Valmiki Ramayana - June 25

June 25 - Sargas 55 and 56 of Ayodhya Kanda. 

Sage Bharadwaja gives his benediction to Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita for their safe and successful sojourn in the forest. He also gives detailed directions on how to reach Chitrakuta after crossing the Yamuna river. 

The three are quite energised after getting the blessing of the famous sage and proceed in the direction of Yamuna.

There is a description of the way they cross the river, and reach Chitrakuta. There is a quaint description of the forest. Then Lakshmana builds a hermitage. Sri Rama does an elaborate ceremony of griha pravesha before moving in.

***

तौ काष्ठसंघाटमथो चक्रतुः सुमहाप्लवम्              ।

शुश्कैर्वशैः समाकीर्णमुशीरैश्च समावृतम्               ॥

ततो वैतसशाखाश्च जम्बुशाखाश्च वीर्यवान्            ।

चकार लक्ष्मणश्च्छित्वा सीतायाः सुखमासनम्          ॥

 तत्र श्रियमिवाचिन्त्यां रामो दाशरथिः प्रियाम्         ।

ईषत्स लज्जमानां तामध्यारोपयत प्लवाम्             ॥     

The two brothers built a large stable raft with logs of trees bound with strong creepers, with bamboo reeds for the floor, and covered with fragrant Ushira (lamancha/vetiver) grass for comfort. Lakshmana fashioned a fine seat for Sita with jamun wood and reeds.  Sri Rama took a bashful Sita's hand as she looked unbelievably like goddess Lakshmi and helped her climb on to the raft. The brothers carefully loaded up their belongings. Lakshmana and then Rama got on to the raft and sailed the swift flowing Kalindi/Yamuna river and crossed to the southern bank.

***

Just as she did for river Ganga, Sita also says a prayer to Yamuna to bless them for a safe sojourn and return to Ayodhya after the exile. She vows to make generous offerings on their return.

***

They rest under a large banyan tree as advised by sage Bharadwaja. Then they start walking towards Chitrakuta. It is an incredibly beautiful forest filled with sights, sounds, and fragrances. 

Sri Rama tells Lakshmana who is walking in the front that whatever fruits and flowers Sita asks for, he should fetch. Sita is also having a great time asking Sri Rama coming behind her about the different flower trees and other creepers and shrubs, some of which she has not seen before. As per Sita's wishes, Lakshmana gathers a wide range of lovely forest flowers for her. 

The brothers hunt deer for food and the three appease themselves. Then they proceed to the Chitrakuta hill.

En route they visit the ashrama of sage Valmiki and take his blessings. Interesting that this location is quite far away from his eventual ashrama on the bank of Tamasa river as we saw early in the Balakanda. 

They rest for the night.

***

Next morning, Sri Rama wakes up Lakshmana from his well-deserved rest. He cheers him up pointing to the pleasant cries of birds. As they walk on towards Chitrakuta, Sri Rama again tells Sita about the wonderful kimshuka trees with a plethora of red flowers that look as if the trees have decorated themselves with garlands. Then the bhallataka trees overladen with flowers and fruits. He points Lakshmana to the very large honeycombs hanging in many trees. Peacocks, song birds, elephants, many other animals seem to be welcoming them. There is plenty of sweet water.

 

There stands the Chitrakuta mountain amidst all these bounties of nature.

***

Sri Rama instructs Lakshmana to build a sturdy hut for their stay. Lakshmana sets about getting the wood, bamboo, grass and so on. Soon he erects a beautiful hut on the flat top.

***

तां निष्ठितां बद्धकटां दृश्ट्वा रामस्सुदर्शनाम्             ।

शुश्रूषमाणमेकाग्रमिदं  वचनमब्रवीत्                    ॥

ऐणेयं मांसमाहृत्य शालां यक्ष्यामहे वयम्               ।

कर्तव्यं वास्तुशमनं सौमित्रे चिरजीविभिः                ॥

Seeing the completed hut, beautiful in every way, with a sturdy  structure of tree-logs,  covered with thick and weather-hardy mats, all done so quickly by the ever-efficient Lakshmana, who was now waiting full of attention for further instructions from him, Sri Rama spoke thus:

"Dear Lakshmana, since we intend to live here for long, we should propitiate the guarding deities and purify the vastu of this new hut. We should make offerings as prescribed in rituals of the venison of a black antelope and other materials. Please fetch the needed materials."

There is now an elaborate description of the materials hunted down by Lakshmana and then prepared in the fire and offered by Sri Rama along with Vedic chants and prayers. We see the continuity of tradition here as even today a proper vastu homa is a must for any Hindu home newly constructed or newly occupied.

***

We have already read how Sri Rama and even so Lakshmana are adept at many things. Not only are they experts in handing divine weapons, they know royal traditions, Vedic and scriptural rituals, architecture,  building boats, finding their way about in the forest. No wonder we have read in our literature how learned young men would master up to 64 different arts and crafts.

There is also some consternation in us as we read how they hunted wild boar and deer and ate meat. This requires just a little bit of thinking. They were warriors of the highest class. They had undertaken a fourteen year exile in the forest. No doubt they would eschew every royal comfort and fancy palatial cuisine. But warriors ate meat. Simple.

Also the Vedic rituals involved sacrifices. It is a testimony to the evolution of our civilisation and culture that Brahminical traditions of prayer and worship without animal offerings and such have evolved over the last millennium.

What we have retained however is the high ethical values of conduct and adherence to truth and pursuit of larger good that has been an unbroken tradition of Sanatana Dharma.

***

॥                     श्र्रीरामजयम्                   ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - June 24

June 24 - Sargas 53 and 54 of Ayodhya Kanda. 

As they prepare to pass the night on their grass beds under the peepul tree, Sri Rama is in a dark mood and utters words of concern about Ayodhya, Dasharatha and their mothers. He bemoans the condition his old and incapable father must be in after yielding to the mean Kaikeyi's demands purely occasioned by his weakness for sexual pleasure. 

इदं व्यसनमालोक्य राज्ञश्च मतिविभ्रमम्           ।

काम एवार्थधर्माभ्यां गरीयानिति मे मतिः         ॥

को ह्यविद्वानपि पुमान् प्रमदायाः कृते त्यजेत्     ।

छन्दानुवर्तिनं पुत्रं तातो मामिव लक्ष्मण            ॥

"Lakshmana, seeing this woeful condition the king has been reduced to, and his mental aberration, I have to say that I think passion (desire for pleasure) surpasses in its influence any considerations of one's material and righteous welfare.

"Otherwise, Lakshmana,  how do you explain such an act? It is unlikely even in an uneducated person! That a man abandons his son for the sake of a woman, as my father did of me, a dutiful and obedient son!?"

Sri Rama goes on to paint a very grim prospect for Kausalya and others. Kaikeyi would rather that the king dies once Bharata is installed as heir apparent. Bharata will enjoy the kingdom all for himself. Sri Rama imagines the worst for Kausalya and Sumitra at the hands of Kaikeyi. He urges Lakshmana to go back at once to Ayodhya to take care of them.

अहमेको गमिष्यामि सीतया सह दण्डकान्        ।

अनाथाया हि नाथस्त्वं कौसल्याया भविष्यसि    ॥

मया हि चिरपुष्टेन दुःखसंवर्धतेन च                  ।

विप्रयुज्यत कौसल्या फलकाले धिगस्तु माम्      ॥ 

एको ह्यहमयोध्यायां च पृथिवीं चापि लक्ष्मण     ।

तरेयमिषुभिः क्रुद्धो ननु कार्यमकारणम्               ॥

"Dear Lakshmana, I will go alone with Sita into the Dandaka forest.  You please proceed at once and be her support and take care of the queen Kausalya who has no protector now.

"What an irony that Kausalya brought me up so well and with so much difficulty. Now she has been separated from me and I am not taking care of her when the time has come for it! How unworthy a son am I! Fie on me!

