Sri Rama pacifies Kaushalya
Lakshamana seeing Kaushalya bemoaning thus spoke that which is appropriate for that occasion “ Mother! Hearing the word of a Lady, Rama going to Forest doesn’t seem me to be befitting. ‘ Iam not going becaue of Kayikeyie but King’s order’ , if that be the argument, then King is Very Old. , he is not able to overcome the pleasures of the senses, but what can the Senses do to a Pristine Pure Person? ‘but alas he has Limitless desire for a Lady. Hence his Intellect is twisted. He is unable to know this is unjust. In order to satisfy the woman he loves most, the King who is most powerful, what will he not tell? What else will he not do?
“Should Dasaratha have found some Crime or Dosh(Fallacy, deficiency, defect,flaw, offence, weakness, fault, imperfection, shortcoming, blame, catch, mistake, guilt, reflection, accused, culprit,delinquent, culpable,convict, blameworthy) or Sin in Rama ,he can send Rama to Forest” but what did Rama do? has he done any mutiny ? or can he say Rama did Henious Sin ? Even if he was a sworn enemy , or he was punished for a wrongful act. I am yet to see a person who had contrived / concocted an Insunuation against Rama. When that be the case will any one morally dare to say anything against Rama?.
“This I am not telling from approximation or intuition , but facts which is known to everyone. Rama is pristine pure like the Celestials.His Mind, Word, Conduct , behavior always follows the righteous path.. He follows the desires of the Citizens. He has been groomed by Elders. He who has controlled his senses. He is even dear to Enemies Like Kaykeyi. He is the embodiment of Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). Being the eldest son, even if he had all the Doshas mentioned above he cannot be exiled as per Law. When that be the case , King Dasratha who follows Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation), Will he send some one to exile without assingning any particular reason?
Let that be so. King Dasaratha is turning youth and is bound by lust. Will any Prince respect the words of such a king? Hence My Brother! Before it is becomes known to others take control of this Kingdom. When I am standing besides you, with Bow Arrow can any one else win over us? One may win over even Yama(God of Death), but can he win over us? If all the citizens of the city jointly oppose us I will wipe them out with my Arrows.I will anhilate Bharatha’s Friends and those who will help him in fraction of a second. When it stings it is Scropion or else it is a small insect , even the docile will torment the Poor, this is the law of nature.
Our Father has been instigated by Kaykeyie, if he is helping our enemies, why should we not arrest and put such a straying person? Only those who have become arrogant to the core can do such and act. The King should have maturity that Such a thing should not be done, where as he does not have such maturity , if such a person even if he is our Guru, Father we should punish him and take him away from the wrong path as per Manu’s Law of Governance.
When this Kingdom should have been yours as per Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation), what is the reason he should he give it to Kaykeyie? By the use of his Army he can win over you and he can drive you out of this country or is it because he had to fulfill the 2 Boons he had given to Kaykeyi long long ago, those 2 are not tenable here. Can he afford to antagonize you and me and give the Kingdom to Bharatha?
“ Mother! Rama is my brother and he is worthy of worship. I have sincere love for him. I am swearing on the Truth I speak, the Bow I am holding, the Charity I have done, , the Pujas or Prayers I have done for Gods & Celestials as witness, even if Rama goes to those wild Forest, If he jumps into the raging inferno, you can see me before him. I will destroy the agony you are suffering with my Valour. You and Rama are going to see my PARAKRAM (Achievement, Might, Puissance,Exploits,Valor, Heroism, Gallantry,Prowess,Ability,Valour) today.
Having heard those words Kaushallya said “ Child Rama ! have you heard the wrods of brother Laskhmana? Hereafter what you want to do , please do accordingly .’How can I disobey Father’s command?’ you can say so, But he has not commanded , My Enemy Kaykeyi commanded this. Futher it is against Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). When it is so,abiding by the same and leaving me alone and going to Forest is it just?
