Dasharatha speaks to Rama - Chapter 42

In the previous chapter, we saw In praise of Rama. , Now we'll see Dasharatha speaks to Rama.

Lord Shiva told Rama that he had accomplished a great heroic task by killing Ravana and removing the darkness that has befallen the world. He said, “Rama now you return to Ayodhya, make Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra happy and rule the country. Also perform the Ashwamedha Yaga. Then you will go to Paradise”. Then Lord Shiva told Rama to speak to his father Dasharatha who had also come there.

Rama saw his father seated on a golden throne and was shining with all auspicious things. Rama saluted his father who took him on his lap and hugged him. Dasharatha said that even Paradise meant nothing to him without the presence of his dear son Rama. He said that he understood why Kaikeyi had ordered Rama to go to the forest referring to the killing of Ravana by Rama and redeeming the world of the evil, which could not have occurred had Rama stayed back as a king of Ayodhya. Dasharatha said that he wanted to see Rama along with Bharata.

Dasharatha still wishes for certain things even though he had attained Paradise, which is the ultimate goal. This is somewhat incomprehensible. He said how lucky were the people who would see Rama ascending the throne and be ruled by him.

Dasharatha praised Rama for having executed his orders. Rama then requested his father not to disown his wife Kaikeyi and his son Bharata. It might be recalled that Dasharatha in his agony and anger had told Kaikeyi that he would disown her and her son. Dasharatha happily agreed.

Then Dasharatha hugged his son Lakshmana and praised him for the services that he rendered to Rama. Finally, he spoke to Sita. He said “Sita you should not get angry regarding the test you underwent. This was done by Rama to purify you. You are the jewel of all the womanhood and I need not tell you about serving Rama who is the supreme God”. After saying this Dasharatha ascended to the Heavens.

 This account of Dasharatha coming to the earth and speaking to his sons is somewhat difficult to understand. It is said and believed that once the soul leaves the body it has no identity. The form does not exist any longer. So how could Dasharatha come into his body and speak to his sons? Of course, Valmiki does not specifically say that Dasharatha had a body but descriptions of events make us think so. Also, this happened only between Dasharatha and Rama, Lakshmana and Sita and it seems that all the others who had assembled there did not witness these events. It is beyond my competence to analyze this any further.

In the next chapter, We'll see Dead Vanaras come back alive

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