Kaushalya gives Consent
‘Rama will not stray away from Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). There is no doubt whatoseer that he will abide by his Father’s word understood Kaushalya with certainity. She thought it is not a good Omen to shed tears at this juncture and conatined herself ‘You were born to me and Dasratha as a rare gifted Child, so far you have never encountered Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish, sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness,heart rending situations ) ** {Imagine this is when he was sent to Gurukulam (boarding school meant for commoners) for studies at a very tender age and went along with Vishwamithra at the age of 12 to kill Thataka etc}. In forest you have to search and pick the scattered grains one by one how will you Live? Your servants and Chefs will have timely and tasty Good food and will be enjoying. Wheras you are master how will you eat only fruits and roots in the forest and live? ‘ Rama is the eldest son of Dasratha, he has immeasurable Love for him and he has have Noble Virtues and Character. Still he drove him away from the Kingdom’ if some hears that, will he believe it? Even if he believes then would he not think‘ If Rama itself has to undergo this hardship, what wil be our fate?’ thinking thus wouldn’t he be dead scared.? You bestow Hapiness & Love all Living beings, even you have to go to Forest, it Is God who gives everyone the Sukham(Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun,Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled her Desires).Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness,).it appears that there is non greater than God. The fire of sorrow by being separated from you is like the Forest fire that kills all the insects and worms during Summer. My Body is the Place for this. This Fire is fanned by the Air by the thought of remaining without seeing you. The thoughts of and bemoaning are the fire woods which will stoke and keep the fire burning. The tears rolling down the cheeks are the offerings for this Fire, the worry caused by your absence is the heat that emanates as smoke, and you are like the Water that will douse the fire. Without that the water, now the fire is going to get aggravated and it is going to destroy me. Is it surprise that the Mother Cow follows the Calf? Where ever you go I will come with you.” Said Kaushalya .
Rama said ‘ Mother ! you should think of one thing. I go to forest and you also come with me , My Father who has been duped by Kayikeyi, it is certain he will not survive. Even for normal Ladies to forsake her husband is the most heinious act. For you to even think about this is wrong. My Emperor Father as long as he is alive , it is your duty to serve him,this is the Dharma (Righteous path ) shown by our forefathers.
Kaushalya is filled with thoughts of Dharma and carries them out., hence she agreed/ Consented to Rama’s counsel and do accordingly. Then Rama removed the Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness, )which had occupied her Heart.to stabilize her intellect said “ You and myself have to obey King’s ordain. He is our King, he is the one who takes care of us,he is the Guru who confers knowledge of Dharma,by Virtues he is an elevated person than all of us.”He is the Emperor,these 14 years I will spend like an hour in the forest , I will return to your feet to serve you.
Kaushalya consented to allow Rama to go to Forest and she will not stay back in Ayodhya. However she could not contain her tears caused by the Love & affection she had for him and said “ Rama! I will not stay amongst these wicked Ladies(other queens) ,Like the animals in the forest I will spend my time happily with you. You will not have any hardship due to me. If you want to go to Forest as per your father’s instruction, please go, but take me along with you”.
If others get Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness, )Rama’s heart also gets Dukhkam. But he had to ensure that he implements father’s dictat to uphold Dharma., fearing this he contained his Anguish with inner strength & Intutive guts born out of the values, he had cultivated them. His mother having consented to permit him to go to forest, in order to pacify her Dukkam, he partially relased some of his Dukkam by shedding tears and said “ As long as the Ladies are alive, their Husband is their God & Lord. For you and me our King is the Lord. Since he is protecting us all we are not orphans. Further other Queens have no justification to do harm to you. Instead of me, Bharatha who is going to rule this country is Dharmathama. He always adheres to Dharma and always speaking pleasantly to one and all.. He will serve you with special affection.Please take special care of King when I leave for frest so that my separation does not hurt him least bit.. He is really old. Due to this extreme agony please give special attention and conduct your self well and see to it that he does not take Leave from this world. Even if Ladies observe Fasts and Upavas and earn Punya(Good Deeds), if they do not take care of their husbands they will attain the destination of Sinners. Even if they do not do puja to Celestials, and do not observe fasts, do not do prostrations to elders, if they serve their Husbands they will get the most sacred destinations. Sruthis and Smruthis state that the Prime responsibility and Duty for Wife is to serve her Husband. Hence this was the culture followed by our ancestors.
If you do not direct your self and remain still then the Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish, sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness, ) will raise it’s head. So please call Brahmins and do Shanti Homa, Pushtihoma and other auspicious ceremonies. Please worship Celestials and Brahmins with Flowers, Sandal wood, Bettle leaves. Please follow the proceedures ordained in sastras like Meditation , Penance, Bath in Holy waters/ rivers, vesting prayer etc,eat pure Rice please pay attention in serving your husband. Please await my return. If you do this my Father who is the greatest amongst people who follow Dharma will remain alive and will have the benefit of seeing my return as well.
Kaushalya who was crying at the thought of separation of Rama said “ You have firmly decided to go to Forest. I am unable to reverse that decision. Who can win over time’s decision? Child! Please take care go to forest and come back safely. May all the blessings be showered on you, may you succeed in all your endevours. Unless you return my yearning for you will not be quenched. Please fulfill your father’s words and also your desire. After attaining the greatest Fame and when you return then only I will enjoy Sukham(Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun,Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled her Desires). Despite my telling you not to go to forest, you are determined to go ahead to the forest, who can understand the power of this Fate? Hey Rama the Great PARAKRAM (Achievement, Might, Puissance,Exploits,Valor, Heroism, Gallantry,Prowess,Ability,Valour) Please go ahead and may auspiciousness follow you always. Come back soon. And with honey like words please my heart. My heart does not want to be away from you even for a minute.Shouldn’t this be the moment of your return from Forest with Deer Skin, wooden sheet dress and Matted Hair?’ thus lamented Queen Kaushalya. Having come to know Rama is leaving for forest certainly, she started doing the rituals for his well being and safe journey.(Slokas 36) .