Rama Laments
Rama asked Lakshamana who had left Sita alone in the Forest “ Lakshamana ! when I came to Dhandakaaranya Sita was adamant that she will accompany me, where did you leave Sita? When I had lost the Kingdom and was running helplessly to the forest; She who came with me forsaking everything for me and shared my travails, Where is that Sita? She is beautiful like the Celestials Lady. She is more dearer to me than my own Life. Where is that Sita? Will she be alive even 1 Muhurtha (1 ½ hours) ? Without that Sita of Golden complextion I will not aspire for even being the Lord of all the Worlds. Will we see My Life companion alive? Will my pledge that I will live in Forest for 14 years will that be fulfilled without faltering ? If I die due to her separation and you return to Ayodhya , will that Noble lady Kayikeyie be happy? At least then will her aspirations be complete? While Her son is ruling the Kingdom, with heady Pride, or will she Coerce my mother Kaushalya also, should Respect and extend courtsies to her? Having lost Husband, and her son, should she have to be a Slave? Only if Sita is alive will I go to Ashrama. If it is otherwise this very moment I will forego my Life. When I reach Ashrama , Sita should receive me smilingly or else I will die then and there.’ Lakshmana ! Please tell, is Sita alive or not? Or was She killed by Rakshsaaas after you left her? She was brought up in opulence. She has never seen suffering. She is a small girl. Due to separation from me, is she in Pangs of craving for me ? That scoundrel Rakshaasa shouting cunningly ‘ Haa Lakshamana ! I think you must have also been afraid. Thinking it is my voice, Sita must also have been terrified and sent you in search of me. Hence you have come in a short time. Which ever way leaving Sita in that forest is a big trouble. Rakshasaas got an opportunity to take revenge on us. Since slaying of Kara Dhoosahana those who are connected with him are waiting with vengeance to cause us Keduthi (Calamity, Misery, Catastrophe, Harm). They have special liking to human meat, so they must have by now eaten Sita I think so. This is certain. What will I do having fallen in this sort of trouble !. This also I have to experience my Karma Phalan (the fruits of my earlier actions in this Birth/ Earlier Births).” Thus lamenting Rama along with Laskhamana walked towards Jhanasthana.
Having chided Lakshamana and due to hunger and tired ness caused by running for a long distance with his face gone pale and dark and breathing hot air, came near to the Ashram. Sita was not seen there. He searched her inside the Ashram as well and could not find her. While he was searching , he remembered the good times he spent with her playfully and those places also Rama could not find Sita.(Slokas26)
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