Kaushalya’s Repentence
Dasaratha who heard Kaushalya’s words uttered in sheer anguish and, Anger, though it was harsh, he thought ‘ there is nothing wrong in what she has said’. I have heeded to Kayikeyei’s words, I have done grave injustice which hither to has not been done by anybody so far. what can I do now?‘ thus his grief overcoming his senses lost his consciousness and fainted.After a long pause he regained consciousness and breathing heavily, seeing Kaushalya nearby said “If we do severe Punya ( Good Deeds) & Sins then we experience the results of the same in this Birth itself,this is the ruthless Law of justice; hence I am separated from my most dear Child and undergoing the pain of separation now. Dasaratha thought ‘In earlier Births what sins I might have committed for such a tragedy to occur?’. Then he realized due to ignorance he had killed a son of a saint by an arrow called ShabdhaVedhi(sound sensing arrow); that he recollected.
Repenting grief of that accident added to the grief of Rama’s separation simultaneously at the same time hurt Dasaratha immensely which he could not bear and again he fainted.
Then shivering with fear,hanging his head in shame with folded hands said “ Kaushlya ! Look,I with folded hands pleading to you, do me a favour. Your nature is such that you shower Love to even those who are enmical to you without having malice towards them. For the Lady who would like to observe Pathivratha( pure pristine and Noblest, Chaste, Loving, Humble dotting Wife not falling prey to Fame, Money or Power) Dharma; whether her husband is of Good Character or other wise, her husband is the Prathyaksha deivam(Physically present God).
Your Manam { Chitha(Memory) +Inner Conscience Mind +Intellect(Bhuddhi) +Ego} always seeks Dharma. The differences (Plus and Minus )amongst People in this world is well known to you. Worst tragedy has befallen me. Does it behove of you to speak such despicable words, when I am in deep sorrow of Rama’s separation? “ thus asked Dasaratha in a feeble voice, which will melt heart of any one hearing his pleading. Like water falls from Cows mouth during rainy season, Tears poured from Kaushalya’s eyes.
She took the folded hands of Dasaratha on her head and cried hoarsely aloud “ Oh God ! I have committed a grave Sin in my anger speaking to you thus.” she feared and with anxiety said “ Lord! I hereby prostrate before you falling on the ground. Please pardon my misdemanour and have mercy on me.the moment you folded your hands and pleaded that very moment I am perished. Do you have to speak such words an kill me further? A lady who makes her Great Intelligent Husband who is respected world over to plead with folded hands is only luring her destruction not only in this world but also the world after death. Don’t I know that you understand Dharma and you never falter on Sathyam(Truth)? Due to seaparation from my child, having lost my mental balance I have blabbered , please forgive me. Sorrow overpowers our Courage. Sorrow makes you lose what ever we have learnt and heard. Sorrow spoils everything;there is no greater enemy than that.If our enemy suddenly hits us, we can bear that; but if sorrow however small befalls on us we can not bear that. This is the 5th day since I am upset with Rama’s departure to Forest and I was overcome with Sorrow. it looks like 5 years. Thinking of that my grief is only increasing; haven’t you seen the Ocean swell as the Rivers pour into it constantly?’ thus when Kaushlaya was saying this, by that time Sun had set and Night has started. Dasaratha got solace from her words; due to the grief he slept off(Slokas 20).
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