April 1 - Sarga 98 of Uttara Kanda.
Today is appropriately All Fools Day.
Sri Rama now feels very unhappy at the way Devi Sita was taken away into the netherworld by Bhudevi. His outburst is moderated by Lord Brahma who reminds him of his and Sita's divinity and extols the unique Ramayana Kavya of Sage Valmiki which maps even the future events of Sri Rama's sojourn on earth.
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While the sages and vanaras were exclaiming "Sadhu sadhu" in utter wonder and respect for Devi Sita's affirmation of her own state and the respect and love shown to her by Mother Earth, Sri Rama reeled in catastrophic distress.
दण्डकाष्टमवष्टभ्य बाष्पव्याकुलेतेक्षणः ।
अवाक्शिरा दीनमना रामो हह्यासीत् सुदुःखितः॥
"Leaning on a wooden stick, eyes brimming with tears of utter distress, head cast down, his mood plunged in despondency, Sri Rama was a picture of sorrow."
The subject of much discussion is why Sri Rama behaved as he did towards Devi Sita, while all the time stating in no ambiguous terms that he knew of her pristine purity. Was it a sign of confusion, or a fear of disapprobation from his citizenry, a false sense of what ought to be done for the larger good of civic morality... who can say? Was it all a divine play already scripted to end the way it did?
Sri Rama now appealed to Mother Earth, in a tone mixed with sorrow and anger, "Oh Mother! In a way, you are my mother-in-law. You know I went and brought Sita back from her captivity from Lanka across the ocean. For me to tear the earth up and bring back Sita is easy. So either give back Sita or please take me also into yourself and unite me with Devi Sita in rasatala! In my rage, I can destroy the whole earth. Please give Sita back to me! Please! Please!" मत्तोऽहं मैथिलीकृते "I am crazed in distress over Devi Sita!"
Lord Brahma now spoke, with all other gods nodding in assent. "Oh, Sri Rama, you have forgotten who you are and how and why you came in this avatara. You are Mahavishnu, and Devi Sita is Devi Lakshmi herself. She has gone to rasatala by the power of her asceticism and purity in her present life as Sita. She will reunite with you for sure in your permanent abode soon. You should not give way to this sorrow."
आदिकाव्यमिदं ते वीरसुखदुःखोपसेवनम् । भविष्यदुत्तरं चेह सर्वं वाल्मीकिना कृतम् ॥
"Indeed, this rare epic could have been written only about you, no one else. It narrates faithfully your life in full, with all your joys and sorrows. Your story is forever. It deserves your continued listening as Sage Valmiki has written down even the Uttara portion of your life story, your remaining years! Please give it a careful listen."
Saying this, Lord Brahma and the gods left.
The sages and vanaras were most eager to listen to Kusha and Lava continue their recitation. Sri Rama spoke respectfully to Sage Valmiki. "Oh, divine sage, all the sages who have come from heaven are keen to hear the recitation. Kindly arrange for the Uttara Kanda to be recited from tomorrow itself."
Sri Rama adjourned the assembly. He now went with Kusha and Lava to their hermitage. All were plunged, particularly Sri Rama, in thoughts of Devi Sita and did not notice the passing of the night.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
Postscript: After Valmiki Ramayana, the most famous book, one of our puranas, is Srimad Bhagavatam. For those who wonder about Uttara Kanda, it is interesting to know that Ramayana comes also in Srimad Bhagavatam in a précis form. I give you a link to that text covering this portion:
