The Journey in Exile Continues and Reach Mount Chitrakuta While Dasaratha Deteriorates Further

In the last post we had looked at the onward journey of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana towards the forest and away from the kingdom. The trio travels many miles south of Kosala kingdom and reaches river Ganga, where the ruler of the land Guha welcomes them. Back in Ayodhya, the king, his consorts and the people are drowned in a sea of sorrow. Not it is entirely gloomy since Rama is more than ably supported by Lakshmana and accompanied by Sita. But the bitter pill of exile of these heavenly souls cannot be taken by the king, Dasaratha who epitomizes the mood of the kingdom. We can look at the Rama’s journey in the next few chapters and the conversations with the people he meet along the way.

In chapter 52, as per instructions of Rama, Guha gets a boat ready. Sumantra requests Rama to take him as a personal attendant to the forest, but Rama declines his offer and after reasoning with him, sends him back to Ayodhya. Rama and Lakshmana matted their hair with the latex of a banyan tree procured by Guha. On reaching the middle of the stream, Sita offers prayers to Mother Ganga and upon crossing the river, all the three halt for the night at the foot of a tree.

Rama looked forward to the onward journey. Guha readied a sturdy boat to ferry the royal travelers across Ganga and Sumantra reverently asked, "What shall I do?" Rama said, "Return to Ayodhya and serve the king with devotion." Crestfallen at not being permitted to accompany his master Sumantra pleaded "Rama the world will never accept your exile. Your matchless loyalty and respect for your father will be renowned in the three worlds. As for us we will be destroyed by Kaikeyi's evil mind."

Rama met Sumantra's outburst with soothing words "Sumantra, your devotion to the Ikshvakus is incomparable. Do minister my father who is tormented by an unbearable sorrow. Never has the noble king faced adversities, shield him from all evil and tell him not to worry about life in the forest. On our behalf pay him obeisance. Inform Dasaratha and his queens that Bharata is to be sent for and crowned king of Kosala. Tell the king that he should welcome Bharata and treat all our mothers equally.

Sumantra unwilling to be dismissed continued to plead with Rama. "My fondness for you drives away my fear and so I ask, how can I possibly go back to an Ayodhya that still grieves for you? When the heartbroken citizens beholding the chariot, deprived of your presence, accost me, what answer shall I give them? What should I say to queen Kausalya? Should I say, Mother, do not weep, I have left your son with his maternal uncle? An untruth that may be pleasant to her, but being a lie cannot be uttered. How can I tell her the bitter truth, that I have abandoned you in the forest? It is unthinkable to go back to Ayodhya without you. Even the horses will refuse to draw the chariot. If you do not heed me, I shall immolate myself, because the heaven of being with you has been denied to me."

Rama insisted that Sumantra should go back, "Seeing you, mother Kaikeyi will rest in the knowledge that I have really gone away. I wish her to enjoy supreme authority in the name of Bharata. As ordered by my father my exile begins now, so does my solitude and my austerities." They asked Guha to procure the sap of the banyan tree to matt their locks. Robed in bark and armed with their bows, the mighty Ikshvaku Princes resembled resplendent priests. Rama offered traditional worship to the holy river and Sita invoked mother Ganga for her blessings before crossing it.

Upon reaching the far bank of the river, Rama warned Lakshmana to be more vigilant in guarding Sita. "From now Sita will realize the discomforts of the forest. A forest devoid of all human habitation, where neither grove nor garden exists, but perils and impediments abound."

In chapter 53, Rama tries to send Lakshmana back to Ayodhya, apprehending trouble for Kousalya and others in the hands of Kaikeyi. Lakshmana however refuses to return to Ayodhya, citing his inability to survive in the absence of Rama. Rama thereafter agrees again for Lakshmana's stay in the forest with him.

Rama seated under a tree after his evening worship told Lakshmana that they should now be doubly alert in the guarding of Sita. Thinking of Ayodhya he said "Lakshmana, the king must be having a restless night, May Kaikeyi in her lust for power, not make an attempt on his life. Deprived of my presence, a victim of old age, dominated by his passion for Kaikeyi, what can he do? How can he defend himself? Which father deluded and enticed by a woman would banish a son like me? Kaikeyi seems to have entered our lives for the destruction of Dasaratha. Hostile towards me, intoxicated with power, she may torment Kausalya and Sumitra. So return to Ayodhya Lakshmana. Let no mother bring into this world a son like me, who causes her constant sorrow. What will I not do to prevent such sorrow! I would face the world alone if I were the only one concerned. It is not a question of courage but a question of dharma that made me give up the crown."

