? "

 

Sumanthra clasped the Emperor in his arms; the Emperor clung to him

as a drowning man clings to a blade of grass. Seeing both of them

weeping on account of immeasurable sorrow, Kausalya was submerged in

grief; she could scarce breathe; she gasped and was pitifully

suffocating with agony. The maids noticed this and, themselves loudly

lamenting the misfortune that had overtaken all, they struggled to

console the queen and restore her.

 

Meanwhile, Dasaratha pulled himself up a little; he made Sumanthra

sit right in front of him; he asked him " Sumanthra! Tell me about my

Sita and Rama. Tell me all about them. How is Lakshmana? Alas, tender

Sita must indeed be very much tired. Where are they now? Tell me " .

Noting that Sumanthra was not eager to reply, he shook him by the

shoulders and pleaded most piteously.

 

Sumanthra was too full of shame to look the Emperor in the face; he

bent his looks towards the floor, and with eyes streaming with tears,

he scarce could speak. Dasaratha continued his sobs. He said, " O

Rama! My breath is still lingering on in this frame, even though a

son like you left me. The world has no sinner equal to me in

heinousness. Sumanthra! Where exactly are my Sita, Rama and

Lakshmana, at present? Take me without delay to the place where they

are. Do me this good turn. Fulfill this desire of mine. Without

seeing them, I cannot live a second longer " .

 

And, like a person infatuated and desperate, he shouted in

pain, " Rama! O Rama! Let me see you at least once. Won't you give me

the chance to see you?

 

The maids standing outside the hall where he was lying could not

sleep or take food, since they were sunk in sorrow at the Emperor's

plight. Sumanthra replied, " Imperial Monarch! Rajadhiraja! You are

extremely wise; you are made in heroic mould; your abilities are

profound. Your lineage is divine. You have always served ascetics and

saints. You know that as night follows day and day follows night

wealth and want, happiness and misery, nearness and separation come

one after the other, with certain inevitability. Only fools are

carried off their feet in joy when happiness comes and are

dispirited, downhearted when misery comes. Either should not affect

learned men like you; they should be full of equanimity, what ever

might happen. I have no credentials to advise you to face this

situation courageously for, you know the need for courage very much

more. O Benefactor of the World! Heed my prayers. Give up this grief.

I shall describe the details of my journey with them now. Please

listen calmly. " At this, Kausalya struggled to raise herself up, with

the help of the maids; she leant on them and made herself ready to

listen to what Sumanthra had to say.

 

Sumanthra began, " O Master! The first day we journeyed up to the bank

of the Thamasa. Sita, Rama and Lakshmana bathed in the river and

after drinking water, they rested under a spreading tree. The next

day, we reached the Ganga River. Darkness was invading from all

sides. I stopped the chariot according to the command of Rama. All

three bathed and rested on a stretch of sand. When dawn broke Rama

asked Lakshmana to bring him the juice of the banyan tree, and when

he did so, Rama applied it on his hair and matted it, so that he

could wear it on the crown of his head. Meanwhile, the ruler of the

Nishada tribe, a friend of Rama, brought a boat; Sita was made to get

in to the boat first; after her, Rama sat in it; later honoring the

order of Rama, Lakshmana entered the boat, carrying the bow and

arrows. Ere he sat in the boat; Lakshmana came to me and asked me to

convey prostrations and homage to the parents, and his prayer for

blessings. He also directed me to request you to put up with things

boldly and wisely. "

 

Sumanthra continued his account of what Rama had asked him to

announce at Ayodhya. " Master " , he told Dasaratha, " Rama

said 'Communicate my homage to the Preceptor. Advise my father not to

grieve over what has happened'. After this, Rama called me near him,

and directed me thus, 'Call together the Ministers, the Citizens of

Ayodhya, and the kinsmen of the Royal Family and tell them of this

request, specially made by me: only those among them who help to make

my father's life happy are dear to me.' Rama said, 'On Bharatha's

arrival, convey my blessings to him, and direct him to accept the

burden of ruling over the empire, and to conserve and to promote

justice and integrity, fostering the welfare of the people through

means that are pure in thought, word and deed. Tell him that I desire

him to serve the parents so well that they will forget their agony at

separation from me.'

 

" While Rama was engaged in commissioning me thus, Sita too approached

and told me to inform you she was happily spending time with Rama

with nothing wanting. She wanted me to offer her prostrations at the

feet of her father-in-law and mothers-in-law. She wanted me to tell

them not to be anxious about her and to be assured that she was happy

with her lord, and eagerly expecting them to bless her always. She

requested me to tell them that she inquired often of their health and

welfare.

 

" Meanwhile, the boatman realized that it was Rama's wish that he

should not delay any longer; so he started to dip the oar in the

river. Soon, Rama moved off. I was looking on at the receding boat,

with my heart literally petrified; I must have spent a long time

standing there on the riverbank. I had to return perforce to this

place to carry out the orders of Rama; else, I certainly would have

drowned myself in the Ganga; I had become so desperate. I had to

continue my life, just for this purpose - to convey to you the

message from Rama. This Ayodhya which has no Rama in it appears to me

forlorn and fearful as a forest. "

 

Listening to the words of Sumanthra and the soft sweet messages from

Rama and Sita, Dasaratha could not restrain his anguish; he could not

forget all that had happened; he fell in a faint.

