Rama starts for the Forest
Rama Lakshmana Sita with folded hands went around Dasaratha , touched his feet and prostrated before him. Rama who is knower of all Dharma along with Sita took leave of Dasratha, did prostrations to Kaushalyadevi who was shaken up totally. Lakshaman too did what his elder brother did by prostrating before Kaushalya. He bowed his head at the feet of his own mother Sumithradevi.
Sumithra crying kissed the forehead of her dear child Lakshmana who was well wisher of that valorous son said “Child ! you always have affection towars Friends; just like Kaushlaya who gave birth to a son who will portect all the worlds, like wise ;
I have given birth to you son, who at all times , all places, all forests, and you will perform all types of service to Rama. Hence in the forest which is filled with unique materials and Living beings ; when Rama is moving with Sita , do not get distracted by his Handsomeness, Walking gait, Ealge like Eye sight, Sweet & Pleasant Speech and not lose your Vigil in protecting him. Wheter Rama is wealthy or in trouble, he is your refuge. You have to be subservient to him as you are younger to him.You should perform all types of service to him. This Is the Dharam all the Pious in this world observe. Those who have been born in our Ikshwaku dynasty also follow this rule only. Giving Charity to those who seek without refusal, doing yagadeeksha, one can get killed in the battle field, but should not retreat, this is the hall mark of a Kshatriya like you.Hence you should protect Rama even by risking your Life. Do not delay, Start immediately. Here after Rama is your Father; Sita is your Mother;Their Forest is your Ayodhya;Acting as per Rama’s instruction is your Sukham, safely go and return “ thus she spokes which was in his interest and gave him permission to leave.
Like the Chrioteer Mathaly informs Devendra(Celestial God) Sumanthara with folded hands said “ Hey Prince! Unmatcahble Famed person !may all the blessings be showered on you. Please board the Chariot. Where you want to be taken please let me know accordingly I will do immediately. This is the 1st day of your 14 years of Life in Forest. Kayikeyie has said we should leave today.”
Then Sita having adorned herself got into the Chariot with jewellery that shone like sun and dazzled like the Fire. The Rama and Laskhmana boarded the Chariot. Counting the time they have to say in forest Dasaratha gave Dresses to Sita ,ornaments Weapons of Rama & Lakshamana, Shields, Basket covered by Skin, Spade etc were kep at the rear of the Chariot by the servants. Immeiately Sumanthara commanded the Horses to walk.
Hearing that Rama will be staying in forest for many years and seeing him leave the city, many men , women child fell unconscious due to grief . Even the animals grieved.The people were confused mentally and were in agony at the turn of events. The Rogue elephants were becoming uncontrollable, the horses were running helter skelter unable to express themselves. The ornaments laid out on them was tinkling all over. Just like in the summer unable to bear the heat, the animals go in search of water, so were the Men, Women, Children, Elderly followed Rama. On both sides of the Chariot as well as the front and rear of the Chariot in hordes people were crying hoarse with tears pouring down their cheeks “ Sumanthara please pull the reins of the horse , let the Chariot go slowly. Let us see Rama’s face at least for some time. Hereafter we do not know whether will we be blessed to see him or not?**( Yearning of Athma to keep seeing Paramathama God) Is Rama’s mother’s heart made of iron? Seeing the Son who is like the Celstial Prince going to forest ;has not her heart exploded yet? Sita is Bhagyashaali ( Good fortune due to past Birth’s good virtuous deeds).Just like the Sun’s radiance has not left the Meru mountain, Sita is observing Pathivrata Dharma and following her husband like a shadow.Lakshamana ! Are you not the blessed one? You have done what is expected of you. You are blessed to do service to your brother Rama who is radiating like the Devathas(Celestials) , and who speaks any time pleasantly. So the Kshema(well being ,Prosperity,innate happiness reflected in their Living)you are gong to attain because of this cannot be counted . Your following Rama is the path for the most Nobel destination of Life. ‘ thus saying they were following their dear Rama, unable to bear his separation they shed tears unabashedly.
Then Dasratha and his wives did not have the heart to allow Rama to leave shouting “ Can we remain without seeing our Child once more “ came running from the Hall to the entrance.When the Head of the Elephants the Male is caught by the Hunter in the net, then the herd of Female elephants cry hoarse , similarly Dasaratha heard the wailing of the queens/ladies from harem. Rama’s father is the King ; born in ikshwaku dynasty;he has all the wealth; even then unmentionable pain has been caused to all the People of Ayodhya, by him. It looked like during Full Lunar Eclipse dimishing of illuminence of the Moon , similarly his aura also diminished. Rama of immense courage seeing his father following him urged “ Sumanthara please hurry up the Horses”. What can Sumnathara do? He hesitated as The loving people of Ayodhya wanted it to be slowed down, or obey the command of Rama; unable to concur with both the requests.
The dust raised by the Chariot movement got settled by the pouring tears of the Lamenting People.Everywhere the ‘ Haahaa ‘ sound and the blabbering , moaning of the people reverberated. Every where people were too stunned and stood still unable to think for themselves, crying . When the fish go here and there in a Lotus pond, the water drops falling from the Lotus Flowers , similarly the tears jerked from the Ladies eyes who were uable to bear the separation of Rama. Seeing all the people of the City having Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish, sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness,heart rending )Dasaratha fell unconscious like a log of wood.Then those who were following Rama seeing Dasaratha has fainted ,shouted out of fear. Some wailed ‘HaaRama !’. Some wailed ‘Haa Kaushlaya Devi ! ‘ There were none who were not lamenting in the Secret room of the Palace. Rama turned and saw that Dasaratha and Kaushalya were like mad people struggling to walk stagerring slowly and following his chariot. Just like the Mane (Child horse ) which is bound tightly by rope, seeing it’s mother horse, unable to free itself ; likewise Rama was bound by the rope of Dharma, just saw them by glancing sideways. Those who travel by Vehicles generally were running on feet,Those who have all the Luxuries and comforts and well off in Life were coming running after the Chariot crying overcome by the emotion of the moment,Rama who normally pacifies everyone, was unable to help on this occasion so he commanded “Sumanthara! Please run the horses fast” Even though he is one who does not get perturbed easily,it was like the Elephant which has been stabbed by a sharp Spade ,Rama was unable to bear the pain. Like The Mother cow comes running often towards it’s calf which is tied up ,similarly Kaushalya came running towards Rama’s Chariot. Kaushalya crying behind the Chariot “Haa Rama! Haa Lakshmana! HaaSeethay! “ Rama looked at her often. Dasaratha commanded “ Stop the Chariot” It was like being caught between the Chariot’s wheels, for Sumanthara was in dismay. Rama said“ Sumanthara please listen to me, Run the Chariot faster. When you meet the King and if he gets angry and asks you ‘Why did you not stop the Chariot?’. Tell him then you did not hear same. If you say is it not a Lie, I cannot bear this anguish for Long. It will endanger my Pormise”Said Rama.
Sumanthara also acted as what Rama had instructed him, he made Rama bid goodbye to the Persons coming running behind the chariot and then Sumanthara drove the chariot faster.Then the people from Palace and the people from the streets did pradhakshnam to Rama and returned to their houses. But their bodies only returned, their heart was with Rama and their Tears did not stop.Ministers who were well versed in all Dharmas advised Dasaratha “When you want someone to come back safely , then it is not advisable to go long distance to see him off , this is the trediiton of Elders”.Dasaratha also agreed with his body tired with his heart and soul dipping was looking at Rama along with his wives standing there only. (Slokas 51).
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