Chapter
14
Into the forest
"SUMANTHRA!",
Dasaratha said, "My Ramachandra is an unshakable hero; he
will not turn back. His resolution cannot be shaken or
suppressed by any one. Efforts made for modifying it will
be futile; and, we will only be causing him distress by
our attempts. Besides, Rama is an unswerving adherent of
Truth. Do not delay, for if even a little time is spent
in getting the chariot ready, you may miss his trail. My
subjects cannot bear the sight of Rama walking along the
royal roads of Ayodhya. Go, go!"
The Emperor hurried him
out, with the words, "Carry with you in that chariot, a
few hampers of food and a few weapons and give them over.
Sumanthra! I forgot to tell you this. Plead as strongly
as you can, mention also that I told you to pray that
Sita be directed to return to Ayodhya. Take them into the
chariot, and let them go with you some distance towards
the forest. Go into the forest along with them, for, if
Sita is frightened at the sight of the jungle, and you
become aware of her fear, immediately ask Rama for
orders, and pray Sita, the tender Princess of Mathila, to
return to Ayodhya, bringing to her mind that it is also
my wish. Tell her that, if she cannot agree to stay in
Ayodhya, the Emperor will arrange to send her to her
father, Janaka". Dasaratha repeated these words often,
and laden with grief at the pictures they evoked, he lost
consciousness and rolled on the ground.
Rising soon, he
exclaimed, in great distress, "Sumanthra! Why waste words
and time? Bring my Rama, Lakshmana and Sita before me
now; let me have a look at all three. Decide on doing
that, and make me happy." Then, he plaintively- requested
Sumanthra, "Go fast, don't delay, take the chariot to
where they are and drive the vehicle as far as it is
possible for it to proceed, to the spot beyond which it
cannot go. Perhaps, it may be possible to journey in a
chariot for three or four days. At the end of that
period, let them alight; stand there watching them, until
they move beyond the reach of your eyes, before you turn
back to bring me the news of their health and safety.
Now, go. Don't stay near me. Go." Dasaratha asked the
Minister to hasten.
Bowing his head in
acceptance of the Emperor's order, Sumanthra fell at his
feet and got the chariot ready. He caught up with Sita,
Rama and Lakshmana, who were going along the City roads
on foot; he told them what the Emperor had spoken to him;
he had them seated inside the chariot; then, he drove off
in the direction of the forest. On both sides of the
Royal Road, masses of citizens were weeping and wailing,
and Sumanthra tried to exhort them to control their
emotions, and be calm. They crossed the City limits and
moved a little distance further. The populace from the
Capital ran behind the chariot, all in one panic-stricken
mass, raising clouds of dust that reached the high
heavens. There was no sign of road or ground; It was one
vast plain of distraught humanity. Old men, women, men
young and strong, Brahmins, all with one voice, screamed
amidst sobs, "Rama! Rama! Take us with you! Don't leave
us behind!" The streets of Ayodhya were empty; the City
was as silent as a City in sleep. Darkness fell, like a
heavy weight, on every roof.
Some men and women who
could not travel stood like stumps, helpless on the road.
Many bolted doors and spent the days suffering utmost
anguish; avoiding food and drink, rolling on the floor,
in whatever place they were when Rama left. Some awaited
the return of Rama at nightfall, hoping that he
might be induced by compassion to come back to his
beloved people.
Meanwhile, Dasaratha
had himself seated in a chariot! He shouted aloud, "Rama!
Rama! ... Sumanthra! Sumanthra! Stop that chariot! I will
look at the treasure of my Love, just once." He quickened
the pace of the horses and came faster and faster. The
mass of citizens following Rama were caught between his
chariot and the chariot of the Emperor, and many of them
were so exhausted that they fell on the ground. When they
saw a chariot passing by with speed, they raised their
heads to find out whether Rama was returning seated in
it; they rose and tried to stop it, to have a glimpse of
Rama, their beloved Prince. But, when the groans of
Dasaratha fell on their ears, they too broke into sobs;
they allowed the chariot to pass pleading pathetically,
"O King! Go soon, go and bring back our
Ramachandra!"
Dasaratha saw the
chariot of Rama speeding along the sand-dunes outside the
City, and, he cried out, "Sumanthra! Sumanthra! Rein in.
Stop", and himself commanded his charioteer to speed up.
Sumanthra cast his glance back and espied the chariot
following his. He told Rama, "Ramachandra! Father
Dasaratha is behind us; I feel it is best to stop for a
while and find out what his orders are." Rama too saw
the huge muss of citizens, and the chariot
carrying his father, fast hastening behind him. He knew
that if he stopped now, they would surround him and break
into uncontrollable grief, that those who sat exhausted
on the sides of the road would rise and race, impelled by
a new hope, and so, it would be only an act of greater
cruelty on his part, for he would be giving them hopes
without any benefit. It will also injure the realization
of his promise. If the subjects witness the wailing of
Dasaratha, it will bring him down in their estimation.
