||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 31– Ayodhya Kandam

Bharatha’s marvelous speech in the assembly of Ministers

Bharatha listened to the most promising words of the preceptor were like the highly fragrant sandalwood paste, and it was highly appreciated by the ministers, he also listened to the nectar-like passionate words of Devi Kausalya was out of extreme love and innocence.   Bharatha  could not bear the pain listening to her most pleasing words shed tears of separation from his brothers, while everyone was watching, Bharatha could not control his emotions, wept bitterly, the ministers assembled were forgot themselves, and praised Bharatha’s pure love for Rama and Lakshman.

Bharatha who is valorous, stood from his seat with folded hands began to speak nectar-like answers to the ministers, preceptors, ascetics, sages, and families, “My preceptor has given me most appropriate advice to me, and it was highly appreciated by the Prajas and ministers. My mother Devi Kausalya also advised whatever seemed to be right to her, I would like to follow them sincerely, I accept all those recommendations of my preceptor, parents, prominent members, and companions, with all my hearts, if I take time to think whether I am capable of it or not, it would take a long time, it would keep me away from my responsibilities, it could bring sins to me. Your advice is highly promising if I follow them sincerely, I would attain all the auspiciousness, even though I thoroughly understands them, I am not satisfied and my heart is not willing to do it. Kindly listen to my pleas, after that advice me; kindly forgive my act of putting forward my opinion before the assembly, preceptors, ascetics, and prominent people who do not take it as a serious mistake of the distressed.”

Bharatha speaks “My father is in the abode of Lord Indra, my elder brother Rama, Lakshmana and Devi Sita in the wood, and you are advising me to undertake the regime of the Kingdom, would it make any good to me? Will it make any do good to you? My benefit is in the service of lotus feet of Rama, I have lost that opportunity due to the wickedness of my mother Kaikeyi. I have thoroughly understood that my fruitfulness is not in the regime of Ayodhya, it is in the service to Rama. This Kingdom is the abode of sorrow, in the absence of Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita, like the naked body, adorned in exquisite ornaments and it is like knowledge of Bhramam without the sense of Vairagya, a sick person does not require heavenly pleasures, if there is not devotion at the lotus feet of Hari, there is no use of Japa or Yoga, it would be like an attractive lifeless body. I have no happiness without Rama, therefore kindly permit me to leave to be with Raghuram. My prosperity vest in Rama, and my happiness where Rama lives. Further, if you think that crowning me as the King of Ayodhya would do any good, I would consider it as utter ignorance, and it is completely out of your love for me. I am the son of wicked Kaikeyi who is against Rama, I am shameless son born to her, if you expect any prosperity from my regime, then it is your blind expectation and desire.”

Bharatha continues “Kindly listen to me carefully, whatever I am saying is true to my knowledge. A righteous person can only rule the Kingdom, if you compel me to take up the regime, definitely the Earth will plunge under Rasathala. I am a grave sinner; I have sent my brother Rama and Devi Sita to the forest. The King sends Rama to the forest and took a leave to heaven. I am unfortunate and dull-minded person, listening to all your opinions, I am living in the palace without Rama, and I am alive after listening to those sarcastic comments of the people. My treacherous mind has no devotion to Rama, who is pure and unblemished; still, my mind is yearning for the royal comforts and Kingdom. I have no words to describe the hardness of my heart; it excels the sharpness of Vajra, it is sharper than the bones of Dhadheechi/Vajrayudha of Lord Indra. It is harder than any other weapon used in mining. I have born as the son of Kaikeyi, took great pleasure in this body, I am an unfortunate one. I am separated from my beloved brothers, still, my Prana lingering on me, I have to hear and see many more unpleasant things. Kaikeyi sent Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita, to the forest, she sends off her beloved husband to the abode of Lord Indra, she brought herself the status of a widow, she provided intense grief and miseries to the people of Ayodhya, she had given me wealth, richness, fame and the Kingdom, she had completed everyone’s wishes, I cannot expect anything more than that from my mother Kaikeyi. Moreover, you all wanted to crown me as the King of Ayodhya, I do not deserve anything good in my life as I have born to Kaikeyi, God has helped me enough, why do you want to shower more help on me, it is like an insane person, got scorpion bite, on top of that he is forced to consume the intoxicating drink, what kind of treatment is that? God has given all that for I have born as son of Kaikeyi, unfortunately, he has given the glories of a son of illustrious King Dhasharatha and brother of Rama as well. The command of the King is most promising, you are compelling me to take up the regime, kindly answer my questions. I and my mother don’t deserve any goodness; tell me who is distant to Rama in this whole Universe? Who is in the Universe does not love Rama and Sita as dear as their lives? I feel I do not deserve any Kingdom or appreciation from no one, you are advising me out of love and kindness. My mother Devi Kausalya is pure and unblemished, she has a special attachment towards me, she is extremely anxious watching my difficult situation. My preceptor Sage Vashishta is the ocean of wisdom, he is eminent and the whole Universe is like an Amla/gooseberry on his palm. God is not promising to me, but everyone showering kindness upon me. Only Rama and Sita could say that I am not a part of my mother Kaikeyi’s plotting against him. I have to bear all these, like the source of water is the place of dirt as well. I do not worry if the whole worlds blame me for this, I am not worried about the afterlife, and I have all that worries me a lot about my brother Rama and Sita undergoing troubles in the forest because of me. Lakshman attained the fruitfulness of his life; he abandoned everything and took shelter at the lotus feet of Rama. My birth is unfortunate, sending Raghuvara to the forest, I am mumbling out of grief. I bow before you all and expressing my pathetic state, I have no other way, cannot get relief out of the pain without seeing the lotus feet of Rama. No one could understand the state of my mind and heart other than Rama, I have nothing else in my mind, other than leave to the forest to meet my brother. If I fall at his feet, I would get relieved from all the sins for the troubles that I have caused to him, the Kingdom and my family and the people of Ayodhya, he will definitely forgive my sin. He is the abode of mercy, compassion, kindness, love, and simplicity. Rama did not take revenge not even on his enemies; I am an immature child and servant of him.  It’s my sincere request to all of you to meet Rama in the woods. In this way, I am a servant of Rama can attain the opportunity to persuade him to come back to Ayodhya. I am definite that Rama will not abandon me, even though I do not deserve his mercy, I have born to a wicked mother Kaikeyi.” In this way, Bharatha openly revealed his pain of separation from Rama in the assembly of ministers.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 30– Ayodhya Kandam

