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.
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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.
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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.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
