Ladies of Queens Chambers Lament
Early morning those who are experts in Saashtraas,Panegyrist who sing in praise of the King,exponents in Music, those who sing the auspicious Blessings, came to the Queens Chambers each one turn by turn started singing in praise of the Emperor. Due to their profound rendering the chambers got filled up with people.Those who were expert in rendering various tones with the skill of their hands, Narrated unique Achievements of Dasaratha synchronized with the suitable musical accompaniments. Hearing those music the Birds in the branches and cages started chirping enchantingly. Some singers sang the divine names such as HariNarayana, some sang melodious songs on Pious people and Holy Places. Some played musical string instruments such as veena. They rendered songs and verses related to Dasaratha. This Sound broght in more people and the Palace was full.
Then those viz Ladeis and Eunuchs who are well versed with Protocol and etiquets in waking up the King. And others came there. Those who are well trained in bathing the King, according to doctrines and season had filled clean water in Golden vessels, with Sandalwood and other cosmetic, talcum, fragrance items. Some others had auspicious Garlands, special oils and Holy cows to touch , for rinsing mouth in the frgrance mixture(comprsing til, coconut, Jeera ) diluted with water and special energy giving herbs; holy water like Ganga and others. The water, Tulasi which was submitted to Sri Ranganatha which removes all ailments,sins,bestows all auspiciousness and blessings and this has been the tredition of Ikshwaku Dynasty.The materails brought were of pure quality and of highest grade with beneficial characteristics,in all respects,with all features and which will bring prosperity. All thse mentieod above were ready before dawn eager to meet the King. Even after Sunrise when the King did not appear they suspected.
Those Queens who were near the bedroom of Dasratha, spoke in a pleasant manner as is customary while waking up the King with appropriate timely words with Humility. Then they touched him and shook him.Indications of a person sleeping, like Body heat, breathing was not evident. Normal habits of when a person sleeps like shaking Legs, hands, hear beat, breathing and small movements of the Limbs, those indications which those women were aware; to the extent known to them, they did examine and did not find any of the above symptoms. Then they were afraind and doubted that their husnand has died, became stunned and stood like those Neer Nochil Trees which stand erect. Then their doubt got confirmed of Dasaratah’s death. Due to their being awake till late night and the Puthra shokam(agonizing grief for the separation of dear Son)both Sumithra and Kaushalya were asleep;unlike of them when they are awake early.
Kaushalya had lost her lusture,with complexion changed,slimmed down due to irregular or no sleep, when catastrophes happen the stars are coverd by couds, she was not visble where she was. There was no difference to the Dead Dasaratha and the two Queens alive.The other queens thought that Kaushalya and Sumithra also are dead. The Ladies started crying like the Female elephants separated from their male counter parts and being driven from their palce in Forest.They started wailing.Hearing this Kaushalaya and Sumihtra woke up suddenly. They tried to wake him in many ways, realizing it is of no use and that Dasaratha was dead they cried “ hey lord !” and fell on the ground. Kaushalya looked like the fallen star from sky and rolled on the ground with dirt spread all over her and had lost her aura. The Queens seeing Dasaratha dead and Queen Kaushalya unconscious , like the Leader Male elephant and it’s dear Femal Elephant dead rest female elephants stand in silence; they were too stunned and were dumb. By then Kayikeyei and other Queens reached there and realized what has befallen them and they fell on the ground. The wailing went on increasing.Due to Rama’s separation and the passing away of King the other attendants and others in the Palace were disturbed. Now that the emperor had also gone they cried aloud due to fear and the assistants and service personnel also wailing. The whole place was filled with Crying wailing sound and looked horrible. Emperor Dasaratha who was known in all the 3 worlds dead , his Queens were holding each other’s hands and Maoaned and Lamented like orphans.(Slokas 29).
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