Sage Vashishta’s advice to Bharatha and instruction to adorn the throne of Ayodhya

Bharatha performed various rites for his father, which cannot be described even with the thousands of tongue. On an auspicious day, Sage Vashishta called for a meeting of Ministers and prominent people in the society and advised Bharatha and Shathrughna to be present in the meeting. Sage Vashishta made Bharatha seated next to him and explained the Rajyadharma, and Lokaneethi, he explained the unjustifiable deeds of Devi Kaikeyi and praised the King who always followed righteousness and the truth. He talked about the virtues, simplicity, generosity of Rama, white talking his eyes were welled up in tears and transported him in a state of ecstasy. He explained Rama’s love and kindness to Sita and Lakshmana, he could not control his emotions. Munishwara spoke in tears “Oh! Bharatha, listen to me, fate is most powerful, the death and birth, grief and happiness, fame and ill-fame is under the control of the supreme Lord, whom to blame? Who to get angry? Oh! Vathsa, King Dhasharatha is not deserved to grieve. I shall describe whose life on Earth is miserable to you 1) a Bhramin who has no knowledge of Dharma and leaving all the righteous deeds and taking pleasure in the material world is pathetic. 2)  A King who has no knowledge of Rajaneethi, but loves his Praja dearly, is pathetic. 3) A Vaishya who is a miser, no interest in the worship of Lord Shiva, or offering charities is pathetic. 4) A Shudra, who does not respect the Bhramin, talkative, and overproud of his knowledge, work for fame, is pathetic. 5) A woman who is deceitful to her husband, no moral values, engages in conflicts, and works according to her will is pathetic. 6) A Brahmachari who does not follow any austerities, will not follow the advice of a preceptor is pathetic.”

Sage Vashishta continues “Oh! Bharatha,  7) A Grihastha who leaves all those prescribed rites due to excessive interest in worldly matters and sensual pleasure is pathetic.  8)A Sanyasin who is too much interested in worldly matters has no knowledge or sense of renunciation is pathetic.  9) A Yogi who does not undertake strict austerities or Tapasya and engages in sensual pleasure is pathetic.  10) A person who is getting angry without reason is pathetic.  11) A person who is an enemy of his own parents, preceptor, and siblings is pathetic. 12) A merciless person who takes pleasure in troubling others, and takes great pleasure in his own welfare is pathetic. 13) A person who has no devotion to the supreme Lord Hari is the most unfortunate and miserable. Oh! Vathsa, Your father does not fall in any of these categories, therefore he doesn’t deserve miseries, and his eminence is widespread in the fourteen worlds. Oh! Bharatha, the world has not seen an eminent Bhoopathi/King like your father, and will not see in the future. Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara, Indra, Dikpalaka are eulogizing the glories of King Dhasharatha. Oh! Thatha, he has attained four virtuous sons Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shathrughna who are righteous, therefore he deserved to be eulogized by all. He was highly fortunate; therefore do not mourn for your father. Oh! Vathsa, do not get sad, you have to follow the command of the King; therefore you are liable to follow the words of your father, you have to adorn the throne of Kingdom of Ayodhya, you have to sincerely follow the command of your father. He abandoned his dearest son Rama to keep up his promise to your mother. He always protected his words and promises, more than his life. Oh! Dear son, you should follow the words of your father; take up the ruling of the Kingdom with great respect to your father that would provide all the auspiciousness to you. Parashurama sincerely followed the command of his father and severed his mother’s head; the whole world is the witness to this incident. Puru, the son of King Yayathi sacrificed his youthfulness for his father, and gracefully accepted the old age of his father; he did not attain any sin or ill fame by sincerely following the words of his father.”

