The Ramayana
By Rishi Valmiki
Chapter 2 Ayodhya Kanda
Canto 1 The Impending coronation
The citizens of Ayodhya loved all the four young princes of the realm, but they took special pride and pleasure in the eldest, Rama, as indeed, did the king, his father. Rama was an extraordinary person. Nature had been lavish in her gifts to the young prince. Not only was he handsome of stature and mien but even at this young age he was a fully enlightened being. The discourse given by sage Vasishta had been comprehended in its essence by him alone and he shone amongst the rest as a diamond in the midst of pebbles. Not only was he possessed of great physical beauty but his manners were also charming. He had a keen intellect and could be tender and sympathetic when the occasion merited it. Though he was soft and kind with the weak and the poor, he could also be stern and inflexible when it came to wrong-doers. Always self controlled and ever immersed in the Self, he was equable of temperament, never flared up in anger nor gave way to unseemly mirth. In fact, he was a paragon of all virtues, yet he was never puffed up with pride or arrogance, accepting everything as the gift of God.
For twelve years after his marriage, Rama led a carefree life enjoying the company of his charming wife and learning to handle the multifarious affairs of the state. It was at this time that Kaikeyi’s brother came to take Bharata for a holiday to his home and Bharata left with Shatrugna to his maternal uncle’s abode.
Seeing his son Rama so full of noble qualities, king Dasaratha felt that it was his duty to install him as heir-apparent as soon as possible, for he himself was getting weak and old. Having once decided on this, he was in a desperate hurry to get it over. He consulted his ministers and decided on a day for the installation. Invitations were sent to all the kings but by a strange twist of fate, the king forgot to send invitations to two of his closest relations – his father-in-law, the king of the Kekayas and his son’s father-in-law, king Janaka. Had the former been invited, Bharata and Shatrugna would naturally have accompanied them and the whole course of the story would have changed. By the time Dasaratha became aware of the omission, it was too late to send for them. Whether this omission was intentional or accidental, we cannot say. He consoled himself with the thought that they would hear the delightful news soon after.
There in the assembly of all the kings and prominent citizens of the city, Emperor Dasaratha proclaimed his intention of crowning his son Rama as Prince Regent, the following morning. The most auspicious time was chosen by the astrologers, when the planet Pushya was in ascendance. All the kings acclaimed the decision as a wise one.
He then turned to his Guru Vasishta and asked him to get everything ready for the installation on the following morning, for the function was to start at break of dawn. The minister Sumantra was sent to escort Rama to the Assembly. Rama was the cynosure of all eyes as he walked into the hall with his stately gait. He prostrated before his father who, in turn, embraced him and bade him be seated on a special seat. He then apprised him of the honour in store for him on the morrow. Rama was neither elated nor displeased by this pronouncement, but took the news calmly as was his nature. He returned to his own palace, cheered by the populace who had thronged to the palace gates, as soon as they heard the news.
The Assembly now broke up and the King retired to his own quarters. Thereupon he again sent his minister Sumantra to fetch Rama. The king was feeling agitated, since he had been told by the astrologers that he was passing through a very bad time, which might even end in his death, so he was anxious that Rama’s installation should take place without delay. Moreover he had remembered that at the time of his marriage with Kaikeyi, he had promised his father-in-law that her son would become king after him. He was frightened that if Bharata happened to be present at the time of the installation, he might demand his rights.
When Rama arrived, he told him that he should observe a fast along with Sita for the duration of the night and should keep vigil on a seal of darbha grass with a stone for a pillow. Rama agreed to everything and returned quickly to his own palace to give the news to Sita, but she was not to be seen. He went to his mother’s quarters and found both Sita and Lakshmana’s mother Sumitra with Kausalya. She had heard the news and was praying for the well-being of her son. Rama was blessed by his mother and Sumitra.
News of the impending coronation had spread like wildfire and people from all over the suburbs started pouring into the city of Ayodhya, excited at the prospective event, to which everyone looked forward with great joy since Rama was loved by all. Decoration of the city commenced immediately.
Thus ends the first Canto called “Impending Coronation” of the Ayodhya Kanda in the glorious Ramayana of the Sage Valmiki.
Next: Book 2: Canto II – Kaikeyi Contrives
Book 2: Book Of Ayodhya
Canto II: Kaikeyi Contrives
Kaikeyi was the king’s youngest and favourite wife. When she came to Ayodhya, she was accompanied by her maid – a hunchback called Manthara who had been deputised to look after her interests. That evening the woman happened to climb to the battlements and look down at the festivity, going on in the town. She was quite astonished to see the city decorated all of a sudden, as if for a big occasion.
Seeing Rama’s old nurse standing near-by, she asked, “Why has the city of Ayodhya gone mad with joy overnight? What is the special occasion”?
The nurse gave her the news of the impending installation. Hearing this, Manthara was shocked and rushed to her mistress, who was relaxing in bed.
“Rise up! 0 deluded queen”! she said. “Your husband who professes to love you has cheated you. Having sent your son away to his maternal grand-parents, he is now set on crowning Kausalya’s son, Rama, as heirapparent, tomorrow. Beguiling you with sweet words, your husband has behaved like a treacherous serpent”.
Kaikeyi rose up, filled with delight at the news of Rama’s impending installation. She presented Manthara with a beautiful jewel, since she was the first to bring the good news to her and said, “Thank you for having given me this most welcome news. In my eyes there is no difference between Rama and Bharata. I am delighted with the king’s decision”.
Manthara was shocked at Kaikeyi’s reception of her news. She threw away the jewel and spoke in scornful accents, “I cannot believe that you can be so blind to the misfortune that is to befall you. Once Rama becomes king, you will be only a maid to Kausalya, and your son too will be degraded to the status of a servitor to Rama. The hunchback ranted and raved over the calamities which she foresaw for her mistress and would not listen to Kaikeyi’s praise of Rama. Kaikeyi could not foresee any of the dire possibilities which Manthara kept insisting would happen, but at last after listening to this tirade for a full hour, Kaikeyi also began to believe that all that Manthara said was true and the king had indeed plotted to deprive her son of his lawful position. This shows us how important it is to keep the company of the noble. This is why there is such a stress in our scriptures on the value of sat-sang. Once we start mixing with wicked people, even the most elevated mind will slowly succumb to their poisonous insinuations.
