RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN, AYODHYAKANDA, CHAPTER 21 PART FIVE

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN

                                                                                AYODHYAKANDA

                                                                          CHAPTER 21, PART FIVE  

Rama’s pleading was eloquent. It spoke volumes for his virtue and duty. He was respectful to his mother. But he was firm in carrying out his father’s command. He had no grief or disappointment. It was too much for Kausalya. She fainted under the shock. After a while, she regained her senses. She looked Rama in the eye. She cried, “Don’t I deserve as much obedience as you have for your father? You are flesh of my flesh. I bore you in the womb. And I watched you grow from infancy to youth. Does it not count for anything? You see my unspeakable misery. And yet you want to leave me here. I am alone and helpless. You leave me to the mercies of my enemies. Do you expect my consent? What is life to me in the world? If you are not by myself, life is not worth living.”

Elephant-hunters take their stand during dark nights across its path. They drive the elephant towards the pit. They do this by threatening it with blazing torches. Even so, the pitiable laments of his mother had no effect on Rama. Her portrayal of her miseries only roused him to fresh energy and firmness. He would not let him go back from the Path of Dharma. He saw his mother in deep grief. He looked at his brother, Lakshmana. He was writhing under impotent anger. Yet Rama would never waver from the path of Dharma. And his words to Kausalya were in agreement with Dharma. Duty hemmed him on every side. He did not hesitate to choose the best course of action. “Lakshmana!” Rama addressed his brother; “I know your devotion to me. You and my mother cause me annoyance and trouble. You both are wilfully blind to my motives. Hear me once again. I will speak to you two at length. I will elaborate on what I hinted to you just now. A wife secures to her husband Dharma. It is possible only if she walks the path of her husband’s law of life. She secures to him Love if she wants a place in his heart.”

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RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN, CHAPTER 21, PART FOUR

                                                         RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN

                                                                    AYODHYAKANDA

                                                              CHAPTER 21, PART FOUR

Rama was unrivalled in persuasive eloquence. He was unrivalled in valour too. After speaking to his mother, he turned to Lakshmana. “My dear brother! I know your boundless love to me. You are very much devoted to me. My mother grieves sorely. She has forgotten the mysteries of truth and peace. You are deeply versed in the secrets of Dharma. Surely you should not speak like this. Truth is deeply implanted in Dharma. Hence it is most coveted in the Aims of Life. I should obey my father’s command. This I must do in preference to the order of my mother. I always walk in the Way of Right. I cannot afford to fail to obey my father. I also owe allegiance to my mother. And I owe allegiance to the learned Brahmanas too. All Kaikeyi did was to pass on the orders of my father. My father has ordered me to live in the forests. And who am I to say No? So put away the cruel instincts of fanatic Kshatriya. You say, ‘Let us kill this old man. After that, let us rule over the kingdom.’ Your instinctive words will lead us away from the Path of Dharma. Like Dharma Compassion and Love also merit consideration. I have never led you astray in the past!”

Then Rama bowed to Kausalya over joined palms. He said, “Mother! You and Lakshmana and Sumitra and Seeta and I should obey my father. His orders demand my immediate attention. And  I will live in the forests for fourteen years. Your orders come next. I will thereafter serve you devoutly. There is a brief spell of rough life for me. After carrying out my father’s orders, I will hasten to you. It would be like King Yayati’s life. He lived in the god-world. For a brief spell, he was sent to this world. So master your grief and give me leave to go. Perform auspicious rites that will secure us a safe journey. I will be back to your side. I beg you to grant me leave. The coronation of your son is off. Order all preparations to proceed no further. To the world, you must control yourself. You should not give yourself to the grief. Let me have your leave to speed to the forests. I am a loyal servant of Dharma!”  

  

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

                                                    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!”

  

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

                  RAMAYANA FOR CHIDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 21 PART TWO

“The king is in his second childhood. The prince (Rama) is well-versed in the traditions of royalty. It is strange that he should obey the King. Brother” continued Lakshmanan, “Make yourself master of this kingdom. Do it before others come to know of your banishment. I am at your back. I will defy anyone who tries to approach you. It is high time to put the god of Death in the due discharge of his duty! It’s child’s play to me to stop the whole city of Ayodhya. The millions of this city cannot lift their little finger against you. I will guard you against the whole world. Even if Bharata is against us, I will take care of him. Let he come against you with his friends and relations. I will take care of them all. You are gentle and meek to a fault. Such people will be insulted in this world. Merit is recognized only when it asserts itself. I see no sin or wickedness in taking the life of our father. He is in alliance with our enemies. He has done this to you at the instigation of Kaikeyi. The king is intoxicated with pride. He has no sense of right and wrong. He must be chastised. This kingdom is yours by right. How dare the king promises the kingdom to Kaikeyi’s son! He has no right to give this kingdom to anyone than you. Did the king believe in his valour and that of his armies? Does he want to chase you out of the kingdom? We should make him see that he cannot banish you to the forests. What kind of pride is that of his that makes him think he could take you on? Nobody can bother either Rama or his slave, Lakshmana. Nobody can place Bharata on the throne. Mother, Rama is my brother. He is the object of my love and reverence. I solemnly swear I will go wherever Rama goes. It shall be my duty to serve Rama wherever he goes. This day, you and Rama will see the might of my arm.”    