Sage Vashishta speaks “Oh! Bharatha, you have to sincerely follow the command of your father, and protect the people of Ayodhya and remove your grief. It would bring solace to your father in heaven; you will attain all the auspiciousness and fame, and it will not bring any sin. The Veda and Shashtra recommend the son is entitled to rule the Kingdom at the command of his father. Therefore, you should rule the city of Ayodhya, and it is my sincere advice to you. It would please Rama and Vaidhehi as well. None of the intelligent would criticize it, and Devi Kausalya and Devi Sumithra would get highly pleased with the decision for the welfare of the people of Ayodhya. The people who know about the bonding between you and Rama would definitely appreciate it when Rama returns from the woods; you can give back the Kingdom to him and serve him sincerely.”

The minister with folded hands prayed to Bharatha “ You have to follow the instruction of your preceptor, when Raghupathi return from the woods, you can do whatever you feel appropriate.” Devi Kausalya regained courage and spoke “Oh! Dear son, the advice of your preceptor is most promising and pure, it is for the welfare of you therefore you have to respect it and follow his instructions.  The time is beyond our control; therefore leave all your grief. Raghupathi is in the woods and the King is in the abode of Surapathi. Oh! Son, do not fall prey for grief and emotions. Oh! Son, you are the only solace for your three mothers, Praja, relatives, ministers, and the Kingdom. Oh! Dear son, understand the situation well, regain your courage, and follow the instruction of your preceptor, protect the people of Ayodhya and remove the grief of your family.”

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 29– Ayodhya Kandam

Bharatha’s meeting with Devi Kausalya

Devi Kausalya ran towards Bharatha, to meet her dearest child, but she could to get closer to him, fell unconscious. Bharatha became helpless watching the plight of Devi Kausalya, he fell at the feet of Devi Kausalya and spoke “Oh! Mother, kindly show my father to me, where is Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana? Why did she bring on this Earth? Why did she give birth to me, and put me in extreme shame and destroyed the clan of Surya? There is no one unfortunate like me in the three worlds,  Oh! Mother, I have caused extreme grief for you. Oh! Mother, I have caused the death of my beloved father, and my dearest brothers to the forest, I have become the cause for all the troubles in Ayodhya. I have become the fire in the illustrious clan of Raghu that set fire in a cluster of bamboo forest. I hate myself for being the reason for grief, sorrows, and blemishes.” Devi Kausalya listening to the compassionate words of Bharatha stood from the floor and embraced him.

Devi Kausalya embraced Bharatha and Shathrughna as she does to Rama. Her heart was soaked in affection and grief as well; everyone praised the generosity of Kausalya and Rama. Devi Kausalya spoke in soft words “Oh! Vathsa,  you have to control your emotions, you have to understand the situation and control your grief. Oh! Son, the ‘Time’ and ‘destiny’ is beyond our control, therefore do not mourn over our troubles, God has put me in a difficult situation, we do not know his plans for us. Oh! Thatha, your elder brother Rama left to the forest without any happiness or grief, followed the order of your father, attired in saffron robes, and left behind all those royal comforts. As usual, he was pleasing, he had either ill feeling or happiness, he pacified all of us and left to the forest, Sita who is deeply in love at the lotus feet of Rama could not bear the separation from him, therefore she also followed him. Lakshmana could not control his anger and emotions went behind Rama, even though Rama tried to keep him in the palace, he did not stop. Raghupathi prostrated before everyone and took leave with Sita and Lakshman. I have not followed them to forest or I did not leave my Prana after watching them leaving for woods. Everything happened before my eyes, I am unfortunate one did not leave my Prana. I have no shame in that, that I have a virtuous son Rama. Your father knows how to live and die, but my heart is harder than Vajra, that’s why I am still alive.” Bharatha and Shathrughna became inconsolable, listening to Devi Kausalya, the palace of Ayodhya has become the abode of sorrow.