Weighing all these considerations in his mind he told
Sumanthra who was his charioteer, that there was no need
to stop the vehicle. He said, it was best that he drove
it even faster. At this, Sumanthra prayed, with folded
palms, "Rama! I have been ordered to be with you for four
days only. After that period, I have to return to
Ayodhya, haven't I? On seeing me, he will certainly
reprimand me for not stopping the chariot, as
commanded by him. What shall I tell him in reply?
Kindly keep me with you, throughout all the years of
exile in the forest. I shall deem my life well and
happily lived if I am allowed to be in the forest
with you. If you agree, I shall not stop; I shall drive
as fast as you wish. Kindly communicate your order
on this".
Rama thought
about the problem presented by Sumanthra and its
implications. He said, "Sumanthra! He who ordered you to
get into the chariot and take us in it, right into the
forest, as far as it could negotiate, was
your Master, the Emperor. He who now follows this
chariot, weeping and pleading with you to stop, is
Dasaratha. You have to listen to and obey the command of
the Emperor, not the orders of Dasaratha. You are the
Minister of the country, of its Ruler; not of an
individual named Dasaratha. As individuals, between us,
there is the bond of affection that ties the son to his
father. But, as Emperor, he has imperial authority over
you and me, equally. Your loyalty and my loyalty towards
him are the same. You have to carry out your Duty. When
Dasaratha chastises you for not giving ear to the request
he is now making, tell him that you did not hear him; it
is not wrong to say so." And, Rama asked him to drive
faster, without caring to stop the chariot.
Sumanthra drank in with
avidity the nectar of moral analysis that Rama had
vouchsafed to convince him. When Dasaratha saw that Rama
was driving on, he stopped his vehicle, and turned back
towards Ayodhya, moaning his lot, and wailing aloud. The
people, however, followed the chariot, undaunted by
physical exhaustion, urged on by their determination to
hold on to their beloved Rama. Some of them who were
ready to sacrifice their life for him and die in their
effort to reach him, trudged along, breathless and
broken, their feet devotedly stepping on the track
left by the chariot in which he sat. Rama saw those
subjects of the realm trekking behind him, drawn by the
Love they bore towards him; he was filled with
compassion. He stopped the chariot, and spoke to them
sweet and soft words that touched their hearts. He
discoursed on the various moral aspects of the situation,
and pleaded with them to return to Ayodhya.
They replied that
separation from him was unbearable agony for them that
they could not reside even for a moment in an Ayodhya
wherein Rama was absent and that they were prepared to
die in the forest rather than live in Ayodhya! While many
among them asserted thus, the younger among them declared
that a City wherefrom the Divinity of Dharma had
disappeared was more horrible than the jungle, and that
they could not live in such a frightful place. The forest
where you reside is the Ayodhya for us, they said. Do not
be worried in the least, about our exhaustion or our
travail. Observe your vow, your duty as you have
resolved; we too shall observe our vow. You have decided
to honour the wish of your father as a sacred duty; we,
too, have a sacred duty, to honor the wish of the Rama in
our hearts, the Atma
Rama, our Master, the Authority we loyally revere. We
will not falter in our resolution. We will not return.
Death alone can defeat us," they announced, amidst sobs
and tears of despair.
The compassionate heart
of Rama melted at those words of love and loyalty. Sita
shed tears in streams. Lakshmana watched the upsurge of
devotion rising from the common people of the realm; his
eyes turned red with anger, his tongue was tied with
emotion, when he thought of Kaikeyi, the step-mother, who
did not have even an iota of this sentiment towards Rama.
He sat on the ground, his head heavy with sad
thoughts
Rama felt that it was
best to persuade them, by whatever means, to return home.
He consoled them, sympathized with them, reminded them of
the rites and rituals they had to perform every day and
the consequences of non-observance. He described the
horrors of forest life and the handicaps they would
encounter when trying to live there as hitherto, and
advised them to perform the rites and rituals correctly
and without break, so that his years of exile
may pass off quick and smooth; they would be
helping him to spend his exile in peace and joy, and to
return to Ayodhya at the proper time, fresh and
fine.
The Brahmin youths
present before him could not be convinced by these
arguments! Rama pleaded with them, saying: "Your aged
parents will miss your devoted service; it is
wrong to leave them unaided and alone". At this, they
said, "Rama! Our aged parents are so weak and dispirited
that they cannot follow you to the very forest; they came
thus far and turned back, pouring their mental anguish in
streams of tears. They have directed us to follow you,
and be with you, for, they said, 'We are too weak; you
are strong and young; Go! Serve Rama on our behalf'.
Those aged people are distressed more because you are
away from Ayodhya than because we are away from them.
They will be happy that their sons are with Rama, a
fortune they could not enjoy. Take us with you for this
reason at least, to shower joy on those aged people".
Praying thus, they fell at the feet of Rama and
wept.
Rama was struck silent
at this sincere expression of love and reverence.
He was thrilled by the spirit of renunciation of these
young men which he felt was grander even than his own
renunciation of the throne. His joy was not unmixed with
a sense of pride at being surpassed by his subjects in
filial piety. Darkness descended on the earth, while the
pleadings and rejections were going on. So, Rama asked
them to take rest and refreshments for the night, rather
than trek back in the darkness.