"Indeed, Lakshmana, it is not difficult for me to single-handedly take over Ayodhya and even the whole world with my arrows once provoked. But such aggression is unwise without any just cause."

And so on. As we read the shlokas we realise how utterly human albeit noble and scrupulous Sri Rama was. Valmiki has not tried to gold-plate the character into a deity who is beyond human emotions.

To all this Lakshmana has a very simple response.

नैतदौपयिकं राम यदिदं परितप्यते             ।

विषादयसि सीतां च मां चैव पुरुषर्षभ         ॥

न च सीता त्वया हीना न चाहमपि राघव      ।

मुहूर्तमपि जीवावो जलान्मत्स्याविवोद्धतौ    ॥

"Oh Rama, it behoves you not to lament like this as it is totally unproductive. You are through your tears and words causing great distress to Sita and me too, oh tiger among men!

"Neither Sita nor I will survive even for a moment separated from you. We will die like fish pulled out of water."

Lakshmana says neither Ayodhya nor Dasharatha, Sumitra, Shatrughna nor anyone else in Ayodhya has any attraction for him if it means he will leave the side of Rama. Not even heaven. So the discussion is closed.

Sri Rama realises Lakshmana's mindset and gladly agrees that he will stay on with them.

***

They rest well after that and next day proceed southward. They pass many beautiful forests and see many eye-catching sights. Proceeding further they come to the holy confluence of Ganga and Yamuna at Prayag. Sri Rama points Lakshmana to rising smoke in the yonder distance and says that this holy spot must be the home of a great muni. Soon they discover the Ashrama of sage Bharadwaja. The hermitage is surrounded by verdant nature full of birds and animals all living in harmony as it were. The place is abuzz with disciples performing many homas and austerities.

ततस्त्वाश्रममासाद्य मुनेर्दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणौ ।

सीतायानुगतौ वीरौ दूरादेवावतस्थतुः     ॥

हुताग्निहोत्रं दृष्ट्वैव महाभागः कृताञ्जलिः  ।

रामः सौमित्रिणा सार्धं सीतया चाभ्यवादयत् ॥

Then approaching the Ashrama of the sage, desirous of having his darshan, Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita waited at some distance to be received.

After they were cordially received and ushered into the presence of the sage, Sri Rama, the noble one, offered his obeisances as he beheld the sage performing homa with agnihotra. Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita all offered their deep respects.

***

Sri Rama introduces himself and Lakshmana to the rishi as the princes from Ayodhya and this Sita as the daughter of the great king Janaka and his wife. He has been sent to the forest by his father and Sita and Lakshmana have decided to come along.

Bharadwaja says he knows the unfortunate sequence of events. He offers the best of hospitality to them. He treats them to a dainty dinner made with fruits and roots and shoots of the forest. He makes them very comfortable for the night. He also regales Sri Rama and others with many stories through the night. What a wonderful time they should have had!

Next morning, Bharadwaja says that this ashrama is situated very well amidst bountiful nature at the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna. So Sri Rama may stay here for the entire duration of the exile with no difficulties at all.

Sri Rama replies, 

भगवन्नित आसन्नः पौरजनपदो जनः        ।

सुदर्शमिह मां प्रेक्ष्य मन्येऽहमिममाश्रमम्   ॥

आगमिष्यति वैदेहीं मां चापि प्रेक्षको जनः ।

अनेन कारणेनाहमिह वासं न रोचये            ॥ 

"Revered sage, there are many towns and villages in this vicinity. Many people will therefore easily spot me in the ashrama. They will start coming here desirous of seeing Sita and me. That will disturb the ashrama very much. Also that situation is unsuitable for my intended sojourn in the forest. I therefore respectfully decline your offer. Please suggest a secluded and somewhat inaccessible place."

Hearing these very sensible words of Sri Rama, Bharadwaja recommends a beautiful hill not very far away (around 35 km) called Chitrakuta.

वासमौपयिकं मन्ये तव राम महाबल         ।

नानानगगणोपेतः किन्नरोरगसेवितः          ॥

मयूरनादभरितो गजराजनिषेवितः               ।

गम्यतां भवता शीलश्चित्रकूट: स विश्रुतः      ॥

"In that case, dear Rama, oh mighty one, I consider a most suitable place for your stay to be the Chitrakuta hill. It is surrounded by many trees. It is home to a wide range of simians, deer, bears, other animals, birds like peacocks, elephants, snakes and even demi-celestials (Kinnaras). It is very beautiful. It has rivulets, waterfalls, lakes and caves. You will find your stay there with Sita to be most delightful."

***

॥                 श्रीरामजयम्                   ॥ 

 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - June 23

June 23 - Sargas 51 and 52 of Ayodhya Kanda. 

Guha and Lakshmana spend the night speaking about Sri Rama and the likely situation in Ayodhya. Then Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana cross the Ganga after instructing Sumantra to return to Ayodhya.

***

After Sri Rama and Sita have retired, Guha requests Lakshmana to take rest in the special bed the hunters have made for him. Guha and his people will stand guard for the vigil. 

अस्य प्रासादादाशंसे लोकेऽस्मिन् सुमहद् यशः   ।

धर्मावाप्तिं च विपुलामार्थकामौ च पुष्कलौ       ॥

सोऽहं प्रियसखं रामं शयानं सह सीतया             ।

रक्षिष्यामि धनुष्पाणिः सर्वथा ज्ञातिभिः सह       ॥

Guha tells Lakshmana, "Please take this as my inner most truth, I am going to receive all grace and glory from Sri Rama's benediction. I shall acquire Dharma, as well as material welfare and all that I desire only owing to Sri Rama's favour. Therefore I consider it my utmost duty to take care of him as he rests here with Sita. I shall stand guard with bow and arrow and my people here know every kind of danger and how to ward it off."

Lakshmana replies that indeed they have absolutely no fear or anxiety resting there under Guha's care. 

कथं दाशरथौ भूमौ शयाने सह सीतया               ।

शक्या निद्रा मया लब्धुं जीवितं वा सुखानि वा   ॥  

However indeed is it possible for Lakshmana to get sleep, and enjoy life's comforts when he sees Sri Rama and Sita sleeping on bare ground thus? The same Sri Rama, whom no gods or demons can encounter in war. The same Sri Rama who is as glorious as his father the great king Dasharatha?

Lakshmana goes into a very sad train of thought about what will come to pass in Ayodhya. 

कथं पुत्रं महात्मानं ज्येष्ठपुत्रमपश्यतः                  ।

शरीरं धारयिष्यन्ति प्राणा राज्ञो महात्मनः             ॥

विनष्टे नृपतौ पश्चात् कौसल्या विनशिष्यति           ।

अनन्तरं च मातापि मम नाशमुपैष्यति                  ॥ 

Lakshmana tells Guha, "How will his life breath survive in my father the great king Dasharatha when he is not able to set eyes on his noble son Rama? Once he dies, Kausalya will follow him. Even my mother Sumitra will die soon after. "

Lakshmana conjectures, without mentioning Bharata, that those who are fortunate to perform the king's last rites will be lucky to enjoy the glories and beauties of the wonderful Ayodhya with its well-laid mansions, gardens, facilities and happy citizenry. 

When Lakshmana sighs wondering if there is any chance for them after completing their exile to re-enter Ayodhya and set their eyes on their father alive, Guha is wrenched with sorrow and Valmiki says he was like an elephant silently shedding tears owing to some deep fever. 

***

At daybreak Sri Rama instructs Lakshmana to request Guha for a suitable boat to cross Ganga. Sri Rama does not miss noticing and telling Lakshmana about the call of cuckoos and peacocks as nature wakes up in joy. 

Guha readies an excellent boat. Sri Rama and Lakshmana wear their armour and hold their weapons. Their meagre belongings are loaded into the boat. Then Sumantra comes forward. Sri Rama tells him that he should now return to Ayodhya. 

