June 10 - Sargas 25 and 26 of Ayodhya Kanda.
Valmiki gives an indication of the temperament of queen Kausalya and then of Sita. We also read of Sri Rama's way of breaking the news to Sita.
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There is a popular saying in Indian languages you hear when we speak highly of any person's greatness and valour. We say, "whose milk has he drunk (who is his mother)!?" So the effect a mother has on her son is regarded as the foremost influence.
Here we see how Kausalya blesses Sri Rama and protects him with her prayers:
यं पालयसि धर्मं त्वं प्रीत्या च नियमेन च ।
स वै राघवशार्दूल धर्मस्त्वामभिरक्षतु ॥
येभ्यः प्रणमसे पुत्र देवेष्वायतनेषु च ।
ते च त्वामभिरक्षन्तु वने सह महर्षिभिः ॥
यानि दत्तानि तेऽस्त्राणि विश्वामित्रेण धीमता ।
तानि त्वामभिरक्षन्तु गुणैः समुदितं सदा ॥
पितृशुश्रूषया पुत्र मातृशुश्रूषया तथा ।
सत्येन च महाबाहो चिरं जीवाभिरक्षितः ॥
आगमास्ते शिवाः सन्तु सिध्यन्तु च पराक्रमाः ।
सर्वसम्पत्तयो राम स्वस्तिमान् गच्छ पुत्रक ॥
प्रणष्टदुःखसंकल्पा हर्षविद्योतितानना ।
द्रक्ष्यामि त्वां वनात् प्राप्तं पूर्णचन्द्रमिवोदितम् ॥
"Dearest Rama, that Dharma you so lovingly uphold with discipline, may He that Dharma protect you, oh tiger of the Raghu dynasty!
"The prayers you have offered to deities in the temples, may those deities protect you, along with sages, in the forest.
" Those divine weapons that the great sage Vishwamitra has conferred on you, may they always protect you with all their powers fully manifested under your control.
"The dedicated service you have rendered your father, and your mothers, may that truly protect you in your exile.
"May all that is auspicious come to you in the future. May your valour and glory blossom fully. May you win all true treasures in the forest. Please proceed with your best foot forward, my son!
"I shall be rid of my sorrow entirely, and my face shall light up with great joy, when I shall behold you shining like the full moon rising, on your return from the forest!"
Kausalya also says prayers to all fauna, flora, creatures, divine and other beings, directions, seasons, and spirits, and so on, to protect Rama always.
The stage is set for Sri Rama's departure to the forest. She circumambulates him and he does so her in turn and Sri Rama now proceeds to break the news to Sita.
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Sri Rama silently passes through the royal highway full of people eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite prince and heir apparent. Nobody is the wiser about the latest developments. So also is Sita, waiting for Sri Rama with eager anticipation after the coronation.
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Sita saw a Rama with a dejected and gloomy face enter. Naturally she was alarmed.
अथ सीता समुत्पत्य वेपमाना च तं पतिम् ।
अपश्यच्छोकसंतप्तं चिन्ताव्याकुलितेद्रियम् ॥
Therefore Sita sprang up from her seat shaking with anxiety. She saw her husband burning with grief and all his features full of sorrow and anxiety.
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Sita is simply unable to guess what has happened. She bursts out with questions to Sri Rama. "What is up, my lord? Today is the auspicious star of Pushya and the priests had recommended your coronation. You should have the royal umbrella over your crowned head. You should be fanned by attendants and bards and courtiers should be singing your royal praises formally. You should have been ceremonially bathed and adorned by the priests. You should have a retinue of ministers and traders and others around you. Your procession in a golden chariot should be preceded by royal elephants and horses. Someone must be carrying for you the royal seat. But I see none of this, and your countenance is one full of sorrow!? What has happened?"
The poet Valmiki is regarded as the greatest because he narrates the story through the eyes and words of the characters. By now you would have a graphic image of what is the scene, what are Rama's and Sita's mental states.
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इतीव विलपन्तीं तां चौवाच रघुनन्दनः ।
सीते तत्रभवांस्तातः प्रव्राजयति मां वनम् ॥
कुले महति सम्भूते धर्मज्ञे धर्मचारिणि ।
श्रृणु जानकि येनेदं क्रमेणाद्यागतं मम ॥
To Sita, who was crying thus, Sri Rama, the scion of Raghus, replied in a sombre voice.
"Oh Sita, what happened there is this. The king and my father Dasharatha asked me to go away to the forest.
Dearest Janaki, you are one of noble birth, full of great virtues., You know what is Dharma, and you always conduct yourself according to Dharma. Please hear all that has happened to me today."
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I am too sad even to write down all the verses.
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Rama narrates how two old boons given to Kaikeyi by Dasharatha have been used by her to bring the king under her thumb today. Just when the preparations were all readied for Rama's coronation, she asked that Rama should immediately go and live in Dandaka forest for fourteen years. Dasharatha then decided that Bharata shall be made the heir apparent, Yuvaraja. Rama has come to visit Sita just before going away to the forest.
Sri Rama now advises Sita how to conduct herself during his exile. She should never praise Rama or speak of his virtues to anyone, especially not mention Rama at all in the presence of Bharata. For men are extremely jealous.
Sita should be very respectful to Bharata and in no way provoke him.
Rama is leaving right now for the forest. In his absence Sita should occupy herself with penance and prayers. She should take care of Dasharatha and Kausalya and Rama's other mothers, who have all been very affectionate to him in the past. She should regard Bharata and Shatrughna as her own brothers or sons.
Rama is on his way to the forest and Sita should stay back and conduct herself thus in Ayodhya.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