At last, the agitated Kaikeyi begged Manthara to tell her how she could save her son from this dire calamity which was to overtake him. Manthara reminded her of the two boons which Dasaratha had promised her long ago. Once he had taken her along on one of his military sorties. At that time he had been sorely wounded and in an unconscious state. Kaikeyi had skillfully maneuvered the chariot and taken him away to a safe place. When he regained consciousness, he was so grateful to her for having saved his life that he asked her to choose two boons. She had kept the offer pending and had almost forgotten about it. Manthara now reminded her of these boons and asked her to demand them now. One was that Bharata should be crowned as heir-apparent and the second was that Rama should be banished for fourteen years to the forest, which would give enough time for Bharata to consolidate his position in the country. Manthara advised the queen to enter the apartment specially kept aside for sulking wives (sob-chamber), and lie there with hair dishevelled and torn clothes, thus indicating to her husband the unhappy state of her mind. Instigated by the hunchback, Kaikeyi proceeded to carry out-all her orders, her own good sense completely stilled.
At nightfall, the Emperor entered Kaikeyi’s chamber, eager to share the news of the forthcoming event with his favourite consort. He was quite dejected to see that she was not awaiting his arrival as she usually did. He was even more dejected to hear that she was in the sulking chamber. He hurried to that room and was horrified to see his beauteous wife writhing on the floor with her jewels scattered everywhere, unkempt hair and face darkened with anger.
“What is it my dearest one”? the old king inquired in distress. “Who is it that has dared to offend you? What is it that you lack? Whatever be your wish do not hesitate to ask. You know that I will gladly give you anything you ask for”.
Kaikeyi then spoke, “I have neither been insulted nor treated with disrespect, but I desire something which only you can give me. Promise me that you will fulfil my desire, only then will I rise up”. The infatuated monarch smoothed her dishevelled locks with his hands and placed her head on his lap and solemnly swore that he would grant her whatever she wished.
The queen, knowing full well what effect her words would have on him, cruelly spoke the following words as prompted by Manthara.
“0 king! Do you remember the time when I saved your life in the war and guarded you till you regained consciousness? At that time you promised me two boons. The time is now ripe to redeem your pledge. I request you to install my son Bharata as Prince Regent and secondly to banish Rama to the forest for fourteen years. These are my two wishes and if you do not grant me these wishes, you will be proving yourself a traitor to the noble family in which you have been born and be guilty of the great sin of breaking your solemn word”!
The king could not believe that he was hearing such cruel words coming out of his beloved’s mouth. Unable to bear the anguish which her words had caused him, he swooned away.
Coming out of his swoon at last, the king said, “What has possessed you, 0 wicked woman to ask for such terrible boons? What has the innocent Rama ever done to you? When the whole of the country is extolling Rama’s virtues, why are you alone bent on ruining him, as well as this noble race? You know full well that I cannot continue to live without seeing Rama even for a day. Are you bent on killing your husband as well? What demon has possessed you, 0 Kaikeyi! Have I been nurturing a viper in my bosom all these years! I beg of you, I will fall at your feet, but please spare me from going against my word, for I cannot agree to this most terrible request” Thus saying the agonized king fell at her feet.
But the queen whose good sense had been completely stilled by the wicked words of Manthara retorted cruelly, “How can you, who claim to be the scion of the lkshvaku race, break your word to me not once, but twice, for you not only gave me your word at that time, but also just now? Shame on you that you should be so false to your own race and have no pride in your status as a king. Hear this, 0 perverted king. If Rama is installed as Prince Regent, I shall surely drink poison in front of your eyes and die here this very minute”. Saying this she sank down and refused to utter a single word.
The demented king now ranted and raved of how all the other kings would despise him when they heard that he had cancelled his own command to have Rama installed and placed Bharata in his stead and also sent the peerless Rama to the forest. What would he say to Sita? What could he say to Kausalya? “0 wicked woman! Do you want to kill your husband and enjoy the kingdom with your son? How will my darling and delicate Rama survive in the forest? How will the daughter of the king of Videha bear her separation from her beloved husband”? Thus wailing, the unhappy monarch writhed in pain on the floor beside his cruel consort.
The night had passed and the auspicious day on which the installation was to take place had dawned. Sage Vasishta entered the city with his disciples and requested the minister Sumantra to apprise the king of his arrival. Sumantra was astonished to see the king on the floor and Kaikeyi sitting in a dishevelled state beside him. She ordered him to go and get Rama. Sumantra left immediately and brought Rama to the king’s chamber. As the chariot with Rama and Lakshmana seated within, passed through the streets thronging with people, he was hailed on all sides and showered with flowers and jewels. Entering the royal palace, Rama bowed before the dejected king and before Kaikeyi. He was surprised to see his father, who was usually so happy to see him, sitting with eyes cast down.
“Have I caused you any unhappiness, 0 father! In what way have I displeased you”? he asked.
The king could not speak or even raise his eyes to look at him and Kaikeyi said, “The king is neither angry nor displeased with you. He is unhappy because he does not wish to keep the promise he gave me long ago. It is your duty as an obedient and loving son to see that your father does not break his word. One who breaks his word will have to go to a special hell, reserved for such people”.
Rama was astonished to hear this and said, “How can my father doubt that I would not obey his commands! I would jump into the fire if he so ordered me”.
Kaikeyi now spoke again, “Well know this, 0 scion of the Raghus, the two boons I have asked for are these – that my son Bharata should be installed as Prince Regent in your place and that you should be banished to the forest for fourteen years! Your father cannot bear to carry out these wishes of mine and that is why he has such a sorrowful look and refuses to look at you”.
Not by a flicker of an eyelid did Rama betray the fact that the news was a great shock to him. He had come there expecting to be feted and fawned over, instead of which he had been stung as if by a venomous serpent, yet his countenance showed no anger or hatred.
In an even voice he asked, “How can you doubt, 0 princess of Kekaya, that I would be disobedient to my father’s wishes, even though I have not heard this command from his own lips. Yet, your wish is my command. Just give me time to take leave of my mother Kausalya and the princess of Videha and I shall do your bidding and go to the forest with matted locks this very day, as desired by you”.