In order to encourage
them to do so Rama bathed in the Thamasa River which
flowed by, partook of a meal of roots, tubers
and fruits, and rested awhile. The people
who had followed him over long distances were so tired
physically that after the meal, they fell into deep
undisturbable sleep.
Rama knew that,
on waking, they will all insist on accompanying him; so,
he woke Sumanthra up and directed him to get the chariot
ready without the least noise and drive the vehicle so
that its track may not be recognized. Sumanthra
recognized that there was no other way; he drove so that
the tracks were confusingly complex, and even gave faint
indications that the chariot had turned towards Ayodhya
itself! After skillfully laying these tracks, he drove
forward in the direction of the forest.
The new day dawned! The
citizens of Ayodhya rose and looked around. There were no
signs of the Royal Chariot! Nor were Sita, Rama, or
Lakshmana in evidence. They were thrust into deep agony;
they aroused the sleeping; they sought to trace the wheel
marks on the ground. They ran wildly in all directions,
seeking to spot the vehicle.
One among them said,
"Brothers! Rama saw how tired we were, how we were
sleeping out of sheer exhaustion; so, He left this place
without taking us with Him." Then they started blaming
each other, for showing signs of exhaustion and inducing
Rama to leave them and go alone. Others condemned
themselves as inferior to fish; for, they said: "Fish
cannot live without water, but, we are alive, though Rama
has left us stranded". "Fie, fie, on our lives", they
cursed. "We have brought on ourselves this separation
from the Person dearest to us. Why are we not bringing
upon ourselves Death, which will end sorrow, they moaned.
But soon, they felt that since the Atma (Self) in them is
Rama, the act of Atma-Hathya (Self-destruction) was
unthinkable. It was also not a meritorious act. And,
suicide can succeed only when one's destiny is to die by
one's own hand! So, another among them suggested that
they could pray to Destiny to sanction that kind of end
for them all.
They got involved in
these pathetic discussions and doubts. They were anxious
to decide soon on the next step they had to take. Before
long, someone announced that the tracks left by the
wheel, were traced. It was good news indeed! For, the
tracks showed that the Chariot had proceeded towards
Ayodhya! They followed the track for some distance; but
soon, they could not be seen any longer. They had faded
out. It became impossible to guess what had happened; so,
they returned to the City, their thoughts all in a
mess.
Many consoled
themselves, saying that Rama would certainly return to
the Palace, for he had seen their plight and his heart
was full of compassion towards the broken hearted. Rama
would return before the lapse of two or three days, they
said. The women entered on various vows and types of
worship in order to propitiate the gods to persuade Rama
to return to his subjects.
People lived thereafter
like Chakravaka birds which have no lotuses to live on,
since the Sun is absent and lotuses would not bloom
without its warmth.
While the people were
suffering thus, Sita, Rama and Lakshmana reached the
outskirts of the town of Sringivera, with Minister
Sumanthra. Rama noticed the river Ganga, and immediately
directed Sumanthra to stop the chariot. He alighted and
prostrated on the bare ground before the Stream of
Holiness. Sita and Lakshmana as well as Sumanthra got
down and did likewise. Rama told the others that Ganga
was the source of all the wealth and prosperity, all the
peace and plenty that shone around. Ganga gave all beings
Supreme Bliss and the Highest spiritual boons. Then they
decided to bathe in the Holy Waters.
Rama directed Lakshmana
to find some place where Sita could get down from the
bank to where she could safely take bath. The banks of
the river were soft and slushy in the jungle area; so,
Lakshmana chose a spot, which he reinforced by
placing stones and rocks so that she could descend safely
and ascend in comfort after her ablutions. He
prayed to Sita, the Mother, to use that temporary ghat
for her bath. She took great care, while stepping down;
and before she entered the river, she too prostrated to
the Goddess Ganga. Lakshmana went into the jungle to
gather some edible fruits so that Rama and Sita
could recoup, with some food, after bath. He offered
them, reverentially, and they partook of them.
Meanwhile, a few
boatmen could be seen collected there. Their eyes fell on
the Royal Chariot, as well as on the princely forms of
Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. They inferred that they must
have arrived at that place on a picnic. So, they
hastened to their chieftain, Guha, and informed him that
some Royal Visitors were near. Guha sent a messenger to
inquire and ascertain who they were and what their
purpose was, in the forest, by the shore of the
Ganga.
He brought back the
information that they were none other than the sons of
Emperor Dasaratha, and that the Princess was Sita
herself, and that they were accompanied by the Royal
Minister, Sumanthra. Guha felt that the supremely
delightful moments should not be enjoyed alone! He
informed his kinsmen and comrades and friends that the
great Prince, Rama, had come to the Ganga with his
brother and wife. He collected fruits and flowers in
plenty, and the entire party proceeded in reverential
humility towards the Ganga. Guha placed the fruit and
flower offerings at the feet of the Royal Visitors, and
fell at the feet of Rama. His kinsmen and friends also
prostrated before Rama.