Their conversation is extremely moving. Sri Rama tells Sumantra that he is the most trust-worthy and competent minister to be by the side of Dasharatha in this most difficult time. He should take extremely good care of the king and the three queens. Dasharatha should quickly install Bharata. 

नैवाहमनुशोचामि न लक्ष्मणो न च शोचति     ।

अयोध्यायाश्च्युताश्चेति वने वत्स्यामहेति वा  ॥

चतुर्दशसु वर्षेषु निवृत्तेषु पुनः पुनः                ।

लक्ष्मणं मां च सीतां च द्रक्ष्यसे शिघ्रमागतान्   ॥ 

"Please tell the king that neither I nor Lakshmana are distressed that we have left Ayodhya and are going to dwell in the forest. Once we complete the period of fourteen years, we shall return and the king will behold us constantly. These years will pass very quickly. "

 On his part Sumantra goes into a big protestation that neither the citizens of Ayodhya will be happy nor the future of Ayodhya will be good once Sri Rama is gone. Even the horses will not like to go back without Sri Rama. On his part Sumantra is most apprehensive about Kaikeyi and cannot muster courage to return to the capital without Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana.

Sri Rama tells Sumantra it is inevitable that Sumantra returns quickly to Ayodhya. In fact that is most essential as it will be final proof and reassurance to Kaikeyi that Rama has indeed gone into exile.

Sri Rama has detailed instructions for Sumantra on how to care for the king and make sure he does not miss Rama. He has words also for Bharata. Bharata should show the same love and respect to all the three queens as also the king. 

तातस्य प्रियकामेन यौवराज्यमवेक्षता              ।

लोकयोरुभयोः शक्यं नित्यदा सुखमेधितुम्       ॥ 

"Dear Bharata, by the fond desire of the king you are being made Yuvaraja. Please discharge your responsibilities always such that the king will get happiness in this world and in the next world too."

Many more instructions.

Then Sri Rama requests Guha to get the sap of the banyan tree. Rama and Lakshmana anoint their hair into matted locks.  Valmiki says the two brothers with their matted locks and medicant clothes looked like two great tapasvis. 

Rama has words of statesmanly advice to Guha on how to rule well and protect the people and the treasures under his watch.

Rama tells Lakshmana to board the boat first, steady it for Sita to climb into, and then Rama will board.

The three get into the boat with the oarsman. Rama says appropriate prayers and sips Ganga's holy water reverentially. 

***

As they cross the Ganga, Sita offers her prayers to the holy river midstream. This is a very eloquent prayer from a lady who hardly speaks. She says:

ततस्त्वां देवि सुभगे क्षमेण पुनरागता          ।

यक्ष्ये प्रमुदिता गङ्गे सर्वकामसमृद्धिनी         ॥

"Dear Devi Ganga, under your grace, we shall complete fourteen years in the forest safely. Your most auspicious and gracious nature will fulfil all our desires. I make a vow to worship you on our safe return with bountiful offerings and offerings to Brahmins and others."

***

After they land on the other bank, Rama instructs Lakshmana how they shall proceed henceforth.

अवश्यं रक्षणं कार्यं मद्विधैर्विजने वने          ।

अग्रतो गच्छ सौमित्रे सीता त्वामनुगच्छतु     ॥

पृष्ठतोऽनुगमिष्यामि सीतां त्वां चानुपालयन् ।

अन्योन्यस्य हि नो रक्षा कर्तव्या पुरुषर्षभ     ॥ 

न हि तावदतिक्रान्तासुकरा काचन क्रिया      ।

अद्य दुःखं तु वैदेही वनवासस्य वेत्स्यति        ॥

"Dear Lakshmana, henceforth we have to protect one another in this uninhabited dense forest.  So do as I tell you. You shall always travel ahead. Sita shall follow you. And I will come following her. Oh tiger among men, this is the way we shall look out for each other and protect ourselves. 

"So far Sita has seen no hardship or danger at all, living in royal luxury. Sita is now going to be exposed to the difficulties and dangers of forest life in plenty."

***

Valmiki describes how the three of them were utterly famished after travelling for so long with no food. The brothers hunted down a wild boar and some deer. They managed thus to get some proper food. They rested under a tree for the night. 

***

॥                           श्रीरामजयम्                           ॥ 

Oh your smile!

Valmiki Ramayana - June 22

June 22 - Sargas 49 and 50 of Ayodhya Kanda.

As they cross rivers, many thoughts of Ayodhya cross Sri Rama's mind. They arrive at the bank of the holy Ganga and are received by Guha, the king of hunters.

***

Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita travelled through many charming regions and villages of Kosala desha (another name for Ayodhya kingdom). They heard people discussing how a lust-besotted king Dasharatha had relinquished his great son with no justification at all. What an evil woman was Kaikeyi. And so on.

Although steered by swift horses, their passage appeared to be slow as their thoughts were not so happy.

They travelled southward and crossed Vedashruti, Gomati and Syandika rivers. Many forests, paddy cultivation fields, orchards and grasslands greeted them. And they reached the bank of the river Ganga.

***

Valmiki is excited to describe the Ganga. There are more than a dozen verses of charming poetry. A sample:

***

देवसङ्घाप्लुतजलां निर्मलोत्पलसंकुलाम्             ।

क्वचिदाभोगपुलिनां क्वचिन्निरमलवालुकाम्      ॥

हंससारससंघुष्टां चक्रवाकोपशोभिताम्               ।

सदामत्तैश्च विहगैरभिपन्नामनिनदिताम्                ॥

क्वचित् तीररुहैर्वृक्षैर्मालाभिरिव शौभिताम्             ।

क्वचित् फुल्लोत्पलच्छन्नां क्वचिद्पद्मवनाकुलाम्  ॥  

Sri Rama saw the Ganga, the holy river in which gods bathed, with many blue lilies. She flowed with banks at places curved, and in some places filled with white sand. 

She was resounding with the calls of swans and cranes, and shone with many  chakravakas (ruddy geese). All the birds that thronged the Ganga seemed in inebriated ecstasy. Ganga, the holy river, was their home!

At places there were flowering trees on her banks looking like her garlands. At many places she sported many lilies and large lotuses too.

***

Rama decided to rest for the night. He pointed to a large almond tree full of rich foliage and flowers. Rama told Lakshmana and Sumantra that they will rest there for the night. He said what a great fortune was theirs as they would be watching the holy Ganga, revered by gods, demons, and all other beings.

As they were preparing to encamp there for the night, they saw the local king of hunters, Guha, at a distance. He had come with his ministers and soldiers. Sri Rama and Lakshmana went to him and greeted him. Guha was overwhelmed. He was keenly aware of the tragic circumstances of Rama's exile. He prayed that his kingdom was Rama's and Rama should happily stay there and rule this land. He arranged for a dainty dinner of many delicacies to be brought at once. See Rama's response:

***

पद्भ्यामभिगमाच्चैव स्नेहसंदर्शनेन च             ।

भुजाभ्यां साधुवृत्ताभ्यां पीडयन् वाक्यमब्रवीत्   ॥  

दिष्ट्या त्वां गुह पश्यामि ह्यरोगं सह बान्धवैः     ।

अपि ते कुशलं राष्ट्रे मित्रेषु च वनेषु च             ॥

यत् त्विदं भवता किञ्चित् प्रीत्या समुपकल्पितम्  ।

सर्वं तदनुजानामि  नहि वर्ते प्रतिगर्हे                ॥

कुशचीराजिनधरं फलमूलाशनं च माम्            ।

विद्धि प्रणिहितं धर्मे तापसं वनगोचरम्            ॥  

अश्वानां खादनेनाहमर्थी नान्येन केनचित्           ।

एतावतात्र भवता भविष्यामि सुपूजितः            ॥

Sri Rama embraced Guha tightly and spoke thus:"By your coming on foot to receive us, and offering such affectionate reception, we are most pleased."   

"I am very happy to see that by fortunate circumstances, you are healthy and surrounded by near and dear ones. I can see your kingdom is prosperous with well-wishers and also well provided for by the forest.