Thus saying, Rama circumambulated his father and Kaikeyi thrice and backed out of the room. The agonized king was choking with grief and could not utter a word. Rama walked out of the palace without a backward glance. Nothing in his mien or behaviour gave an inkling to his waiting friends and citizens of the shocking news which he had just received. Waving aside the white umbrella and fan of royalty, he strode into his mother’s apartments, in complete control of himself and his emotions as befitted a sthithaprajna, a master yogi, who had risen above all the pairs of opposites. But Lakshmana strode after him with eyes blazing with anger, and face suffused with fury, his hand clutching and releasing the sword at his side, as if ready to draw and kill even his father, if Rama so desired it.
Rama entered his mother’s apartments accompanied by Lakshmana and saw his mother seated in rpuja. She rushed to greet him and embraced him fondly and offered him a bejewelled seat. Rama merely touched the seat. He was sad at having to upset his mother but there was no way of breaking the news gently to her. “0 mothern he said, “I fear I have to give you some bad news. This jewelled throne is not for me, nor the white umbrella, for by my father’s orders I am to proceed directly to Dandaka forest, clad in bark and existing on fruits and roots for the next fourteen years, while Bharata rules in my stead” .
Hearing this shocking news Kausalya fell to the ground in a dead faint. When she recovered, she began to lament, “0 my beloved son! Can I be hearing aright! Can the king give such a shameless order? How can I live without you? For many years after he married Kaikeyi, the king had treated me with scant respect but at least after you were born, I had some claim to merit but now without you I shall surely be despised and treated like Kaikeyi’s servant. I will not stay but will follow you as a mother cow follows her calf”.
Hearing this Lakshmana who was in a furious mood spoke up, “0 brother who will follow the orders’ of a man in his dotage who is completely under the thumb of a woman. Who but a fool would forsake son as godly as you and listen to the prattle of his wife? Before anyone comes to know of this shameful fact, take up the reins of administration in your own hands and install yourself as Prince Regent. Both the priests and the people will support you and I will stand guard over the gates of the city, ready to kill anyone who thwarts you, even if it be the king himself or Bharata. On what authority does the king dare to give the kingdom to Kaikeyi’s son, when you alone have sole right over it? I shall kill my aged and wretched father, who is in his second childhood and hand over the reins of government to you, this minute”!
Hearing this Kausalya added, “Indeed Lakshmana speaks rightly. I wilt not grant you permission to go to the forest. If you go, I shall fast to death”.
Knowing her agony, yet unable to help her, Rama spoke to his mother, “0 noble lady, please try to understand that I cannot flout the command of my father even if it brings grief to you and to me. Our land is filled with stories of great men who, at the behest of their fathers, were ready to carry out any order. It is my duty as a son to do this. Moreover I have already given my word to mother Kaikeyi and will not back out of it. It is your duty to bless me and give me leave to carry out my duty”.
Then turning to his brother he said, “0 Lakshmana, I am well aware of your great love for me as well as your valour, but remember that I have pledged my word to do my father’s bidding and in so doing, I am also redeeming the pledge he made to Kaikeyi, which has to be honoured by me. 0 gallant Lakshmana, I have taken my stand in righteousness and it is your duty to help me to carry out the royal command. This is not the time for violence, my dear brother. It is not worthy of you to sink into unrighteousness”. Once again he turned to his mother and said, “Grant me leave, 0 mother, to carry out the behest of my father. After fourteen years in the forest I shall return. It is your duty as well as Sita’s and mother Sumitra’s to abide by the commands of my father. Such is the eternal law of dharma”, Even after he said this, Kausalya wept and begged him not to go. Time was running out and Rama was impatient to leave before any one else tried to dissuade him.
Once again he turned to Lakshmana and said, “0 Lakshmana! I know of your everlasting devotion to me but both you and my mother have failed to understand me fully and you are both harassing me most painfully. Dharma, artha and kama are the three goals of human life but all these will lead to moksha or liberation only if a person follows the path of righteousness. Which is the man of righteousness who would fail to perform, as a sacred obligation, a command given by his aged father! My mother is his wife and so long as her husband is alive she cannot follow me to the forest like a widow. It is her duty to remain here and pray for my successful return. Therefore I beg of you to give me leave to depart to the forest. Life is of short duration and I will certainly not accept the trivial sovereignty of the globe, if I have to resort to unrighteousness in order to get it”.
Thus saying he circumambulated his mother and said to his brother, “Curb your anger against my father and Kaikeyi and be joyful that you have helped your father to keep his word. The only way you can help me is to see that all the materials which have been brought for the coronation ceremony are sent back. Without wasting any more time, see that everything is kept ready for my departure to the forest. See to it that Kaikeyi’s mind is not in the least agitated by the fear that I shall back out of my promise. I hold nothing against her. It is fate alone which has decreed that I should go to the forest and that sovereignty should have been snatched from me at the last moment. Kaikeyi and Manthara are only instruments in the hand of providence. How else could my gentle mother Kaikeyi ever have conceived of such an idea? To the best of my knowledge, I have never offended her at any time, and I have never made any distinction between my three mothers. A decree of providence cannot be set aside by any one. Joy and sorrow, fear and anger, gain and loss, birth and death will all come, according to the time. An individual who comes under the sway of these pairs of opposites will always be unhappy. Only he who can surmount the pain and pleasure caused by these, can be called a man of enlightenment. Despite the shock which I received this morning, I feel no agony and no anger. Therefore, 0 Lakshmana, take my advice and do not give way to remorse over my loss of fortune. To me, it makes no difference if kingship or exile falls to my lot. In fact, the latter is more favourable, for it gives me an opportunity to redeem my father’s pledge”.