Watching the joy that
thrilled them, Rama called Guha near and inquired of him
how they fared and whether they were all happy and
peaceful. He asked the chieftain Guha how far his
administration was helping the community to prosper. Guha
answered, "Lord, Rama-Chandra! Beholding your Feet, we
have all derived limitless Ananda.
We achieved this great good luck only through the merit
accumulated by us, by good deeds in the past. Or else,
can we, who spend our days in this inaccessible forest,
ever hope to be blessed by your visit and the
Darsan
of your Lotus Feet? From now on, this region is certain
to enjoy plenty and peace, for your Feet have trodden
this soil. There can be no doubt on this, the
transformation is bound to happen."
Lakshmana, Sita and
Sumanthra noted the sincere expression of his joy and the
tears of Ananda. They were astonished at his
devotion, humility and wisdom. Meanwhile, Guha held fast
the Feet of Rama and said, "Lord! All this is yours; all
the riches, territory, and authority that I have as
Chieftain, as well as all my subjects are yours. They
are awaiting your commands; they are at your disposal,
usable for your purposes, your services, I am your
servant. Accept me as such, accept all that I am
offering and enter the City where we dwell."
When Rama heard this
prayer, he smiled and replied, "Guha! you are a staunch
devotee; you are deeply virtuous. Your heart is very
pure. But listen, I have to roam the forest as an exile,
wearing the habiliments of a hermit, in obedience to the
command of my father. I should not step into a town or
city. I must take only the food prescribed for monks
engaged in austerities. I have to live in accordance with
regulations laid down for ascetics doing thapas.
For these reasons, I am unable to fulfill the wish that
you have expressed now."
Hearing these words,
Guha was stricken with sorrow. The large gathering of
people who had come there from the city, Sringivera,
whispered among themselves about the divine charm of
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. One of them wondered how the
parents of those lovely brothers and that angelic lady
could possibly exile them into the forest. "How could
their tongues ever pronounce such a sentence?" At this,
another retorted, "Keep quiet, you fool! Those parents
have really done good. Had they not spoken that sentence,
we could not have feasted our eyes on their Divine Forms.
This day, our eyes are enjoying a rare festival." This
filled many with satisfaction and joy. The Nishada
tribesmen who comprised the gathering spoke among
themselves words of worshipful admiration of the royal
visitors. They extolled the beauty, the tenderness, the
soft sweet natures of Sita, of Rama and
Lakshmana.
Guha was immersed in
sorrow that he had lost the fortune of welcoming Rama
into the capital City of the Nishadas, whose chieftain he
was. He felt that even if the City, was 'seen' by Rama,
even if his eyes glanced at it once, it would be blessed
with peace and prosperity for ever; so, he suggested that
Rama should walk up towards a gigantic but gorgeous
Simsupa tree that grew near by and Rama agreed. Guha knew
that Rama's eye had fallen on the City from that spot. He
was pleased at the thought. Rama too was happy when he
saw the City from a distance. He allowed the Nishadas to
touch his feet and directed that they should return to
their homes, since nightfall was imminent.
Then Rama went through
the holy rites that had to be observed at dusk.
Meanwhile, Guha gathered quantities of soft grass and
tender leaves, and prepared soft beds. He sent his
subjects to collect tubers and fruits, tasty and fresh,
from the trees and creepers of the forest, and to
bring them packed in leaves, for being offered to the
distinguished visitors. Sita, Rama and Lakshmana as well
as Sumanthra partook of the frugal meal, and retired for
rest and sleep.
Sita slept on the soft
bed of grass. Lakshmana sat at the Feet of Rama,
in order to massage them tenderly, to relieve the tension
of exertion. Rama realized that Lakshmana would continue
the service, so long as he appeared to be awake; he
desired to induce him to take rest; so, he pretended as
if he had gone into deep sleep. At this Lakshmana feared
that any further pressing of the feet might disturb the
sleep, and he quietly slipped into the distance. There,
he sat in the 'hero' posture, so that he could gaze
intently at the four directions, and recognize at once
any wild animal approaching the spot, or any demon or
demonic person bent upon disturbing the sleep of Rama; he
was all attention and vigilance.
Seeing this, Guha too
instructed his faithful lieutenants to guard the area and
ensure that nothing happened to disturb the sleep of
Rama. He put on his shoulder the pouch of arrows, and
holding the bow in readiness, sat near Lakshmana, eager
to share his vigil.
Guha, his eyes filled
with tears, held his palms folded before him, and asked
him, "Lakshmana! The Palace of Emperor Dasaratha is, I
guess, grander and more magnificent than the Divine
Mansion of the Ruler of the Gods, Indra. In that Palace,
everything is charming and beautiful; everywhere there is
fragrance and sweetness; soft feather-beds and lamps
embossed with precious gems, add to the grandeur and
comfort of the palace. There, the beds have sheets light
and white like froth on fresh milk, and pillows to match.
Sita and Rama who used to sleep on such luxurious beds
are now lying on a grassy heap, with no coverlet or
pillow, sleeping through sheer physical exertion! It is
insufferable agony for me to contemplate this scene.
There his father and mother, his aids and maids were
looking after his needs and comforts in various ways.