Bharatha and Shathrughna could not control their grief, Devi Kausalya embraced them and pacified, she advised Bharatha with various inspiring words. Bharatha narrated legends from scriptures and Veda to his mothers and comforted them, spoke sincere and true words to them “Oh! Mother, 1)  all those grave sins like Bhrama Hathya, Gohathya, killing parents, or killing of an entire village of twice-born, or killing of woman or fetus, killing of the companion or poisoning a King, let all those sins by deeds, actions and speech afflict me, If I was a part of the wicked plans of Devi Kaikeyi.  2) Oh! Mother, if I have been part of these treacherous deeds, let me get punished the same as the people who do not worship Lord Shiva and Lord Hari and conduct the worship of the Bhoothaganas. 3) Oh! Mother, If I was a part of this wicked deed, let me get punished like the people who sell and exploit Veda, people who manipulate righteousness, people who back stab, gossip about others sin, people who are deceitful, angry, wicked and cunning, people who disrespect Veda, people who are enemy of Universe, Lobhi, lustful, greedy, take pleasure in illegal means of wealth and enjoy illicitly relationships. 4) Oh! Mother, If  I was known the wicked deed of Kaikeyi, let LordParaeshwara keep me out the association of saints and holy men, let me keep me in the company of people who have no faith in Paramarththa, or ascetics, unfortunate humans who do not sing in praise of Lord Hari, people who do not enjoy the praise of Lord Hari and Lord Shiva, people who live a life away from the Vedic rite and follow all those immoral way of living, and be with the Panganda who fool the public in various ways.”

Devi Kausalya listening to the innocent speech of Bharatha, spoke to him affectionately “Oh! Dear child, you are most beloved of Rama, with your words, actions, and thought. Oh! Vathsa, Rama is dear than your life to you, and for him, you are beloved than his Prana. You cannot be an opponent to Rama, even if the Chandrika spit poison, ice showers fire, aquatic animals may abandon water, wisdom may not remove desire, you cannot be enemy to Rama. Whoever speaks ill about you and propagate that all those wicked deeds happened with the knowledge of you, would never attain the abode of the Lord, cannot be peaceful even in their dreams.” Devi Kausalya embraced Bharatha, with tears overflown down the cheeks. They kept talking to each other the whole night. Maharishi Vamadeva, and Vashishta called out for all the ministers and prominent members in the city. Sage Vashishta advised Bharatha and spoke the most appropriate words “Oh! Vathsa, be courageous, and perform all that required at this moment.” Bharatha began to prepare for the last rite of the King at the instruction of Sage Vashishta.

The corpse of the King was given a bath with various fragrances and kept it in a well-decorated vehicle. Bharatha prostrated at the feet of his mothers and begged them not to move to the funeral pyre, they all had the desire and hope to meet Rama after Vanavasa, so they have refused to embrace the funeral pyre. The attendants brought bundles of sandalwood, Agaru, and woods of rich fragrances, the funeral pyre was prepared on the riverbank of Sarayu, was like the ladder that touches the abode of Lord Indra. They performed the final rites and offered water and sesame seeds to the deceased soul. Bharatha sincerely followed all those Vedic rites prescribed in the scriptures; he sincerely followed all the instructions of Sage Vashishta. Once, the mourning period was over, Bharatha offered an abundance of contributions and performed various righteous deeds.   He offered cows, horses, elephants, and chariots as charities, he offered thrones, magnificent ornaments, finest clothes, grains, lands, wealth, houses, etc. to the Bhramins and attained an abundance of blessings.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 28– Ayodhya Kandam

Bharatha’s meeting with Devi Kaikeyi

The moment Bharatha entered in the city of Ayodhya, he could witness various bad omens before his eyes, crows were cawing in the inauspicious directions, the donkeys were crying out loudly and foxes were barking and yelping, listening to all these inauspicious welcome tore his heart apart. The ponds, rivers, pleasure gardens, mangroves were lost its charm, the entire city had a dreadful look, the animals and creatures such as horses, elephants, were shrunken in the deep grief of separation from Rama. The male and females of the city have had the appearance of lost their wealth and depressed. The people of Ayodhya silently watched Bharatha arriving into the city, they bowed before him but did not utter a single word, and even Bharatha was not in a state to enquire their welfare. The streets, markets of the Ayodhya were looked as if they have witnessed a massive tremor or fire. Devi Kaikeyi was extremely happy to know that her son has arrived in the city of Ayodhya, she prepared Harathi to welcome him and waited at the entry point of the palace, and led him to her fortress.