All these words failed to convince Lakshmana, for he was of a fiery temperament but Kausalya realised that Rama was firm in his resolve and could not be shaken and said, “I see that you will not be shaken from your high resolve and therefore I give you my blessings. Let good betide you at all times, my beloved son. Destiny is all powerful and cannot be averted. As for me, I shall have no peace of mind until I see you return, safe and sound. How can I sleep on my silken bed when you are sleeping on rocks and stones? How can I eat the palace fare when you are living on roots and fruits? How can I wear satin clothes when you are clad in bark? I can sleep soundly only after you return to my arms once again, my darling son. May that dharma which you follow so scrupulously, protect you. May your path be smooth and may your every undertaking meet with success. Depart happily, my beloved son, and return safely, protected as you are on all sides by my constant prayers”. So saying Kausalya controlled her grief and blessed Rama who fell at her feet. Rama now proceeded to his own palace to convey the unwelcome news to his wife.
Sita was waiting joyfully for the arrival of her husband accompanied by bards and waving of ceremonial fans. She was shocked to see him come alone, looking pale, for he was not sure how to break the news to his dearest wife.
“What is troubling you, my noble Lord”? she asked. “How is it that you have come alone and unaccompanied by minstrels? The auspicious time has come and yet you have not gone to the hall. Tell me what is cause of this change of plans”?
Rama briefly narrated to her the story of his father’s promise to Kaikeyi and of his banishment to the forest and Kaikeyi’s demand that her son Bharata should be installed as Prince Regent.
“It is your duty, my dearest wife to stay with my aged mother and look after her, as well as your father-in-law and pass your time in prayer and penance until my return. Do not displease Bharata in any way for he will be king in future and be sure to treat all three mothers equally”.
Hearing these words of Rama, Sita, though a docile and meek wife, could not bear the thought of separation from her beloved husband and spoke out forcefully.
“What you have just said is unworthy of you, 0 scion of the race of Raghu! Fathers and mothers all reap the consequences of their own destiny. It is only the wife who actually shares the fortunes of her husband. For a wife, her husband alone is her refuge. Therefore I shall follow you wherever you go, my darling husband. I shall go before you and crush the thorns in your path. Accompanied by you, the forest will be as secure for me as my parental home. Without you, this palace will be a forest for me. I too long to see the mountains and the lakes and flowers of the forest, my darling one. I can spend hundreds of years with you in this fashion without any sorrow. Heaven itself has no charms for me without you. I assure you that I shall not be a burden on you. I shall serve you as I have served you here and we shall delight in each other’s company and rejoice in the beauty of nature”.
Hearing these words of his wife, Rama said to her, “My dearest wife, you have painted a rosy picture of life in the forest but believe me, this is far from being the case. You are a tender and frail princess, totally unfit for life in the harsh forest, filled with wild beasts, rakshasas and other poisonous creatures. There will be none of the delicacies which you have been used to and no one to wait upon you. You cannot imagine such an existence and that is why you are speaking like this. But please heed my words and desist from this idea. I say this for your benefit and not because I think you will be a burden to me”. None of this could deter Sita from her firm resolve. “My Lord”, she said, “how many times have I begged you to take me for a trip to the forest and now when the opportunity has come, why are you denying me? I have been told by Brahmin soothsayers that I was fated to go to the forest one day. The time has now come for the prophecy to come true. In fact, I feel quite delighted at the prospect of a prolonged sojourn in the forest in your enchanting company. I cannot live even for a minute without you, my dearest love. If you refuse to take me, I will take poison and give up my life here and now in front of your eyes. Nothing can deter me from my resolve to follow you, so please do not waste your time trying to convince me of the rigours of forest life”.
Rama was actually delighted to hear her words. He had been dreading the thought of parting from her and had tried to deter her only from a stern sense of duty but now that she was so adamant in her resolve to accompany him, he gave in gladly.
Folding his agitated wife in his arms, Rama spoke soothingly to her and kissed away her tears. “Not knowing the strength of your purpose 0 Janaki (daughter of King Janaka), I tried to deter you, not because 1 wanted to leave you but only because it was my duty to point out to you the dangers of forest life. You know that I cannot bear to cause distress to you, my lovely princess. 0 beloved Sita, even heaven has no charms for me without your bewitching presence. I too would love to sport with you in the woods and glades of the forest and on the mountain-tops, so make haste and gift away all your jewels and costly clothes and prepare yourself for a prolonged sojourn in the forest with me”.
Hearing these delightful words of her husband, Sita hurried to do his bidding. Lakshmana who had been listening to this dialogue between Rama and Sita, could not bear the thought of being separated from him and said to Rama. “0 brother, I cannot remain in Ayodhya without you. I will go with you and clear the path for both of you so that you can blissfully enjoy the beauties of the forest”.
Rama tried to deter him with these words, “Who will look after our aged mothers and father if you come with us, 0 Lakshmana? I know of your great love for me but it is your duty to stay here and be a support to our aged parents”.
“How can you doubt, 0 brother, that Bharata will look after both our mothers, as if they were his own? Shatrugna will be there to help him so have no fears on that score. Kindly condescend to take me as your attendant. I will bring a sword and spade and my bow and arrows and cut the creepers and trees which stand in your path. I will stand guard over you and Sita day and night so that you can sport with her on the mountain-tops, unmolested by any evil forces. Please do not stop me from coming with you, my dear brother, for my mind is made up”.
Rama knew it was useless to try and dissuade Lakshmana, so he agreed to take him and told him to go and take leave of his dear ones and to collect his two heavenly bows and quiver of inexhaustible arrows and his two invincible swords and return immediately. As soon as Lakshmana returned with the weapons, Rama instructed him to call Suyajna, the son of his preceptor Vasishta so that he could worship him and give away all his wealth and thus get his blessings before departing to the forest.
Thus ends the second Canto called “Kaikeyi Contrives” of the Ayodhya Kanda in the glorious Ramayana of the Sage Valmiki.
Book 2: Book Of Ayodhya
Canto III: The Banishment
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana all gave worthy presents to the Brahmins and to their servitors as well as to the afflicted, the destitute and the impoverished. After this they proceeded to their father’s palace to take leave of him. As the three of them walked through the streets, without a chariot and attendants, the people exclaimed in sympathy.
