June 12 - Sargas 29 and 30 of Ayodhya Kanda.
Sita manages to convince Rama that she should accompany him. Rama discloses that he also knew that she would come along but was only explaining how difficult their circumstance had turned. He asks her to give away all precious belongings as gifts before their departure.
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ये त्वया कीर्तिता दोषा वने वस्तव्यतां प्रति ।
गुणानित्येव तान् विद्धि तव स्नेहपुरस्कृता ॥
अदृष्टपूर्वरूपत्वात् सर्वे ते तव राघव ।
रूपं दृष्ट्वापसर्पेयुस्तव सर्वे हि बिभ्यति ॥
त्वया च सह गन्तव्यं मया गुरुजनाज्ञया ।
त्वद्वियोगेन मे राम त्यक्तव्यमिह जीवितम् ॥
Sita tells Rama: "Dear lord, these circumstances and difficulties of forest life you have described, please know that they are indeed for me attractions alone, since I am so much loved by you.
"Further, the creatures in the forest have never seen someone like you (armed warrior). In fact they will run away in fear on seeing you.
"The elders' order for you to go to the forest applies equally to me. My only course if I am separated from you will be to give up my life."
Sita goes on to narrate that in Mithila, she had actually been foretold by astrologers and seers that she was destined to live in the forest. She says that is in fact coming true now!
कृतादेशा भविष्यामि गमिष्यामि त्वया सह ।
कालश्चायं समुत्पन्नः सत्वयान् भवतु द्विजः ॥
"Given the order to go to the forest (and with your consent) I shall go to the forest along with you! Therefore the time has come for the prophesy of the Brahmins to be proven true!"
Sita repeats what Rama had told earlier about the difficult circumstances she would face in Ayodhya after his departure. That is enough reason not to allow such a situation. She repeats that when given in marriage to him, it was a sacred bond for this life and even in the life after. So he cannot leave her.
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Sita started shedding copious tears when Rama seemed unmoved. Valmiki says her hot tears drenched the earth. Rama tried his best to console her but in vain.
Sita, in extreme agitation, then taunted Rama:
किं त्वामन्यत वैदेहः पिता मे मिथिलाधिपः ।
राम जामातरं प्राप्य स्त्रियं पुरुषविग्रहम् ॥
किं हि कृत्वा विषण्णस्त्वं कोतौ वा भयमस्ति ते ।
यत् परित्यक्तुकामस्त्वं मामनन्यपरायणाम् ॥
महावातसमुद्भूतं यन्मामवकरिष्यति ।
रजो रमण तन्मन्ये परार्ध्यमिव चन्दनम् ॥
न च तत्र ततः किञ्चिद् द्रष्टुमर्हसि विप्रियम् ।
मत्कृते न च शोको न भविष्यामि दुर्भरा ॥
"What is it- when the king of Videha gave me away in marriage to you, Rama, he thought he got a great son-in-law, but perhaps it is to a woman dressed up as man?
"What makes you gloomy or afraid to take me along? Don't you know that I am devoted totally to you and have no other person in my life?
"Dearest Rama, know that when I am in the forest with you, every experience will be only pleasant to me. For example, if I am caught in a raging whirlwind that will deposit so much sand on me, I shall consider that I am being bathed in sandal dust."
"Therefore I beg you not to think that any unpleasantness or difficulty will arise for you on my account. I shall not be a burden to you in any way and no sorrow will be caused to you by me."
Sita said that if he was not going to take her along, it was better for her to die right now. Crying aloud and shedding copious tears, Sita fell into Rama's arms, full of extreme anguish. Sri Rama embraced Sita and said these words:
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न देवि बत दुःखेन स्वर्गमप्यभिरोचये ।
नहि मेऽस्ति भयं कञ्चित् स्वयम्भोरिव सर्वतः। ॥
धर्मस्तु गजनासोरु सद्भिराचरिता पुरा ।
तं चाहमनुवर्तिष्ये यथा सूर्यं सुवर्चला ॥
न खल्वहं न गच्छेयं वनं जनकनन्दिनि ।
वचनं तन्नयति मां पितुः सत्योपबृंहितम् ॥
"My dearest Sita, if it causes sorrow in you, I shall not enjoy a trip even to heaven. Then what of this exile.
"Know that nothing on earth can cause fear in me, just as nothing in this universe can cause fear in Narayana.
"Now that I know your feelings clearly, and your readiness for the forest life, you shall accompany me to the forest. Indeed this has been the practice of yore and conforms to Dharma. Follow me just as Suvarchala follows Surya, the Sun god.
"Also, dear daughter of Janaka, I think you know that the prospect of going to the forest is not something I desired. That plighted word of my father and his being tied down by Kaikeyi is what is driving me away to exile."
Both Sri Rama and Sita are now full of resolve for the life ahead. They will sail through thick and thin in accordance with Dharma.
Sita is mightily relieved that she is not being left behind. Sri Rama tells her that they should quickly prepare for their departure and she should give away all royal garments, jewellery, household articles, food, precious articles of amusement, and anything else valuable, to Brahmins, to others in need and those in supplication...and Sita jumps into action.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
