Rama's Journey Into Exile Commences Amid the Mental Turmoil in Kingdom

I had started the blog on the subject of ‘Ramayana’ in U.S. and continued to compile articles on it since the past several months. The reason behind it is to prepare the soil, sow the seeds, grow a crop to reap the harvest belonging to the ideals of Rama in this country. The consciousness of Rama should take life in the country and the citizens of tomorrow need to be born, bred and live with those virtues. We are sowing the seeds today to reap a golden harvest of tomorrow. There has to be efforts from one and all to build wings to this shape, form and create the beautiful days of tomorrow from today’s mission. The tutelage and penetration of this divine veil into the fabric of society need to be received, ruminated and absorbed by the few. They need to take part in the movement to herald Rama into hearts of one and all in this world. This is the message behind the effort of these many months of inscribing about the Lord in this space. The homeland of India is building a grand temple of Sri Rama in his birth place of Ayodhya which resonates with the emergence of his kingdom in the Bharathvarsh. More than India, the foreign land has the space, place deemed necessary by the people for welcoming the august future built on the principles, virtues of this epic. To remember the times, there is a need to build a grand temple of Ram in this country. There is also need to take the mission work to the future by engaging in activities on the same. With that note, let us turn back to the chapters in second book of the epic.

We are presently looking at the moments after Rama takes leave of Ayodhya, its king, and all those subjects close to him. This episode is given high importance as an entire book of Ayodhya Kanda is written around it with specific focus on every detail. The plot, exile and initial days away are detailed in the second book from where the story takes off in future. Let us continue to look at all the details around the exile after Rama sped past the citadel with Sita, Lakshmana in the chariot. This continues from last post where Kausalya laments in grief for the moment. 

In chapter 44, establishing the greatness of Rama, Sumitra, mother of Lakshmana graciously assuages Kausalya's grief. 

Sumitra seeing Kausalya buried in sorrow said, "Noble lady, Rama an embodiment of dharma without equal in the three worlds, has abandoned the throne of Kosala, to uphold the promises of his father. He has in Lakshmana a brother, loyal beyond compare, to follow him to the ends of the earth. His only mission in life is to guard and serve Rama whose name and image is inscribed in his heart. Sita beautiful as a goddess, though aware of the privations has bravely and faithfully followed Rama disregarding the discomforts of life in the wilderness. 

What has your son, the essence of dharma, not accomplished? In which corner of the earth does his fame not pervade? Knowing Rama to be divine, the Sun will caress him, winds will waft softly bringing with them the sweet scent of the woods and at night the Moon will lull him to sleep. Rama is inviolable whether in the forest or in the palace. Armed with the most formidable of weapons given by Viswamitra, how can the earth not be subjugated by him. To him, who is the splendor of the fire, the root of fame, the lord of all creatures, the light of the Sun, and the divinity of the gods, nothing is impossible. Will such a soul, the manifestation of myriad majestic qualities be bereft of any one of them regardless of where he dwells? Give up your grief Kausalya. Soon you will see the light of your eyes and the joy of your life paying you reverent homage. No harm will befall Rama for misfortunes have no power over him." 

In chapter 45, Rama requests the citizens to return to Ayodhya and to show respect to Bharata, the prince Regent and Dasaratha, the king. The citizens try to persuade Rama to return to Ayodhya, but in vain. Rama along with all of them reach the bank of Tamasa. 

Dasaratha bound by his duty turned back, but the people of Ayodhya followed Rama deep into the woods. Rama cajoled his tearful subjects to go back saying "Show the same love and respect that you have shown me to Bharata. That virtuous prince will do everything in his power to make you happy for though young in age he is as old as the hills in wisdom and knowledge. Gentle but valiant, he will dispel all your fears. Endowed with every sublime quality he has all the makings of a monarch. It is your duty and mine, as that of all those like you to obey the royal commands. If you wish to please him see that he does not miss me or grieve for me." The more Rama tried to convince them to return home, the more stubborn they grew, wanting none but Rama as their master. 

