June 4 - Sargas 13 and 14 of Ayodhya Kanda.
The inevitable unravels. Dasharatha makes one last feeble attempt to change Kaikeyi's mind and when he fails, he lies on the floor, listening to her lecture on Dharma.
Vasishtha and Sumantra arrive at day break all ready for the coronation. Kaikeyi sends for Rama.
***
साधुवृत्तस्य दीनस्य त्वद्गतस्य गतायुषः ।
प्रसादः क्रियतां देवि भद्रे राज्ञो विशेषतः ॥
" Oh noble queen Kaikeyi, I have been known all my life for righteousness. I now lie wretched at your feet, an old man waiting for his end.
Have mercy on me, especially as I am the king around here and have to think of larger considerations as my duty. Please relent from your stubborn stand on the two boons".
Dasharatha again enumerates Rama's multifarious virtues, and how the king would have no face to show to the gods in his after-life if he were to banish the blemishless Rama to the forest. He also taunts Kaikeyi, saying she is as an evil woman of great miscalculation who would indeed gain nothing from Rama's banishment and his own demise.
But again, Dasharatha starts extolling Kaikeyi's physical charm and how she should accept his loving request to reconsider her wishes.
Kaikeyi, her eyes flashing with all sentiments except kindness, now lectures Dasharatha on the importance of upholding his promise. She quotes earlier famous kings of Ikshwakus who gave up their life to uphold their word. Is Dasharatha foolish enough to blot that reputation?
धर्मस्यैहाभिकामार्थं मम चैवाभिचोदनात् ।
प्रव्राजाय सुतं रामं त्रिः खलु त्वां ब्रवीम्यहम्। ॥
"Oh king, it is your duty to uphold your righteous promise. I am only urging you to do that, nothing more. Send Rama to the forest. This is my final word and I say it thrice to you (which means it is irrevocable)."
***
The sun rises. The whole of Ayodhya has been got up in celestial splendour. The citizens, chiefs, rishis and everyone else is eagerly awaiting the coronation. Sage Vasishtha comes into the palace and informs Sumantra to inform the king that the auspicious muhurta for the coronation is fast approaching, everything including holy waters in golden vessels is ready and the king should send for Sri Rama and hold the coronation.
Minister Sumantra enters the inner chambers. He begins to recite the customary royal chants of praise to the king, and says the day is beautifully laid out for the coronation. If he sees the king in a terrible state, he does not reveal his surprise.
***
पौरजनपदाश्चापि नैगमश्च कृतान्जलिः ।
स्वयं वसिष्ठो भगवान् ब्राह्मणैः सह तिष्ठति ॥
क्षिप्रमाज्ञाप्यन्तां राजन् राघवस्याभिषेचनम् ।
"Your majesty, the citizens of Ayodhya, all the merchants, await you with folded hands. The great sage Vasishtha himself, along with all the priests, is waiting with everything needed for the rituals and festivities.
"Please quickly give your sanction for the commencement of the coronation ceremony."
अभ्यकीर्यत शोकेन भूय एव महीपतिः ।
ततस्तु राजा तं सूतं सन्नहर्षः सुतं प्रति ॥
शोकरक्तेक्षणः श्रीमानुद्वीक्ष्योवाच धार्मिकः ।
वाक्यैस्तु खलु मर्माणि मम भूयो निकृन्तसि ॥
The king, overcome with extreme grief, looked up at Sumantra with cheerlessness.
With his eyes bloodshot in distress, the righteous king looked at Sumantra and said, "with your words, you are piercing my entrails indeed!"
Sumantra is alarmed and withdraws a few steps. He looks at the king with anxious puzzlement. Kaikeyi, ever astute in her ways, says:
सुमन्त्र राजा रजनीं रामहर्षसमुत्सकः ।
प्रजागर परिश्रान्तो निद्रावशमुपागतः ॥
तद्गच्छ त्वरितं सूत राजपुत्रं यशस्विनम् ।
राममानय भद्रं ते नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥
अश्रुत्वा राजवचनं कथं गच्छामि भामिनि ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा मन्त्रिणो वाक्यं राजा मन्त्रिणमब्रवीत् ॥
सुमन्त्र रामं द्रक्ष्यामि शीघ्रमानय सुन्दरम् ।
स मन्यमानः कल्याणं हृदयेन ननन्द च ॥
Kaikeyi speaks: " Oh Sumantra, the king has spent the night in utter excitement about Rama. He therefore didn't sleep a wink and is as a result very tired.
"Therefore lose no time, go and fetch the renowned prince Rama. Please escort Rama here, there is no need for any conversation now".
Sumantra is a good minister. He says he couldn't go to bring Rama without the king's own order. Hearing this, a wretched Dasharatha looks up and says, " Yes, Sumantra, please go and bring the handsome prince Rama here. I want to see him. "
Hearing this, Sumantra is greatly relieved and feels all is well after all. As he passes the courtiers, merchants, and others, he gets back into his mood of celebration.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