Sita and Rama who lived royally until yesterday are now
lying on the ground! Alas, my heart is torn to pieces by
grief.
"Sita is the beloved
daughter of the world-renowned Emperor Janaka; yet, now,
she is lying on a spread of dry grass. What a strange
turn of fate is this! Are Sita and Rama fit for life in
the forest? O, it is now being proven true that the
consequences of one's acts are binding, in spite of
everything else.
"Kaikeyi is the
daughter of the King of Kekaya State. No one can believe
that she is capable of this atrociously sinful
act. These two are at a period of their lives when they
have to be happy together. What a reprehensible act
is it to inflict on them this hard sentence! Such a
fate should not overtake even one's worst
enemy.
"The Kekaya Princess
has proved herself to be the axe that would cut asunder
the very roots of the Tree of the Solar Dynasty. Her
selfish greed has sunk the world in sorrow. Ah! My
horrid eyes are destined to look on this pathetic sight!
What despicable sin did I indulge in to deserve this
punishment? Whose happy life caused my eyes in the past
to become red with envy, that I had to see my beloved
Rama in this plight?"
Guha wailed thus;
unable to stop the onrush of the surging waves of grief,
he kept his mouth shut, and sat with head bowed in
irrepressible agony. At this, Lakshmana too was plunged
in gloom.
Lakshmana gathered some
courage and said, "O! Chieftain of the Nishadas! One does
not get happiness through another, nor does he become
miserable through another. He cannot get good fortune or
bad fortune through another. There is no possibility for
such indirect means to succeed. Nor can one really be
either happy or miserable. Each one comes for some
purpose, urged by the potentiality of his acts in the
previous birth or by some Sovereign Will and Resolution.
And, in the course of fulfilling that purpose, they
appear to be happy or miserable, that is all. A
beggar dreams that he is a king; a king dreams that he is
a beggar. When they awake, they find that the happiness
and the misery were unreal and short-lived. So
too, the world is a dream, unreal, illusory. It is
Mithya.
You feel sorrow because Rama is in this plight, but Rama
is above and beyond grief and joy. For those who
watch him, according to the good fortune or
misfortune as decided by the merit or demerit
acquired and accumulated, he may appear to be happy or
miserable; what you see as joy or grief in Rama is
only the reflection of your own mental state." At this,
Guha calmed himself, and gave up the rage he had directed
against Kaikeyi, a little while ago. He understood that
it was not proper to find fault with another and assign
blame.
"People are all
laid up in the sleep of delusion. And, they are
engaged in witnessing a variety of dreams. This is the
way men spend the night called 'life'; the Yogis,
self-mastered people, they alone keep awake in the night,
without being caught up in or enchanted by dreams. They
have no use for the world and its contents. They
have turned away from all sensual pleasures and
entanglements. Until this stage is reached, people cannot
refer to themselves as 'awake'. When
Jnana
is attained and the Reality is realized, then the bonds
of delusion fall off, and Love is fixed on the
Lotus Feet of Sri Rama". Guha's thoughts ran on in this
strain. He was comforted and strengthened by them. The
rest of the night was spent by Guha and Lakshmana,
narrating to each other the super-human attributes of
Rama and the fullness of the Glory that was latent
in him.
Collecting food in the forest.
Meanwhile it was dawn;
while one of them stood guard where Rama slept,
the other finished his morning ablutions and returned.
Soon Rama moved his limbs, rubbed his eyes, and sitting
up, looked at the four quarters. He awakened Sita, and
both wended their way to the river Ganga. After
bathing, and completing the morning rites, they came to
the place where Guha and Lakshmana were. Rama directed
Lakshmana to bring a quantity of the milky juice of the
ficus tree. Lakshmana moved off without murmur into the
forest near by, and without much delay, he brought with
him a leaf-bowl full of the juice. Rama applied the juice
to the locks of hair on his head, and they turned into a
thick matted lump, the like of which is generally worn by
hermits.
Looking on at this act,
Sumanthra could not restrain his sobs. He was
shocked that the head which had to wear the
jeweled crown was now carrying the burden of matted hair.
He lamented that his eyes were destined ever to
see this tragic sight. His heart was scorched by
agony. "I cannot be with you any longer in the forest; it
has become impossible. I have accomplished the
orders of the Emperor. Fate is cutting short my stay in
your presence. He ordered me to take you in the chariot
until we arrive on the banks of any holy river, and then
leave you there and return. I have the duty to inform you
this fact; now, It is your turn to tell me what I have to
do," said Sumanthra, standing before Rama, with head bent
in sorrow, in humility, tears flowing freely from his
eyes.
"Do not grieve", Rama
said, "Accomplishing the orders of the Emperor is your
duty, and mine too. I am very happy that you carried out
the orders he gave you. Thenceforward, I shall carry out
the order that he has given me. I shall follow his
directions with the greatest reverence, and in scrupulous
detail. Do not delay; return to Ayodhya. My parents will
be awaiting your arrival with unbounded anxiety. They are
longing to hear from you the description of your journey
so far. So, take the chariot back and proceed fast", he
urged.