“What dreadful misfortune has befallen our noble prince that he should walk unescorted like this through the streets. Look at the princess of Videha, whose face has never been seen by any one, walking like an ordinary woman? How could the king banish a son like this, whose character has been acclaimed by all! Strange are the ways of destiny” Thus spoke the citizens of Ayodhya who were heart-broken to see the condition of their beloved prince. “Let us also follow him into the forest, and let Kaikeyi and her son rule over a deserted land. Let rats and mice play havoc, eating the grains and foodstuffs which are stored here. Let Ayodhya turn into a forest while we convert the forest into a city, with Rama”.
Though he heard the laments of the citizens, Rama was unperturbed and continued his journey to Kaikeyi’s apartments to see his father. The king ordered his minister to fetch his other wives before Rama entered. Both Kausalya and Sumitra came, accompanied by their attendants. As Rama entered, the king rose and went forward to meet him but he was so overcome with weakness, that he collapsed. Rama and Lakshmana ran forward and helped him to his couch.
With folded palms Rama said, “Kindly grant me permission to leave for the forest 0 king! And kindly allow Sita and Lakshmana to accompany me. They refuse to be left behind even though I have tried to dissuade them from comings.
The wretched king now spoke in tortured accents, “Because of the pledge I had made to Kaikeyi, I have been forced to act in this senseless fashion. I beseech you to make me captive and ascend the throne yourself, this minute”
Rama smiled and said, “I have no desire for sovereignty, Sire. I will proceed to the forest and redeem your pledge. I shall clasp your feet once again after my return”.
Urged by Kaikeyi, the afflicted monarch said in faltering accents, interspersed with tears, “I give you leave to proceed to the forest, my dearest son, but remember, this promise has been extracted from me by Kaikeyi, by a trick. I cannot bear to see you go. At least, stay this night with me and your mother so that we might delight in your presence for a few more hours before you depart”.
Rama was pained to hear this request of his father and said, “Please do not try to deflect my intention, Sire. Neither kingship nor comforts can give me the joy which I gain by carrying out your wishes and thus ensuring that you keep your word. Do not worry about us, dear father. We shall sport with the deer in the forest and have the association of sages and saints. I have promised Kaikeyi that I shall leave this very day and I must keep my word. Do not give way to grief, my Lord. Let the land be given to Bharata. I bear him no ill-will. Do not grieve on my account. I shall live in the forest as happily as I lived in the city”.
The bereft king now clasped his beloved son to his bosom and blessed him, crying all the while. As Rama backed out of the room followed by Sita and Lakshmana, Dasaratha told Sumantra, his minister and charioteer to take a contingent of the army together with all precious articles and provisions and drive the three of them to the forest. Hearing this command of the king, Kaikeyi remonstrated and said that this was very unfair since Bharata would inherit a barren land, if the king insisted on sending all the precious articles in the treasury with Rama to the forest. The king was wounded to the quick by these words but Rama intervened and said in his gentle fashion, “Father, what is the use of burdening me with the wealth, which I have already forsaken? A forest dweller does not need wealth or an army. It is the monarch who needs protection, so let Bharata enjoy all these luxuries. I want none of them”.
Kaikeyi now asked her maid to bring the pieces of bark which was the correct apparel for forest dwellers and very kindly presented a set to each of them. Rama immediately took off his silken apparel and donned the bark. Ill clad though he was, nothing could mar the nobility of his towering personality. Lakshmana followed suit. Sita looked dismayed at the pieces of bark in her hands and did not know what to do with them. She looked appealingly at her husband. Rama took the bark from her hands and tenderly fastened them over her clothes. All those present wept at this. The women spoke up and begged Rama not to take Sita.
“Kaikeyi cannot demand Sita’s banishment. Let us at least rejoice in seeing her countenance even though we cannot see yours. If Sita goes, we will also come with you”. Turning to Kaikeyi they continued, “The whole state of Kosalawill accompany Rama to the forest and you can rule over a barren land. Even your son for whose sake you are doing all this, will curse you, for he is devoted to Rama. You should be giving Sita jewels, 0 queen, and not the bark of a tree. Are you not ashamed of yourself? Infamy will be your lot if you persist in this wickedness”.
Sita who was listening to all this was not in the least put out, for she was quite excited at the prospect of following her husband to the forest. Dasaratha also exhorted Kaikeyi not to insist that Sita wore the clothes of an ascetic.
“0 wicked woman”, he said, “what do you gain by forcing the delicate princess of Videha to wear such clothes? Let her go, if she insists, but let her be allowed to wear clothes befitting a princess”? He told his minister to go and take the costliest jewels from the treasury and personally decked his daughter-in-law in all finery. He then ordered Sumantra to fetch the chariot and take Rama to the forest.
All the ladies started to wail. Kausalya clasped her daughter-in-law to her bosom and gave her words of advice. Rama requested his father to take special care of his mother Kausalya, for he feared she would not be able to bear the parting. The three of them circled their father thrice and then turned to their respective mothers.
Sumitra was the bravest of them all. Clasping Lakshmana to her bosom she said, “You have my permission to accompany your brother to the forest, my son. May all go well with you. Look upon Rama as your father, Dasaratha, regard Sita as myself, your mother, and let the forest be your Ayodhya. Depart happily, my son. My prayers will always be with you”.
Luckily for Lakshmana, his wife, Urmila,did not seem to have put up much of a resistance to his going, nor did she insist that she should also accompany him. No doubt, the thought of going into the forest for fourteen years must have been intimidating for a delicately nurtured girl like a princess of Videha. As for Sita, she was obviously an extraordinary woman, as indeed Rama was an extraordinary man. An ordinary woman would never have had the courage to forgo the comforts of a regulated life in the palace and embark on a life of rigorous discipline in the forest. That is why you find all the sages extolling her extreme fidelity and love for her husband which enabled her to dare anything for his sake. Lakshmana’s character as indeed Bharata’s too, is marked by the fact that they were totally devoted to their brother. Nothing seemed to give them as much pleasure as service to Rama. Indeed, this is another point to be remembered when we analyse Rama’s character. His charisma was such that there was no one who came within his orbit who could resist him. Everyone including monkeys and bears were drawn irresistibly to him. Such was the power of his commanding personality and such the power of his love, which he gave to all without discrimination – blood brothers or adopted ones, he was the same to all.