Soon the river Tamasa hove into sight meandering across his path. Even the river seemed reluctant to let Rama pass. Sumantra unharnessed the horses so that they could quench their thirst and graze on the green river bank. 
 
In chapter 46, having reached the banks of Tamasa River and thinking of the plight of the people of Ayodhya, Rama passes the night on the banks of river. Waking up in the meantime, Rama instructs the charioteer to drive past the people before they are back from the sleep. 

Halting on the shores of Tamasa, Rama said, "Lakshmana, the first day of our exile is ending, let us spend this night here. In Ayodhya our father weeps and Ayodhya weeps with him. May their incessant tears not render our parents' blind. I am glad of your insistence in accompanying us for I need help to guard Sita." Even the horses, seemed to rue the day they were fated to have driven Rama to the forest and not to his coronation. Lakshmana made a bed of dry leaves and grasses on which Rama and Sita rested for the night. The sun rose on Lakshmana and Sumantra, who had discoursed on Rama's virtues the entire night with no thought of sleep. Rama awoke to see his faithful subjects who followed him, asleep on the forest floor. Witnessing their loyalty, a great sadness came over him. "Lakshmana!" he said, "look at these citizens of Ayodhya, ready to abandon their homes, families and their lives to be with me. Let us leave now, a king should not cause, but alleviate the suffering of his people. Let us free them of their hardship, by leaving before they are awake." Lakshamana agreed and Sumantra readied the chariot as they quietly sped away, taking care to cover their tracks so as to encourage the citizens to return to Ayodhya. 

In chapter 47, The multitude that had accompanied Rama in his journey to the forest wake up to find Rama and his associates gone. They begin to rebuke themselves. Overwhelmed with grief, they hunt up to tracks of Rama's chariot. Being unable to find the tracks, they helplessly return to Ayodhya in sheer despair. 

A rude shock awaited Rama's faithful flock when they woke up, as he was no longer with them. Swearing in anguish they said, "Cursed be our sleep, betrayed by which we have lost Rama. What answer do we give those in Ayodhya who will surely ask of him?" They agonized over the unanswerable questions they would soon be facing. Giving up their futile search for Rama, they even sought to end their lives by flinging themselves into a fire, rather than live a life deprived of Rama. 
 
Arriving in Ayodhya dazed and confused they looked at it in disbelief. Pride of Kosala and home to their lord where life once throbbed and vibrated was now veiled in a dreadful silence. A pall of gloom hung over the magnificent city which now lay bleak and barren. 

In chapter 48, informed by the citizens about Rama's departure to the forest, when they returned to Ayodhya after being unable to find him, the wives of the citizens reproach Kaikeyi and break into lamentation. 

The citizens of Ayodhya sorrowing for their master spent cheerless days and nights without even trying to seek relief. When they arrived, women receiving them, wept and blamed them saying, "Lakshmana is the only righteous man on earth for he alone has faithfully followed Rama. Why are you here without him? Blessed are the rivers, streams and the lotus filled lakes in which Rama will bathe. Forests will revel in his divine presence bringing forth exotic fruit and flowers regardless of seasons. Mountains will create and display pristine streams which will gurgle and dance down their slopes. Nature in its entire splendor will welcome Rama." 

"Who in Ayodhya can live happily, ruled by a wicked woman who has banished Rama and plunging the king in great sorrow?" Woe unto Dasaratha who has fallen victim of a queen's wiles! We are now like cows in the care of a butcher." The women hurled their ultimate threat at their hapless men, telling them to either consume poison or put as many miles as possible between them and Ayodhya. 

In chapter 49, having traveled for a pretty long distance, Rama crossed Vedasruti, Gomati and Syandika rivers.  

Meanwhile Rama traveled further and further away from his kingdom. The chariot raced on reaching the southern frontiers of Kosala where fields were being readied for the sowing of grain. Flowering woods and cozy villages competed for Rama's attention, as he passed homes and hamlets hearing people accuse Kaikeyi. Many miles after, he crossed the boundaries of that region and later the river Vedasruti to reach the land of Agastya. 