Sumanthra pictured to
himself the place he had to go back to. He pleaded
pathetically, "O Ramachandra! Let not Ayodhya become an
orphan city. The Emperor will find it difficult to hold
himself together in your absence. Bharatha will find it
impossible to reign." Sumanthra fell at the feet of
Rama, unable to bear the weight of his sorrow.
Rama lifted him up, and holding him by the shoulder, he
consoled him. "Sumanthra! No principle of righteousness
is higher than Truth. The Vedas,
the Puranas,
the Epics, all assert and proclaim this, as you
know. Now, I have been assigned the task of following
this supreme principle of Righteousness! What great good
fortune is this! If I miss this chance and lose this
fortune, I and my dynasty will earn eternal infamy in
all the three worlds. Infamy will burn the
righteous more excruciatingly than a million
deaths and cremations. Go, fall at the feet of my father
and make clear to him my determination and my joy. You
must be vigilant to see that my father is not worried
about me, Sita and Lakshmana."
Guha and his followers
heard these words of Rama, and were visibly affected by
them. Without being aware of it, they started shedding
tears. Lakshmana could not bear the anguish; he uttered a
few words of anger and bitterness against those who had
caused this tragedy. But, Rama realized his temper and
stopped him forthwith. Then, he turned to Minister
Sumanthra and said, "Sumanthra! Lakshmana is a stripling;
do not attach importance to his words. Do not communicate
them to father. Lakshmana's mind is undergoing such
suffering since he has great affection for me, and since
he is affected by the troubles that afflict Sita. He gave
vent to such expressions, for he has a mistaken notion
about those who sent me to the forest in exile. By
nature, Lakshmana is endowed with very good qualities"
Then, Rama began to describe the virtues of his
brother.
Sumanthra raised his
head and pleaded with Rama about Sita. "Lord!
Janaki
is tender and soft-natured. She cannot brave the travails
of forest life. It is necessary to advise her to return
to the city, and convince her that it is the proper thing
to do. She is the life-breath of Ayodhya. She is the
Goddess of Prosperity for the Empire. If she cannot come
to Ayodhya, the inhabitants of that City will suffer like
fish in a dry tank. Let her return, and reside, as she
desires, with her mother-in-law or her parents. The
Emperor has commanded me, again and again, to tell you
this in these very words. When you return to Ayodhya at
the end of the fourteen years, Janaki could be brought
from her father's palace". While Sumanthra was
importuning in this manner, Rama signed to Sita,
as if to draw her attention to his yearning and
prayer.
When Sumanthra had
concluded, Rama addressed Sita, "Sita! Did you listen to
the message of father? Go home and let my parents forget
at least a part of the agony they feel at my separation.
In their old age, they are too weak to put up with this
terrible situation. So, it is very necessary that you go
back with the minister to Ayodhya". Rama used various
other arguments to persuade her to accept the request of
father.
Sita replied, "Lord!
You are omniscient. You know the ideal moral conduct
prescribed for each section of man kind. I have no need
to remind you. Please listen for a while to my prayer.
The shadow has to follow the substance. Can it be away
from it? Solar rays cannot exist separate from the Sun.
Moon-light cannot exist separated from the moon. In like
manner, this Sita shadow cannot leave and exist after
leaving Ramachandra, the Rama Moon."
Then, she turned to
Sumanthra and said, "Sumanthra! You are to me as
venerable as my father and father-in-law. You are my
well-wisher. Please consider this: I do not seek any
other refuge except the Lotus Feet of my Lord. The world
knows that the daughter-in-law who is brought into the
family cannot be any nearer than the son born in the
family. That they will forget their agony at the
separation of the son, if the daughter-in-law returns, is
a statement that has no meaning. As regards the
wealth and comfort of my father's palace, I have enjoyed
them enough in my child hood days. Now, they appear
to me as dry and as cheap as grass, without my
Lord being with me. I have no other path, except
the path which he treads. Therefore, without
misunderstanding me, please agree to my words; drop this
attempt to take me back to Ayodhya. Forget It. Convey my
prostrations to my parents-in-law and assure them that
there is no cause for anxiety about us. Tell them that
Sita is happy, many thousand times happier than when she
was in Ayodhya or Mithila. I am with the Lord of
my heart, with the great hero, the best of warriors, his
brother, Lakshmana so, I am passing these days in
the forest, happily, undisturbed by fear, anxiety or
agitation of mind. Tell them I am not tired in the least
by the journey. Tell them I am very happy, that I
consider this exile a great piece of good
fortune."
Hearing these words,
Sumanthra was so overwhelmed with admiration and
grief, that he could not look up at the face
of Sita; he could not listen any more to such profoundly
moving words; he could not himself find words to speak
to her. He reflected on her virtues, on her pure
feelings, and on her steadfastness; he deplored
the fate that deprived Ayodhya of the presence and
inspiration of a lady of such supreme
character.
He spoke to Rama:
"Rama! In that case accept one prayer. Keep me too with
you in the forest and allow me to serve you for the
fourteen years here itself". Rama replied: "Sumanthra!