 

The Emperor's breath was suffocated, like a fish, which struggles to

wriggle out of the dense slush into which it has fallen. Seeing his

plight, the queens burst into heart-rending wails. Words cannot

describe that moment of desperate distress. Seeing their sorrow, even

sorrow could not restrain its own sorrow. The agony of the queens,

the agony of the Emperor, the agony of the maids of the palace,

spread confusion and consternation over the entire City. The

residents of the Capital scattered in terror, just like birds of the

forest, frightened at midnight by a sudden thunderbolt.

 

Like a lotus stalk, which, plucked and thrown out of the water, fades

fast, the Emperor was fast leaving the body. Words could not emerge

from the throat, the tongue became dry. The senses turned dull and

ineffective. Kausalya watched the Emperor and she noted that the Sun

of the Solar Dynasty was setting.

 

She mustered courage and stepping near, she placed the head of her

lord on her lap and tried to make him listen to a few words of

consolation and comfort. She said, " Lord! Sita, Rama and Lakshmana

will be arriving soon and seeing you. Hear my words; take courage;

strengthen yourself " . When she so compassionately prayed into his

ear, Dasaratha opened his eyes, and muttered audibly, " Kausalya!

Where is my Rama? Show me, show me, where is he? Take me to him.

Alas! My sweet and tender daughter-in-law is not here now. And,

Lakshmana, where is he that I don't see him here " .

 

Dasaratha bent his head, unable to hold it up any more. The burden of

grief was so heavy. A few minutes later, the Emperor remembered the

curse that was pronounced on him by the blind hermit, the father of

Shravana. He sat up with a struggle, and began telling Kausalya in

feeble accents, the story of that curse.

 

" Kausalya! On one occasion, I had gone into the forest on a hunting

expedition. A large number of soldiers and huntsmen followed me

thither. We could not meet any wild animal the whole day; but, I felt

that I should not return to the Capital with empty hands, with

nothing bagged. We entered the forest in the night, and waited and

watched for some luck. The dawn was about to break into the darkness

around us on the brink of a vast lake, when something moved on the

edge of the water. I could also hear the sound of the movement.

 

" I inferred that it was a big beast of the jungle, and since I could

shoot the arrow straight at the sound and effect a kill, I drew my

bow and let go the sharp, sure arrow. It flew fast and furious and

hit that animal already on the move. Suddenly, I heard the cry of

pain, 'Ah', emanating from the place where it fell. I ran forward

with the soldiers and lo, I found it was not a beast I had killed; it

was the young son of a hermit! I bent by his side and prayed that he

should pardon me, for the tragic error. The son of the hermit told

me; 'Emperor! Do not grieve. Fulfill this request of mine, the

request I shall presently tell you; that will be enough requital for

the sin you have perpetrated. My name is Shravana. My father and

mother are both blind. I was spending the days of my life serving

them both; that service was granting me all the happiness I needed. I

was blessed with even the highest knowledge, the Realization of the

Reality. They are now suffering from excruciating thirst. I came here

to this lake to take some water to them. You shot at me imagining me

to be an animal of the forest. Who can avoid the decrees of destiny?

My present condition is such that I can no longer walk with this

water to my parents. Therefore, take this vessel of water with you to

them; go in the northerly direction, until you come to a lonely

thatched hut, and, after they have slaked their thirst, describe what

has happened to me here. Not tell them anything about me before they

slake their thirst " . Saying this, he placed the vessel in my hands,

and passed away.

 

Kausalya! O, how pathetically anxious he was for his parents! He

never worried about his life, which was fast ebbing away; he did not

speak a harsh word to me; those soft sweet loving words he uttered

are still echoing in my ears. With his last breath, he repeated the

sacred Pravana, Om, Om, Om, clearly, three times. Seeing him and his

calm courageous death, I decided that I should make amends for my sin

by fulfilling his last desire. I hurried to the hut he had mentioned,

and gave the vessel into their hands, without uttering a single word.

But, those parents started asking many questions; they

inquired, 'Son! Why did you take so much time? Why this delay?' They

moved their hands forward and waved them about, so that they may

touch him, and feel his presence before them. I stepped back a

little; meanwhile, the aged couple, wailed, 'Son! Why is it that

today you are not speaking to us? We shall not drink the water that

you have brought unless you talk to us and answer our queries!

 

" I had directed, that the body of Shravana be brought behind me by

the soldiers to the parents' hut. They arrived at this time with the

corpse. I placed the body within reach of the mother. She wept most

pathetically over the body; I could not look on. Some time later, the

mother established some little mastery over her grief and told

me, 'Emperor! There is no use extending our lives hereafter, since

our son has left us. We have grown old; who will serve us and foster

us? Kill us too, as you killed him. Or else, erect a pyre, so that we

can immolate ourselves with our son'. I bowed my head, and accepted

their command. I heaped dry wood and piled up a pyre. The son's

corpse was placed on it. They sat on it and by sheer exercise of

Yogic power; they created fire in themselves and burnt themselves.

