A messenger was sent for Rama who swiftly came and saluted his father. Dasaratha with strain and struggle extended both his hands to hug Rama and fainted again unable to accomplish his mission.
Rama took his father in his lap and nursed him a while and Dasaratha slowly opened his eyes.
“Rama, my son, my , my darling…”
“Father, my dear, why do you torture yourself like this? Fourteen years is a very small period which I shall spend happily in the forest. I have no grievance or inconvenience of any sort. While I am capable of spending fourteen years in the forest, my brother Bharat is very able to rule the kingdom unblemished. Let me go.”
“Let Bharat rule the kingdom.” Burst out Dasaratha, But why should you go to the forest? O, the devil mind of Kaikeyi. Rama, my son, please don’t go abandoning me.”
“Father mine, your fame as the maintainer of truth is wide-spread all around the world. It is my duty to uphold it. A person, I have heard, who saves his father from the hell called ‘Punnaka’ is known as Puthra. Therefore let me play my role well.” After a brief halt, Rama continued:
“My departure will no way affect you. There is Sita and Lakshmana here.So please let me go.”
At the same time citizens from all walks of life from all around the country started flowing towards the capital of Ayodhya to behold the coronation ceremony of their beloved prince.
Lakshmana, having come to know the developments, hastily approached Rama and pleaded to be taken with him. Rama did not allow this plea at first but when Lakshmana threatened that he would kill himself if Rama betrayed him, Rama gave consent.
Rama then went to Sita’s court , without the company of attendants or any royal insignia. Sita got anxious and enquired Rama submissively. “I have to go to the forest now, on the errand of our father, and having spent fourteen years, shall come back quickly. Nurse our father and mothers and be happy in their service,” said Rama.
“How now?” asked Sita. “Our father is famous for his love to you. The entire world admits this. What is this sudden change for?”
“Our father had earlier sanctioned two boons to mother Kaikeyi. She demands them to be bestowed now. One is to send me to the forest for fourteen years and the other is to coronate Bharata as the Yuvaraja.” Rama paused for awhile.
“So, I am proceeding at the earliest. My absence for this short term would no way put you to inconvenience.”
“How can that be?” asked Sita. “I am a chaste girl and my duty is to follow you wherever you go. Take me too with you.”
“Sita, dear,” said Rama, “I am going to the dense forest that is full of thorns, stones , wild animals and demons. You won’t get a proper food there. One has to consume raw fruits, routs and stream water. During winter and monsoon, you may not have a shelter. Your tender person cannot bear these tortures. Nevertheless, where will you sleep? Better be here giving comforts to our parents.”
“Persuade me not, dear. I shall walk in the forefront and you shall follow me in the forest. With you, all the thorns will be flowers on my way. Massaging your limbs, nursing your person and serving you in day and night are the purpose of my life. What is the meaning of that mantra with which we were tied? Even in death, we cannot be separated. If you still desert me and go, I shall end up my life here and now.”
With this resolve, Sita looked at Rama firmly.
Finally, Rama had to give consent to her too.
Moral of the story: Situations change but principles and words don’t.
KK Shanmukhan(To be concluded )
