Dasharatha orders Sumantra to take Rama to the forest - Chapter 12

 In the previous chapter, we saw Preparations for Rama’s departure to the forest. , Now we'll see Dasharatha orders Sumantra to take Rama to the forest.

Dasharatha finally ordered Sumantra to fetch the best chariot drawn by the best horses. He also ordered that many jewels be brought for Sita and asked her to wear them. Valmiki says that she was like GoddessLakshmi radiating light and brightening the whole place. Kausalya hugged Sita and gave parting advice. She said that good wives stood by their husbands both in good and bad times. Now Sita should be a support to Rama. Sita cleverly replied that when she left home, she had been advised by her mother and now again reminded by Kausalya. Sita assured Kausalya of her steadfast dharma of following her husband and obeying him and looking after him well. Then Rama requested his mother to be cheerful and take good care of his old father. Rama then took leave of all of them by paying his respects and requesting them to forgive him for whatever harm he might have done to them. The whole palace which was resounding before with music and drums in a festive mood now reverberated with the wailings of all those who were present.

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Sumitra advised Lakshmana when he took leave of her. She asked him to serve his brother in all ways. She said, “My child treat Rama as you would the king Dasharatha. Consider Sita as me and consider the forest as Ayodhya. Now go and come back soon. Let all be well with you”. This is a famous verse by Valmiki which says “Ramam Dasharatham Viddhi, Maam viddhi Janakaatmajaam. Ayodhyaam ataveem viddhi gachcha thaatha yatha sukham”. Valmiki’s description of Rama’s departure scene is very heart rendering.

The chariot was loaded with all the weapons and also the dress and jewels that Sita would need. Sumantra after taking permission from Rama drove the chariot drawn by horses which were the fastest in the kingdom. Then the climax happened. The people young and old started following the chariot. Ladies too followed carrying their children. All their faces were drawn and their eyes filled with tears. They all asked Sumantra to go slow so that they could enjoy looking at Rama for longer. They praised Lakshmana and Sita for accompanying Rama. Valmiki uses the adjective ‘Kruta Krutya’ for Sita meaning the one who accomplished her duties. Dasharatha collected himself and came out with the desire of drinking the beauty of Rama for as long as possible. Rama saw all this and asked Sumantra to drive faster. Dasharatha was trying to follow the chariot. Kausalya ran after the chariot crying out for Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana and Dasharatha asked Sumantra to stop the chariot. Rama observed all these and ordered Sumantra not to stop but to hasten. Sumantra was hesitant as he was in a predicament. So, he asked Rama how could he disobey the king and face him upon his return. Rama told him that since the separation was becoming unbearable, he had to cut it short. Sumantra asked people to give way and drove off. The rishis also advised Dasharatha not to continue because they said that according to Dharma one should not accompany a person going away for a long time if one wished for a safe return of the person. Dasharatha stopped and stood looking at the chariot until it disappeared.

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As the sun was setting the city of Ayodhya was plunged into great sorrow. Valmiki says that the cows did not feed their calves. Snakes did not swallow their prey. There was wailing heard from every house. The kitchen did not function. Valmiki being a great astronomer adds that “Trishanku, Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury along with the moon all decided to harm the world”.

 It is noteworthy that Valmiki mentions Trishanku as a celestial object and that Trishanku was in the sky along with other planets. We will learn more about this in the Yuddha Kanda where Valmiki identifies the Trishanku star in the constellation of Sapta Rishi (The Great Bear).

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When the chariot disappeared from the view king Dasharatha not bearing the separation from his dear son fell to the ground. Kausalya and Kaikeyi tried to hold him. Dasharatha told Kaikeyi angrily that she had no right to touch him anymore and said that he wanted to see her no more. They all returned to the palace which had lost all its radiance and looked very gloomy. Dasharatha was exhausted and asked that he be carried to the palace of Kausalya. There he fell on a couch. He wept aloud and said that those who would be alive to see Rama’s return were indeed blessed. He told Kausalya that he was losing his eyesight and could not perceive her and asked her to caress him. Kausalya could not bear to see her husband the great king Dasharatha in that sorry plight.

Kausalya shuddered to imagine her plight at the hands of Kaikeyi who was heartless to send Rama to the forest. She told Dasharatha that he not wanting to hurt Kaikeyi had ordered Rama to live in the forest and what all hardships he would have to undergo there. She asked when that happy day would come when she would see again Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in the palace. She said that she was not even sure about living until then. Sumitra, Lakshmana’s mother tried to console Kausalya. She said that Rama was the very incarnation of Lord Vishnu and so neither the sun would burn his face nor would he face any danger from anything. He was making his father’s promise come true and there was nothing to repent. He was being followed by his chaste wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana who was ready to obey Rama. Therefore, wherever he was Rama would always be happy and safe. She said that the fourteen years would go so fast and Rama would be back to take up the throne and bless all.

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In the next chapter, we'll see Rama’s journey to the forest.

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