Bharatha could see all the relatives were extremely distressed, like the lotus flower covered in ice, and Devi Kaikeyi has the appearance of Kiratha who burned down the city of Ayodhya, it heaved him to surprise. Kaikeyi saw Bharatha was extremely disappointed and anxious, she spoke “Hows everyone in my maternal palace? Hope everyone is fine,” Bharatha answered all her queries, he anxiously asked “Oh! Mother, where is my father? Where is my mother Devi Kausalya and Devi Sumithra? Where are my lovely brothers Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita?” Kaikeyi shed tears and began to speak “Oh! Dear son, I have made everything in favor of you, and poor Mandhara was most promising to me, but before concluding everything the way I have desired, God has some other plans for all. Your father is in the abode of Lord Indra.” Bharatha could not bear the shocking news, he fell at the floor and wept bitterly calling for his beloved father “Oh! Father, I did not see before you leave, you did not put me under the supervision of Rama before you leave, Oh! Mother, tell me the reason for my father’s death.” Kaikeyi narrated all that happened in the palace in his absence, and she elaborately described her victorious and cunning acts against the King, etc. Bharatha forgot the pain of the death of his father after listening to Rama left the Kingdom of Ayodhya, he understood everything inauspicious was happened due to him, he kept silent and released a deep sigh of grief.

Kaikeyi became worried watching the unusual silence of Bharatha, she spoke “ Oh! Son, your father does not deserve any grief, he has earned fame, wealth, possessions, and took great pleasure in his life, he has attained all those Saphalya while he was alive, and finally, he returned to the abode of Lord Indra. Therefore leave your worries, and rule the kingdom wisely with the members of the family.” The cruel words of Kaikeyi were like pricking on the fresh wound, it was like pouring burning charcoal on the freshly created wound, he controlled anger and spoke leaving a sigh of distress,  “Oh! Sinner, you have brought complete destruction to the clan of Raghu, you are truly wicked, why you did not kill me immediately after I was born? You have cut down the tree and pouring water on the leaves? You have emptied the pond to save the fish. How did you become my mother? I claim myself as Suryavamshaja, son of the eminent King Dhasharatha, and young brother of Rama and Lakshmana, Oh! Evil minded one, why your heart did not break while you were plotting against them all? How did you ask for the two selfish boons from my father? How did you utter those most heinous words to my father? How did my father trust you? Definitely, God must have stolen his good sense from him before his death; even God cannot measure the collection of deceitfulness, sin, and immoralities of a woman. My father was virtuous, innocent, and righteous, how did he know about the mind of a woman? There is no one on this Earth is unpromising to Raghunatha, how did you treat him as your enemy? Still, I cannot understand what kind of woman are you? Whoever you are, you have put shame on me, you have blemished me, kindly do not come before my eyes, I do not want to see you again, leave from my eyesight. I have born as your son I am a grave sinner, born from the heart that has hatred to Rama, therefore I need not blame you.”

Shathrughna’s body was burning in extreme pain after listening to the wicked deeds of Kaikeyi, at that moment Kubari arrived attired in magnificent clothes and ornaments, it was like ghee poured on the fire to Shathrughna, he rushed to Kubari and gave a hard kick on her hunch-back, she fell down on the floor and withered in extreme pain, her hunch-back broken, severely injured, cried out of pain “Oh! God I have committed a severe sin that’s why I have got the punishment.” Shathrughna took hold of her hair and stretched her out of the palace; the compassionate Bharatha rushed to him and saved Kubari from his hands. They both went to meet mother Kausalya who was attired in dull clothes, her body was fragile and her face withered in extreme grief, like the creeper covered in the ice.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 27– Ayodhya Kandam

The demise of King Dhasharatha of Surya clan

Sumanthra spoke softly “Oh! Maharaja, you are highly intelligent and wise. You are the leader of warriors and Mahadheeras, Oh! Swami, you have sincerely served the saints and ascetics. Oh! Rajan, birth and death, sorrows and happiness, gain and loss, union and separation from the beloved people are like day and night, the time and Dharma is beyond control. The dull-minded cries during the hours of sorrows, and becomes happy during promising hours, but a wise one never reacts to any of these situations. Therefore, you should react with courage and intelligence, leave all your worries, you are most promising to all. Rama, Lakshman, and Sita halted on the riverbank of Thamasa, and later they took rest on the riverbank of Ganga, they took a dip and spend some time. The Nishadha King Guha served them sincerely, and they spend that night in the village Shrungabheripura. On the next day, Rama brought the milk from the Vatavruksha and transformed their hair as matted and tied up on the pinnacle of the head.  Guha brought one ferry to cross the river Ganga,  and Vaidhehi and Lakshmana settled with the help of Ramachandra on that ferry.”

