Lakshamana Reminiscences
Guha took pity on Lakshamana as he was awake all the while due to his affection and devotion towards Rama and was keeping a constant vigil in protecting him. “Child ! I have laid out a bed for you. You can sleep and relax yourself. I am born and brought up in Forest;for me to bear inconvenience is common thing. I have no problem being awake. My hunter citizens are also like that. We will keep awake and safeguard Rama.You have been brought up in comfort. This job is not meant for you. There is no other matter more dear to me than Rama. What I am telling you is Sathaym (Truth); if you want I will swear on the name of Sathayadevatha(Diety of Truth). With his mercy one can get immense Fame, , Dharma and limitless Wealth is my belief. When my dear friend Rama ad Sita are sleeping myself and my warriors will guard him with Bow and Arrows. There is nothing unknown to me which keeps flying in the sky. Even if the enemies come with Four Divisions of Army, myself and my Army are ready to scuttle them.” Said Guha.
Lakshmana said “ When you are not deviating in your Dharma, why sould we have fear at all? When the Emperor’s son and Daughter are sleeping in the Ground in open terrrain, will I get sleep?. I have no thoughts in comfort of the Body or to safegauding my Life. Even If the Devas(Celestials) & Asuras(Demons) join together and oppose can they stand in front of my Elder Brother’s Arrow? See this appaling sight of that great Warrior sleeping with Sitadevi on the grass innocently?.
To beget him as son the King had done gayathrimanthra in Crores of times; controlling his senses, observed difficult fasts such as Kruchram, Chaandraayanam for a long time. The Yagas mentioned in Vedas he did many times over without ignoring even one of them. After all these difficulties he got a rare Child as his Son like him after 60,000 years. After sending him out of the country, will he survive this separation? This Earth it self lost her husband and became a widow is there any doubt? All the Ladeis in King’s harem would have cried as long as they had energy in their bodies must have sapped and now all the sounds would have must have subsided and sleeping now.
Kaushalya , my Mother and the King must have lost their Life by now, even if it is not so they may not survive beyond this night. May be my mother may hold on her to Life just to see Shathrugna. But the one who gave birth to the Jewell crown of Valour Kaushalya will not be keeping her Life! Thinking of that I am getting unbearable sorrow. The Citizens of Ayodhya were emanating & permeating Love for all people of the world and had immense affection for my Father. If they hear of his demise, they will take their Life unable to bear the Loss of their King. Rama is his eldest son;he is adorned by all UthamaGunangal (Noblest Virtues); he is very close to him amongst the 4 of us. Without seeing him will the Praanan(-Life force, Last Breathe,that without which causes Physical and medical Death)remain stay? After his death, will Kaushlya remain alive? After Kaushalya expires my mother will not remain alive.’ We after so many years got a rare child; the child grew up without any Danger; got married in a good clan; hereafter he will accept this Kingdom; we can be worryless. ‘ thus the unending desire have all gone in vain, with no other purpose to remain alive the King will leave his Life. if you ask’ At least after 14 years, he can give the Kingdom back to Rama’ then , He does not have that much energy to withstand the pangs of separation from Rama. Then those who are near him to perform his funeral rites are the blessed ones. We do not have that Privilege.
‘ Is there a city as beautiful as Ayodhya? The 4 road junctions have been formed nicely, the roads have been laid down in a straight line without any bending,Luxurous villas of the Wealthy, the Palaces, Parks, Flower gardens, and the Tree groves, when I think of them my grief knows no bounds. With Unparralled Arches, entrances uniquely designed, and adorned by Pure breed Elephants, horses, filled with Chariots, with auspicious Musical instruemnts playing and have blossomed with Citizens who are physically and mentally Healthy.The frequent festivlas in Temples, and the auspicious occasions happening in the houses,Ayodhya is shining as a place for all Sowkhyam (Comforts), Kshemam(well being ,Prosperity,innate happiness reflected in their Living)and Sukham(Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun,Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled Desires) and do we have to say that those Living there are Privelleged and Blessed? Will the King be alive till we return from the tenure of Forest Life? Will we be able to see that great Dharmathma? My brother’s Prathignya (Swear/Promise/Vow/Keep one’s word even at the cost of his own Life) will that get over without any danger?,also the King’s Prathignya also fulfilled, Will all of us unitedly enter Ayodhya? “ thus Lakshmana was reminiscencing and the dawn broke. This showed the genuine affection Lakshmana had for Dasaratha, his Queens and Rama and Sita and he spoke, the truth and was remorsefull of the same; this made Guha grieve. Guha shed tears in torrents like the Elephant which is having an unbearable Fever and Cries with Tears rolling down. (Slokas 27).
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