Rama's Exile Begins
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 19
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 19
Rama, heir to Ayodhya's throne, faces exile due to Kaikeyi's demands. With unwavering resolve, he accepts his fate, bidding farewell to a grief-stricken Dasharatha and loyal Lakshmana.
Rama, the destroyer of enemies, remained undisturbed after hearing Kaikeyi's words, which were as painful as death itself. He addressed Kaikeyi, saying:
"So be it. I shall go to the forest and live there for fourteen years, wearing matted locks and deerskin, to fulfill the king's promise."
"There is one thing that troubles me: why doesn't the unassailable king, the subduer of enemies, greet me as usual?"
"O Devi (goddess), do not be distressed. I declare before you that I shall depart for the forest wearing bark clothes and matted locks. Rejoice in this news."
Rama continued, expressing his dedication to duty:
"Ordered by my father, who is my well-wisher, my guru (teacher), a grateful person, and above all, a king, shall I not do what pleases him without hesitation?"
"One thing that pains me is that the king himself did not tell me about Bharata's consecration. That alone burns my heart."
Rama urged Kaikeyi to console the king, who was shedding tears with his eyes fixed on the ground. He suggested sending messengers on swift horses to bring Bharata back from his maternal uncle's house immediately.
Rama declared his intention to depart:
"As for me, I shall depart at once for the Dandaka forest to live there for fourteen years, without questioning my father's words."
Kaikeyi, pleased to hear Rama's words and convinced of his imminent departure, hastened him to leave.
Rama affirmed his dedication to righteousness:
"O Devi, I have no desire to live in this world for the sake of wealth. Know me as one with the sages who are devoted only to righteousness."
"If I can do anything to please my venerable father, it shall be done in every possible way, even at the cost of my life."
King Dasharatha, overwhelmed with sorrow, fainted and fell back on the golden couch. Rama lifted him up and, urged by Kaikeyi, hastened to depart for the forest like a horse spurred by a whip.
Rama addressed Kaikeyi once more:
"O Devi, it is your duty to ensure that Bharata rules the kingdom and serves our father. This is indeed the eternal dharma (duty)."
Upon hearing Rama's words, Dasharatha, too grief-stricken to speak, cried out loudly. Rama bowed at the feet of his unconscious father and the ignoble Kaikeyi before setting out.
As Rama left the inner chambers after circumambulating his father and Kaikeyi, he saw his friends. Lakshmana, Rama's devoted brother and son of Sumitra (another wife of King Dasharatha), followed Rama with eyes full of tears and in a state of fury.
Rama's composure during his exit:
He circumambulated the vessels meant for the consecration ceremony and slowly moved away, his gaze fixed upon them.
The loss of kingdom did not diminish Rama's great splendor, just as night cannot diminish the radiance of the cool-rayed moon.
No change was visible in Rama's demeanor as he prepared to renounce the kingdom and depart for the forest.
He remained beyond all worldly affairs, holding back his sorrow.
Rama's final actions before leaving:
Abandoned the royal insignia (umbrella, fans, and chariot).
Sent away kinsmen, city-dwellers, and others.
Entered his mother's residence to break the unpleasant news.
The mighty-armed Rama maintained his habitual cheerfulness, like the autumnal moon retaining its brightness. He treated all people with sweet words as he approached his mother. Lakshmana, as virtuous and powerful as Rama, followed him while controlling his own sorrow.
Upon entering the palace filled with great rejoicing, Rama did not reveal the setback to his objective, fearing it would distress his loved ones. This marks the beginning of Rama's exile and sets the stage for the events to follow in the Ramayana.
This concludes the nineteenth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.