"Whatever dainty food and other things that you have so hospitably offered, I most thankfully accept. I am sorry we cannot consume any of this so I am returning them to you. Kindly accept them.

"You see, I am foresworn to live in the forest wearing barks and leaves and skins. I am to eat only roots and fruits. That is the Dharma I have to follow living in the forest as a tapas.

"Therefore, dear Guha, I request you to feed my horses pulling the chariot here. I ask for nothing else. That kind hospitality will please me."

***

Guha did what was requested. Rama said his evening Sandhya prayers, and ate whatever roots and fruits Lakshmana had gathered. Then they retired for the night.

***

॥                       श्रीरामजयम्                      ॥ 

      

Valmiki Ramayana - June 21

June 21 - Sargas 47 and 48 of Ayodhya Kanda.

The citizens of Ayodhya who had gone behind Rama certain that their loving demand for his staying back in Ayodhya will make him return are shocked at day-break when they find no signs of Sri Rama, Lakshmana or Sita. Even the chariot has not left any meaningful track marks to follow. They feel utterly ashamed at having lost Sri Rama.

They talk of giving up their lives. They propose that they go deep into the forest themselves. 

Finally, very tired and very dejected, they wend their way back into a city completely shorn of its splendour and activity. Their women are shocked to hear that the citizens have returned without Rama. Nobody is in a mood for any normal activity.

The women tell the menfolk that they should all go away to the forest and somehow join Rama and Sita. They are all convinced that wherever there is Rama there will be joy and prosperity. The women will serve Sita, the men can serve Rama, and in turn those two will take care of all of them. Nature will rejoice in Rama's presence and no danger or difficulty will be faced.

***

या पुत्रं पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य प्रवासयति निर्घृणा          ।

कस्तां प्राप्य सुखं जीवेदधर्म्यां दुषदटचारिणीम्   ॥

न हि प्रव्रजिते रामे जीविष्यति महीपतिः             ।

मृते दशरथे व्यक्तं विलोपस्तदनन्तरम्               ॥

मिथ्याप्रव्राजितो रामः सभार्यः सहलक्ष्मणः        ।

भरते सन्निबद्धाः स्मः सौनिके पशवो यथा         ॥

उपशान्तवणिक्पण्या नष्टहर्षो निराश्रया           ।

अयोध्या नगरी चासीन्नष्टतारमिवाम्बरम्           ॥

"The woman who can banish even the king's eldest son without any qualm, what kind of an evil would she harbour. What joy or peace can we look forward to as ordinary citizens under the care of such an unrighteous and patently dangerous woman?

"After Rama's going away to the forest, the king will certainly not survive.  Once Dasharatha is dead, the ruination of Ayodhya will come to be experienced.

"Rama was wrongly and untruthfully sent away to the forest, that too with Sita and Lakshmana. Now under Bharata we will become as helpless as animals tied up by the butcher for slaughter."

Thus, resounding with lamentations and apprehensions, the entire city of Ayodhya shut down. Shopkeepers and traders downed their shutters. Those few who opened their shops found no buyers.  The city of Ayodhya resembled a sky without stars in the night.

***

॥                   श्रीरामजयम्                    ॥  

   

International Yoga Day

Valmiki Ramayana - June 20.

June 20 - Sargas 45 and 46 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Valmiki describes how the citizens and venerable Brahmins followed Rama's chariot imploring him to return. Sri Rama found it impossible to shrug them off. In fact deep in the night, just before sunrise, he asked Sumantra to take the chariot quietly across the Sarayu river so that they could proceed into the forest without waking up the citizens.

***

आवेक्षमाणः सस्नेहं ताः प्रजाः स्वां प्रजाः इव।

उवाच रामः सस्नेहं चक्षुषा प्रपिबन्निव          ॥

या प्रीतिर्बहुमानश्च मय्ययोध्यानिवासिनाम्    । 

मत्प्रियार्थं विशेषेण भरते सा विधेयताम्       ॥

स हि कल्याणचारित्रः कैकेय्यानन्दवर्धनः     । 

करिष्यति यथावद् वः प्रियाणि च हितानि च  ॥

ज्ञानवृद्धो वयोबालो मृदुर्वीर्यगुणान्वितः.         ।

अनुरूपः स वो भर्ता भविष्यति भयापहः        ॥

Sri Rama looked with eyes overflowing with love at the citizens of Ayodhya, considering them to be as much his responsibility as they were the citizens of Ayodhya. 

He spoke in tender words to them: "Whatever love and regard the citizens of Ayodhya hold me in, it is my most earnest appeal that the same is extended and imposed in Bharata. 

"Bharata has a most worthy and auspicious character as much as he is the dear son of queen Kaikeyi. He will do whatever is dear to the people of Ayodhya and at the same time what ensures their welfare. 

"Although Bharata is young, know that he is very wise (the term is ज्ञानवृद्धः meaning as wise as a man of years of life's learning). He is soft-hearted and yet a valorous warrior. He is most appropriate to be your king (for a change you will have a young king!) and will rule so well that you need have no apprehensions at all. "

Despite all Rama's words and assurances, the people do not stop their appeal. 

In fact a group of wise and elderly Brahmins, with grey hairs, their radiance acquired through austerities, and their heads shaking with age, have come to importune Rama. They speak directly to the horses and ask that the horses do not take Rama into the forest but bring him back to Ayodhya! Even the horses seem to listen to them. 

When Rama does not relent, the Brahmins say their white umbrellas and their years of doing homa and tapas all are at his service. They have decided to follow him to the forest and are not worried about leaving behind their wives or family. 

Sri Rama is embarrassed that these holy men of advancing years are walking with difficulty while he is on the chariot. He gets down and asks Sita and Lakshmana also to alight. The three start walking towards the Sarayu river which they need to cross. 

At nightfall Sumantra and Lakshmana make grass beds for Rama and Sita to rest. Rama points out to the yonder forest and says, "look, Ayodhya is in distress and confusion after our departure. But the forest is resplendent and awaits us." 

Rama says they shall retire without eating as it is their first night of exile. 

As Sita and Rama are resting, Lakshmana keeps awake describing Rama's great qualities to Sumantra. 

It is almost dawn. Rama wakes up and tells Sumantra that the only way to proceed without the citizens is to quietly cross Sarayu into the forest. Sumantra gets the chariot ready and they cross over. 

Rama wants to cover their trail to send back the citizens. He asks Sumantra to drive the chariot in random directions for some distance to leave misleading track marks. Afterwards the three mount the chariot and Sumantra drives them into the forest on the northward auspicious path. 

***

॥            श्रीरामजयम्            ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - June 19

June 19 - Sargas 43 and 44 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Dasharatha has to now listen to Kausalya as she shows her grief and anxiety about Rama and her feelings towards Kaikeyi. One would expect nothing else from the senior queen slighted and ignored so far by Dasharatha and insulted by Kaikeyi in the past. Her sense of tragedy is indeed immense.

Then Valmiki brings in the sagely words of Sumitra. She speaks eloquently and convincingly to put a positive spin on the situation and assuages the feelings of Kausalya. 

***

विवास्य रामं सुभगा लब्धकामा समाहिता      ।

त्रासयिष्यति मां भूयो दुष्टाहिरिव वेश्मनि        ॥

पातयित्वा कैकेय्या रामं स्थानाद् यथेष्टितः     ।

प्रविद्धो रक्षसां भागः पर्वणीवाहिताग्निना      ॥

Kausalya says, "Kaikeyi is fortunate. She has achieved her desire by sending away Rama to the forest. Now she will have me under her control at home and torment me like a wicked serpent.

"Succumbing to Kaikeyi's demand, you have banished Rama to the forest. You tripped him from his due coronation. It is as if the performers of a homa sacrifice wrongly direct the homa fire and divert the offerings intended for the gods and give them instead to the demons."

And so on. 

