RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA, CHAPTER 21, PART ONE

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—CHAPTER 21, PART ONE

Then Lakshman turned to Kausalya. He was lamenting her miserable fate. He spoke to her as the occasion demanded. “Mother! It is extremely unjust to send Rama to the forests. The throne belongs to him by the right of birth. And all these are done at the behest of a woman. Rama may say Kaikeyi’s words are immaterial. That he was going to the forests by the command of his majesty. Well, his majesty is tottering under his age. So he gives his fancies the colour of the Royal Command. The pleasure of senses enslaves him. A pure heart can set at naught the rush of the senses. His reason is completely unhinged by love and passion. The evil-hearted Kaikeyi is always at his elbow. The monarch is invested with boundless power and wealth. He will do anything to win Kaikeyi’s smile. Rama is without a blemish. One cannot accuse him of treason or treachery or any heinous sin. I see none. Not even Rama’s worst enemy will accuse him on these grounds. Not even the wild wretch will say Rama has blemishes in his character. There is no chance for anyone to accuse him of any crime. My father has become an unworthy ruler. I don’t care about blaming my own father. He is some father, truly! Rama excels very gods in purity at heart. But my father banishes Rama to the forests. Rama’s words and thought are ever set on the path of Right. His one ambition is the happiness of the subjects. He has trained many a good man. He has under his stern control all his senses. Rama has endeared himself even to Kaikeyi. He is the embodiment of duty and justice. He is the eldest child of our father. He has a lawful right to the throne. Would anyone even think of banishing him to the forests? There is no justification for Rama’s banishment. I do not care for the grey hair of my father. Sixty-thousand years have passed over his head.  They disgrace him all the more. He is a slave to lust and passion. He is a hoary libertine. He is a blot upon good society. This world is foul with his presence. If I send him out of the world, it would be a great service to the world.