RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN
AYODHYAKANDA
CHAPTER 21—PART THREE
Kausalya was imbued with hope now. Her heart was filled with renewed hope and joy. “Rama, my darling! Did you hear the words of Lakshmana? They need no comment or explanation. I leave it to your good sense to act as you think best. You may say that your father’s words were the law to you. But is this your father’s command? No! It is the command of Kaikeyi. This is her insidious instigation. She is my rival and an evil genius. Besides, it is all opposed to reason. There is no justice in this. Is it your duty to leave me to my enemies? I will be helpless and alone. I will be stricken with grief and misfortune. Law and duty have no mysteries for you. You always carry out the orders of your father. You think that is your duty. But there is higher dharma than that. The Books teach us that the mother is the most reverent object. So stay with me, Rama. And devote yourself to my service. There is no higher dharma. One of your ancestors is Kasyapa. He stayed with his mother. And he rendered her faithful service. His noble tapas was rewarded well. He was sent to the high regions of light. As your father is to you, so am I. He is worthy for your love and reverence. And so am I. His word is the law to you. And so is mine. Now, I don’t like your banishment. You can never have my consent to it. What joy have I in life apart from you? Life itself is a curse to me. It is my privilege and pleasure to be with you. I am attacked by misfortune and calamity. If you ever leave my side, I will starve myself to death. The Ruler of the Waters once had a misfortune. He caused grief to the heart of his mother. He was sent to Hell. He was given the place in hell reserved for the slayers of Brahmanas. And you will meet eternal misery here on earth.”
The heart-rending laments of Kausalya had no power on Rama. The Path of Duty was very important for him. He replied gently: “The duty of obeying the commands of my father is on me. Of course, I am bound to obey you too. But it is impossible to obey you both simultaneously. Besides, my father’s orders have come prior to yours. So my father’s command demands immediate attention. I dare not set it aside. So I go to the forests. And I pray you to give me your leave and blessings. Do I seem to pierce your heart? Maharshi Kandu, once, slew a holy cow! It was in obedience to his father’s command. He was not unacquainted with the niceties of dharma. He was an ascetic. And I would give you another example. It is nearer and more pertinent. King Sagara is of our line. He once gave orders to his sons. He had sixty thousand sons. The order was to tear up this earth. The sons obeyed his orders to the letter. They were consumed to ashes in doing their duty. My father commands me to do no such things. My life is his to dispose of as he wills. He only demands that I spend just fourteen years in the forests. And can I cry upon it as a great hardship? Jamadagni ordered his son to lop off the head of his mother. Parasurama did not waver or flinch. Shall I prove a traitorous son to my father? There have been many sons who carried out their fathers’ command at any cost. I am only trying to walk in their path. I have their instances to cheer me on. It is not an invention of mine. It is the law of man. And there will be no merit in me if I fulfil it. To spare you agonies I will do anything. But I have my father’s command. I might happen to cause some grief to you, my mother. But it is because of my carrying out the command of my father!”
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