Kausalya again says she will die from this separation. 

There are many comparisons by Valmiki to the distress of a milching cow when her calf is separated from her and taken away. This shows how much cows and prized bulls were regarded in our culture, as well as how advanced the practice was of rearing cattle in a holistic manner.

As anyone would in her position, Kausalya also fantasises about the return of Rama and paints a glorious picture of how the people of Ayodhya will celebrate his triumphant return. She also says many things about the hardships and distress Rama, Lakshmana and Sita will face in the forest.

Not dwelling on the anguish of Dasharatha as he hears Kausalya, Valmiki brings in Sumitra and her eloquent words of reassurance to Kausalya.

***

यस्तवार्ये गतः पुत्रस्त्यक्त्वा राज्यं महाबलः         ।

साधु कुर्वन् माहात्मानं पितरं सत्यवादिनम्          ॥

शिष्टैराचरिते सम्यक्शश्वत् प्रेत्य फलोदये            ।

रामो धर्मे स्थितः श्रेष्ठो न स शोच्यः कदाचन       ॥

वर्तते चोत्तमां वृत्तिं लक्ष्मणोऽस्मिन् सदानघः       ।

दयावान् सर्वभूतेषु लाभस्तस्य महात्मनः             ॥

अरण्यवासे यद् दुःखं  जानन्त्येव सुखोचिता        ।

अनुगच्छति वैदेही धर्मात्मानं तवात्मजम्             ॥

Sumitra tells Kausalya, "Oh noble queen, indeed your son of great valour has discarded the kingdom and gone to the forest. He has done something very noble and righteous as he is upholding the word and honour of his great father who has always upheld truth.

"When such deeds are done by noble souls, they always yield lasting fruits for everyone in the future. Therefore Rama who is established in Dharma should never be grieved about.

" I am also very happy about Lakshmana. He is blemishless and always compassionate to all beings. He has done the right thing now in accompanying Rama to the exile. This I am sure will augur much good for him.

"And look at Sita! Knowing fully well the rigours and dangers to be faced during the forest exile, she has rightly followed her husband.  That is because she knows how noble your son is."

Sumitra adds that the sun, the moon, all the elements, and the weather too, will ensure Rama's comfort in consideration of his nobility. She reminds Kausalya how Rama's departure evoked utter distress in the entire Ayodhya. So Ayodhya will rejoice and welcome Rama with boundless joy when he returns triumphantly. Sumitra narrates how Rama has acquired divine weapons from Brahma himself and is unconquerable on earth. He is the sun to the sun, moon to the moon and fire to the fire. These words suggest that Sumitra indeed knew Rama was Vishnu himself!

More on these lines until Kausalya is feeling much much better.

निशम्य तल्लक्ष्मणमातृवाक्यम् 

          रामस्य मातुर्नरदेवप्तन्याः          ।

सद्यः शरीरे विननाश शोकः 

          शरद्गतो मेघ इवाल्पतोयः         ॥

Hearing these words from Lakshmana's mother and queen Sumitra, the emotions of Rama's mother and queen Kausalya were pacified. Grief left her body now, just as we see how clouds bearing light moisture scatter away during winter without causing distress.

***

॥                श्रीरामजयम्               ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - June 18

June 18 - Sargas 41 and 42 of Ayodhya Kanda. 

Valmiki evokes images of a desolate and spiritless Ayodhya reeling after the banishment of Sri Rama. Nature is gloomy. All the elements are dark and foreboding. People are listless and grieving, not interested in others. Life has lost all its colour.

Dasharatha has been watching the dust raised by Sri Rama's chariot. When it stops Dasharatha again collapses. Kausalya rushes to lift him up. As she holds his right arm, Kaikeyi comes to raise him from the left. Dasharatha recoils from her touch.

***

तां नयेन च सम्पन्नो धर्मेण विनयेन च           ।

उवाच राजा कैकेयीं समीक्ष्य व्यथितेन्द्रियः    ॥

कैकेयि मामकाङ्गानि मा स्प्राक्षीः पापनिश्चये    ।

नहि त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छामि न भार्या न च बान्धवी। ॥

भरतश्चेत् प्रतीतः स्याद् राज्यं प्राप्यैतदव्ययम्   ।

यन्मे स दद्यात्  पित्रर्थं मा मां तद्दत्तमागमत्       ॥

 Dasharatha, who was  a man full of softness of heart, righteousness and culture, recoiled from Kaikeyi and said in obvious discomfort from her touch:

"Kaikeyi, you with your sinful resolve! You dare not touch my limbs. I don't want to set my eyes on you any more.  I disown you as my wife and annul any relationship. The bonds of our marriage are broken. Anyone who has anything to do with you is disowned by me. 

"If Bharata gladly accepts kingship free from encumbrances and rules Ayodhya, let his obsequential (rites for the dead forefathers) offerings not reach me in my after-life."

Dasharatha then begs that he is taken to Kausalya's palace. He does not rest well there, even though he rests on the royal couch. In the most woeful voice imaginable, in the middle of the night, he laments,

न त्वां पश्यामि कौसल्ये साधु मां पाणिना स्पृश       ।

रामं मेऽनुगता दृष्टिरद्यापि न निवर्तते                      ॥

"Dear Kausalya, would you please touch my hand? I cannot see you at all. My sight that followed Rama as he left has not returned to me even now."

***

॥                    श्रीरामजयम्                    ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - June 17

June 17 - Sargas 39 and 40 of Ayodhya Kanda. Amidst lamentations and protestations, Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leave for the forest in a royal chariot driven by Sumantra.

***

King Dasharatha is described as collapsing, recovering, uttering the name of Rama in extreme distress, and lamenting his situation.

मन्ये खलु मया पूर्वं विवत्सा बहवः कृताः         ।

प्राणिनो हिंसिता वापि तन्मामिदमुपस्थितम्     ॥

न त्वेनानागते काले देहाच्च्यवति जीवितम्   ।

कैकेय्या क्लिश्यमानस्य मृत्युर्मम न विद्यते       ॥  

Dasharatha laments: "Indeed I believe that I must have tormented many beings and deprived them of their children, for me to now experience this situation as my due reward.

"Alas! It seems the time for my death is still not come, as life is not leaving my body even after suffering this grievous torment from Kaikeyi."

Dasharatha tells Sumantra to arrange the best royal chariot and drive Rama to the edge of Ayodhya himself.

Dasharatha also orders that the finest clothes and ornaments be brought at once to Sita, and they should be in sufficient quantity to last her the entire fourteen years of her forest sojourn. This is done immediately. Sita once again wears her royal robes and looks her usual self - a goddess.

Then some words from Kausalya to Sita are equally piercing.

तां भुजाभ्यां परिष्वज्य श्वश्रूर्वचनमब्रवीत्        ।

अनाचरन्तीं कृपणं मूर्ध्युपाघ्राय मैथिलीम्      ॥  

असत्यः सर्वलोकेऽस्मिन् सततं सत्कृताः  प्रियैः  ।

भर्तारं नानुमन्यन्ते विनिपातगतं स्त्रियः              ॥

स त्वया नावमन्तव्यः पुत्रः प्रव्राजितो वनम्         ।

तव देवसमस्त्वेव निधनः सधनोऽपि वा            ॥ 

Then Kausalya clasped her daughter-in-law in an embrace and smelled her head (a traditional act in our country for elders showing affection and blessing to a youngster) as Sita remained very dignified and unperturbed.

"It is not true that people are treated well by their dear ones always. Wives do not show respect and love for their husbands when they are down and out.

"But please remember that my son should not be slighted or ill-treated by you, Sita, even though he is going into this exile in the forest. Regard him as your god, regardless of if he is in utter penury or is wealthy."