You are well-versed in law and the rules of morality. You
are the Minister of Emperor Dasaratha, not a minister
under me. It was he who has commanded you to come back;
how can I permit you to stay? Even otherwise, it is not
desirable that you stay away from the Emperor at this
particular juncture. You are as the right hand to the
Emperor. You should not pay attention to your own Ananda
and try to keep away from him; go, go to him, without
further delay. If you go soon, you could give me and my
parents a great deal of consolation and assurance". Rama
persuaded him to go, using various other arguments and
examples. Finding it impossible to resist, Sumanthra wept
aloud and prostrated before the three; his steps were
heavy and hesitant when he turned back; both his mind and
his body were unwilling.
Rama caught his hand,
helped him to walk up to the chariot, and ascend to his
seat thereon. Rama spoke sweet and soft to Sumanthra, as
well as to the horses of the chariot, in order to induce
them to turn and proceed to wards Ayodhya.
Sumanthra drove the
chariot back to Ayodhya. The horses were reluctant to
retrace their steps; they turned back towards the place
where Rama was, longing to be with him and loth to move
away. Despite prodding and persuading they could scarce
move on. They neighed pathetically in protest; they
stopped off and on craning their necks to catch a glimpse
of Rama.
Sumanthra too was
turning back in unbearable sorrow; he wiped the stream of
tears that flowed down his cheeks; he kept his head
hanging as if unwilling to show his face to men. When
Guha saw the plight of Sumanthra, he was so overpowered
with agony that he leaned on to a tree, sobbing, with his
head pressed against its trunk. After sending the aged
Minister back, Rama proceeded to the Ganga, with his wife
and brother.
"When even dumb animals
found it impossible to live away from Rama, what can be
said of the anguish suffered by the parents who had borne
him and brought him up lovingly and with such great hope,
and by the subjects of the realm who adored him with
loyalty and love. Alas! Who can measure the grief that
was harrowing the heart of Queen Kausalya?" Guha thought
within himself. The sorrow seared his soul. His eyes soon
fell on Rama, Sita and Lakshmana walking towards the
Ganga; so, he hurried towards them, and realizing that
they desired to cross the river, he shouted to the
boatman who was on the opposite bank, to bring the boat
to the ferry. When the voice of his master fell on the
ear, the boatman hastened to row it across and, within
minutes, it was ready where Rama was awaiting its
arrival
Guha called the boatman
aside and told him to clean the boat and make it fit for
the Prince of Ayodhya, the Son of Emperor Dasaratha, his
Consort and brother, to go across the Ganga, on their way
to the forest where they intended to spend some years.
The boatman had heard from his Nishada brothers the sad
tale of the exile of the heir-apparent to the throne; so,
he lost no time in coming over. But he had one disturbing
doubt that had to be resolved. He had come to know that
Rama had placed his foot on a rock and that it was
suddenly transformed into a woman; was this the same
Rama, or was he a different person? That was the question
he asked Guha. Guha said, "My dear boatman, what a strong
memory you have! I am glad you remembered that incident
which happened long ago, and you have reminded me too of
it!" He turned to Rama and said, with great exultation,
"Rama! Listen! This man, my tribesman, this boatman has
treasured in his mind your majesty and glory; he is now
bringing back to my memory how you released Ahalya, the
wife of Sage Gouthama, from the stone into which she was
cursed. (See Chapter
7b) My subjects
were very much agitated over the terrible curse that was
inflicted on that lady. And, they were delighted when
they knew of your Divine Power that liberated her. O, how
fortunate are my people, that they are aware of your
Divinity!" Guha was describing the faith and devotion of
his boatman in great joy.
Meanwhile, Rama moved
towards the boat; the boat man stood before Rama with
folded palms and said, "Ramachandra! All the years of my
life have become worthwhile with the good fortune that
has come to me today. The Rama of whom I had heard long
ago, I am able to look upon today. That I could row you,
your consort and your brother across the Ganga is the
reward I have earned by accumulating merit through many
previous lives. Let me pray for one blessing; Allow me to
sprinkle on my head the water sanctified by washing your
feet, before I row you across." Guha had not realized
that his servant, the boatman was so deep in devotion to
Rama. He was surprised at the request he had so humbly
laid before Rama; he was supremely delighted that the man
had prayed so. He said, "Listen to me, brother! Let Rama
take his seat in the boat; then, you can wash his feet
with the waters of the Ganga taken in a vessel; It is not
good manners to wash them while he is standing on the
bank." Guha reprimanded him for his obstinacy and
simplicity.
But, the boatman would
not yield. He pleaded, "Lord! You possess vast wealth. I
am helplessly poor. I am scraping together the
wherewithal to maintain my family through the fees I get
for ferrying people across. I find my daily income
insufficient even for running my little family. How can I
be happy, if even this income is lost? Therefore, please
do not misunderstand me. Permit me to wash your feet,
even before you step into the boat".