Sumanthra continues “Oh! Rajan, Raghuveera took great courage and pacified me and spoke “Oh! Thatha, kindly conveys our humble salutations to our father, and kindly inform him not to worry about us, his prayers, blessings, and fortunes will keep us safe in the woods. Oh! Father, I would attain all the auspiciousness with your grace, I will follow your command sincerely and will come back to prostrate at your feet. Kindly keep my mother’s free from grief and distress, we repeatedly prostrate before their feet,  kindly do all that to keep Ayodhyapathi free from afflictions. Kindly convey our humble salutations at the lotus feet of our preceptor, and requests him to keep Ayodhyapathi free from the grief of separation from us. Kindly inform the people of Ayodhya and my respect and love for them, and advise them to work for the welfare of the Kingdom and the King, they will remain my beloved companions always. Kindly inform Bharatha, and advise him not to leave justice or truthfulness, and take care of the subjects of Ayodhya with righteous deeds, mind, and words, advise him to take care of three mothers without any differentiation, advise him to treat the relationships with the family members and perform all the duties and responsibilities sincerely. Ask Bharatha to keep Ayodhyapathi free from grief and distress of separation from us.” Oh! Maharaja, in between Lakshmana poured words out of extreme rage was put a halt by Rama, and requested me not to inform you. Devi Sita approached me to convey her humble salutations, but she could not complete her words due to the sudden rush of emotions.”

Sumanthra speaks “Oh! Maharaj, How could I describe my grief? While I was watching Raghukulathilaka called for the ferryman and left the place, I was watching them with heavy heartedly, how did I come back without Rama? Why my Prana did not leave me?” Sumanthra could not speak further, his voice cracked, tears overflown down the cheeks. King Dhasharatha could not control his grief fallen on the floor, quivered like a fish out of the water in extreme pain. The queens shrieked in pain, how did I explain their grief? The people of the city of Ayodhya got frightened listening to the loud shriek from the palace, which has created huge chaos, it was like powerful lightning hit on the nest of the birds. King Dhasharatha struggled hard to breathe, he withered in pain like the serpent lost its gem, and eventually, his sense organs stopped functioning, like the cluster of lotus flowers in the dried pond. Devi Kausalya understood that the sun of the Surya clan is going to set. Devi Kausalya regained her courage and spoke wisely “Oh! Natha, kindly regain your strength, consider the pain of separation from Rama is an ocean, the city of Ayodhya is a strong ferry, we and the people of Ayodhya are the travelers in it, you are the controller of this huge ferry, you should act wisely then only we all could reach the other side of the shore, otherwise we all will sink in the ocean of pain of separation from Rama. Oh! Natha, if you regain the lost courage, we all could make it and definitely receive our children after the Vanavasa. Once again we can reunite with Rama, Lakshman, and Sita.” King Dhasharatha looked at his dearest queen Devi Kausalya, he stared at her, like the fish that was out of the pond got sprinkle of water. He regained consciousness and spoke to Sumanthra “Oh! Sakha, kindly tell me where is Rama? Where is my Lakshmana? And where is my dearest daughter-in-law?” he wept like a child, that night has become a Yuga for all, he remembered the curse of a blind ascetic from the forest, he narrated all those incident to Devi Kausalya and grieved over it.

King Dhasharatha spoke “Oh! Devi, living without Rama is meaningless, what I do with this body which cannot fulfill its promises? Oh! Raghunandhana, you are dear as my life, I had lived a long hour in your absence, Oh! Rama, Oh! Lakshmana, Oh! Janaki. Oh! Raghuvara you have given immense pleasure like the dark rain clouds to the heart of Chathaka bird.” King Dhasharatha continued calling out for Rama several times, finally left his mortal coil, and attained the abode of deities.

Thus King Dhasharatha attained the fruitful results of his birth and death, his fame was widespread across the Universe. As long as he was alive, he has the opportunity to witness the lustrous moon-like face of Ramachandra, the pain of separation from Rama caused to death, in this way he achieved the fame. The queens wept bitterly, remembering the courage, valor, humility, virtues, of the King, they could not control their grief. The female and male attendants of the palace sunk in deep grief, all those houses in the city of Ayodhya grieved over the death of King Dhasharatha, “The King who is the essence of righteousness, flawlessness, virtue, and the most attractive King who is the Sun in the clan of Surya set.” Everyone blamed Kaikeyi as she was stolen the eyes of the Universe, in this way they spend the whole night remembering the eminent King.  The daylight has arrived, the illustrious Rishis and ascetics and twice-born rushed to the palace. Sage Vashishta described the most appropriate legends from the scriptures suits to the situation to the Queens and relatives, thus he imparted the knowledge of Athman and relieved them from the sorrow. Sage Vashishta kept the corpse of the King in a well-decorated ferry filled with various rich fragrances.  He instructed the messengers to inform Bharatha and Shathrughna and bring them immediately from their grandfather’s Kingdom and gave strict orders not to spread the news of the death of the King to anyone.

