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.
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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.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