To this Sita gives a most fitting reply:

न मामसज्जनेनार्या समानयितुमर्हति             ।

धर्माद् विचलितुं नाहमलं चन्द्रादिव प्रभा      ॥  

नातन्त्री वाद्यते वीणा नाचक्रो विद्यते रथः       ।

नापतिः सुखमेधेत या स्यादपि शतात्मजा      ॥

"Noble queen Kausalya, you should not equate me to women without virtue. It is impossible for me to abandon Dharma just as a moon cannot lose his radiance.

"A veena does not remain a veena if it loses its strings. A chariot does not remain a chariot if it loses its wheels. Similarly a woman cannot be happy without her husband even if she has a hundred sons."

Then it is the turn of Rama to reassure Kausalya that the fourteen years will pass in a jiffy and he will be back. She and other queens are exhorted by him to take the best care of Dasharatha. 

Valmiki concludes this sarga by saying that the loud wailing and remonstrations of all the ladies around rose up like a discordant beating of drums.

Then Sumitra is taken leave of by Lakshmana. Her words are also sacred.

व्यसनी वा समृद्धो वा गतिरेष तवानघ         ।

एष लोके सतां धर्मो यज्ज्येष्ठवशगो भवेत्    ॥ 

रामं दशरथं विद्धि मां विद्धि जनकात्मजाम्     ।

अयोध्यामटवीं विद्धि गच्छ तात यथासुखम्    ॥  

"Dear son Lakshmana, of impeccable virtue, in times of distress or in times of prosperity, Sri Rama is your refuge and resort. It is the timeless tradition of Dharma that one should be devoted and steadfast to one's elder brother always.

"Lakshmana, let me tell you the best mindset for you. Consider Rama as Dasharatha himself in terms of your filial duty, consider Sita to be myself, your mother. And consider the forest to be your beloved Ayodhya. Proceed thus, dearest, at peace with your situation."

These words of Sumitra are often quoted to demonstrate the value system people lived by in Ramayana times. We will see time and again the character and commitment of Lakshmana. This was born of great inspirations from Sumitra. 

***

The brothers and Sita mount the royal chariot. Its splendour is in stark contrast to everyone's mood. Sita is being sent with a full set of clothes and accessories for her fourteen years in the forest. The brothers are carrying their divine weapons, The entire Ayodhya is up in wailing. Dasharatha and the queens run behind the chariot. Rama tells Sumantra to speed away. The citizens don't want the chariot to advance at all. A king to be utterly pitied, in a situation no one should ever be in human history, is walking behind the chariot. What woeful imagery indeed.

***

यमिच्छेत् पुनरायातं नैनं दूरमनुव्रजेत्        ।

इत्यामात्या  महाराजमूचुर्दशरथं वचः       ॥

His ministers told the king Dasharatha, "your majesty, one should not accompany for a great distance anyone in bidding goodbye whom one wants to return. It is inauspicious."

***

॥                श्रीरामजयम्                 ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - June 16

June 16 - Sargas 37 and 38 of Ayodhya Kanda. 

The scene of Kaikeyi's thrusting the garments of forest-dwellers on Sita and her distress, and the way Vasishtha raises his voice are covered in these two sargas.

First of all Rama wants to end any discussion about troops and facilities being sent along for his comfortable stay in the forest. He will go and spend the fourteen years as a tapasvi living like anyone else would in the forest.

***

यो हि दत्त्वा द्विपाश्रेष्ठं कक्ष्यायां कुरुते मनः     ।

रज्जुस्नेहेन किं तस्य त्यजतः कुञ्जरोत्तमम्         ॥

Rama spoke to Dasharatha, " Oh king, I will take nothing of the royal life along. It is similar to someone who has gifted away a prize elephant. What attachment will he have for the rope tied to that elephant's girth?"

***

Kaikeyi hastens to bring valkala-garments, made of barks, grass and bamboo fibre, to be worn by the three. Rama and Lakshmana wear them silently, giving up their royal silks. When she thrusts it on Sita also, Sita is most bewildered and distressed. She has no idea how to wear them. Rama goes to help her and ties those grass and bamboo garments over her silk dress. In Sanskrit the silk robes were called चीर - that is the origin of the word Saree in English.

Sage Vasishtha is highly provoked. He speaks his mind to Kaikeyi:

***

न गन्तव्या वनं देव्या सीतया शीलवर्जिते     ।

अनुष्ठास्यति रामस्य सीता प्रकृतमासनम्      ॥

आत्मा हि दाराः सर्वेषां दारसङ्ग्रहवर्तिनाम्    ।

आत्मेयमिति रामस्य पालयिष्यति मेदिनीम्    ॥

भरतश्च सशत्रुघ्नश्चीरावासा वनेचरः              ।

वने वसन्तं काकुत्स्थमनुवत्सयति पूर्वजम्      ॥

ततः शून्यां गतजनां वसुधां पादपैः सह         ।

त्वमेका शाधि दुर्वृत्ता प्रजानामहिते स्थिता     ॥

यद्यपि त्वं क्षितितलाद् गगनं चोत्पतिष्यसि     ।

पितृवंशचरित्रज्ञः सोऽन्यथा न करिष्यति        ॥ 

Vasishtha spoke sternly to Kaikeyi : " Oh lady who has given up good conduct, please know that Sita need not go to the forest. In fact she should take her place on the throne left vacant by Rama. After all the wife is the soul of every husband, especially those who take good care of their wives. Therefore this Sita is the soul of Rama and shall rule Ayodhya in his place.

"And don't even imagine that Bharata will relish rulership. He will go along with Shatrughna, wearing the same forest clothes, and follow his elder brother Rama and live in the forest.

"Therefore what will be left for you, Kaikeyi, to lord over, will be this land without any people,  empty in every way, except for trees. You will rule over this land with your bad attitude which is totally against the welfare of the people. 

"Kaikeyi, even if you jump from earth to heaven and back, know that Bharata will not follow your plan, as he is fully cognisant of the reputation of this dynasty and what is the right course for him."

More tears, more regret for Dasharatha. More misery for all around. Dasharatha orders that Sita will go only in her royal clothes, with all jewels and ornaments befitting her as the daughter of Janaka, and welcomed by Dasharatha at the time of marriage with the promise that she will be treated with honour due in every way.

Before going away, Rama makes a request to Dasharatha:

***

इमां महेनद्रोपम जातगर्धिनीं 

      तथा विधातुं जननीं ममार्हसि    ।

यथा वनस्थे मयि शोककर्षिता       

      न जीवतं न्यस्य यमक्षयं व्रजेत्    ॥

"Dear king, you are like Devendra himself in position, prestige and reputation.  My mother here, Kausalya, has extreme attachment to you and me. Kindly take care of her well. After I go away to the forest, she will be so distressed. Please make sure she will not give up her life and go to Yama's world. "

***

॥                   श्रीरामजयम्                  ॥  

 

Valmiki Ramayana - June 15

June 15 - Sargas 35 and 36 of Ayodhya Kanda.

These two Kandas are a proof that people always had the courage to speak the truth in times of Ramayana. Sumantra, the minister, and another elder minister of Dasharatha, Siddhartha, openly rebuke Kaikeyi in the presence of hundreds and ask her to change her mind.

***

Valmiki describes how Sumantra, , reading Dasharatha's mind, expressing extreme frustration, grinding his teeth, beating his head, mincing no words, shaking with anger, addressed Kaikeyi:

वाक्यवज्रैरनुपमैर्निर्भिन्दन्निव चाशुभैः         ।

कैकेय्याः सर्वमर्माणि सुमन्त्रः प्रत्यभाषत     ॥

नह्यकार्यतमं किञ्चित्तव देवीह विद्यते          ।

पतिघ्नीं त्वामहं मन्ये कुलघ्नीमपि चान्ततः ॥

राजा भवतु ते पुत्रो भरतः शास्तु मेदिनीम्      ।

वयं तत्र गमिष्यामो यत्र रामो गमिष्यति        ॥

आभिजात्यं हि ते मन्ये यथा मातुस्तथैव च       ।

न हि निम्बात् स्रवेत् क्षौद्रं लोके निगदितं वचः ॥

With unprecedented thunder-bolt-like words that should have pierced Kaikeyi's entrails , Sumantra spoke extremely harsh words to Kaikeyi:

"It seems, oh lady, nothing is too despicable or low a deed for you who are destroying your husband and eventually will destroy the entire Ikshwaku lineage.