The messengers mounted on the fastest horse that excels the speed of the wind and proceeded to inform Bharatha who was already witnessing bad omens from the day the troubles have started in Ayodhya. The nights were sleepless with the nightmares, and the days were horrible with the bad omens, he worshiped the twice-born and offered sumptuous meals and contributions, he performed various austerities and worship of Lord Shiva and ablations for the Lord. He sincerely prayed to Lord Mahadeva for the welfare of his parents, family, and the Kingdom. Bharatha spends days of extreme anxiety, at that moment the emissaries from Ayodhya approached him. He prayed Lord Ganesha and began journey thinking about the instruction of the preceptor. The horses covered several miles of the dense forests, rivers, and mountains with the speed of the wind. He was extremely worried, could not bring a smile on his face, every second seemed Yuga for him, eagerly desired to fly home, thus Bharatha entered the city of Ayodhya.

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 26– Ayodhya Kandam

Sumanthra returns to the Kingdom of Ayodhya

Guha’s pain of separation from Rama was indescribable, he sends off Sumanthra with his attendants. The caretakers of horses cried out of grief and Sumanthra spoke “Its miserable to live without Raghuveera, my body cannot withstand the pain of separation from him. It is sad that I did not leave Prana the moment I left Rama in the woods; therefore I am unfortunate and sinful. Why my Prana did not leave my body? I have lost a great fortune in my life, why did my heart is not splitting apart?” Sumanthra could not control his grief; he was beating his head and anxious, like the wealthiest man became pauper in seconds, he felt his Prana behaved like a warrior flee from the battlefield. Sumanthra besieged with intense sorrow, like an eminent Bhramin born in an illustrious clan, profound in Veda and Shastras, fallen as prey for the addiction of intoxicating drink. He suffered the grief of separation like a chaste woman who is intelligent, born in the illustrious clan, sincerely serves her husband with words, actions, and thoughts, separated from her husband due to fate. His eyes overflown with tears, and lost its sight, he has become deaf and his mind was extremely anxious, his lips were dried and the tongue lost the ability to speak, but the Prana remains in his body like the Awadhi shut the door for Prana. He was too emotional, felt like committed murder of his own parents, his grief was like a Jeeva/sinner traveling to Yamapuri, he regretted “what I do in Ayodhya? People will not look at me if I return without Rama in the chariot. How did I answer to the queries of people of Ayodhya? How did I share the painful information which is sharp as Vajra to the people of Ayodhya? Oh! Bhagavan, how did I answer to those elderly and distressed mothers ask about Rama? What did I do when Devi Sumithra ask about the auspicious news about her son? Devi Kausalya who always walks around Rama like the cow newly given birth to a calf, how did I inform her that Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana have gone to woods. I have to share the most unpleasant news to everyone who questions me; this is what I get in Ayodhya. How did I answer to King Dhasharatha who is miserable, and his Prana vested in Rama, ask for the children? How did I answer him that I have left them safely in the forest? It is definite that when I pass the message of Rama, he will definitely lose all his hopes. I have understood one thing, even after getting separated from Rama; my Prana is still lingering on this body to undergo hellish tortures.” In this way, Sumanthra incoherently spoke to himself, eventually, they have reached on the banks of river Thamasa.   Sumanthra courteously informed the charioteers and sends the Nishadha’s back to their village, they fell at the feet of Sumanthra and sadly took a leave.

