||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 10 – Ayodhya Kandam

The pitiable state of the people of Ayodhya

Rama speaks “Oh! Father, kindly listen to me, children who consider parents as dear as their lives would attain four Purusharththa/Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, the father who gets highly pleased with the virtuous and righteous deeds of his son would be considered his life fruitful, Oh! Father, kindly, give me permission to follow your command and return home, in this way I can make my life fruitful. I shall go to the chamber of my mother and get her permission as well, further I shall prostrate before her feet and return to woods.” Rama left the chamber of King Dhasharatha who was already shattered in utter grief; he could not speak a word. The news of Rama leaving to woods spread across the city in a short time like the poison of the scorpion spread in the body. The people of Ayodhya shrunk in deep grief like the massive wood fire caused the destruction of the forest. The people hit their head hard and wept bitterly listening to the news, their tongue dried, eyes welled up in tears, it caused unbearable pain, and it was like the army of grief settled in Ayodhya.

The people of Ayodhya cursed Devi Kaikeyi, saying that she has spoiled the happiness of the people, and they spoke utter disdain “Every preparation for the coronation has been completed, but God has some other plans for us, how did this wicked woman Kaikeyi could destroy the marvelous fortress in the fire? She is trying to pluck her own eyes with her hands, she discarded nectar and wanted to consume toxic poison.  The deceitful woman Kaikeyi is an unfortunate one, treacherous set fire in the forest of cane-like Ayodhya and the clan of Raghu. She is cutting the branch on which she is settled, while the city was preparing for happiness, she has made the fortress of grief. Rama was dear as life to her, How could she behave disloyally to him? It is impossible to understand the heart of the woman and its depth; it’s like the vast ocean. The poets describe the heart of a woman is immeasurable and highly confidential, even the shadow of a person can get hold, but not the mind of a woman. The fire has the nature to burn everything it gets closer like the ocean has nature to swallow everything, it is meaningless to call a woman weak, she has massive strength and nothing is impossible for her. There is nothing left in this world that undergoes constant transformation and ruin. We have planned something and God has brought something different altogether.” Some people said “It was an unfair act of King Dhasharatha, he was not thoughtful while giving boons to wicked Kaikeyi. He has brought ruin to himself with his own knowledge. He had lost intellect and virtues in the hands of a woman.” The righteous people considered them as the height of the virtuous act of King Dhashartha, and they did not find fault in the King. They were comparing the generous act of the King with the legends of King Shibhi, Dhadheechi, Harishchandra, etc. Some people assumed that Bharatha influenced his mother for this sudden change. Some people did not express their opinion at all, they listened to everything. Some people closed their ears and bit their tongue and said “It is untruthful, whoever suspects Bharatha and talk ill about him would meet the destruction of their clans. Bharatha is dear as life to Rama. Chandra may shed fire as showers instead of cool rays, nectar may change into poison, but Bharatha never do any harm to Rama, not even in his dreams.”

Some people cried the Vidhatha showed the nectar and served the poison. In this way the entire city of Ayodhya was sunk in deep grief and confusion, eventually, people lost their enthusiasm. The women of twice-born, elderly women in the royal families, and dearest companions of Devi Kaikeyi advised her, they praised her good-nature, and shot sharp arrow-like words “Oh! Devi, everyone knows that Bharatha is not dear as Rama to you and you have a great affection towards Rama, then why did you ask Rama to go to the forest? What he did to you? You have not expressed any hatred or jealousy towards Devi Kausalya and Devi Sumithra in all your life, your good nature and faith are known to the world. What did Devi Kausalya do to you? Why did you express lightning-like anger upon Ayodhya? How did Devi Sita tolerate it? How did Sita live without Rama? Will Lakshmana stay home without Rama? Will Bharatha agrees for this coronation ceremony? Will King Dhashartha live without Rama? Kindly give a thought of all these, and leave your anger. Kindly do not make yourself as the storehouse of ill fame and grief. You can crown Bharatha as King of Ayodhya, but do not send Rama to the forest, he has no interest in the throne of Ayodhya, he is a righteous one, and has no interest in worldly matters. Let Rama leave the palace and live with the preceptor. Oh! Kaikeyi, ask this as the second boon to King. If you do not follow our words it will not bring any good to you. If you have played the entire scenario as a joke, let everyone knows it. Rama who is virtuous is not deserved to live in the forest. The world will not let you free without condemning your sin, therefore find a solution for this issue and remove the taint and grief that you have brought to the Kingdom. Oh! Bhamini, leave your sorrows and anger, protect your clan from ill fame and destruction. Do not let Rama go to woods; you need not give any clarifications of your decisions. Oh! Bhamini, just think of the day without Surya, a body without life, a night without Chandra, just think of the City of Ayodhya without the presence of Lord of Tulsidas. ” The advice given by the elderly members in the family and her companions were meaningful and compassionate. Devi Kaikeyi who was already damaged by Kubri/hunch-back was not willing to listen to any of this advice, she did not utter a word, she turned her angry face from them. She looked at the female folks like a hungry tigress, they understood Kaikeyi is not going to change her mind, spoke to each other “Kaikeyi is dull-minded and unfortunate as well, her fate has changed against her royal comforts and luxuries, and she has committed a grave sin.” They could not control their anger and disappointments, showered abuses over Kaikeyi and they understood it is impossible for them to survive without Rama.  The people of Ayodhya could not bear the separation from Rama; they have become anxious like the water animals get worried in the absence of water.