June 9 - Sargas 23 and 24 of Ayodhya Kanda.
Valmiki describes the rage of Lakshmana and his exhortation for a military takeover. There is an ironic humour in the way Sri Rama simply lovingly responds to this - with the modern-day typical "I hear you" response, knowing well that Lakshmana's allegiance has taken precedence over any larger considerations for Ayodhya. He also convinces his mother Kausalya what is the right course of action for her.
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लोकविद्विष्टमारब्धं त्वदन्यस्याभिषेचनम् ।
नोत्सहे सहितुं वीर तत्र मे क्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥
कथं त्वं कर्मणा श्क्तः कैकेयीवशवर्तिनः ।
करिष्यसि पितुर्वाक्यमधर्मिष्ठं विगर्हितुम् ॥
विक्लवो वीर्यहीनो यः स दैवमनुवर्तते ।
वीराः सम्भावितात्मानो न दैवं पर्युपासते ॥
अद्य मेऽस्त्रप्रभावस्य प्रभावः प्रभविष्यति ।
राज्ञश्चाप्रभुतां कर्तुं प्रभुत्वं च तव प्रभो ॥
The irrepressible Lakshmana breaks out: " Oh brave Rama, I beg your pardon, but I cannot brook even one bit this machination of the king and Kaikeyi, which is patently against the wishes of the entire kingdom, and their plan to snatch away the coronation from you and to install someone else.
"You are fully capable of asserting your rights. You also see that this design of Kaikeyi is against Dharma and against the welfare of Ayodhya. Then how come you do not wish to act against the word of our father, who is under the thumb of Kaikeyi, who is doing wrong?
"Only timid and powerless people speak of following fate. Those who are brave and capable and have self-esteem overcome fate by their decisive actions.
"My lord, today itself, you shall see how the supreme capabilities of my weapons under my masterly control will be deployed to to put an end to the ineffectual king's plans and establish you as the king."
***
Lakshmana visualises and describes in gory detail how he will massacre all opposition and tear into every sort of obstacle with his sword and arrow and obliterate the enemies. He will not spare any effort to make Rama the king. In fact Rama need not worry about further consequences. Lakshmana will guard him and his kingship in every way.
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Sri Rama sees the extreme anguish in Lakshmana's voice even as he charts out these actions. He sees him shedding tears.
विमृज्य बाष्पं परिसान्त्व्य चासकृत्
स लक्ष्मणं राघववंशवर्धनः ।
उवाच पित्रोर्वचने व्यवस्थितं
निबोध मामेष हि सौम्य सत्पथः ॥
Sri Rama repeatedly wiped away Lakshmana's tears and consoled him. He had uppermost in his mind the long-term welfare of the Raghu dynasty. So he spoke, "dearest Lakshmana, I have known you always as one of great softness of heart and therefore I understand your feelings now. Please understand that the right course of action for me now is to simply follow the king's orders. That is for everyone's welfare."
***
Now Kausalya begins to press her case. She says that she can see clearly that Rama is not going to change his mind, Therefore it is a simple matter for him to take her along to the forest. She cannot for a moment bear to imagine her son, the prince of Ayodhya, beloved of all, whose servants and staff too enjoy such luxury under his magnanimity, living alone in the forest on roots and shoots. After he leaves for the forest, her sorrow will burn her down like a forest fire. Like any cow would simply follow her calf when he goes grazing, she will also go along with Rama to Dandaka.
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कैकेय्या वञ्चितो राजा मयि चारण्यमाश्रिते ।
भवत्या च परित्यक्तो न नूनं वर्तयिष्यति ॥
यावज्जीवति काकुत्स्थः पिता मे जगतीपतिः ।
शुश्रूषा क्रियतां तावत् स हि धर्मः सनातनः ॥
न ह्यनाथा वयं राज्ञा लोकनाथेन धीमता ।
भरतश्चापि धर्मात्मा सर्वभूतप्रियंवदः ॥
Sri Rama advises his mother: " Dear mother, you know that the king has been badly tricked by Kaikeyi. You can imagine his condition. After I also go away to the forest, don't you think he badly needs to be taken care of? If you also abandon him and follow me to the forest, how will he survive?
"As long as the king of Kakutsthas is alive, i.e. my father Dasharatha who rules over the earth, serving him dutifully is the only righteous thing for you to do.
"And don't think we are without a lord and master here to take care of us! After all the glorious king Dasharatha is still our ruler. And Bharata is a very righteous man and has a kind word for everyone. "
Rama also tells Kausalya how she should spend these years- serving Dasharatha, doing penance and worship under the guidance of able teachers. The time will pass quickly and he will be back. Her prayers will not go in vain and they can look forward to good times.
Kausalya is now reconciled to the situation. She speaks with affection the following words of benediction::
गच्छ पुत्र त्वमेकाग्रौ भद्रं तेऽस्तु सदा विभो ।
पुनस्त्वयि निवृत्ते तु भविष्यामि गतव्यथा ॥
"Dearest Rama, fine, please proceed to the forest with single-mindedness. May all good come to you always, may God take care of you. When you return, surely my anxiety and grief will be erased."
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