After days of quiet surrender Rama finally vented the torment raging in him. Exhausted and ravaged by having witnessed so much of anguish and turmoil he was like a fire extinguished. Lakshmana said, "Is it worthy of you to lament Rama? Like fish out of water neither Sita nor I can live away from you." Thus, comforted Rama lay back peacefully resolving again, to go through the fourteen years of banishment, fulfilling his duty. The vast forest caused no fears, or distress to the noble Ikshvakus who, roamed the sylvan region like lions.

In chapter 54, Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana reach the hermitage of Bharadwaja, situated at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers. The sage Bharadwaja extends hospitality to them and recommends Chitrakuta as the fittest place for them to sojourn in. Spending the night in discourses on various matters with him, the sage grants them leave early next morning to depart for Chitrakuta.

Travelling deeper into the forest the exiles beheld the unsurpassed beauties of nature, which were mesmeric. At sunset they reached the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna where at a distance rose a column of smoke. Knowing it to be the region where the hermitage of Bharadhvaja was situated and walking towards it they saw the sage finishing his evening worship. Bowing to him Rama said, "We are the sons of Dasaratha, Rama and Lakshmana and this is my consort, Sita. I am here banished from Ayodhya, commanded by my father to lead the life of an ascetic."

Bharadhvaja welcomed and honored the guests with his impeccable hospitality telling them that he knew of the advent of Rama. He said that the place they were now in, was at the confluence of two sacred rivers and most suitable for their ascetic pursuits. But Rama said, "This wonderful place is too close to Ayodhya and my people will be tempted to visit us often. So, I wish to move on to a region less accessible. "The sage then suggested that ten miles from his hermitage was the mountain Chitrakuta. There innumerable ascetics had performed rigorous penance, attaining heaven with their mortal bodies. Rama gratefully thanked Bharadhvaja for the information and passed that night at the hermitage.

In chapter 55, like a fond father Bharadvaja bade farewell to his royal visitors advising them to follow the river Kalindi flowing westward. “Crossing it you would come across a magnificent banyan tree known as Shyama. May Sita worship that tree for your safe return from the exile. A mile from there starts the path which leads to Chitrakuta." Placing their meagre belongings on the boat, they ferried themselves across the river. Reaching the other bank, they beheld the banyan tree to which Sita offered worship. Rama told Lakshmana to go ahead with Sita, gathering all the flowers and fruit she would want. He was to follow them with the weapons. Later they chose a great fig tree to give them shelter for that night.

In chapter 56, Sita, Rama and Lakshmana reach the mountain of Chitrakuta, beholding and showing one another the grandeur of the woods there. They visit the hermitage of sage Valmiki. Lakshmana builds a leaf-hut upon instructions from Rama. All of them enter the hut, after performing purification ceremony.

The Sun rose shedding its golden rays on the earth. Rama awoke to the many sounds of bird and beast that emanated from the forest. "Come listen to the cajoling of the birds Lakshmana!" said Rama as he sat listening in rapture to the winged wonders. The three of them started their journey once again passing through arrestingly beautiful tracts of land. Sita looked ravishing with her lotus like eyes wide open in wonder and joy at nature and its glory. At the end, reaching the splendid slopes of the Chitrakuta, Rama said, "The mountain adorned with limpid pools, trees laden with fruit and flower shall be our home". They then went to pay their homage to sage Valmiki, who welcomed and asked them to stay on in that region. Lakshmana gathered logs of wood and bundles of grass to build a cottage. Rama performed the ritual of 'Vastu Shanti' and propitiated the gods, Rudra, Vishnu and the Visvadevas by offering them worship. Enticed by its charm, bewitched by the grandeur of its peaks, rivers and lakes Rama happily settled down on mount Chitrakuta. The sparkling waters of the river Mayavati, meandering along mountain paths, plains and valleys, fascinated Rama, who at that moment did not want to be anywhere else. Even his banishment from Kosala no longer distressed him.

In chapter 57, Sumantra takes leave from Guha, who learns from his spies that Rama departed for Chitrakuta. Sumantra drives back to Ayodhya. Entering the royal gynaecium, he submits to the emperor what he earlier reported to the citizens who followed his chariot. Dasaratha and Kausalya fall into a faint hearing about Rama's departure for Chitrakuta. All the inmates of gynaecium weep loudly in anguish.

