Kausalya's Anguish at Rama's Banishment
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 20
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 20
Rama reveals his exile to a distraught Kausalya. Witness the heart-wrenching exchange between mother and son as duty clashes with love in this poignant Ramayana passage.
As Rama, the tiger among men, was leaving with folded hands, a great cry of distress arose from the women in the inner chambers. They lamented:
"Rama has always been our protector without being urged by his father, and now he's going into exile."
"He has treated us with the same care and devotion as he shows to his mother Kausalya."
"From birth, Rama has avoided actions that cause anger and pacified those who were angry."
"Even when cursed, he never lost his composure."
"Alas, our king must have lost his mind to banish such a son as Rama, who is the refuge of all beings." (2.20.1 - 2.20.5)
All the queens cried loudly, blaming their husband, like cows separated from their calves. King Dasharatha, hearing these painful cries of distress from the inner chambers, sank down in his seat, tormented with grief for his son. (2.20.6 - 2.20.7)
Meanwhile, Rama, deeply troubled yet self-possessed, went towards his mother's inner chambers. He heaved sighs like an elephant as he walked, accompanied by his brother Lakshmana. (2.20.8)
At the entrance of his mother's residence, Rama saw:
A highly venerable elderly man seated
Many others standing nearby
Upon seeing Rama, they all immediately stood up and greeted him, saying, "Victory to you, best among the victors!" (2.20.9 - 2.20.10)
Rama's journey through the chambers:
First courtyard: Rama passed through
Second courtyard: Rama saw aged brahmins (priests) well-versed in the Vedas, duly honored by the king
Third courtyard: Rama saw elderly women and young children vigilantly guarding the door (2.20.11 - 2.20.12)
The women, pleased to see Rama, greeted him and hurried to inform Kausalya of his arrival. Meanwhile, Kausalya was engaged in worship:
She had spent the night in meditation
In the early morning, she was worshipping Lord Vishnu to secure her son's welfare
Kausalya was clad in silk, joyfully performing rituals
She was offering oblations to the fire-god (Agni) in accordance with Vedic hymns (2.20.13 - 2.20.16)
Rama observed various items prepared for the religious rites:
Curd, rice grains, clarified butter, sweetmeats
Parched grain, white garlands, porridge
Vessels filled with water
He saw his mother:
Emaciated due to her vows
Wearing white silk
Looking like a celestial being
Offering libations to the deities (2.20.17 - 2.20.19)
Seeing her son arrive after a long time, Kausalya approached him with great delight, like a mare rushing to her young calf. Rama bowed to his mother respectfully, and she embraced him with both arms, kissing his forehead. (2.20.20 - 2.20.21)
Out of love for her invincible son, Kausalya spoke these gentle and pleasant words:
"May you attain:
Long life
Fame
Righteousness
Like those of the aged, virtuous, and great royal sages who upheld dharma (righteousness) in our race. See your father, the righteous king true to his promise, who will consecrate you as prince-regent today." (2.20.22 - 2.20.24)
Invited by Kausalya to partake of the food, Rama, out of modesty:
Only touched the seat provided to him
With folded hands and bowed head, began to seek her permission for his departure to the Dandaka forest (2.20.25 - 2.20.26)
Rama said, "Mother, you certainly don't know that a great misfortune has befallen, causing distress to you, Sita, and Lakshmana. I am setting forth to the Dandaka forest. What use is this seat for me now? A time has come when I am fit for a seat of kusa grass (a simple mat used by ascetics)." (2.20.27 - 2.20.28)
He continued, "For fourteen years, I will:
Abstain from meat like hermits
Live on honey, fruits, and roots
Dwell in the solitary forest
The great king is conferring the status of heir-apparent on Bharata while banishing me to the Dandaka forest to live like an ascetic." (2.20.29 - 2.20.31)
Upon hearing this, Kausalya:
Fell to the ground suddenly, like a branch of a sal tree severed by an axe
Resembled a goddess dropped from heaven
Rama, seeing his mother:
Who had done nothing to deserve such suffering
Fall like a plantain tree and lose consciousness Raised her up from the ground (2.20.32 - 2.20.34)
Kausalya, struck by sorrow yet deserving happiness, spoke to Rama while Lakshmana listened:
"My son:
If you were not born to me, I would not have experienced grief more intense than this
A barren woman has only one mental agony - that she has no progeny
But now, I face a greater sorrow" (2.20.35 - 2.20.37)
She lamented:
She had not enjoyed any auspicious moments or pleasure earlier when her husband was in authority
Her hopes of experiencing joy through her son were now dashed
She feared facing insults from her co-wives
The unbearable pain of separation from Rama (2.20.38 - 2.20.47)
Kausalya recalled:
The hardships she endured in raising Rama through fasts, meditation, and great efforts
Only to face this heart-wrenching separation
She marveled at the firmness of her heart, which did not break despite the overwhelming sorrow
Comparing it to the unyielding bank of a great river during the rainy season (2.20.48 - 2.20.52)
In her anguish, Kausalya:
Expressed her desire to follow Rama into exile
Compared herself to a weakened cow following its calf
Lamented the fruitlessness of all her religious observances and penances
Likened her efforts to seeds sown in barren land (2.20.53 - 2.20.55)
The passage ends with Kausalya, filled with anger and extreme sorrow, bursting into harrowing tears while looking at Rama, compared to a kinnari (celestial being) looking at her grown-up son taken captive.
This concludes the twentieth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.