Rama grasped the
undertone of the boatman's strange request; he smiled and
turned towards Sita, saying, "Did you notice this
boatman's fear?" Guha could not under stand what it all
meant, and why Rama had smiled. He was perplexed at the
fellow's behavior. He said, "Hello, boatman! I do not
understand what you are talking. How is the cost of
maintaining your family related to this present duty of
yours - taking Rama across the Ganga so that he might
enter the forest and live there? Are you demanding more
fees from Rama for this hereditary task? If so, you are
only revealing your greed! In case your earnings are not
enough for the support of your family, I am ready to
supplement it, as the chief of this realm. Don't yearn to
get it from Ramachandra. Attend to your business and get
the boat ready". Guha grew angry at the
persistence of the fellow.
At this, the boatman
submitted that he had heard people say that the feet of
Rama had some peculiar power. They say when the feet
contacted a stone, it turned into a woman. My boat is
made by putting together many pieces of timber. If each
piece becomes a woman, my Lord would leave them all to my
care, for, they were born from the parts of my boat! How
can I bear the additional burden? But, if the feet are
washed before he places them in the boat, I can be free
from fear. Besides, when I sprinkle the wash on my head,
my sins too would vanish. Therefore, please permit me to
have my wish fulfilled." Guha was lost in thought. But,
Rama called the boatman near him, and he said, with a
smile lighting up his face, "My dear man! Come, wash my
feet" and he placed his feet in the palms of the boatman!
His joy knew no bounds. He kept the feet within his palms
and washed them both very care fully and lovingly, not
missing the space between the toes, using the sacred
Ganga water. Then, he sprinkled the wash on his own head,
and over all parts of the boat, to guard them against
malefic powers. He was immensely de lighted at the
success of his plan.
He held the hand of
Rama, as he placed his feet in the boat and got in. Rama
helped Sita to board the boat, holding her hand firm in
his grip. He made Lakshmana sit beside him on one of the
cross planks. They spoke to each other of the devotion
and childlike innocence of the boatman, and enjoyed the
movement of the boat over the waters. They conversed with
Guha on various topics and the time passed so quickly
that they found themselves on the other bank without
being aware of the journey. Rama pretended to be ashamed
of himself when he found he had not even a cowrie shell
to offer the boatman, in lieu of the fees due to him.
Sita knew the feeling of her Lord's heart, by instinct.
She removed a ring from a finger of hers and placed it in
the hands of Rama. Rama hailed the boatman and said,
"Here, Boatman! This is your fee. Take it." The boatman
fell at the feet of Rama, exclaiming, "O Rama! This day I
achieved the gift of gifts. All my sins have been mashed
into dust. I am liberated from the awful doom of birth
and death. The pangs I endured for many lives on earth
have borne fruit; my God has blessed me; my fore fathers
and my progeny have been freed from sin by this blessing.
Lord! Enough for me if I receive and deserve your
blessings. And, when you return, O Lord! come this way,
and confer on me the chance to do this service. That is
the reward I value most in life." He fell prostrate on
the ground before Rama, with tears rolling down his
cheeks.
Rama and Lakshmana
consoled the boatman and tried to assuage his ecstasy.
They attempted to persuade him to accept the gift. But,
the boatman protested, saying, "If I accept fees for
taking you across this tiny stream, tell me how much are
you receiving as wages for taking generations of my line,
and billions of my fellowmen across the vast and
terrifying ocean of Samsar
which involves all beings in the fast moving current of
change. I am immersed in Bliss since I got this chance;
please do not bind me further by forcing me to accept
wages for this lucky chance that fell my way." These
words touched the heart of Rama; he felt that it would
not be good to put pressure on him. Rama blessed him most
liberally and allowed him to depart.
Rama and Lakshmana
placed their bows and arrows on clothes spread on the
bank, and they stepped into the river for bath. When they
finished, Sita too stepped into the sacred river and
after bath, she offered prayers to Ganga, and vowed that
she would return after spending fourteen happy years with
her Lord and sprinkle on her head the sacred water in
thankfulness for the conclusion of the exile.
Then Rama called Guha
near and said, 'Dear friend! I have already used for my
own purpose too much of your time. Now, you must go back
to your town." When this command fell on his ear, the
face of Guha fell. Tears flowed down the cheeks in
streams. With palms folded, he prayed, "Rama. Please
listen to my words. I shall be with you for some time in
the forest; I know all the paths of the jungle; I can
give you useful information. I am desirous of serving you
this way. Please do not say, no." Rama was happy when he
noticed Guha's love and devotion, and he took him
with him. Walking some distance, they rested awhile when
evening fell, under the shade of a wide. spreading
tree.
Guha and Lakshmana
hurried to sweep the area clean and make it fit for Rama
and Sita to rest. The fruits on that tree were looking
very eager to fall and be of service to the Divine
visitors; they turned red with excitement and joy. Guha
and Lakshmana collected the fruits and placed them on
broad leaves before Sita and Rama. But, Rama asked
his brother, "Lakshmana, can we eat these fruits
without first performing the evening rites?" So, they
proceeded to Prayag, the confluence of the holy rivers,
which was nearby and had the holy sight, before they took
their bath; Rama described to them the glories of the
spot, while returning from the river. He said that the
efficacy of the waters at the confluence of the three
holy rivers was so potent that it could cleanse man of
all the sins that tarnish his mind.
contents
of this Vahini
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