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.   

  

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN, AYODHYAKANDA, CHAPTER 20, THIRD PART

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 20, THIRD PART

Kausalya continued to speak about her life in the palace: “There are well-meaning souls. But they are afraid of speaking to me and cheer me up. They are afraid of the son of Kaikeyi. So they will avoid me like a pestilence. For they fear that Kaikeyi’s son might punish them. Kaikeyi has never a kind word or look for me. Cruel taunts and cutting sarcasms fall from her lips. Now, you say you will go to the Dantaka forests. This is the cruellest stroke of misfortune. It delivers me over to her. Do I have the strong heart to meet her frowns? For seventeen years I have been bearing my cross. I thought My Rama will grow into a youth. And then he will be crowned in the place of his father. And with that all my sufferings would come to a closure. This was how I used to think. But, alas! My hopes are nipped in the bud. The gibes and jeers of my rivals would pierce my heart. And how long could I bear these refined torments? It is a night that knows no morning. “Youth, health and beauty have passed away from me. I am an eye-sore to the king. It is not possible for me to live this dog’s life. I can no more bear this misery and disgrace. I thought your sweet presence would the awful gloom. Verily, this is a dark misery. My fasts, vows, observances and prayers are directed to one end. My sweet hopes have turned to dust and ashes. The glorious future I expected has suddenly darkened into a gloom. It is ominous and terrible. My heart breaks under the stress of and strain of this calamity. It is like the roaring flood in rainy season turns the solid banks into powder. Death does not come to one one moment sooner or later. It occurs at the right time. Or has Death forgotten me? How good it would be if death occurs to me now! If there is a chance to die before our time, I would hug Death and oblivion. My mind is set toward the Mansions of Yama. It would be miserable to live in your absence. It would be like a cow violently deprived of her one calf! My place is not here when you are in the woods. I will even follow you where you go. My hopes and joy rest on you. I am like an aged cow. I can never be parted from my calf.” Thus Kaikeyi moaned and wailed. She was in the utter agony of her grief. Rama was bound by the bonds of truth. He was absolutely powerless to stretch forth a helping hand. Kausalya raised her voice and wept aloud.

  

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA--CHAPTER 20, SECOND PART

        RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 20, SECOND PART.

Kausalya bitterly complained of her fate. “Darling!  Why were you born to me? Otherwise, such calamities might not have happened to you! A barren woman has no other sorrow than that of childlessness. Manifold misfortunes have befallen me. I have a son. But I have not him. I spent over him years of love and care. But everything has come unstuck. I counted upon your service in my old age. I fondly hoped that your hands would close my eyes gently at the time of my death. But I live to see you violently torn from me. The curse of childlessness has befallen me. It will dog my dying days. Alas! A barren wife has only her heart to grapple with! But my heart, mind, senses, body, are consumed by grief.

“To the world, I am the queen consort of Dasaratha. But I am devoid of the wealth, power and pomp. My husband’s heart is turned away from me. Your birth gave me a new lease of life. Your birth instilled fresh hope in my heart. I thought I would get back my power through his affection to you. That has been the main expectation of mine. Alas! Grief seems to be the only portion of the rest of my life. I am denied of the joy and comfort in marital life. I am being insulted by your father’s other wives. I have to endure the wanton indignities at their hands. They are co-wives and rivals for my husband’s love. The king’s fancy or whim has raised them to such a height. They have poisoned my husband’s heart. I have been shut from the light of his affection. They have kept their plan back till now. But hereafter they will be emboldened. They would thrust their insolence upon my face. They will cry in scorn and fury. ‘Get away! Don’t darken the presence of my lord’. This is how they will behave now. Or they may adopt a tone of ridicule. They will say, ‘Surely, a barren woman should not be the centre of feasts!’ Or, when the monarch visits me, they will drag him away. They will say to him, ‘what are you doing here? Your place is in my rooms!’ Their birth, status and talents are not superior to me. Fortune has been very cruel to me. Women do not survive such shocks. Before me stretches a whole eternity of grief! They are unparalleled and unutterable. Just imagine if they could do this in your presence, how would they behave when you are gone? Death, natural or violent, would be a boon for me! Every day finds my husband colder to me. I suffer like the waiting women of Kaikeyi. No, those women have a share of Kaikeyi’s favour!”