RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN AYODHYAKANDA CHAPTER 23 PART TWO

                                                                  RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN

                                                                          AYODHYAKANDA

                                                             CHAPTER NUMBER 23, PART TWO

“You fear treason against Dharma” Lakshmana continued, “if you do not fulfil your father’s command. Why don’t you suspect these sinful creatures? You should not repose faith in Dasaratha and Kaikeyi. They are seeking your ruin and destruction. Don’t say they are servants of Dharma. The world is full of scoundrels like them! They generally hide their cruelty and wickedness. For them the word Dharma comes in handy. You are pure. And your heart is innocent. You look into them yourself reflected. Why don’t you understand it is a preconceived scheme? They are out to thwart your coronation. They should be at it from long since. Otherwise, why should Kaikeyi put off the two boons for such a long time? Let me shetch you their plot. Dasaratha must have told her, ‘Rama is unfortunately my first-born. But my heart wishes to coronate your son, Bharata. Alas! The people are obstinate. They would not sit quiet at this. We must carry out our plan through indirect means. I will promise to the people to place Rama on the throne. Next you come into the game. You must relentlessly demand the two boons I granted you long back. I will fume and rage. I will rave and swear. I will weep and entreat. I will curse and scream. But I will give in at long last. Rama will be banished to the forests. Bharata will rule the earth!’ ”

Lakshmana further said, “You are endowed with keenest intellect. But in this matter you lack experience. You now have a distorted conception about Dharma. It makes you say, ‘I will not have this coronation. I will go to the forests. Otherwise, I will be committing a grave sin.’ That Dharma of yourself is hated by me. Dasaratha is set up by the artful Kaikeyi. He speaks such words which are inimical to Dharma. You have an invincible might and valour. But you bow your head and resolve to do his bidding. Your attitude is marked by an aberration! You take their words as gospel. They plot to prevent your coronation. In all the world there won’t be anyone but you who would bow before such vile people. They are our parents. But indeed they are our bitterest enemies. They are sheep under wolf’s clothing. They are slaves to passion and lust. They only seek our ruin and destruction. No sane person would ever obey them!”  

            

  

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN AYODHYAKANDA CHAPTER 23 PART ONE

                                                                 RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN

                                                             CHAPTER NUMBER 23 PART ONE

                                                                           LAKSHMANA’S REPLY

Lakshmana was not impressed. He never raised his eyes from the ground. It was a sign that Rama’s argument did not convince him. Lakshmana was torn between joy and sorrow. He rejoiced at Rama’s firmness in his adherence to dharma. He sensed grief at Rama having to renounce the throne. Lakshmana could hardly speak. His brow was knotted and wrinkled. He frowned like an infuriated lion. He hissed forth burning sighs like a serpent. He moved his head up and down. It looked like the rising waves of his wrath. He crossed and uncrossed his fingers. He did this and it looked like an elephant moving its trunk this way and that way. He shot a glance at his brother, Rama. He said to Rama, “It is very bad that you should exhibit such happiness at being exiled to the forests. You say if we do not fulfil our father’s word to Kaikeyi, it is against dharma. Weaklings, cowards, lunatics bow before their Destiny! They let themselves to be kicked around. But you are the flower of valour and royalty. You do not require anyone’s help to see the back of Destiny. Your head is ever cool. Your heart is ever calm. It does not behove you to bow before Destiny. Destiny is not omnipotent, unassailable and invincible. Brihaspati said, ‘Destiny is the last refuge of a coward.’ Destiny is the god of the impotent. Man’s will alone is omnipotent. Destiny flies before a strong man like you!”