In chapter 50, Rama bids farewell to his birth-place Ayodhya and reaches the bank of the holy Ganga. There, Nishadas offers welcome reception to Rama and others. 

At the boundaries of Kosala, Rama got out of his chariot and turned towards Ayodhya to pay his obeisance to the citadel of the Ikshvakus. He blessed its inhabitants to live in peace, protected by the presiding deities. Finally, Rama crossed the borders of his beloved country, blessed, beautiful and flourishing. A land where rivers and lakes sparkled, temple bells pealed, and sacred chants echoed and re-echoed throughout the kingdom. 
 
Many miles south of Kosala, Rama beheld the breath-taking Ganga. Her pristine waters were home to shoals of fish and her banks were haven to a myriad bird, beast and bush. Rama decided to spend that night on the banks of that holy river. Meanwhile the ruler of that region Guha, chief of Nishadas whose devotion to Rama was boundless received news of his arrival. Hurrying to receive his divine visitor and embracing him, Guha was distressed at his bark robes. He said, "Welcome mighty one! The entire earth belongs to you. Blessed are we to receive you. Your very word is our command. "Guha then spread before them the feast he had brought but Rama said, "I am touched by your generosity but regret my inability to accept it. Your devotion is matchless but my vows are irrevocable. Bound by them I have come to spend a span of fourteen years to live the life of an ascetic. As such I can enjoy neither lavish hospitality nor royal comfort." 
 
Accepting the water from Lakshmana, Rama lay down. For the mighty prince hounded by a fate and innumerable miles away from home, long passed the night. He slept on the hard crust of the earth softened by a bed of leaves and grass lovingly gathered by Lakshmana. 

In chapter 51, Guha requests Lakshmana to take rest, duly expressing his readiness to guard Rama and his consort by keeping awake the whole night. Lakshmana expressed his unwillingness to lie down in the presence of his elder brother and sister-in-law and preferred to remain awake. He spends night in conversation with Guha, voicing grief for his royal father as well as his affectionate mothers. 

Guha was greatly impressed as he beheld Lakshmana's devotion to Rama, for whose protection he had stood guard all night long. Concerned for him, Guha said, "Permit me to continue the vigil while you rest." But Lakshmana declined saying "Is it possible to sleep while Rama the noblest of Dasaratha's sons sleeps? 

Lakshmana narrated an anecdote of Rama and Dasaratha to Guha that night. "Rama, born of Dasaratha, is the very life of the king who would never survive separation from his son. His ultimate desire thwarted, his cherished first born banished, will life still continue in him? With Dasaratha's death, mother Kausalya and Sumitra will also cease to live. Ayodhya will perish and the earth will be widowed without Dasaratha. Yet if he is still alive, we will behold the most magnanimous of kings once again. Will that day ever come to pass?" 

This concludes, chapters 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 of Ayodhya Kanda where we had seen onward journey of Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana in a chariot driven by Sumantra. Everyone in kingdom laments in grief as Rama travels away from it. His journey is going to continue for many days ahead till he reaches dandakaranya or deep forest which is the beginning of third book. But there are many moments described in many chapters in between. Let us continue to look at the journey and the parallel incidents back in kingdom in subsequent posts.

The Plot of the Play; Rama Takes Leave and Leaves Everyone in Despair

In the last post, we had seen the turbulation in the kingdom and its king caused due to the impending moment for Rama’s exile. It is difficult to process the situation for Dasaratha, ministers and all the people. While Rama has hung onto the virtues, the people who hung onto Rama and his qualities cannot digest the moments before his 14 year long life in the forests. When a mountain of a man prepares to desert the people and lead a nothing life, the prospect pierces the heart of one and all. The beloved prince and princess prepare to take leave and let us look at how it pans out in the next many chapters.

In chapter 37, Rama puts on bark and when it is imposed on Sita, Vasistha blames Kaikeyi, says Sita was not ordained to wear bark.