You know all the Dharmas (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). You would like to follow the Dharma of adhering to your Father’s command. But there is a greater Dharma than that. Dharama Sashtras (Doctrines of Righteousness) state the greatest person In this world is Mother. Hence you remain here and take care of me. There is no Greater Dharma than this. In earlier times Kashyapa having controlled his senses, served his mother from home. Due to this service he attained great position and became Brahma(Creator of Human Race). As your father is to you, Am I not Mother to you? Just as he is worshippable to you am I not worshippable by you? Just as you have to fulfill your father’s wish so also should you fulfill my wish.Your going to Forest is not acceptable to me. I will not permit you. Without You what is Sukham(Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun,Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled her Desires) for me? Should I be alive without you? Even if I eat grass but being with you itself is a great thing for me. When I am in agony, if you leave me and go to Forest, then I will fast unto Death. Once The King of Ocean gave agony to his Mother so he was sent to the Hell, where those who killed Brahmins went. You also will go to such hell with unending sufferings.
Rama heard his Mother blabbering feebly , the great Dharmic Rama spoke according to Dharma, “ I have to fulfill my father’s order. I have also to obey your command as well, but cannot adhere both at the same time .Further his commands came first. So have to fulfill that now. I should not forget that. Hence I have to go to Forest now. I am hereby bowing at yoru feet. Please have mercy on me and grant me permission to leave ”
‘Can you cause agony to your Mother by doing this’ if you ask so, earlier times there was Kandu Maharishi the great Sage who knew all Dharmas, he killed a Cow atthe behest of his Father’s command. He is great Saint who did Severe penance, He was a wise man of Yore(Gyani)In our Lineage there was a King known as Sagara. He ordered his 60,000 sonsto dig the earth.Fulfilling that they were burnt to ashes.So I have to fulfill my Father’s command even if required by forsaking my Life. Livinng in Forest for14 Years is it difficult? Parasurama to fulfill his father’s command killed his Mother Renuka with an Axe.When that be the case can I hesitate just because it causing you Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness, )for some time. ? Like this many celestials have fulfilled their Father’s wishes. Hence I also would like to ful fill the same. This is not a Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation)adhered only by me. Others too have adhered to it. Whom ever I have so far mentioned have carried out their Father’s command. Our Forefathers have accepted this. I am also following the same path paved by them and these are not imaginarily created by me. Nor had this been created to cause pain to you.By implementing the Father’s command and thus having caused hardship there is no son who has become bad because of this in this earth.
Rama who was a great orator and was an exponent in Archery and matchless personality addressed “Lakshmana! I am aware of the Limitless affection you have for me, Your Parakram(valour), Daringness, and the Thejhas (Radiance) which cannot be born by anyone. My Mother without understading the secrecy of Sathyam(Truth) and and the Secrecy of Shanti(Peace and amity) she is saddened. A person who knows the secrecy of Dharam saying this not right. Sathaym(Truth) has it’s roots in Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). So amongst Purusharthas {(1)Dharma-Righteous conduct- Duty- Pious- humble-Charity -being Noble (2)Material-money-house-car-Luxury ,(3)Desire-ambition-Children,(4)Moksha-Attain God’s feet}
Dharma is the top most.Now by implementing my father’s words rather than Mother’s words I will get Dharma.Willany one who had promised to the Parents who have desire for Dharma or to Brahmins will falter?Now due to my Father’s order Kaykeyi asked me to go Forest. I do not have the energy to disobey his orders. So ‘even if he is my father, I will kill him and rule this country such an evil thought of the Kshathriya be forsaken by you.Do not follow only those rules which do not conform to Dharma as an aethist(Non believer in God). Do not go in the path which causes Violence/Pain/torments (for)others. Please see my behaviour.”** { HereMaha Vishnu is reminding Adisesha his inborn qulaities which he has forgotten having been born as man Laskhmana} .Thus Rama spoke due to the excess affection he has for Lakshmana. Again he did prostration to Mother Kaushalaya and with folded hands said “Mother! You, me Sita,Lakshmana and Mother Sumithra are bound to respect Father’s orders this is as per Dharma the oldest doctrine. Since he ordered me I will 1st fulfill his command of being in forest for 14 years and then I will come as per your command and sit beside you and serve and tend you to your satisfaction. Like the Yayathi who fell from heaven and then went back , I will also for sometime be in forest face harships and come and serve you. Hence please contain your Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness, )and grant me permission to leave. I have to perform certain rituals for my safe return. I am vowing on my Life and seeking your permission. ‘Let me stop the arrangemnts made for my Coronation., without showing my feelings, I have to go uphold my Dharma by going to forest’ please convey your acceptance.
