जय श्रीराम!
Source: The Dharma Despatch
तं कर्णमूलमागत्य रामे श्रीर्न्यस्यतामिति ।
कैकेयीशङ्कयेवाह पलितच्छद्मना जरा ॥ १२.२ ॥
Notes: The royals of yore sported sidelocks of hair. Valmiki refers often to their beautiful sidelocks by using the expression, काकपक्षधर (sidelocks resembling the dark and soft tail feathers of a crow).
Now Kālidāsa creates a wonderful moment when Dame Old Age, called जरा (refer to the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam describing the persona of Jarā!), comes in the guise of grey sidelock hairs near Daśaratha's ear, and whispers to him her important advice. She speaks in hushed tones on account of her fear of Queen Kaikeyī, the young princess that Daśaratha had married when he was already middle-aged and much married. Kaikeyī was strong-willed and always had her way with the hen-pecked king.
What did Jarā say to the king? "Oh, noble king, it is now time that the Yuvarajya responsibility, and the glory associated with that honour, be conferred by you on the Prince Śrī Rāma."
Why was Jarā apprehensive? Was she privy to the future course of events? Was she afraid of Kaikeyī 's hidden agenda? We will know soon...
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जय श्रीराम!
