July 11 - Sargas 87 and 88 of Ayodhya Kanda.
When Guha describes the scene of Sri Rama's departure with matted locks and being clad in tree barks, Bharata feels the enormity of what has transpired. He finds it difficult to keep his wits about. He collapses into unconsciousness.
Guha is terrified. Shatrughna is distraught. An emaciated Kausalya comes, full of anxiety. When Bharata recovers, she says, "My dear son, Bharata, you're everything to all of us, you're my sole refuge since Rama has gone into exile. Are you ill? I am so worried. Did Guha tell you that something untoward has happened to Rama or Lakshmana? Please speak!"
Bharata looks at Guha all teary. He asks him to narrate everything that Sri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, went through when they were there.
Guha describes how the excellent dinner he had arranged for them was gracefully turned down by Sri Rama. Sri Rama told him that their Kshatriya Dharma was not to accept gifts like that. Indeed, it was proper that they instead should give others. (This is clearly stated even in Bhagavadgita).
"Lakshmana brought water feom the Ganga. That is all that the three consumed. They did their evening prayers. Lakshmana prepared a bed of grass under that yonder tree and Sri Rama rested there with Sita. Lakshmana stood guard along with me."
***
Bharata goes and examines the grass bed that Sri Rama and Sita had slept on. He remarks that Sri Rama's body posture has made marks that are still visible. He spots silk threads from Sita's garment on the grass.
Bharata, the tragic hero, bemoans the terrible condition that a prince like Rama has to suffer. For our benefit as it were, he describes the royal comforts for a king set up for his sleep and how he wakes up to chants and music and celebratory rituals of ablution. And here lay Sri Rama!
Oh cruel Fate!
मन्ये भर्तुः सुखा शय्या येन बाला तपस्विनी ।
सुकुमारी सती दुःखं न विजानाति मैथिली ॥
हा हतोस्मि नृशंसोऽस्मि यत् सभार्यः कृते मम।
ईदृशीं राधवः शय्यामधिशेते ह्यनाथवत् ॥
"Perhaps the only reason that the tender and youthful princess rested happily here would be because she slept next to her dear husband. Sita is so devoted to Sri Rama that there was no room in her heart for sorrow when she lay by his side.
" Ah! Fie on me! On my account alone was Sri Rama pushed to this beggarly condition. A prince, no less, son of the monarch Dasharatha, beloved of all, so beautiful in his limbs, used to all royal amenities and luxuries, suffering thus!?!"
Bharata says Ayodhya is funereal for him now. His lot is simply despicable.
" Blessed is Lakshmana to be with Sri Rama and serving him. Blessed is Sita following her husband like a shadow in the forest. And we in Ayodhya!? We have all become objects of suspicion and contempt. In fact, Ayodhya has neither soldiers nor the spirit to defend herself against attacks. But looking at its sorry condition, even enemies would show no interest in invading Ayodhya.
"Hear, all, my proclamation now! I shall from this moment live the same way as Sri Rama. I will also wear the same attire, eat the same forest food, and sleep on the ground. I shall make Sri Rama return to Ayodhya and take his place for fourteen years in the forest.
अभिषेक्ष्यन्ति काकुत्स्थमयोध्यायां द्विजातयः।
अपि मे देवताः कुर्युरिमं सत्यं मनोरथम् ॥
"The Brahmin priests will conduct the coronation of Kakutstha Sri Rama as the king of Ayodhya with all ceremony. This is my truest desire and sincerest prayer. I hope the gods will surely make this come true."
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
