We are now looking at the many reactions from several people who came to know about the news of Rama’s exile. The last post listed the exchange between Rama, Kausalya and Lakshmana. Everyone other than Rama himself was furious about the dictate but slowly begins to buy in the reality. These conversations are detailed in several chapters depending on the role of the person in the kingdom. While Rama was ordered to live in forest for fourteen years, it isn’t clear till this point who will accompany him. This will be revealed in next few chapters and before that let us look at the conversation with Sita and her calmness in the midst of turmoil.
In chapter 25, Kausalya bids farewell to Rama preparing to go to forest. Rama leaves her residence and goes to Seetha.
Kausalya restrained her grief and resigned herself to Rama's departure. She told that noble Ikshvaku, who was ready to forsake the coveted kingdom of Kosala to uphold the commitment of his father, "Powerless to stop you, I will now wait for those dreadful fourteen years to end, go in peace my son. May you tread the path of your illustrious forefathers. May the dharma that you protect with such fervor in turn protect you. May all the celestials, the sages and the weapons bestowed upon you by Viswamitra be your defense. The gods that you worship every dawn, may they bless and shield you. May your obedience and loyalty towards your parents ensure your longevity. May all elements, the heaven, the Earth, and all existence protected by Brahma, protect you". Blessing her son in every way, Kausalya propitiated the gods for the welfare of Rama, by lighting the sacred fire and performing the holy rituals. May you come back safely, having achieved your purpose. I will wait for that day when I behold you, attired in royal splendor, with Sita, beautiful and bejeweled by your side, seated on the golden throne." Having completed the benedictory rites, a sorrowful Kausalya, her eyes full of tears, circumambulated Rama and embraced him tenderly while Rama paid obeisance to his mother, touching her feet repeatedly. He then made his way towards the palace of his beautiful consort Sita.
In chapter 26, seeing Rama being sad Sita wants to know the reason. Rama then lets her know his father's wish and his decision in alignment. He then asks her to stay in Ayodhya.
The streets of Ayodhya thronged with happy people charmed by their prince. They beheld Rama whose dazzling effulgence illumined the highways of Ayodhya as he passed through them. He arrived at the magnificent abode of Sita who waited to greet a king to be, with garlands and sandal paste. She was unaware of the tremendous changes that had taken place and of the upheaval caused. It was then that Rama's turmoil that he had hitherto concealed so carefully surfaced, clouding his face. His tormented soul vented its suffering, which manifested on his divine countenance as an expression of great desolation. Witnessing these alien signs on a face ever serene and radiant, Sita became alarmed. With great concern she asked Rama, "At this moment, ordained by the brahmins as auspicious for your coronation, what ails you my Lord? Where is the royal canopy, the chariot, the horses, and the elephants? Where is the royal retinue and the Brahmins who are to perform the rituals? At this moment of sublime glory why this unhappiness?" and Rama said, "Born of a great race famed for its righteousness, you will understand my words. Listen to what has transpired. My father, the very embodiment of truth, had in the past, given two boons to mother Kaikeyi. The queen has decided that now is the time to redeem them. The king bound by honor has consented to do so. The boons worded very simply, that I am to be exiled for fourteen years, while Bharata crowned king will rule Ayodhya, for that period of time. My dear, I have come to bid you farewell.”
"May your love for me be eternal and may you with patience forgive my absence. I leave my parents to your care; give them the strength to bear the pain of my separation. To Kausalya, my banishment will be unbearable and to my father the swift turn of events may be disastrous. He lived to witness my coronation, a coronation that destiny has opposed, and which will drown the monarch in an endless sea of sorrow. Do serve my noble parents worn out by grief, with great reverence. Serve all my mothers with the same devotion that I have for them. Bharata and Satrughna are dearer to me than my life; treat them with nothing but affection. Never displease Bharata, who will be the ruler and lawmaker, by your actions. Tread the path of dharma. Spend your time in worship and prayer. I am going to the forest and you, my beloved, shall stay here".
In chapter 27, Sita asks Rama to let her accompany him to the forest.
Sita listened silently to Rama's monologue. A depiction of charm and grace, her presence produced a blissful serenity. So immense was her adoration of Rama, that even the thought of separation from him angered her. "Do your casual commands bid me to do what you take so lightly? What is my offence that you want to punish me so she said "My knowledge of dharma says every one - a father, mother, brother or son - is meant to enjoy or suffer the merits or demerits that they have accrued in their past lives. The wife alone is meant to share the fate of her husband. Accordingly, your banishment is mine. Do I have to teach you, an embodiment of dharma, of its subtleties? For a woman, her husband is her only refuge. Do you pretend ignorance of this rule, my lord? I do not mean to rebel or contradict your wishes, but life for me is not possible without you." And then her anguished heart gave way to such torrential tears that they drenched the very earth out of which she was born.
Rama gently wiped Sita's tears trying to cajole and reason with her, but his soft-spoken consort was not to be deterred, as she continued, "I do not mean to disobey, but separation from you will kill me. For a woman the glories of the world mean nothing, compared to being with her lord. The code of conduct imbibed in me says to follow that lord to the very ends of the world. When you who protect the most insignificant lives on earth are with me what do I have to fear? I will not shirk the forest where you are or live in a heaven where you are not. Serving you and living in the enchanting exuberance of a forest alive with a myriad bird and beasts, can life be anything but bliss? A bliss enhanced by your presence." Neither Rama's renowned eloquence nor dharma could shake the gentle princess from her single-minded resolve.
In chapter 28, Rama describes various troubles of staying in forest and beseeches Sita not to come along with him.
