RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA--CHAPTER 19 SECOND AND THIRD PARTS

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 19, SECOND PART

Rama never would go back on his word. Kaikeyi knew this for a fact. So Rama was as good as gone to Dandaka. Her heart rejoiced. And she did her best to hurry him on. “You are absolutely correct, Rama” she said. Let messengers hasten to bring Bharata back to Ayodhya. It does not benefit you to delay here. And you are so eager to go to the forests. So you hasten to the Dandaka forests. Your father is ashamed and that prevents him from issuing the order. He will not bathe nor have breakfast unless he sees you depart for the woods” thus spoke Kaikeyi.

Dasaratha was shocked to hear these cruel words. He cried, “Alas! What have I done to witness this horrendous act of Kaikeyi?” And he fell in a dead faint on his bed. Rama sprang to his side. And he caught Dasaratha in his arm. Kaikeyi hastened Rama’s departure. She lashed him with her cruel words. “My queen!” Rama spoke in anguish, “You do me wrong. Don’t think that I hanker after wealth, pomp and power. Indeed I don’t want to remain here. You seem to be afraid of what Bharata would do. You are afraid that he might renounce the crown in my favour! My act, my words, my thoughts centre round only one desire. I must fulfil my Dharma. I am as dispassionate as the sages in the holy forests. Hollow joys of life have no power over me. I want you to remember that I value my father’s happiness very much. I know no other joy in life than obey his words. His majesty need not command me. A word from you, mother, is enough. Your hint is more than enough to make the life in the forests joyful. No one has unquestioned right like you have to order me. I take pride on being the chosen servant of yours. And yet I am at a loss to understand that you should have asked my father to send me to the forests. Just give me to take leave of my mother. And I also need to console Sita. I pray you to do all the arrangements for Bharata’s coronation.”

                                RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 19, THIRD PART

Rama’s words were gentle and very noble. He was very generous. And he was utterly unselfish. But Rama’s words were too much for Dasaratha. He became very grieved. He was shaken to the very foundation. He sobbed aloud. The burning tears coursed down his cheeks. Then Rama touched gently his father’s feet. He also touched the feet of the scheming Kaikeyi. Rama went round them in humility. He had no grief nor anger nor disappointment nor annoyance. His looks were bright. He went back to his palace. His friends followed him. He was closely followed by Lakshmana. He was beside himself with wrath and anger. He was like a hissing cobra. And he could not check his tears. One should go round in reverence rare and auspicious articles. So Rama went round the materials stored for his coronation. He would not glance at them. But he passed on slowly. Rama prayed that those articles must be utilised for Bharata’s coronation. The dark night had no power to dim the beauty of the moon. The bright moon brought joy to all.  The loss of his crown and his banishment to the forests did not dim the glory of the Lord. For eternal and boundless bliss was one of his attributes. He was ready to go and live in the trackless forests. His mind was very serene. He was dispassionate and unshaken. He gently refused the umbrella of the state. His royal insignia went forward to the mansion of Rama’s mother. He wanted to tell her the news. He gently dismissed his friends and a teeming number of people. His senses were under stern control. He grieved to see others grieve for him. But he did not allow that to show in his face. Those around him were unable to detect any change in his face. He was the lord of Sree and the champion of Truth. He lost nothing of his inner cheerfulness. He was like the autumn moon. Rama was undisturbed by joy or sorrow. He was unparalleled in fame. He was still the giver of happiness to all. He was kind to all around him. He spoke sweet words to all. Thus Rama passed on to his mother’s palace.

Lakshmana followed Rama. He had to exercise iron control over himself. Rama saw there groups of people rejoicing in anticipation of his coronation. He said to himself, “Alas! I had to be the bringer of the sad news! My friends here are so happy. I should exercise great control over myself. Otherwise, these good folks will die of grief. Rama entered the apartments of the queen with a cheerful smile.