Requested by Sumantra, the three of them entered the golden chariot in which were kept the weapons of the two brothers as well as the glorious raiment and jewels which had been bestowed on Sita by her loving father-in-law. As the chariot started to move, the citizens clung to its sides, praising Rama and bewailing their lot. Rama told the charioteer to move faster. Looking back, he was most distressed to see that even the aged king and his mother were following the chariot, along the dusty road. Though he was sorely distressed at the sight, he knew that it would be fatal to stop and turn back to comfort them. Even Rama’s strong mind wavered at the sight of his mother, bereft and weeping, who was running after the chariot. Sternly controlling his emotions, he ordered Sumantra to drive faster so that the painful scene would not be prolonged.
He left behind a city in which life was frozen into immobility. The fires in all the hearths died down, for no one cared to attend to them. No food was cooked that day in Ayodhya, for no one could eat a morsel. Cows lowed piteously and refused to feed their calves. All shops remained shuttered and closed. No one could think of either food or recreation. Even the sun was obscured by clouds so that it appeared as if darkness had fallen over the city, soon after Rama left. The city of Ayodhya which had been festooned and gay just that morning appeared to be in deep mourning – the banners were fluttering forlornly in the wind, the garlands were torn* and flowers scattered, clouds of dust rose up in the streets and the citizens with sad, unhappy faces wandered about, lamenting their cursed luck which had robbed them of their saviour at the last minute.
They cursed Kaikeyi who was the root cause of the problem. Dasaratha kept his eyes glued to the fast vanishing chariot until at last only the dust raised by the wheels remained. He then turned and tottered back to the palace refusing Kaikeyi’s help and leaning heavily on Kausalya*s arm. The whole night, the bereft parents sat and lamented their lot until at last Lakshmana’s mother, Sumitra came and gave wise counsel. She told them that they should be proud to have a son who was such a dharmatma, one who was bound to righteousness, and who was prepared to give up a kingdom so that his father’s word would be honoured.
The next evening the charioteer Sumantra returned to Ayodhya at dusk. Dasaratha was anxiously waiting for information about Rama but the only news which Sumantra could give him was that Rama had crossed the river at night and had asked him to return. He gave him the message which had been given to him by Rama. He believed that Rama had proceeded to the forest of Chitrakoota.
Both Kausalya and Dasaratha were greatly agitated on hearing this news and Dasaratha related the story of how in his youth, he had once inadvertently killed a young ascetic in the forest who had been filling his pot with water in the river. Mistaking this gurgling sound for the sound of an elephant, he had killed the boy with his arrow. The parents of the boy were blind and had no one to help them and when they heard of this heinous act, they cursed the king that he too would meet his death in his agony of separation from his son. Thus saying they gave up their lives.
After the grief-stricken king had narrated the entire episode to Kausalya and Sumitra, he fell into a swoon from which he never woke up. When the bards came to wake him up the next morning, they found him dead. The consorts of the king now started wailing and lamenting their loss. The whole city was immobilised with grief. The sages urged Vasishta to send for Bharata and Shatrugna immediately and install Bharata as king, for a land without a ruler would be an easy prey for invaders. Messengers were forthwith sent to the land of Kekeya to recall the princes.
Thus ends the third Canto called “The Banishment” of the Ayodhya Kanda in the glorious Ramayana of the Sage Valmiki.
Book 2: Book Of Ayodhya
Canto IV: Bharata’s Vow
In the meantime, all the citizens who were able to follow had run after Rama’s chariot determined not to be left behind. Rama tried his best to persuade them to return but they refused, so the three of them alighted from the chariot and walked with them, until they reached the banks of the Tamasa river. Here all of them spent the night. A bed of leaves was made for Rama and Sita and here they slept while Lakshmana and Sumantra kept awake. Waking up well before dawn, Rama observed that the tired citizens were still fast asleep. He feared that they would keep urging him to return. So he called Sita and Lakshmana and requested Sumantra to drive them to the forest before they woke up. In the morning, the citizens were heart-broken to find Rama gone and lamenting their lot they sadly traced their way back to Ayodhya.
The chariot in the meanwhile quickly crossed the boundary ofKosala and arrived at the banks of the Ganga where they were met by the Nishada chief, Guha, who was delighted to meet the young princes and Sita. The tribal chief did all he could to host the royal three. That night was spent on the banks of the sacred river. At dawn, Rama woke up and requested Guha to take them across the river. He asked Sumantra to return to Ayodhya for he preferred to proceed on foot. The charioteer was very unhappy to hear this and begged him to return with him, for the king had made him promise to bring him back, but he had no option but to obey Rama.
Rama said, “Sumantra, it is up to you to take care of my father. There is no one so devoted to our family as you. Please bring back Bharata immediately and then my father will feel better. Tell the king, that I am not in the least unhappy at leaving Ayodhya and living in the forest. Sita and Lakshmana also are not unhappy. After fourteen years, I shall return and take the dust of his feet. Convey my respects to my mothers and love to Bharata and Shatrugna. Sumantra, it is your duty to return and give what comfort you can to my aged parents. Please do not worry about us”. Reluctantly, with tears streaming from his eyes, the noble Sumantra returned to Ayodhya.
In the meantime, Guha had arranged a boat and soon the three of them were rowed across the sacred river Ganga. From there the three of them proceeded on foot, much to Sita~s delight. The next day they reached the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja, picturesquely situated at the holy spot – prayaga or confluence of the rivers Ganga andYamuna. Having spent the night at that delightful hermitage, they proceeded the next day to the sacred hill of Chitrakoota, as directed by the sage. Rama was very conscious of the duty he owed to Maithili, the dainty princess of Mithila, who was prepared to brave the dangers of the forest in order to be with him and he tenderly helped her over the rough patches and kept up her spirits. She, on the other hand, was filled with delight at seeing all the wonderful plants and flowers of the forest and kept exclaiming with delight at everything, pointing out many new things to Rama and asking him about them. Rama said, “0 Lakshmana, please walk in front of the princess of Videha and clear a path for her so that her tender feet will not be hurt by the sharp stones and thorns. I will come after and guard her from the rear. If you see any beautiful flowers or fruits, please pluck them for her”.