Sumantra reaching Ayodhya grew anxious at the eerie silence, which prevailed in the once bustling streets. A pall of gloom hung over the entire city. As soon as the fleet footed horses drew the chariot into the city, people, by the hundreds and thousands, spilled out of their homes, looking dubiously at Sumantra. When he told them that inspite of his most impassioned pleas, Rama had crossed the Ganga, it brought fresh tears to the listeners who feared for their safety. Even as Sumantra felt the palpabe silence, he wondered "Whatever has happened to the horses, elephants, the people and the king? Did they all fall victim to the fire of their anguish over Rama's exile?" More people poured out on to the streets clamouring for news of Rama. Heartbroken to see the chariot devoid of Rama they lamented, "In sorrow and in happiness he was with us. No wedding or yagna was without him. Who will share our joys and sorrows now? Will Kausalya survive this devastation?"

Escaping the endless questions, Sumantra went to see Dasaratha. Women, their eyes streaming with tears came down from mansions, three and seven storeyed high. In the palace of the king was heard the weeping of his consorts. All pitied Kausalya, who was neither able to endure her separation from Rama, nor die in peace. Sumantra reaching the palace of Dasaratha conveyed to him the message sent by Rama. The king whose mind was mangled with grief slipped into a merciful oblivion. Alarmed, his consorts wept aloud and Kausalya raising Dasartha, who had fallen to the ground said, "You banished Rama against every code of honor. Shamed by that act you now refuse to even enquire of him. Fearing Kaikeyi who is not even here you refuse to speak to Sumantra." Dasaratha's exhausted mind gave up its battle, once again triggering unrest and melancholy which spread over the entire city.

In chapter 58, as per the orders of king Dasaratha, Sumantra delivers the parting messages of Rama and Lakshmana. Rama sends positive messages to Kausalya and Bharata but Lakshmana sends angry message to Dasaratha.

Dasaratha feeling like an elephant trapped saw Sumantra who was tearful and dust covered. In a voice gentle and fragile he asked, "Charioteer, tell me how Rama, that son of mine and lord of the earth sleeps on the hard floor of the forest? Which tree gives him shelter and what food does he eat? How does he live like an orphan in a wilderness infested with snakes and flesh-eating beasts? How do Sita's dainty feet tread difficult wooded pathways?" Dasartha's curiosity of how Rama, Lakshmana and Sita fared and how they inhabited the formidable forest was insatiable. Prodded by his love that defied description for a son, who was his world and his life, Dasaratha kept asking, "Tell me, tell me Sumantra so that I may live a while longer."

In a tremulous voice choking with emotion, Sumantra relayed the messages he had been committed to deliver by Rama. "Sumantra, tell the king, my father, that I place my head at his august feet in profound obeisance. I pay homage to all those women in the inner apartments of the palace. I request mother Kausalya to tend the sacrificial fires and serve the king as unto a god. May you mother, not let your pride and ego come in the way of your treatment towards the other queens. May you bestow equal grace on Dasaratha and Kaikeyi. Give Bharata his due as sovereign because obedience to kings is imperative, though not the eldest of the king's sons, it is a royal prerogative." Of Bharata, Rama had "Bharata, who is to be coronated king, should obey the commands of the monarch, his father. Never opposing his wishes, but ruling as permitted by him. May Bharata enjoy his sovereignty, but not depose Dasaratha, and may the will of that monarch stay".

Lakshmana's message was not so gentle. Beholding Rama's distress he had burst out in a fiery tirade lashing out at Dasaratha without mercy. "Dasaratha, the great monarch does not appear to me as a father. To me Rama is brother, father and master. How can Rama beloved prince of Ayodhya ever in the service of his people be banished? It is unpardonable and unrighteous. Can anyone except Bharata respect you, who have driven away Rama? How can you even be a king?"

Of Sita, Sumantra spoke sorrowlfully, "Born a princess having never faced hardships Sita had no comments, even in the face of the terrible misfortune that had befallen her. Though grieving at the fate of her consort, not a word of blame did she let loose against Kaikeyi. So noble was her silence. Looking at Rama sorrowfully she noticed my departure and the tears she had been fighting to hold back, spilled from her beautiful eyes as did from Rama's who stood by her side. My last vision of Sita was a piteous picture of woe as she stood gazing after me in wistful silence."

This concludes chapters 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58 of Ayodhya Kanda where we had seen the onward journey of Rama from the river Ganga to the confluence of Ganaga, Yamuna and finally reach Chitrakuta. They meet Guha, sages Bharadvaja, Valmiki, pray the banyan tree for their safe return and revels in the lap of nature. Sumantra travels back to Ayodhya and delivers the message of Rama, Lakshmana to the people, king who are all immersed in sorrow. We can look at the sorry state of affairs of the trapped king who received the blows of tirade from everyone blaming for the exile in the subsequent posts.