Sita Laments
Sita saw the severed head and the Best of Bow She was reminded of what earlier Hanuman told her of the friendship between Rama and Sugreeva. She saw the Eyes, Complexion of Face, Hair, Forehead, Choodamani, and other evidences were found to be in order, so Sita decided this is Rama’s head only and that Rama is dead. Like the Anril Bird which was separated by from her husband Sita wailed hoarsely aloud and abused Kayikeyi for her plight now, Amma (Mother)! has you heart satisfied at least now? It is your natural behavior to stir (family) hornest nest and thus haven’t you now uprooted the Ikshwaku Dynasty? While sending the Shining star Rama to forest ‘May some danger befall him, let him die and not return’ wasn’t that your intention? Rama is dead. Lakshmana, BhratahShatrugna all of them have their Life pinned on him also will die. You doing such in justice was it not for your son Bharatha? If Bharatha also dies, will your intention be fulfilled? What have you earned by this? Apart from Kalakam (Disharmony, Quarrel, inciting, revolt, family fight) what else have you achieved? Rama who had Largesse or Magnanimity as his ornament what harm had he done to you? Haven’t you earned the grotesque sin by sending me and Rama to forest by wearing Maravuri (Dresses made of wooden Barks / Leaves)?” - thus Sita lamented. Like the Plantain without base she fell on the ground unconscious.After sometime she regained Conciousness with Tears closing her eyes, She kept Rama’s head on her Lap and kissed his forehead.
“Oh My! I am gone. Oh Great Man should you fulfill you promise of not returning to Ayodhya without killing the Enemy in this fashion? I have done the sin of seeing you die. I have earned the name of a Widow. They say Husband dies because of Wife’s Sins. You are the adhearer of the noblest culture / habits; I have also been observing the Pathivratha( pure pristine and Noblest, Chaste, Loving, Humble doting Wife not falling prey to Fame, Money or Power) Dharma to the maximum extent possible. What is the justification of your dieing before me? First of all I was driven away from Kingdom to Forest; then Ravana abducted me; thus greater and greater Dhukkam (Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering, worry, unhappiness, heart rending situations) have befallen me Having taken pity on me and salvaging me from this, even to you such a thing has happened. Now I am sunk in Bottomless State of Agony. Neither can I come to the surface of it or swim across to the shore.
It is not only for me; should this grief happen to even the most Pious Kaushalya as well? She will yell, bellow, Scream, Cry, Wail like the cow which is separated from its calf. Does she have any other Son other than you Rama? All those Blessings of Noblest Brahmins of Dheerga Ayush (Full complete Life span) have they been belied? or did they say merely seeing only your Might? Had they analysed through sashtras (Astrology) shouldn’t they have said Alpa Ayush (Meagre Life or untimely death)? But they wouldn’t Lie like that! Because your good fortunes had been downturned did their intellect slipped and said so? Paramathma (God - Greatest Soul which is amalgamation of all All Atmas / souls) who is the root cause of all Elements has been in the guise of Time been giving benenfits, has swayed the intellect of the Pious who were knower of all the 3 Kals (Past, Present, & Future) in your case not knowing the Turth has he done this? You are great exponent of NeethiSashtras (Governiing Rules of Justice, Morality, Law, Righteousness); Laurete in Strategic war fare; knower of all types of dangers; when that be the case how can it be justified that you are killed while sleeping and you were not alert? The wicked most horrific Kala Rathri Lady has hugged and you and taken you away. Seeing your enchanting Red Lotus petals like Eyes ,Kala Rathri has abducted you.Which Night you stayed in the sea shore that Night itself has killed you. or is it that great Power Kala Rathri which takes way Lives of all living beings hugged you in my Form? I have done the heinous of Sins and have thus become a Widow. BY marrying this sinner, you have died at a young age.
Does it behove you the greatest Man to be like a meek husband dieing at this young age? Iam undergoing unmentioneable anguish and left to fend myself in the lap of this Mother Earth is it correct Why is it I am forced to wintes this great Bow which you and me had revered with best of perfumes, Garlands is lying on the floor and am I compelled to witness the same? What is not there in you? All the Pitrus(Forefathers) including my Father in Law Emperor Dasaratha are you seeing and in Bliss there? You have attained the state of Star in the sky and watching the ikshwaku dynasty who are going to do greatest of Punyam (Good fortune accrued from Past or being accumulated for future by Virtuous Dharma / good deeds / conduct) from above. Dear Huband! Can’t you open your eyes once and look at me? Despite my belllwoing so much you haven’t opened your mouth and say ‘don’t greive’. I am a Young woman (31 years); I got you as my husband at a young age. Am I not to be protected by you always? I have always considered your Joy and sorrow as mine, haven’t I been like a shadow with you all the while? Haven’t I observed the Dharma you were observing with sincerity and without fail? Can there by any greater danger than now for me? Please remind your self of your pledge made to me during our marriage ‘As long as I am alive I won’t leave you’. Please take me to the place you are going. What way is it justified for you to go and enjoy in the choices of world by leaving me to suffer here in agony? Haven’t I adorned you without giving an opportunity to others by applying the most fragrant perfumes, flowers, garlands, in your body and did I not enjoy them? Has it happened that Your body is being plundered by Foxes, Dogs, Eagles?
Then the door watchman came and said ‘Jaya Vijayee Bhava’ to Ravana, bowed to him with his hands folded and raised and said General Prahastha is waiting in the entrance. “hey King ! Your General Prahastha has come with all your Ministers. He said he would like to meet you. Please pardon me for coming at an inaapropriate time. You have given the powers to him to carry out all National activities to him. But due to the respect he has for you, he wants to inform you and do accordingly. You are the embodiment of all characters, he wants your august presence” thus submitted the guard.
Hearing that Ravana came out of the Ashoka Garden, heard of Rama’s PARAKRAM (Achievement, Might, Puissance, Exploits, Valor, Heroism, Gallantry, Prowess, Ability, Valour) and the matters for war, went to the cabinet meeting, discussed further actions to be undertaken and finalized same. As soon as Ravana left, the Dummy Severed Head of Rama and the fake mystic Kothanda (Bow) Vanished. Then Ravana looked at the confidente Generals gave orders that all our Army has to assemble forthwith. We need not give any reasons” thus Ravana commanded. (As if the message goes to everyone Sita also will get the message, and his Lie to her will be exposed hence he ordained accordingly) The Generals also confirmed all the Army have assembled. (Slokas 44)
****************