Vasishta chides Kayikei
Rama after hearing the sane words of Sidhartha with humility spoke to Dasaratha “ Lord ! I have Left all the comforts and Luxuries. I have no desire for them. What is the use of Army and wealth when I have to live in the forest? When one has been given an Elephant of pure breed, will he have attachment for the chain that is used to tie that Elephant? When the Elephant itself is going does the Chain a matter at all? Whatever Materials you had intended to give me I am hereby giving it to Bharatha. Let the servants bring the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/bark which I am suppose to wear,as I have to live in forest for 14 years. Let them also bring Basket, Ace, Spade as well” thus spoke Rama.
Immediately Kaikeyie unabashedly brought the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/bark by herself and said ‘ take this’ Rama took it from Kayikeyei , removed his costly dress, and wore the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/barkwhich is worn by Mendicant/Saints in Forest. Lakshmana also did the same. Dasaratha was watching all this.Then Sita who is always used to the Princess way of Dressing shook as the Deer shivers on sighting the Hunter. Unknowing how to wear it, she hesitated a bit. She is the great Pathivratha( pure pristine and Noblest, Chaste, Loving, Humble dotting Wiife not falling prey to Fame, Money or Power) and hence she wanted to follow the Dharam of her husband the Noble Rama, with tears swelling in her eyes to Rama who looked like the King of Ghandarvas (Musicians of Yore) “ Lord! I do not know how the Saints wear the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/bark in the Forest, tried to tie it on her neck, and not knowing how to wear it she was ashamed. Rama took it from her hand and tied it on top of the white silken saree she was wearing.
Rama who is the son of Emperor Dasaratha, adorning the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/bark to the daughter of King Janaka, the Ladies wailed aloud that they had to see this ignoble act. “ Rama ! your father had not commanded her to go to Forest, and this Kayikeyei had not sought such a boon. Hence until you carry out your father’s order by staying in forest and return please leave her with us , so that atleast we can see her. May the Child Lakshmana go to Forest with you. Is she worthy of living in the forest where there are no humans? Hey personification of Dharma! even if you do not want to give our eyes and heart the pleasure of seeing you at least let Sita be here.please do heed to our request.” Thus pleaded all those present there. But Sita who was unwilling to be separated from her husband, insisted on Rama tieing up the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/bark.Rama did accordingly.
Then the permanent Guru of Ikshwaku Dynasty Sage Vasishta seeing Sita wearing the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/bark, stopped it and spoke “Hey Kayikeyi !you have dared to cross Limits of decency? Hey Lady of wicked intentions! The one who spells death for the clan you were born and the clan you have come to live with,is it not enough you treacherously deceived the Emperor?, you have started behaving the way you want beyond limits, you do not know what is good conduct ! Sita should not go to forest. Sita let her govern from the throne whch justifiably belong to Rama; as Vedas grant the domicile Wife 50% of Husband belongs to her.Hence the Earth which should have normaly belonged to Rama should be governed by her. Why did he forget that Bharatha should govern the country as per the boon obtained by Kayikeyei? If in case Sita does not want so,and goes to Forest, we also will go to forest with them. Let this Countries Cittizens, officials and families leave with all their belonging which they have earned such as the wealth, sheeps, cows& Oxen, Horses, servants, Vehicles and go to where Rama is going. Bharatha &Shatrugna will wear Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/barkand serve their brother Rama and will not stay here. Then this Country will be empty barren space for the citizens of this country. Except you and the trees nothing else will be there. You are of bad conduct;you have entered to destroy the subjects(people) of this country. Will the country without Rama be a called a country at all? Where Rama lives is Ayodhya.
If Bharatha was born to Dasaratah, he will have the Character of Dasaratha. Will he accept to govern this country, which has not been given to him with affection? Will he have the heart to call you as Mother? Will he ever dare to live with you as you have killed his father? He is fully knowledgable of the Ethics of Governance. Will he as younger brother accept the Kingdom from you when his elder brother is alive ? Will he ever accept this kingdom ,as he is Dharmathma? Even if you jump between Earth & Sky he will not do anything against Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,Ethical,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). As you want to earn Limitless Sukham(Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun,Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled Desires)& benefits for your son and in that desire only you are doing this injustice and outrage. Look , you know what you have done for your son is not in his interest ,this you know. When Rama goes to Forest will any living being remain without going with him? Kayikeyie !when Rama goes to Forest the Cattle, Cows, Birds Trees all will be watchin him only.You will witness this phenomenon yourself. Hence take away the Wooden dress Leaf/Bark from Sita’s hand and give best of the Dress materials to your daughter in law. What is the sanctity she whould wear the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/bark? Hey daughter of King of Kayikeya , you had asked for the boon that Rama should go to forest. Let Sita with all Royal attire duly adorned, with vehicles , helpers. assisstants go to forest with Rama.” Spoke the famous Sage Vasishta. Then also Sita desired to wear the Dresses made of Wooden Leaf/bark and live like her husband in the forest.(Slokas 67).
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