"If you have your say, let Bharata, your son, become the king of this land, but it will be abandoned by all of us as we will follow Rama wherever he goes.

"I see clearly in you the same evil nature as that of your mother. It is indeed rightly said in the world that honey does not flow from a neem tree."

Valmiki makes Sumantra narrate how Kaikeyi's mother tormented her husband, by giving some specific examples. We have seen even before that Sumantra was no ordinary minister and charioteer. He was a most learned and astute man. Wasn't he the one who suggested to Dasharatha to perform the Yaga to beget sons?

Sumantra again succinctly lays out how it is the royal tradition for the eldest born to be the heir. And how Rama is the most worthy to be the Yuvaraja by all his accomplishments, character and people's support to have been rightly chosen to be anointed as the Yuvaraja. 

All Sumantra's  sagely, passionate and well-articulated words tear everyone's heart with their truth. But Kaikeyi?

Kaikeyi is actually totally unmoved by all this. 

Dasharatha starts instructing Sumantra that in the event that Rama goes to the forest, all arrangements should be made at once for the army, the treasury, all kinds of housekeeping and entertainment facilities to be despatched with him so that he will be able to live in royal comfort even in the forest.

To this Kaikeyi speaks with great feeling of anger and protest. How dare the king convert his promise of banishing Rama to arrange a picnic of sorts for Rama? She will have none of it. Dasharatha dare not empty Ayodhya of all its wealth, resources and people for Bharata to rule an empty shell. Dasharatha has no answer for her.

Then Kaikeyi says something shocking. After all, is there not a precedent among kings of Dasharatha's lineage itself for a king to banish his son? Remember how Sagara the king sent away his first born son Asamanjas to the forest? 

Then a senior minister by name Siddhartha speaks up. He narrates for Kaikeyi's benefit and for everyone else's too how Asamanjas turned out to be an extremely evil man who got pleasure in drowning babies in the Sarayu river. His actions were so atrocious that the entire citizenry rose up in arms and went to Sagara insisting that Sagara could not continue as the king of Ayodhya unless and until he banished his most unbalanced and evil son Asamanjas. 

That is how Sagara sent away Asamanjas to the forest. How can Kaikeyi even begin to draw a parallel here to Rama's banishment that was being asked for by Kaikeyi against all Dharma, the well-being of Ayodhya, and the king's own sagely counsel from Vasishtha and others? 

Dasharatha at last spoke:

एतद्वचो नेच्छसि पापारूपे हितं न जानासि मामात्मनोऽयथा ।

आस्थाय मार्गे कृपणं कुचेष्टा चेष्टा हि ते साधुपथादपेता      ॥

"Oh evil Kaikeyi, don't you like this good advice? You seem not to know what is good for me or even for you. Otherwise how would you be so hell-bent on a course of rank evil and patently disastrous consequence for all of us?"

***

॥                श्रीरामजयम्                ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - June 14

June 14 - Sargas 33 and 34 of Ayodhya Kanda.

Watched in desperate grief by all the stricken citizens of Ayodhya, Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana walk to the palace to take leave of Dasharatha.

Dasharatha is inconsolable. He asks Rama to take over the kingdom by force. Rama explains that it is the highest priority for him to uphold Dasharatha's promises to Kaikeyi and he would like to leave at once with Sita and Lakshmana for the forest. Everyone displays unprecedented distress, except Kaikeyi.

***

पदातिं सानुजं दृष्ट्वा ससीतं च जनास्तदा    ।

ऊचुर्बहुजना वाचः शोकोपहतचेतसः          ॥

निर्गुणस्यापि पुत्रस्य कथं स्याद् विनिवासनम् ।

किं पुनर्यस्य लोकोऽयं जितो वृत्तेन केवलम्   ॥

वनं नगरमेवास्तु येन गच्छति राघवः           ।

अस्माभिश्च परित्यक्तं पुरं सम्पद्यतां वनम्     ॥

People had filled every inch of space on terraces and balconies, and were watching the dismal and unbelievable picture of Rama Lakshmana and Sita (who wouldn't be seen in public ever before) proceeding on foot, sans paraphernalia and guards and processions, on their way to the exile. They all spoke as if in one voice, plunged in sorrow. 

"It is inconceivable to banish even a worthless son to the forest. Then how come our king is sending away Rama, who has won over the entire world with just his character and conduct?

"Now that Rama is leaving the city and going to the forest, for all our purposes, the forest shall be our city. Let us all leave this capital and follow Rama to the forest".

The people spare no words to describe how they will fill the forest and displace all the wild animals who will come and haunt Ayodhya. A derelict and inauspicious place that Ayodhya shall become - let Kaikeyi make merry here with her son and well-wishers.

***

Eventhough every word that was heard pierced one's heart, Sri Rama walked with a pleasant and majestic demeanour, and ascended the steps of the palace with Sita and Lakshmana.

***

Dasharatha sends for all his wives (he has 350 women as wives etc.) to assemble and witness the proceedings. They are all wailing and uttering the name "Rama Rama". Dasharatha collapses and is revived by Rama and Lakshmana.

***

अनुजानीहि सर्वान्नः शोकमुत्सृज्य मानद       ।

लक्ष्मणं मां च सीतां च प्रजापतिरिवात्मजान् ॥

प्रतीक्षमाणमव्यग्रमनुज्ञां जगतीपतेः              ।

उवाच राजा सम्प्रेक्ष्य वनवासाय राघवम्        ॥

अहं राघव कैकेय्या वरदानेन मोहितः            । 

अयोध्यायां त्वमेवाद्य भव राजा निगृह्य माम्    ॥

एवमुक्तो नृपतिना रामो धर्मभृतां वरः          । 

प्रत्युवाचाञ्जलिं कृत्वा पितरं वाक्यकोविदः  ॥

भवान् वर्षसहस्राय पृथिव्या नृपते पतिः       । 

अहं त्वरण्ये वत्स्यामि न मे राज्यस्य काङ्क्षिता  ॥

Sri Rama spoke to king Dasharatha: "Kindly give up your grief, oh lord and bestower of honour as the king! Please grant permission to all of us - Lakshmana, me and Sita, to go to the forest, just as lord Brahma gave permission to his four sons who wanted to go to the forest to perform austerities (the Sanatkumaras). "

To Rama thus waiting for his permission, displaying no grief or disturbance of mind, looking up at the king for his signal to leave for the forest, the king spoke. 

" Dear Raghava, I came under the delusion of fulfilling my promises to Kaikeyi. I deserve to be imprisoned by you now and you should take over as the king of Ayodhya."

When spoken thus by the king, Rama, who was the foremost among men who upheld righteousness, spoke, bending in obeisance, with all his eloquence:

" Oh king, you shall rule for a thousand years Ayodhya. I on my part will live in the forest. I have no desire at all for the kingdom." 

Dasharatha realises that the die is cast and events cannot be averted. He gives his bountiful blessings and prayers to Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. 

***

Dasharatha then tells Rama, now that he has made up his mind, please let him stay for the night in the company of his mothers and father and fulfill all his desires with all enjoyments in the opulence of Ayodhya. Then they may leave at daybreak for the forest. 

Rama rejects the idea at once. He says that his mind is already on its way and nothing - no royal pleasure or comfort - attracts him. His only goal is to fulfill his father's promises without the slightest delay. He will therefore leave immediately. 

***

पुरं च राष्ट्रं च मही च केवला 

        मया विसृष्टा भरताय दीयताम्     । 

अहं  निदेशं भवतोऽनुपालयन् 

      वनं गमिष्यामि चिराय सेवितुम्      ॥

"Dear lord, let this capital, this kingdom and all the land, that I have relinquished, be kindly handed over to Bharata. I on my part shall fulfill your order and go to the forest to live there for long". 

