Values for Life:
One should keep his words.
Lakshman, Sugreev and others went to Kishkindha. All the vanar population was present for the coronation ceremony. After appointing Sugreev as king of Kishkindha and Angad as heir-apparent, Lakshman returned to his brother.
Strong wind blew from the south-west. Rains that started pouring down slowly and intermittently became strong and continuous. Sri Ram felt that the nature was shedding tears on the pangs of separation of Sita, daughter of mother earth. He could not control his sorrow. At times he would cry aloud unable to bear the loss of Sita and babble or prattle as an insane. Lakshman, doubly sorrowful due to Sita’s missing and his brother’s mental state, would try to appease him. The monsoon withdrew slowly. The world retracted to a slumber so far, eventually became bright and started buzzing with activities.
Hamuman, the scholarly minister of Sugreev said one day: “King, you are spending days in extravagant mundane pleasures. I have been observing your excess indulgence. It seems you have totally forgotten Sri Ram’s cause. It is because of him that you are king today. What have you promised to him with Fire God as witness? Have you forgotten them all in no time? Breach of promise to Sri Ram would cost you dearly. Since I am your minister and have been waiting for your orders in Ram’s cause in vain, I thought it fit to remind you. No ill-feeling towards me, please.”
Hearing this Sugreev said: “It is good that you reminded me. Not that I forgot this very important matter. I was waiting for the monsoon to be over completely. Come, you arrange to send messengers, to all parts of the world. Let all the veteran vanar fighters come together along with their followers without delay. Send orders.”
Sri Ram unable to know of the developments told Lakshman: “It looks like Sugreev has forgotten us. He is over-indulging in royal pleasures and does not give heed to other responsibilities. He became king because of our help. In lieu of that he had promised to us that he would summon all the vanar forces and search for Sita through them. Now the monsoon is over and no trace of Sugreev as yet. He seems to be faithless. A person of ingratitude like him is unfit to live. Go and tell him that the arrow that killed Bali is still with me.”
Lakshman set out at once towards Kishkindha in wrath and haste. The monkeys thickly populated in and around Kishkindha saw Lakshman as death missile charged against them, ran in panic here and there. Angada heard the tumultuous noise and on enquiry came to know that it was the fearful groans raised by the monkeys seeing Lakshmana in arms. He bade all the monkeys off and approached Lakshman in humility and devotion. He prostrated before Lakshman who embraced him and asked:
“Are you in good stead? Is everyone at the palace, including the noble king, keeping well and fine?” “Prabhu Lakshman, by your brother’s and your own grace everyone at Kishkindha is doing very well. Please come in. Please be comfortable in the reception. I shall inform the king of your arrival and return soon with him.” Hearing from Angada that Lakshman in eyes red with rage had come and was waiting at the door steps, Sugriva became disquiet. He called Tara and told her to somehow pacify Lakshman.
Tara, with a splendid smile on her radiant face approached Lakshman with folded hands. She addressed him: “Prince, sorry for keep you in waiting. The king is waiting for you, impatiently. Please come.
KK Shanmukhan (To be concluded )
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