Chapter – 48– Ayodhya
Kandam
In this way, four days have
passed, the people assembled were took great pleasure in the company of Rama
and the preceptors. They all had one thought in mind “It is impossible to
return to the Kingdom without Rama and Sita.
Hence, living in the wood with Rama and Sita only could provide the
happiness that excels the crores of happiness in Amaravathi. Whoever prefers to
live without Rama, Sita and Lakshman would never have a good fate. It is the
grace of the Lord we have got the fortune to be with Rama.” They all took bath in Mandhakini thrice a
day, they have visited Rama who is the source of happiness and auspiciousness,
they have visited the Kamadhagiri Parvath and surrounding woods, and the
hermitage of Maharishis, consuming the fruits that have the taste of nectar. They
have already made up their mind living in the woods for fourteen years in the
presence of Rama would provide them an abundance of happiness. They all were
highly devoted at the feet of Raghuvara and thought “it is impossible to get
that happiness in our lives permanently, we are not fortunate enough to have
that blissful life forever.”
Devi Sunayana sends her
female attendants to find the three queens are having leisure hours and found
that it was the right time to make a visit and converse with them. Devi Sunayana and the elderly women of
the palace of Vidheha were received with great respect by the mothers-in-law of
Sita. They were received appropriate seats
and shared extreme love and compassion with each other; it would melt the hardest
of Vajra. They resembled the kindness took the form of the females and stood
like statues of love for Rama and Sita. Devi Sunayana spoke “ Oh! Devi, destiny is indescribable and unique. We could seek crow, pelican, owl,
everywhere but it is difficult to find Swans, which could be seen in Manasaras
only.” Devi Sumithra spoke in extreme grief “It is not the fault of anyone, our
happiness and sorrows are predestined according to our Karma. God only
knows the sharp destiny; he is the one providing the fruits of Karma of Jeeva.
He is responsible to all, he is the one giving life and taking it back, he is
the one responsible for Shrishti – Sthithi and Laya. Oh! Devi, it is meaningless
to grieve over things. The deeds of destiny are indescribable and endless, we
are grieving over the death of the King because of our personal interest on
him.” Devi Sunayana replied “ Oh! Devi, your intelligent words are true, you
are the queen of the Ayodhyapathi who is Punyathma. Even if Rama, Lakshmana, and
Sita are live in woods, there won’t be any harm.” Devi Kausalya spoke “I am
worried about Bharatha only. It is the blessings of the deities, and you, my
sons, and daughters-in-law are pure like the Devanadhi Ganga. Oh! Sakhi, I shall
tell you the truth, it is Bharatha’s love, compassion, kindness, sincerity,
nobleness, virtues, simplicity, love for brothers, devotion, trust, and
goodness cannot be praised even by Devi Sharadha. I always consider Bharatha as
the earthen lamp in the clan of Surya, I have heard it several times from King
Dhasharatha, like the quality of the precious metal can be understood by
rubbing it on the stone, a gem trader knows the qualities of it, the nature of
a person can be well understood during the hours of crisis, a person who is
drenched in sorrows and love cannot speak sensibly.” The queens assembled were
shed tears listening to the words of Devi Kausalya, which are pure and sacred as
waters of Ganga.
Devi Kausalya began to
speak “Oh! Devi, Midhileshi, you have King Janaka who is the ocean of wisdom
with you, therefore whenever you speak to the King, kindly ask him to advice
Lakshmana to return to Ayodhya, and send Bharatha with Rama and Sita to the
forest, if you and the King find it's advisable kindly do the needful. I am
extremely anxious about Bharatha, it is difficult to understand the heart of
Bharatha, I am scared of him, if he stays back without Rama, and he may commit
something unpleasant.” All the queens felt stunned watching the brimming love of
Devi Kausalya for Bharatha, they did not utter a word due to the sudden rush of
emotions, and deities showered flowers praising the nobility of Devi Kausalya.
The Siddhas, Yogis, and Sages sunk in a deep state of bliss, all those women in
the hermitage became speechless, Devi Sumithra spoke: “Devi, the one Yama/period
or portion, in the night is already over.” Devi Kausalya stood before the women
assembled and with folded hands began to speak pleasantly “Kindly return back
to your residing place; we are taking refugee at the feet of Supreme Lord and
most promising Midhilapathi.” Devi Sunayana listening to the most pleasing
words of Kausalya, prostrated before her and touched her feet, and spoke “Oh!
Devi, you are the wife of valorous King Dhasharatha and virtuous son Rama, your
simplicity is beyond words. It is the nature of noble souls, they show great
respect to their servant too, like the flame carries fumes on its head, the
mountain gives space for the grass to grow on its peak. Kin Janaka is your
sincere servant by heart, words, and deeds. Lord Maheshwara and Goddess Bhavani
are your favorite deities, therefore who is qualified to help you in this world?
A simple earthen lamp cannot help Lord Surya. Oh! Devi, Ram will finish
fourteen years of Vanavasa, and fulfill all the desires of the deities, and
return to Ayodhya and rule his kingdom. Rama will rule the Kindom of Ayodhya,
and the Naga, Deva, and Humans will live a protected and happy life under his
regime. These are already prophesied by Maharishi Yajjavalkhya, Oh! Devi, the
prediction of a Sage won’t go waste.”
Devi Sunaya fallen at the
feet of Devi Kausalya and asked her permission to take Devi Sita with her,
thus, Devi Sunayana took her daughter to the place of her stay. King Janaka
received permission from Sage Vashishta and left the hermitage of Rama. Devi
Sita met all her people, watching her in saffron robes, all of them became
gloomy. King Janaka embraced her daughter who is the abode of love, happiness, and peace. Devi Sita could not control her emotions watching the brimming love
of her parents; soon Bhoomiputhri regained her courage and remembered her
Dharma, duties, and responsibilities. King Janaka spoke affectionately
“Oh! Putri, you have purified the two clans, your fame excelled the Devanadhi
Ganga, which spread Koti Bhramanda. Devi Ganga attained fame in three places on
the Earth, in Haridwar, Prayaga, and Gangasagar, but your fame has spread all
over the hearts of saintly men and ascetics.” King Janaka who was soaked in
extreme love for his daughter highly praised her; she became too shy listening
to him. They embraced her, blessed her, and advised her. Devi Sita felt it is
not advisable to stay that night with her parents, Devi Sunayana conveyed her
message to King Janaka. They praised Devi Sita, embraced her, and bade farewell
to her. Devi Sunayana took this opportunity to explain about Bharatha’s
pitiable state and Devi Kausalya’s anxiousness about him.
No comments:
Post a Comment