June 28 - Sargas 61 and 62 of Ayodhya Kanda.
If anyone has yet not realised what kind of words one will have to listen to after committing a colossal act of injustice and inhumanity in haste, we get to read of it once more today.
Kausalya's grief is not extinguished despite words of comfort and reassurance from Sumantra. She takes up the matter with Dasharatha.
As the noble and righteous king, how did he stoop to such a low act? Does he realise that a tender princess Sita used to comfort and luxury will have to suffer unprecedented cold and heat and rain in the forest? Eat forest produce instead of dainty dishes? Hear the scarifying shrieks of wild animals instead of the lilting music of court musicians? That Rama will have to sleep on the ground supporting himself on his arm, instead of sleeping in a royal bed?
Rama could have easily taken the kingdom by force. It was his right. But he is a man of Dharma.
What will happen after fourteen years? Will Rama accept the kingdom already ruled by Bharata for so long?
Kausalya gives an elaborate analogy of a Shraddha ceremony. If one first feeds relatives (good people indeed) and then offers the ceremonial feast to worthy Brahmins, will they accept it? It will be a subversion of the right order and unacceptable. This analogy resonates with anyone who has witnessed Shraddha ceremonies even in our time.
Similarly, articles of worship and Yajna once used are never recycled and reused in another worship.
Even animals don't like to eat left-overs of other animals. A lion does not eat a carcass hunted by another animal. Rama will not take charge of the kingdom from Bharata on his return.
How about thinking of the condition Dasharatha has reduced Kausalya to by his misdeed? A woman has nobody to look up to except her husband or son. Now Dasharatha has rendered her destitute. All this!
And only two people will be happy - Dasharatha's darling wife Kaikeyi and her dear son Bharata.
हतं त्वया राष्ट्रमिदं सराज्यं
हताः स्म सर्वाः सहमन्त्रिभिश्च ।
हता सपुत्रास्मि हताश्च पौराः
सुतश्च भार्या च तव प्रहृष्टौ ॥
"Oh king, you have destroyed this country and its rule of law. Everyone in this country has been ruined by you, as well as your entire administration. Even though I have a son as a prince, you have pretty much killed me, and my son, and every decent person around. Only your wife Kaikeyi and her son are very happy. "
Kausalya even adds that Dasharatha has lost all Dharma- of any of the four castes- and his sin is beyond redemption.
***
These words reduce a decrepit and distressed Dasharatha to dismal depths of despair. He collapses. After he slowly recovers, he begs Kausalya to tone down her hurtful words. He says that he is beginning to recall an act he had committed once using his special skill as a Shabdavedi (aiming at a target by hearing its sound alone while hunting) and his sin is now bearing fruit. Dasharatha also reasons with Kausalya.
भर्ता तु खलु नारीणां गुणवान्निर्गुणोऽपि वा ।
धर्मं विमृशमानानां प्रत्यक्षं देवि दैवतम् ॥
"After all, is it not Dharma that a woman stands in support of her husband however good or bad he may be? Indeed, oh queen, they say that a husband is god to a woman."
Kausalya realises that the king is hurt very badly by her words. She falls at his feet and begs forgiveness. She apologises that her own terrible plight made her say all these abominable things. The wound inflicted by fate is far more painful than that made even by any great weapon.
Please, Dasharatha should forgive her. Of course she considers it her highest duty to take care of her husband and will never again hurt the king.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