Kaushalya thus hearing Rama’s polite but firm words which were in accordance with Dharma ie rules of Righteouness and Justice fell unconscious. There after regaining consciousness said “Hey Child! Due to you being part of my body, also having born and nurtured you, You should worship me equal to your Father. You should not go to forest as iam undergoing undescribabale Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness, ).I will not permit that. What is the use of my being alive without you being near me? What is the Sukham(Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun,Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled her Desires).of being in Heaven or PitruLoka(forefathers world) or those worlds which gives eternal bliss ? ** (Here it is the soul of Kaushalya which has seen Maha Vishnu the God as Rama is unwilling to part as he is not available anywhere else).Will all these be equal to being with you even for a Muhurth 1 ½ hours?
Those who catch Elephants, even iif they stand on it’s path with burning torches it’s anger will only increase will it go back from it’s path it had chosen? Likewise Rama was listening to the very slight moaning of his mother Kaushalya and his determination got further strengthened. Rama who saw his mother not being in normal state of mind and Lakshamana in Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering, worry, unhappiness) spoke which is as per Dharma as his mind always wanted to follow Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation) amicably.Thus he was being coerced/ compelled/ pulled apart in all 4 directions by Dharma , found out which is the most apt Dharma to be adhered at this moment. Is there any one else in all the 3 Worlds(Earth, Paatal-Beneath earth, Heaven) who had observed Dharma like Rama?. Even this Rama was swayed a bit “ Lakshmana! I am aware of the devotion for me and your Valour. But with out your getting my opinion in full, you and My mother are unnecessarily causing me Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness, ), let me elaborate the concise expositon of Dharma which I had told earlier. Please Listen.’ A wife who adheres to her husband’s command,she earns Dharma and his affection/Love and thus sensual pleasures and by getting Noble Children , she also earns Artha(Material comforts-money etc). Thus Single Lady helps get 3 of the Purusharthas{(1)Dharma-Righteous conduct- Duty- Pious- humble-Charity -being Noble (2)Material-money,(3)Desire-ambition-Children,(4)Moksha-Attain God’s feet}for the family by her conduct. This way Dharma Artha Kama Prushartas detailed above, explains the path of attaining them through Dharma. If we follow Dharma properly all these 3 will be conferd on us there is no doubt whatsoever in my Mind. We should not start any activity or stray from the path which will not give the above Purusharthas. The actions by which Dharma will sprout we should do that only. People of this world Despise the person who is only after Artha(Material –money-Comfort-Luxury-Transport-House etc ). Like wise the man will despise those who seeks Sensual pleasures all the time. Let us think what is the action I should do as per Dharma now? Since King taught me Dhanurveda(Archery), the rules of Kingdom etc He is my Teacher. He is my Protecting King, He who was cause of My Birth- hence Father, Elder by age, That person if he had ordered by Anger or Happiness or By Desir. Will not any one who undertand Dharma and not implement the same? except for the fact it came out of wicked behavior of a Lady. Iam not a person with Wicked habit/behavior. I will solenly carry out the Pledge given by my father”.
He is the Lord for both of us, it is so for our Mother as well. For her, King is the route to her salvation. He is the yatch through which she can attain World for persons who have done Good Deeds(PunyaLoka). He had adhered to special Dharma than even our forefathers, while ruling the Kingdom righteously without swevering, is my mother(Kaushalya) like an ordinary Lady bereft of direction and support,as she has lost her husband, is her coming with me to the Forest is it apt? Mother ! I am leaving for Forest , please grant me permission. Please perform the auspicious austerities for my safe return. Like Yayathi King who was pushed from Heaven, since he told (Sathyam) Truth again , He was returned to Heaven, like wise I will aslo complete 14 years in forest and return home. I cannot forego the Fame(Keerthi) by desiring to become a King ,which is not due to me as per Dharma. Our Life span is very miniscule. It is temporary like the Lightning (Streak of Flash). So I have no aspirations to rule this world by Adharma( unrighteous way)” thus the greatest Manly Rama pacified his mother, also deciding to leave for the forest, having spelt out his inner opinion to Lakshamana he went around his mother (Pradhakshina) and thought of taking His mother’s consent. (Slokas 65)
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