In anticipation of the many ordeals that they would have to face in the forest, Rama tried to dissuade Sita, "Sita, born of a noble race, at this hour of need, your duty is to do that which is righteous and not that which is suitable. You are too delicate for life in the wilderness choked with vine and bush. Great storms visit those miles of greenery, plunging it in darkness even by day and peril lies everywhere. Birds of prey infest the skies and large slithering snakes, that twist and turn tortuously, infest the land. The canopy of the forest will be our roof, the leaves shed by it our bed and the fruit our food. How can a princess so fragile, so used to the luxuries of a palace, survive the forest?"
"Though living in the forest, the devatas, the ancestors and the guests who visit must be offered ritual worship. Bathing three times a day and gathering flowers for the daily prayers is a must. Devoid of anger and desire one should spend time in penance, sustaining on whatever is available. For all these reasons and of your helplessness as a woman, habitation in the jungles is impossible." No hurdle mentioned by Rama daunted Sita and no plea was going to hold her back from following him. So, when Rama announced his final decision, she grew defiant and readied herself to fight her cause.
In chapter 29, Sita implores upon Rama to allow her to come to forests and says that she heard through some foretellers she has to live in forests for some time. But Rama is not interested to make Sita's life penurious in forests and once again tries to pacify her.
With her face bathed in tears, Sita gently kept imploring Rama, "It has been prophesied that I would have to live in the forest, for a period of time in my life. That time is now and my parents have impressed it upon me, that I should always follow you. With you by my side even the gods will not dare to harm me. The weak may dread the jungles but what frightens you who are so fearless? As decreed, a woman, who in this life has been given in holy matrimony to a man by her parents, belongs to him even after her death. Does it befit you to leave without me, your devoted wife in prosperity and adversity? If despite my grief my wishes are disregarded, I shall cast myself into the fire".
All of Sita's anguished pleas left Rama unmoved. His immense love for her made him reluctant to lay bare, the innocence of his cherished wife to the merciless jungle. Rama's rejection only doubled Sita's sorrow and her tears flowed unchecked.
In chapter 30, the persistence of Sita continues, to go along with Rama to forest. Rama tried to pacify her but finally had to yield, accepts her to come along and asks her to give away her personal belongings to Brahmins in charity before they proceed.
Rama tried to console Sita, who though distraught silently vowed to accompany him. Incensed with anger, tempered with love, she said, "My lord, my father committed a great blunder in choosing you for a son- in-law, little knowing that you are but a woman, in the garb of a man. He will be ashamed to hear that diffident about protecting your consort, you had abandoned me. Men in their ignorance talk of your might and its magnitude. Is that not a falsehood?”
"What fear causes this hesitation, in taking me? Leaving me behind, do you gift me to the world, to be its courtesan? The duties you remind me of towards your parents, towards myself and towards Bharata, why can you not dispense them yourself? As for me, no heaven, forest, or penance would I enter without you. How can I, who cannot live even for a moment away from you, survive fourteen long years of separation?" Sita finally, gave vent to her torment as she fell into Rama's arms with hot tears of anguish flowing down her face. Embracing her, Rama said, "My dear, the very heavens have no use for me, if you are not happy. Like the self-created Brahma, I am fearless. Not knowing your wish, I tried to stop you. You have been created to share my life and will ever follow me, as Suvarchala follows Surya. I enter the forest not by choice, but as commanded by my father who is my god and guru. Reverence to one's parents alone is the means to heaven, knowledge, fame, prosperity and progeny. Come walk the path of dharma with me. Your decision brings honor to your family and mine. You have proven yourself a jewel among women. Give away all our wealth to the Brahmins, to the poor and to all those who have served us". The glow was back on Sita's face, rapturous and expectant she began to dispose of all their possessions without delay.
In chapter 31, Lakshmana who overhears the conversation of Rama and Sita, enters into dialogue with his brother, insisting that he too shall accompany. Rama tries to persuade him to stay back, but in vain. Then Rama had to agree to Lakshmana's insistence and asks him to fetch the divine bows, arrows and swords given by gods.
Hearing Rama grant permission to Sita, Lakshmana fell at his brother's feet and begged to let him also accompany them. Lakshmana looked pleadingly at Sita and then at Rama who was reputed never to abandon any, who sought refuge in him, 'Even if there is a place on this earth where there is neither old age nor death, I do not desire it. Without you, I do not want kingship, heaven or earth". Rama said, "Lakshmana, you are not only my brother but my friend and my life. What of Kausalya and Sumitra if you come with me? The king enticed by Kaikeyi may slight them and she with the kingdom in her hands, may not do them justice. Indebted to Kaikeyi and trying to please her, Bharata may not spare much thought to my mothers. Stay back Lakshmana, there is no greater dharma than serving one's parents." Lakshmana who refused to be dissuaded said, "Kausalya can take charge of a thousand Lakshmanas like me and bear them. So can Sumitra who is equally competent. As for Bharata, he is a noble Ikshvaku and will cherish the queens with the greatest of love and reverence. Take me with you, I will be your servant."
Moved by Lakshmana's devotion, Rama agreed saying, "Go bid farewell to those dear to you. Bring with you the bows and the quivers, the swords and armor". Darting away happily, he also brought back Suyajna son of Vasishta and his disciples into Rama's presence along with other eminent Brahmins so that they could pay them their worshipful homage before departing.
This concludes chapters 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 where we had seen the conversation between Rama and Sita about going together to the forest. As can be seen, Rama is more worried about the difficulties which she may face in exile and asks her to live in comforts of palace, taking care of elders. He tells the same to Lakshmana who persuades to accompany him. Both Sita and Lakshmana want to follow Rama dearly while he is against the wish. Finally, he yields to them and thus it has been apprised that the trio – Rama, Sita and Lakshmana will together go into exile for fourteen years. Let us look at how it pans out and all the further moments of heat surrounding the exile in subsequent posts.
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