Kaushalya Laments
The homa fire which has been quenched, the sea which is parched, Sun without Rays, seeing Dasaratha lifeless and gone to other world, Kushalya poured Tears in torrents both due to Puthra shokam(agonizing grief due to separation from dear Son) and having lost her husband with heart broken, she kept Dasaratha’s head on her Lap and and looked at kayikyei and said “ You have sent Rama to the forest as he was obstacle to your son, now you have killed your husband. Dhustay (bad, wicked, cruel,cunning,rascal)! Great Sinner !you succeeded in your adamancy? At least now ,have your desires been fulfilled? At least from now on, do not torment any body else and comfortably run the country.My only son Rama has gone to Forest making me wince in sorrow. My only refuge, my husband has now gone to heaven.In forest when people are travelling , if a person is left alone in a forest infested with wild Animals,in a dark place, without any path he will not survive for long; likewise I will also not survive for long. Except You who has forsaken all Dharmas , who else would like to live long having lost their dear husband? Greedy person who has taken the Etti Fruit, Does he know about the impending danger? Hearing the words of an Hunch back , you have severed the Inkshwaku Dynasty from it’s roots; Are you not that Noble Lady?
“Not being specific, you asked for boons and coerced the King to grant same, made him promise first and then dorve Rama ,Sita to the forest you are that Noble Lady isn’t it? WhenJanaki’s father hears this, won’t he suffer in sharp agony like me? Inspite of my son Rama being alive, he left me as though he is a dead man.I have lost my son and lost my husband too and with no other refuge like an orphan, I am much distressed amongst enmical persons; this that Dharmathma does not know.’Oh my ! despite being born daughter of Emperor of Videha and not having suffered any pain , Sita is now in much distress and how she is scared in the forest?Hearing the gowing , screeching gory sounds of animals & birds she must be scared and taking refuge in Rama. ForJanaka son and daughter is Sita only; he is now old ,knowing what has happened to his Arumai ( rare, precious, gifted, obedient, respectful, dutiful, affectionate,sensible )daughter he must be writhing in pain internally and he certainly will die.A Pathivratha is one who has Varutham (Upset, regret, perturbed, feel sorry, sad,pained )when her Husband is in grief; and one who is in Bliss when her Husband is Happy;when the husband has gone to another place in that pangs of separation she aches and slims and does not have any interest in Dressing or adorning herself, when her Husband dies and goes to another World she too accompanies him is what has been said over time.I also will hug my husband and die in the Fire to be set to my Husband’s body during creamtion and will get the destination he will get. “ said Kaushalya. The servants slowly but forcibly took Kaushalya away from Dasaratha’s body since she was feebly Lamenting all along like above.
Then as per Sage Vasishta’s orders they placed Dasaratha’s body immersed in Oil, in an uncovered(open) Coffin shaped wooden vessel and made arrangements for further proceedings. The officials were aware of all Dharmas“ It is not correct to carry out Funeral rites without the Son being present;if the body has connection with oil thus will not attaract any sin for not performing the rites/rituals for the body.” Thus having decided they protected the King’s body till the children arrived. The other Queens surrounded the vessel with their hands raised overcome wth grief lamented “ hey king ! one who always has affection for us and speaks to us endearingly and the one who does not falter on truth Rama is not hear to save us , don’t you know that? still you how did you have the courage to leave us as orphans ? The Dhushtay ( wicked, villainous,treacherous, rascal, nasty, scalawag,Devil, evil, savage HEINOUSNESS, vileness, inequity) Kayikeyei has separated us from Rama; now she has killed our husband . How can we be near this Sinner? Rama is always our guardian at all times; he serves you and protects you; he is great courageous person; spurning the Rajah Lakshmi (Goddess of Kingdom) he has gone with Maha Lakshmi( Goddess of wealth vizSita) to Forest. Now having got power Kayikeyei with her arrogance will she torment us? You and that great warrior not being there how will we who have sunk in this ocean of sorrow survive? She who forsake her Husband, shunned Rama and the great strong Lakshamana and Sita, Will it take Long for Her to get rid of us?’ this they Lamneted softly.
Like the night without Moon,Lady without her Husband, Ayodhya without Mahathma (great Soul) Dasaratha has lost it’s lusture, all People cried. The Ladies cried “HaaHaa “. Again the 4 road junctions , streets were kept unclean , without Kolam(Drawings with Rice Powder to usher in Goddess of wealth). City looked Empty. Emperor reached heavenly abode due to Puthra shokam(agonizing grief due to separation from dear Son); his wife fell uncoincious on the floor. Sun also went to the western horizon as though he was also grieved by a great King of his Vamsa(Clan). The darkness of the night pervaded all over once again.
Some of the realtions who came there “ having borne 4 great warriors as sons not one of them is nearby as per Divine ordain, but we canno remain silent, somehow we should do the rituals.” But Ministers ’ at least without the presence of one son, Funeral rites should not be performed’ stopped them.
Ayodhya without Dasaratha and his sons and Sita, looked like the sky without Sun, night without Moon and Stars without it’s usual aura. People were choked with tears welling up in their eyes were too stunned by the repeated turn of events and stood rooted in 4 road junctions, streets. People in hordes were collected in different places spoke ill of Kayikeyei and ridiculed her , none of them were happy and were down and out in their emotions.(Slokas29).
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