 

" Before they immolated themselves, they addressed me and spoke a few

words. Their holy curse is proving true today. " At this point,

Dasaratha stopped some time, in order to take rest, and to compose

the agitation of his mind. Kausalya pacified him, and gave him

consolation and mental calm. She said, " Lord! What did the parents

say? Tell me, I am anxious to hear " . Dasaratha stayed silent for a

while and replied, " Kausalya! What can I say? How can I repeat those

words? Those old people, the aged couple, spoke thus: 'You will end

your life, as we are doing now, out of unbearable agony at separation

from your son'. And then, they breathed their last, amidst the rising

flames.

 

" At that time, I had no son; I wondered how their curse would affect

me. How could their word come true, I thought within myself. But I

also thought, that being the words of an aged sage, they cannot but

become true. That meant I must have sons, so that I may be separated

from them. You know how sad we were, for we had no sons then. I felt

that the curse might prove a blessing; I prayed it may come true, so

that, even though I may have to be separated from them, I might have

sons. I could not tell you this secret till now. Now, I understand

that the words of that holy hermit represented genuine truth. The

agony of separation from Rama is bringing about my end. I have

recalled to memory the tragedy of Shravana. My courage is spent. I

cannot muster it any more. "

 

Dasaratha was lost in the contemplation of the incidents of the

past. " Rama! Rama! Rama! " he cried thrice, and leaned back on

Kausalya. Kausalya noticed the change that had come over him, and

screamed. The attendants and maids gathered around. They found that

the Emperor had drawn his last breath. The city was turned into a

vale of tears, a seething pool of grief. Crowds surged into the

palace. The streets became fast-moving torrents of weeping humanity.

People cast curses on Kaikeyi, for, they felt that the City had lost

its Eyes, as a result of her machinations.

 

Vasishtha, the Royal Preceptor, arrived at the Hall, where the body

of the Emperor lay. He spoke appropriate counsel and tried to assuage

the sorrow of the queens. He consoled Kausalya and Sumitra, telling

them about the deceased forefathers and how they too could not escape

death, in spite of their might and majesty. Since there was no one

present who could officiate during the obsequies, the body was,

according to the instructions given by Vasishtha, kept immersed in

oil so that it might not disintegrate. Vasishtha beckoned a courier,

and told him. " Here! Go quickly to Bharatha; do not tell him a word

about the death of the Emperor; but tell him only this—the Preceptor

wants that you and your brother should return immediately to the

Capital City. " The courier fell at the feet of the Preceptor, and

took leave of the Minister, before he started on the long journey in

a fleet chariot.

 

Ever since Ayodhya was plunged in sorrow, Bharatha was experiencing

various premonitions in the form of ominous dreams. He was awakened

by the terror and turmoil, which the dreams presented before him.

Many nights Bharatha had not even a wink of sleep. He sat up in bed,

in an eerie state of expectation. He feared that some bad news was

coming fast towards him. He moved out even before dawn, and, after an

early bath, he engaged himself in various rites and ceremonies in

order to propitiate the Gods and avert the expected calamity. He sat

long in the shrine, praying for relief. In spite of all this, he was

haunted by a mysterious fear.

 

The dreams were persisting for fourteen days and so Bharatha had

reached the very bottom of his courage and faith. Meanwhile the

courier from Ayodhya managed to reach the City of Kekaya, where

Bharatha was, on the fifteenth day of his long journey. When Bharatha

was informed of his arrival at the main entrance to the Palace,

Bharatha ordered that he be brought in immediately, so that he might

know what had brought him.

 

The courier prostrated before Bharatha and prayed that he and his

brother start without the least delay, according to the command of

the Preceptor, to Ayodhya. Bharatha inquired about the welfare of

people in Ayodhya, plying the courier with a variety of questions. He

replied that there was nothing special to report, except that the

Preceptor wanted them to return soon, without delay. This was the

task on which he had come and he had nothing more to may. Nor did he

know anything more.

 

Bharatha knew that couriers would not speak more than a few words

before their royal masters and the royal masters too should not keep

on talking to them intimately for long. Etiquette demanded that he

should not converse with him for more than a few minutes. The courier

too had his code of discipline. So, he rose and left the chamber.

 

That very moment, Bharatha entered the inner apartments, and took

leave of his maternal uncle; along with his brother, Satrughna, he

got into the waiting chariot, and hurried it to move forward faster

and faster. Like an arrow from an intrepid bow, the chariot flew over

mountain paths, hill tracks and jungle roads. Grief was surging from

Bharatha's heart, as fast as the chariot itself. He could not explain

why or wherefore. Some inexplicable agony afflicted him. Bharatha did

not wish to delay on the road for food or even for a gulp of water to

assuage his thirst.

 

TO BE CONTINUED