There is all-round wailing and a loud clamour of distress from the large number of Dasharatha's queens. Even the minister, Sumatra, swoons. 

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्            ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - June 13

June 13 - Sargas 31 and 32 of Ayodhya Kanda.

We see Lakshmana now convince Rama that he should also go along with Rama and Sita to the forest. 

Then Valmiki elaborates how Sri Rama gave away all his wealth to people of all types in Ayodhya.

***

एवं श्रुत्वा स संवादं लक्ष्मणः पूर्वमागतः      ।

बाष्पपूर्णाकुलमुखः शोकं सौढुमशक्नुवन्     ॥

स भ्रातुश्चरणौ गाढं निपीड्य रघुनन्दनः          ।

सीतामुवाचातियशां राघवं च महाव्रतम्        ॥

यदि गन्तुं कृता बुद्धिर्वनं मृगगजायुतम्           ।

अहं त्वानुगमिष्यामि वनमग्रे धनुर्धरः             ॥   

On hearing the conversation between Rama and Sita, Lakshmana who had arrived a bit earlier, was unable to bear his sorrow. His face was full of tears. He bowed down and clasped tightly the feet of Rama, one known for great resolve and execution, and Sita, that most noble lady. The prince of Raghus, Lakshmana, spoke thus:

"Dear brother, if you have made up your minds to proceed to live in the forest surrounded by wild animals like deer and elephants, I shall go with you, in fact ahead of you, holding my bow." Lakshmana assures Rama that he will take care that Sita and Rama will have an enjoyable experience of living in the forest. He is very clear that nothing - not heaven nor riches nor kingdoms - interests him in life at all if it happens to be without serving Rama.

Sri Rama now dissuades Lakshmana in many ways. Once he is gone, who will take care of Kausalya and Sumitra? Kaikeyi will not treat them well. Bharata will have to be under her authority and will be helpless. How can Lakshmana bear the thought of their utter distress that will ensue if Lakshmana also goes away to the forest?

Lakshmana has a ready answer. First of all Rama knows that Bharata is a very good man, and has been inspried by Rama's behaviour always.. Bharata therefore will not behave badly. And if at all he does, it will take no time for Lakshmana to destroy his evil self and ensure that the mothers are well looked after. 

Lakshmana also reminds Rama that Kausalya has large tracts of villages and prosperous regions under her hold and in fact supports large numbers of priests and students studying the scriptures from her own resources. Even Sumitra is well provided for. So his presence is not needed in Ayodhya for providing them material needs. In fact even Dasharatha will not leave them destitute in any way.

Coming to his going with Rama, in fact the way Rama has spoken to Kausalya and others, it was already made clear that Lakshmana would go with him. Why this change of thought? 

Lakshmana elaborates on how he will take care of them in the forest, by clearing the paths, taking care of difficulties and dangers, bringing the roots and fruits for their food, and so on. He concludes, 

भवांस्तु सह वैदेह्या गिरिसानुषु रंस्यसे      ।

अहं सर्वं करिष्यामि जाग्रतः श्वपतश्च ते    ॥

"Dear brother, you will live happily with Sita, daughter of Videha, on mountain peaks (safest places from wild animals, but will need everything to be carried from the valley below!) I shall take care of everything, yes, everything, and will take care of you while you are awake and also asleep."

We will see later many descriptions how Lakshmana was exemplary in service and competence and did so many heroic things during those fourteen long years. Perhaps there is no other such character in literature.

***

रामस्त्वनेन वाक्येन सुप्रीतः प्रत्युवाच तम्       ।

व्रजापृच्छस्व सौमित्रे सर्वमेव सुहृज्जनम्         ॥

ये च राज्ञे ददौ दिव्ये महात्मा वरुणः स्वयम्     ।

जनकस्य महायज्ञे धनुषी रौद्रदर्शने                ॥

अभेद्ये कवचे दिव्ये तूणी चाक्षय्यसायकौ        ।

आदित्यविमलाभौ द्वौ खड्गौ हेमपरिष्कृतौ      ॥

सत्कृत्य निहितं सर्वमेतदाचार्यसद्मनि               ।

सर्वमायुधमादाय  क्षिप्रमाव्रज लक्ष्मण            ॥

Sri Rama was very pleased to hear Lakshmana speak thus. He replied indicating permission to Lakshmana, "well then, please proceed now to inform your friends and well-wishers of your impending journey and take their leave." This was a very diplomatic act I think, since someone responsible and close to him should break the news to the citizens of Ayodhya of the turn of events. So the very first task for Lakshmana was to be the lord's spokesperson.

The next was even more interesting.  On the occasion of the breaking of the Shiva Dhanush and the marriage with Sita, king Janaka had gifted some divine weapons to Rama. These had been given to him during his Yajna by Varuna, the god of the seas. It consisted of two divine fierce-looking bows, inexhaustible quivers of arrows, bejewelled and goldplated divine swords that shone with sun's radiance (an apt description since that is one weapon that glitters by its shiny sides!), and impenetrable armours. Sri Rama had worshipped them and placed them in custody in the ashrama of great sage Vasishtha. Lakshmana should collect of all them and bring them for the journey. Rama asks Lakshmana to return quickly.

***

Sri Rama also arranges for all their wealth - riches, clothes, jewels, grains, cows, bulls, in fact everything valuable that would have been in use for him as the Yuvaraja, to be given away. He makes an elaborate list and asks Lakshmana and Sita to start distributing them all. He invites the son of Vasishtha, himself a great sage by name Suyajna, and showers these gifts on him and says many gifts are also given by Sita for his wife.

I see here again great statesmanship. Rama is making it known to all that he was never after power and prosperity. By his deeds of such charity he has shown what stuff he is made of and when he does return, we can be sure of the kind of reception that will await him. 

Rama makes sure nobody in want is left uncared for. Poor people, students, beggars, everyone is given gifts in plenty. There is a strange sage by name Trijata. He is aged but with a young wife and many children. He lives in the forest and somehow ekes out a living (Valmiki says he lives by digging for food!). His wife hears of Rama's munificence and makes him rush to Rama. Rama has in fact given away most of his wealth by then. But when Trijata comes asking, Sri Rama says, surely, he will give him cows that would cover the ground as much as he can throw his staff (stick he holds for walking) to cover. So some kind of a test. The old rishi takes a deep breath, practises his swing and throws the staff really far- so far that it goes to the other bank of Sarayu! Sri Rama smiles and gives him thousands of cows and all the land covered by that throw. He smiles and says the sage should not think he was making fun of him as Rama wanted everyone to see how strong the man was even in his advanced age.

स चापि रामः प्रतिपूर्णमानसो

    महाधनं धर्मबलैरुपार्जितम्        ।

नियोजयामास सुहृजजने चिराद्

    यथार्हसम्मानवचः   प्रचोदितः    ॥

द्विजः सुहृद् भृत्यजनोऽथवा   

    दरिद्रभक्षाचरणाश्च यो भवेत्        ।

न तत्र कश्चिन्न बभूव तर्पितो

     यथार्हसम्मानदानसम्भ्रमैः           ॥   

Thus did Rama, who had over the years administered Ayodhya well and earned riches by righteous means, and with a reputation for his great valour and ability, distribute, with all generosity of heart, his wealth and provide for his well-wishers in plenty for the future, speaking words of due respect to them for receiving his gifts.

Brahmins and priests, relatives and servants, poor people who lived on alms, vagrants - whoever a person may be, received his gifts, There was no one left who had not received gifts from Rama. All was done with great decorum, respect and grace as well as in a mood of celebration.

***

॥                 श्रीरामजयम्                  ॥ 

Puranas - article in A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Swami Harshananda-ji of Ramakrishna Mission was a scholar of immense learning and prodigious output. I show below his article in his work, A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, from the RKMathBangalore website. I have pasted it here for your ready reading.