Lakshmana was delighted to do this service and soon Sita was loaded with bunches of flowers and fruit, so that she looked like a wood nymph. As they approached the region of Chitrakoota, made holy by the sages who lived there, Rama pointed out to Sita the various interesting things to be seen.
“Behold these trees, my love, heavy with fruits and nuts, this huge hive filled with honey and all these delicious roots. We will never go hungry. Though you may not have the delicacies of the palace, you will feast on the abundance of nature. You shall sleep on a bed of fragrant grass and flowers and have the nightingale to sing a lullaby for you. You will be woken up by the cooing of the wood pigeons. Tell me, are they not more melodious than the bards of Ayodhya”!
Thus beguiling Sita with many interesting anecdotes, the party soon reached the holy mountain of Chitrakoota. Rama requested Lakshmana to build a hut of wattle for them, for he felt that this was the right place for them to live. Lakshmana made a beautiful hermitage for them and for about three months, they lived comfortably and happily at this charming place.
Sita and Rama used to roam around the mountains hand in hand while Lakshmana kept watch. Tiny wild flowers carpeted the hill sides, and silver cascades tumbled down the rocks. One day Rama and Sita bathed in the Mandakini river and then relaxed on the banks, tired by their walk and the swim. Sita leaned against a tree while Rama slept on her lap. At this time, an incident occurred which she was to narrate to Hanuman long afterwards. Rama dropped off to sleep, and a sharp wind came and whipped off her top scarf. Just at that time, a crow who was flying by, saw the beauty of her breasts and flew down and pecked at them, as if he suspected them to be berries. Sita screamed and shooed it off, time and time again. Rama who had been sleeping, had not witnessed the incident. Hearing her cries he woke up but he did not realise the extent of her injury and told her not to distress herself and went back to sleep. Again the crow swooped down and pecked her hard. Rama woke up when drops of hot blood fell on his face. He realised that this was no ordinary crow, but Jayanta, the son of Indra. He became very angry when he saw Sita’s tearful face and taking a reed, he muttered the fierce incantation of Brahma and hurled it at the crow, who flew off in great fright. The potentised reed followed the crow to all the worlds and at last in great terror he returned to Rama and begged his forgiveness. As usual, Rama could never resist a person in distress, so he agreed to spare his life. But the reed, once discharged and made potent with the mantra, had to find a target, so instead of killing him, it blinded the crow in his right eye. Rama then comforted his frightened wife, who was sobbing with pain and rage.
While the three exiles were thus having a comfortable sojourn in the forest, the messengers sent by Vasishta brought back the two princes, Bharata and Shatrugna. As they entered the city of Ayodhya, they were surprised to see the gloomy looks of the citizens. They went first to the king’s apartments and not finding him there, Bharata went to his mother’s abode. Kaikeyi rejoiced to see her handsome son. When questioned by him about the sorrowful looks of the citizens and the absence of his father, she told him the entire story and waited for his look of joy at the thought that he would soon be installed as king, in his brother’s place. Bharata could not believe his ears. He was amazed to see how little his mother knew him. “Surely my eldest brother, Rama should be king and not me”, he exclaimed.
Now Kaikeyi told him the whole story of the king’s promise and Rama’s exile. She waited expectantly for her son’s words of appreciation, at his mother’s cleverness. She was shocked at his reaction. He jumped back as if stung by a wasp and exclaimed in horror, “Can you really expect me to rejoice at this news? Having deprived me of the two people I value most in life, my father and my brother, do you imagine that I will seize the throne for myself and rejoice at my good fortune! 0 wicked woman! I cannot bear to call you ‘Mother’! It was my misfortune to have been born in your womb. You have brought nothing but calamity on our race. And now you are bent on exterminating it. What possessed you to act in this insane fashion”! Having ranted and raved at his mother thus, Bharata rushed to Kausalya’s apartments, for he could not bear to look at Kaikeyi’s face.
Kausalya turned her head away when she saw him approach. He was totally bereft at this treatment and fell at her feet and reiterated his innocence. At last she was convinced of his ignorance of his mother’s plot and comforted him. Controlling his grief, Shatrugna and he proceeded to perform the last rites of his father.
The next day, sage Vasishta requested him to come to the court and urged him to accept the kingdom. Bharata vehemently declined the offer and said that he had decided to go to the forest to try and persuade his brother to return and take up his rightful heritage. When this news was bruited abroad, the whole city decided to accompany him. A huge cavalcade consisting of elephants, horses and chariots, soldiers and even the three dowager queens, set out happily from the city, determined to persuade Rama to return. When they reached the banks of the Ganga, the Nishada chief, Guha, gave orders that they should be stopped from crossing the river, for he suspected some foul play on Bharata’s part. But when he realised that Bharata’s intentions were completely honourable, he allowed him to proceed. From there, they went to the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja who apprised them of Rama’s whereabouts. The sage, with his extraordinary powers or siddhis, then proceeded to feed the entire army in a lavish manner, much to the amazement of all, for such a feast could not be had, even in a palace.
The next morning the entourage proceeded to Chitrakoota. Rama had been sitting outside the hermitage with Sita, beguiling her with his graphic descriptions of forest-life, when he realised that the whole woodland was in a state of uproar. Birds were screaming and animals running about and a cloud of dust could be seen, rising in the distance. He asked Lakshmana to climb a tree and find out the cause of this disturbance. Lakshmana was horrified to see the approaching army with Bharata at its head and decided that Bharata had followed them with the sole intention of killing Rama, thus ensuring that there would be no contender to the throne. He swore that he would kill him before he dared to approach. Rama pacified his impetuous brother and they awaited Bharata’s coming with some trepidation on Lakshmana’s part and full confidence on Rama’s.