 

When Rama heard Dasaratha to carry an escort with him, he gently said, "Father, having renounced all comforts to live in the forest, of what use is an escort? He, who gives away his elephant, has no use for the rope that had once bound it. I desire to possess nothing. Grant me robes of bark and allow me to take a spade and basket, to serve me in my exile". At that moment in the presence of the entire assembly Kaikeyi had the supreme audacity to shamelessly present them to Rama saying, "Wear them!" Rama quietly exchanged them for his silken finery and Lakshmana followed suit. Sita, that most virtuous of women and cherished daughter of Janaka, looked with great fear at the coarse robes, as a deer would at a deer trap. Her mind in turmoil, eyes filled with tears, she stood rooted to the ground, clutching them. Unaware of how they should be worn, open to the scrutiny of a thousand eyes Sita bashful and sad asked Rama, as to how they should be worn and he quickly helped drape the ascetic habit over her silken robes. Shedding tears of distress, the women who had witnessed this poignant act implored Rama to let Sita remain. "The revered princess is not meant to dwell in the forest like a hermit. Grant us the favor of her presence here, in Ayodhya".

 

Sita would not give up her resolve of accompanying Rama. Vasishta who was witnessing the heart-rending scenes finally gave way to unbridled anger. His explosive voice boomed menacingly as he berated Kaikeyi, "Your wickedness will destroy the mighty Ikshvaku dynasty. Sita need not go into exile but can rule in Rama's place, as the wife is one half of the husband. If Sita goes to the forest so will the kingdom, the treasury and the people. Bharata and Satrughna, also clad in bark garments will be with Rama. Alone, you will rule a deserted kingdom. Obstinate woman, you were born to destroy the earth. A kingdom where there is no Rama, is no kingdom, it is now in the forest where he dwells. Never will Bharata accept a crown that is not bestowed upon him, nor will he, born of Dasaratha, allow himself to live under your tutelage. Aware of the tradition of the Ikshvakus, he will never allow himself to be king, so long as an heir older than him is alive. You have committed a great folly in trying to crown Bharata, the favor you think you have rendered him pales in the injury it will cause him. None will remain in the kingdom, even animals will follow Rama. As for Sita, she was not part of your boons, spare her. Call for chariots and attendants. She will not wear bark robes but fine silks and jewels". Not a word of this tirade seemed to penetrate Kaikeyi's stubborn stance, nor did it dissuade Sita, from following her Lord. 

In chapter 38, Dasharatha is enraged to see his precious daughter-in-law in rags and takes Kaikeyi to task. Rama seeks blessings of his father for departure and requests him to keep his mother Kausalya, who is aging, comfortable.

Sita donned her bark robes like a woebegone waif, though consort to the mighty Ikshvaku. "Blamed be Dasaratha" condemned the people of Ayodhya as they wept at the injustice. Hearing the heart-rending sounds of grief, Dasaratha no longer cared for his honor, his fame or his life. Sighing deeply he said, "How can a dainty princess inhabit the jungles? What harm has this virtuous daughter of a virtuous king done to warrant her banishment? Though wrested out of me against my will, the barbarous command I have issued makes me unfit to live. Kaikeyi, blind to your devious designs I granted you the boons. Now by unscrupulously exiling Rama you commit an act that will destroy you, as a bamboo bloom destroys the very bamboo out of which it was born. Your desire to see Sita clothed in bark robes will cast you in hell. Sinful woman. For what fault of hers do you punish her so and what harm has Rama done?" To Dasaratha who could not control his grief Rama said, "Father, Kausalya that virtuous queen of yours, though immersed in sorrow does not blame you. Never has she suffered any hardships and you are her only refuge, do comfort her. She needs all your kindness and support, to bear the pain of my separation from her. Protect her, because pining for me, she may even die. 

In chapter 39, Sumantra arranges for a chariot for the travel of Rama, Seetha, and Lakshmana at the orders of Dasharatha. Kingly ornaments are obtained for Seetha. Rama seeks blessings from his mother Kausalya and others too. Kausalya's parting advises to Seetha.

