Rama's First Night in Exile
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 53
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 53
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Rama, exiled with Sita and Lakshmana, faces his first night in the forest. Torn by duty and love, he laments his fate while Lakshmana vows unwavering loyalty in this poignant Ramayana excerpt.
As evening approached, Rama, the best among those who bring delight to others, reached a tree. After offering oblations to the western sandhya (evening twilight prayer), Rama turned to Lakshmana and spoke:
"Lakshmana, this is our first night away from our homeland, without Sumantra. Don't feel anxious about it. From now on, we must remain vigilant during the nights. Sita's well-being and protection depend on both of us."
Rama continued, gesturing to the ground, "Let's somehow pass this night, sleeping here with whatever we've gathered ourselves."
Though accustomed to luxurious beds, Rama lay down on the earth. As he settled, he shared these reflective thoughts with Lakshmana:
"At this moment, our great father must be sleeping with difficulty. However, Kaikeyi, with her desires fulfilled, likely feels satisfied. I worry that Kaikeyi, intoxicated with her good fortune, might harm the king for the sake of the kingdom. What can our aged father do now, having fallen under Kaikeyi's influence, separated from me, and feeling forlorn?"
Rama paused, considering the situation deeply before concluding, "This calamity shows that passion seems to be stronger than wealth and righteousness. Lakshmana, what man, even an illiterate one, would abandon an obedient son like me for the sake of a woman, as our father has done?"
As the night grew deeper, Rama continued his sorrowful reflection:
"Bharata, Kaikeyi's son, must be content now with his wife. He alone will enjoy the prosperous Kosala country (the kingdom of Ayodhya) like an emperor, ruling over satisfied people. With our father advanced in age and me dwelling in the forest, Bharata will become the sole leader of the entire kingdom."
Rama paused, his brow furrowed in contemplation, before adding:
"One who abandons dharma (righteousness) and artha (prosperity) to pursue kama (pleasure) will soon meet the same fate as King Dasharatha. I believe Kaikeyi has orchestrated this situation to bring about three outcomes:
Dasharatha's downfall
My banishment
Bharata's ascension to the throne"
His voice filled with concern, Rama turned to Lakshmana:
"Will Kaikeyi, intoxicated with her newfound power, now torment Kausalya and Sumitra because of me? Lakshmana, you should return to Ayodhya tomorrow morning. Don't let our mother Sumitra suffer sorrow on my account."
Lakshmana, his eyes widening in surprise, quickly responded:
"Rama, how can you suggest such a thing? Neither Sita nor I can survive without you even for a moment, like fish removed from water. Without you, I have no desire to see:
Our father
Shatrughna
Mother Sumitra
Or even heaven itself"
As night deepened, Rama and Lakshmana, both devoted to righteousness, moved to a well-made bed under a nearby banyan tree. Rama listened attentively to Lakshmana's earnest words. Moved by his brother's loyalty, Rama granted Lakshmana permission to stay in the forest for the entire fourteen-year period, observing the prescribed code of conduct for forest life.
In that desolate forest, the two mighty descendants of the Raghu race (the royal lineage of Ayodhya) showed no fear or hesitation. They stood firm, like two lions dwelling on mountain slopes, ready to face the challenges of their forest exile.
This concludes the fifty third chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.