Bharata’s eyes were so full of tears at the sight of his brother with matted locks and bark clothing, that he stumbled and would have fallen had not Rama run forward and caught him in a tight embrace. Seating him next to him, Rama tenderly inquired about the welfare of his father and others. He was greatly upset to hear of the demise of his father. Bharata then begged him to return and take up the reins of government, for he was unfit for the task. Rama advised him to do his duty, as he himself had done and return to Ayodhya and rule for fourteen years till his return. Bharata tried many methods to persuade Rama to return. He even said he would fast unto death unless Rama returned but the latter with his usual conciliatory and pacifying words, persuaded the grief-stricken prince to do his duty. Then Bharata begged that he be allowed to stay in the forest in lieu of his brother but to this also Rama gave a negative reply and said that in this case there was no question of proxy. It is rare indeed to find such a noble soul like Bharata especially in those times when it was quite common for the younger brother to kill the elder and usurp the throne. If Rama was the soul of dharma,,, Bharata was in no way inferior to him and was the very soul of honour. The Ramayana is thus an inspiring narrative where every character vies with the other to sacrifice his own interest for the sake of the other.
In the meantime, Vasishta led the royal ladies to Rama’s presence. Rama bugged his mother and bemoaned the loss of his father. Rama and Lakshmana then performed the last rites for their father. Bharata was at last reconciled to the fact that he would have to play the role of Prince Regent for that appeared to be the only way that he could serve his beloved brother. From the many beautiful articles which he had brought for his brother, Bharata took out a pair of polished, wooden sandals, embellished with gold. These he put before Rama and requested him to kindly place his feet on them. He swore that he could never ascend the throne of his father, which rightfully belonged to his brother but would place the sandals on the throne and be only an instrument for carrying out the orders of his brother. He also swore that as long as his brother lived in the forest, he would also live outside the city wearing the bark of trees, with matted locks and subsisting only on fruits and roots as his brothers were doing. This he would do for fourteen years, at the end of which, he would immolate himself in the fire, if his brother did not return.
Rama embraced his noble brother and tenderly stroked his head as Bharata sobbed on his shoulder. He blessed him and told him that he would certainly return, the moment the fourteen years were over and take up the reins of government. He then placed his holy feet on the sandals and stood for a few minutes in contemplation and then removed them and gave them to his brother. Bharata placed the footwear on his head and circumambulated Rama thrice. He then walked away while Rama bade farewell to his mothers, for he could not bear to see his weeping mothers. Having paid obeisance to the elders and his Guru, Rama walked into the hut, eyes filled with tears, for he could not watch them depart.
The royal party returned to a forlorn and bereft capital. The citizens wore gloomy faces for they had failed in their endeavour. Having takec his mothers back to the palace, Bharata decided to take up his residence at the village of Nandigrama, a few miles away from Ayodhya. The golden throne of the kings was brought to Nandigrama and he placed the wooden sandals on the throne and bowed low before them. He said to his ministers, “The kingdom will be ruled by me as a sacred trust till my brother returns. Hold the white umbrella ol sovereignty over these sandals for they will rule and not me. Until I see his royal feet placed once more on these sandals I will live like an asceticî.
All those who had assembled applauded these noble sentiments. For the next fourteen years Bharata lived a hermit’s life. Every day the ministers came from Ayodhya and they were also clad in bark. They would bow low to the sandals as they would before the king and all matters of state would be discussed before them. For fourteen years there was no sound of mirth or music in Ayodhya. The chariot wheels were taken out and all the people walked, since Rama had to go on foot. Only the gardens round the empty palace were kept watered and alive, waiting for Rama’s return. At least, Rama had Sita and Lakshmana with him and they enjoyed the simple pleasures of a forest life until Sita was abducted. Bharata is not even mentioned by Valmiki till Rama returns. But we can imagine what a strict life he led, denying himself even the simplest of pleasures. With matted locks and wearing bark garments, he refused even the pleasure of eating good food. It is said that his only fare were a few grains of wheat soaked in water. He would talk to the sandals and report everything to them. He did nothing without consulting them. It is impossible for us to even imagine such a character. Such sacrifice and self-denial are not seen even in sages. No wonder that Bharata has been extolled as a paragon of virtue.
An aura of gloom covered the ashrama after Bharata left. The tearstained eyes of his brother haunted Rama. None of the three could forget the painful episodes connected with Bharata’s visit. The hermitage which had once been a scene of joy was now filled with sorrow. At the same time, Rama noticed that the sages who lived in the other ashramas seemed to be troubled about something. When he enquired into the matter he was told that the rakshasa living in their settlement called Janasthana had begun to harass them. The rakshasas were cannibals and would swoop down on the hermitages of the rishis and take off many of the ascetics. Their leader was called Khara and he was the cousin of their king, called Ravana. Due to this harassment, the sages decided to leave Chitrakoota.
Hearing this, Sita and the two brothers also decided to leave. They proceeded to the ashrama of sage Atri and his wife Anasuya who was famous for her chastity and for her tapas. They were welcomed with great love by the old man and his wife. She took Sita inside the hut in which they lived and praised her for her fidelity and love for her husband and her courage which had made her renounce the comforts of palace life, for the rigours of life in the forest.
Sita, in turn, said, “Mother, if you only knew the wonderful qualities of my husband, you would not wonder that I preferred to be with him rather than live in the luxurious apartments of the palace”. Anasuya was delighted to hear this reply. She caressed Sita fondly and requested her to ask for any boon. She had done so much of tapas that she was capable of giving boons. Sita was surprised. This was the first time that she had met a lady ascetic who had accumulated so much power by austerities.
She smiled and said, “Mother what need have I for boons? Am I not the most fortunate woman alive? Have I not got the noblest living being as my husband”?
Anasuya was charmed by this reply. She brought all the garments and jewelry which she had and adorned Sita like a bride. She also gave her specially prepared perfumes which would make her smell sweet and keep her fresh all the time. Then she made Sita recount the events of her swayamvara, which Sita did with great joy. By this time, night was falling and the old lady blessed her and told her to go to her husband. Rama’s eyes lit up with appreciation when he saw his beloved, dressed as she had every right to be.
They spent that night at the hermitage. In the morning, Atri asked Rama to go to the Dandaka forest. He said that the forest was infested with rakshasas who delighted in molesting the rishis. He requested him to go there and protect the sages from the harassment of these cannibals and allow them to continue their life of simplicity and renunciation.
Rama willingly agreed to this and the three of them entered the dark and forbidding looking forest called Dandaka.
Thus ends the fourth Canto called Bharataís Vow of the Ayodhya Kanda in the glorious Ramayana of the Sage Valmiki.