 

Beholding Rama in the mendicant's attire, the king and his consorts broke down, the sorrowing monarch could neither bear to look at Rama nor speak to him. "Perhaps the transgressions of my past lives haunt me now, causing me such distress. Glowing like the god of fire, he stands before me robed in the coarsest of garments, witnessing which I should have perished, but even death unkindly flees me. Men will accuse me saying, is this the reward of virtue? How is it that a prince so noble is banished by his father and mother?" 

Dasaratha ordered the best of clothes and jewels to be brought for Sita. Draped in those most gorgeous of silks her beautiful limbs aglitter with jewels, she illumined the entire palace with her celestial beauty. Kausalya overwhelmed with love and admiration for Sita, embraced her, saying, "Many ignoble women, though cherished and pampered by their husbands, will desert those men when they fell in their fortune. They will not shy away from severing bonds grown strong over the years. Their passing fancies render them inconsiderate to family, to kindness received and to the bonds of affection. Deceitful and fickle, their wicked minds lack finesse. Only the virtuous and the faithful with their supreme sense of duty, realize their husbands to be their asylum and their salvation. Hence, though in exile do not censure my son, in prosperity or adversity he is your master". Sita with palms held together in respect said "Like a chariot without wheels and a veena without strings, is a wife without husband. How can I who have been taught these values by my parents, forget my obligations towards a consort who is my god." With these words Kausalya's tears of grief turned into tears of joy.

Rama assured Kausalya that his fourteen years exile would pass but like a dream. Bowing to the three hundred and fifty consorts of Dasaratha he said, "If I had ever, in my ignorance caused you any distress do forgive me". Those humble words saddened them even more, plunging the palace into deeper gloom. The resonance of music and the clanging drums was soon replaced by the wailing of many tormented souls.

 

The chapter 40 depict the departure of Rama from Ayodhya for his exile. When they are charioted through the streets of Ayodhya, the citizenry wails and weeps for Rama's disposition. In his unsurpassable affection towards Rama, King Dasharatha follows the chariot like a commoner, but fails to go further and falls down.

 

The chariot stood waiting and it was the hour of Rama's departure. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana reverently took leave of Dasaratha, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. Sumitra tenderly kissed Lakshmana's forehead saying "Rama is the custodian of this earth, born of Kausalya for its protection. You are born to serve that Rama. Created by the gods to roam the forests, in the service of your divine brother from now on in adversity and in prosperity, he is your refuge and takes the place of Dasaratha. Sita, that virtuous daughter of Janaka, takes my place and the forest shall be your Ayodhya. Go my son and may you fare well!" So Sumitra inspired and encourage Lakshmana on his mission.

The resplendent chariot drawn by the most magnificent horses came driven by Sumantra. Sita a picture of loveliness stepped in, followed by Rama and Lakshmana. Rama departed and Ayodhya fell into despair, dark and seemingly irrevocable as man and beast wept, bereft of their master. Troubled, were the horses and elephants that moped, neighing, trumpeting and giving rise to a great commotion. The people of Ayodhya, the old, the young and the children, milled around the speeding chariot as they beseeched Sumantra to drive slowly, so that they could feast their eyes on Rama longer. Their eyes brimmed with tears, as they wondered at Kausalya's heartbreak. The sorrowing citizens were unwilling to live in a city bereft of Rama. Rama, whose valor defied description and whose might inspired awe in the three worlds, shuddered at the despairing sight of an old king bent with sorrow. Aware that people were trying to follow him, Rama hurried Sumantra to speed away. Caught between his master and the subjects of his master, who wanted Rama to linger Sumantra felt torn .The dust raised by the fleet footed horses mingled with the tears of those thronging the streets of Ayodhya. 

Rama looked back helplessly like a foal held back by the cord of dharma while Dasaratha was had held back by the inexorable hand of fate. He stood gazing after his son who rode further and further away. It wrung his heart to see the chariot merge and become one with the horizon. His life started to ebb away at a sight so final and so poignant.

