||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 14– Ayodhya Kandam

Devi Sumithra's advice to Lakshman

Lakshman became frantic and pale listening to the advice of Rama. He could not speak, he was completely shaken, fallen at the feet of Rama, and spoke “Oh! Natha, I am your servant and you are my Lord, if you abandon me where will I go? Oh! Swami, you have given me the most auspicious advice, but I am weak to follow your advice. People who are Varishta, Dheera, and righteous are qualified to learn and follow the advice from Veda and scriptures and Neethishasthra. I am a child always been under the protection and love of you. How did a swan carry Mandhara Mountain and Meru? I do not know a preceptor, father, or mother. Oh! Swamin, kindly, believes me, I am telling you the truth, you are my sole relative prescribed in the Veda, Oh! Dheenabandho, Oh! Sarvantharyami, people who yearn for fame, fortune, and welfare have to follow Dharma and principles. Oh! Kripasindho, I have surrendered at your feet with my words, actions, and thoughts, how could you abandon me?”

The compassionate Lord Rama understood Lakshmana is restless and terrified, after listening to soft tone; Rama embraced him affectionately and comforted. Rama advised him to seek permission from Devi Sumithra and get ready to leave for the forest. Lakshmana became happy and relieved from anxiousness. He happily returned to his mother’s chamber, like a blind attained eyesight. He met Devi Sumithra and fallen at her feet, he explained all that conversation took place with Rama.  Devi Sumithra terrified after listening to Lakshmana like a female deer witnessed the forest fire. It put Lakshman in extreme anxiousness and doubtful whether he would obtain permission from Mother out of love for her son.

Devi Sumithra shed tears thought of loveliness and virtues of Rama and Sita and the love of King Dhasharatha towards his four children, and the wickedness of Kaikeyi.  Devi Sumithra could not control her grief, she bet her head hard, and soon regained her courage, spoke in a soft tone “Oh! Dear son, Vaidhehi is your mother, Rama is your father, and they have an abundance of love for you. The place where Rama lives consider Ayodhya for you, the sunlight causes day. If Rama and Sita have decided to leave the city of Ayodhya, then you have no work left in the city of Ayodhya. One should serve the preceptor, parents, siblings, and deities sincerely, and consider them as your life and serve. But Rama is more than dear to your life; he is our Prana and a self-less companion of all.  And whoever promising to Rama are venerable too. Oh! My dear child, follow Rama to the forest and attain the fruitfulness of your life. Oh! Child, I promise you that you have sincere love and respect at the lotus feet of Rama that would be our good fortune.”

Devi Sumithra continues “Oh! Son, a woman whose son has an intense love for Rama would be considered her life fruitful as gave birth to male child, otherwise, she would be treated as a childless woman. The woman who gave birth to a son, who has no devotion or love for Rama, is apt to call her childless and unfortunate, and her pain of labor to give birth of the child is futile. You are fortunate to follow Rama in the forest. Oh! Child, The highest of the piousness is devotion at the lotus feet of Rama and Sita while serving them do not give place for Raga, Dhvesha, jealous, Madha, Moha, in your heart, not even in your dreams. Oh! Dear son, leave all your emotions, and sincerely serve them with your mind, action, and words, you will live happily with them in the forest. You have Rama and Sita as parents in the woods, Oh! Dear son, you have to make sure Rama is not having any difficulties in the forest, this is all I can advise you. Oh! Dear child,  Rama, and Sita should feel protective and comfortable in your service, they should forget their pain of separation from the parents, and should forget all those royal comforts, you should work for that.” In this way, Devi Sumithra gave permission to Lakshman and bade farewell to her dear son with loads of advice to serve the Lord of Tulsidas. She blessed her son “Let your devotion and faith upon the lotus feet of Rama and Sita remain everlasting, pure and fresh always.” Lakshmana prostrated at the lotus feet of Devi Sumithra and left the chamber.