 

In chapter 41, the ladies and others of the royal retinue lament over the exile of Rama. The citizens of Ayodhya also are reduced to a miserable plight. All Nature mourns at Rama's departure.

 

The people of Ayodhya continued to accuse their king much after Rama left. They aired their wrath saying that for the destruction of the world had the foolish king driven away Rama. "Where has he gone, the protector of the world? In whom shall we now seek refuge?" The rebuke of his people and the sobbing of his consorts made Dasaratha cower under the burden of so much reprove and sorrow.

 

In an Ayodhya without Rama life came to a standstill. People fell into a great apathy seeking neither food nor diversion. Cows refused to let their young suckle, elephants threw out the food they held in their trunks, sacred fires no longer burned and no householder cooked any food. The planets assumed a menacing stance while the moon refused to glow and the stars hid their twinkle. The whole universe seemed troubled as all signs of joy were snuffed out. The winds ceased to blow; the sun no longer warmed than the moon cooled. Every one neglected everyone else. Fathers forgot children and children paid no attention to parents while women heeded neither husbands nor family. To meditate upon Rama, they even deserted those they loved. A city deprived of its beloved lord, shuddered with fear feeling left open to every peril.

 

In chapter 42, the dust raised by Rama's chariot having disappeared after a while, Dasaratha feels dejected and fell insensible on ground. His personal attendants take him to Kausalya's place and seeing him plunged in grief, Kausalya seats herself beside him and tries to comfort him.

 

Thus came to pass the fateful day of Rama's exile, the dreadful realization of which left Dasaratha devastated. He stood rooted to the ground as he gazed longingly, in the direction in which Rama had gone. So long as the dust raised by the chariot was visible that long did the king look, and when he could no longer see Rama he fell into a dead faint. Kausalya and Kaikeyi rushed to his side. Regaining his senses Dasaratha grew irate as he burst out, "Kaikeyi, do not touch me! You are no longer my consort. I disown all relationship with you; protecting your own interests you have brought my authority to naught. The holy pact of matrimony I had entered into, I now renounce, in this world and the next. If Bharata is pleased with the crown of Kosala, may his funeral offerings at my obsequies not reach me! I see the hoof marks of those magnificent horses that bore my son away, but I do not see my son". With that Dasaratha fell silent. He was shrouded in a sorrow which haunted him from the day Kaikeyi had shattered his most cherished desire of crowning Rama.

 

In a voice crippled by myriad emotions Dasaratha managed to feebly ask to be taken to the palace of Kausalya. "The only place where I will find solace," he declared. The day passed and darkness descended upon the earth. To Dasaratha who had flung himself on a couch it seemed like the night of death. Calling Kausalya he said, "My gaze that had followed Rama, far beyond the horizon refuses to return." Kausalya gently took his hand trying to comfort him who agonized so intensely for a son whom he could no longer see.

 

In chapter 43, Kausalya laments in many ways over the night about the happenings of day just passed. 

To the royal couple, the night passed painfully and regretfully. In the dark silence Kausalya asked Dasaratha, "My Lord, will Kaikeyi who has stung Rama with the poison of her deceit, now infest the palace like a snake that has cast off its slough? By depriving him of the crown, to gratify the whims of a wayward woman you have offered Rama as Havis to the very Rakshasas. What harm will not befall my children, who roam the wilderness, surviving on the spartan offerings of the jungle. When will my son return to Ayodhya with his beautiful wife? I must have separated many a calf from its mother for I too am deprived of my child."

 

This completes chapters 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 of Ayodhya Kanda where we had seen the despicable saga of Rama’s departure as a young prince who leaves all his subjects behind and puts them in emotional despair. He put on nothing but bark clothes and speeds past the wailing people in a chariot that took away the light in the lives of people. The outer nature depicted the sad day as the sun, moon, stars and the wind loses sheen and put across a dim atmosphere. We will continue to see the subjugation of this grim aura over the subjects of Ayodhya as well as the future journey of Rama in the subsequent posts.