Sumanthra did not enter the city of Ayodhya in the daylight, as if he has committed the grave sin of killing parents, Gohathya or Bhramahathya. The day was spent under the shade of a tree, when it was dark he continued journey to the city, thus he entered the palace and stopped the chariot at the entry point, and went inside the palace. Soon people assembled to meet Sumanthra and found his chariot at the gate of the palace, found the horses are restless and tired of long hours of journey, it intensified the anxiety of the people of Ayodhya. The people in the palace were nervous, he felt the people moving all over the palace like ghosts. The queens approached him with several questions, but he was not in a position to answer them, words were not coming out of his mouth, his sight has lost, and asked everyone “Where is the King?” Devi Kausalya and Devi Sumithra were frightened watching the pathetic condition of Sumanthra so they accompanied him to the fortress of Devi Kaikeyi where King Dhasharatha who was impatiently waiting to see Sumanthra. King saw Sumanthra in a wretched state, Sumanthra looked at the King who has lost all the luster, without royal clothes, or ornaments, or grand furniture or mattress, he was in a miserable state lying on the floor, was like the Sampathi whose wings were burned down by the scorching sunrays. He was constantly uttering “Rama, Rama, Sita, Sita, Lakshmana, Lakshmana”. Sumanthra went closer to the king prostrated before him and said “Long live the King of Ayodhya! Victory to the King of Ayodhya!”. King Dhasharatha abruptly got out of the floor and enquired “Where is Rama?” Sumanthra who was already in a miserable state embraced the King, and seated close to him, King Dhasharatha began to speak “Oh! Dearest Sakha, kindly tell me about Rama, where is Rama, Lakshmana and Vaidhehi? Did you bring them back or left in the forest?” Sumanthra could not resist his tears; the King continued “kindly tell me the news about Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. I have declared him as King of Ayodhya and send him to the forest, he was neither happy nor sad about it, and why my Prana did not leave me after I have got separated from that virtuous son? I must have committed a grave sin, that’s why my Prana is not leaving this body. Oh! Sakha, kindly take me to the forest where Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita live, otherwise, I am telling you the truth, and I will leave my mortal coil. Kindly tell me about my dearest sons, Oh! Sakha kindly finds a way to bring back Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita back to the palace.”

||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 25– Ayodhya Kandam

Life of Rama, Sita, and Lakshman in the woods

The Supreme Lord who symbolizes eternal bliss started living in the beautiful forest of Trikoot, which is the abode of auspiciousness and beauty was beyond description.  The people who have eyes attained the fruitfulness of their lives merely witnessing the compassionate Lord, the non-living things attained piousness by carrying the dust from the feet of Raghuvara. In this way, all those living beings and non-living things achieved the status to be in the Paramapadham. The Supreme Lord Rama and Goddess Sita who abandoned the milky ocean and Ayodhya lived in a spectacular forest which was not describable even for thousand tongued Adishesha.  How could a person who is like the tortoise living in the marshy lands describe that beauty? Lakshman relentlessly served Rama and Sita with mind, words, and action. He fixed gaze at the feet of Rama and Sita and realized their love for him, did not even think of King Dhasharatha or mother Sumithra or the Kingdom of Ayodhya.

Devi Sita took great pleasure living with her dearest husband, she was completely forgotten about her people or Ayodhya or attendants, and she was like baby Chakora that fixed gaze at the lotus-like face of Ramachandra. She lived a blissful life with her husband who has immense love and kindness to her, and the love between the couple grown beyond words; she has taken immense pleasure at the lotus feet of Rama.   The dense wood seemed thousands of Ayodhya to her, she loved the tiny hermitage that was built in the middle of the forest, the deer and birds were her family members. She considered Munishwaras as her father-in-law, and their wives as her mother-in-law, and she selflessly served them. The fruits and fiber roots available from the forest were tasted nectar to her, the grass mattress they slept was warmer than the hundreds of luxurious beds of Manmatha. She is Jagathjanani, Paramba, Bhagavathi who is inseparable from that supreme Lord capable to provide the status of Lokapalaka, how could fall for the material comforts? The devotees of Rama abandon all the comforts and luxuries of life as grass and attain that supreme Lord, she is Jagathjanani and wife of that supreme Lord took the least interest in the worldly matters or comforts.

Raghunatha always speaks or acts most promising to Lakshman and Devi Sita, he narrates glorious legends from scriptures to entertain them. Lakshman and Sita took great interest in listening to those legends.  Rama whenever thinks of Ayodhya, his eyes welled up in tears. Prabhu who is Kripasindhu, thought about his loving parents, families, relatives, brothers, and especially Bharatha, and his love, humility, and devotion brought tears in his eyes. Soon, he regains control over his emotions, Devi Sita and Lakshman notice the grief of Prabhu and they also sink in grief. Immediately, Rama starts describing the legends from the scriptures watching the tears in the eyes of Sita and Lakshman, in this way they have regained their happiness and peace.

Rama and Sita lived in a beautiful hermitage in the Chithrakoota with Lakshman, like Devi Shachi with Lord Indra and her son Jayantha. He took great care of Devi Sita and Lakshman like his eyeballs. Lakshman persistently served Rama and Sita. Thus, Prabhu who is most promising to birds, animals, deities, and ascetics, spends the happiest days in the forest. I have described the life of Rama in the forest, now I shall describe Sumanthra’s return to the city of Ayodhya.

  Nishadharaja/Guha came to know that Sumanthra returning to palace without Rama, Sita and Lakshman, he could not control his grief; he wept bitterly calling out “Ram, Ram, Sita, Sita Lakshman” he fell on the ground and became inconsolable. The horses did not stop neighing and they were extremely anxious like wingless birds, it did not touch water or grass, it shed tears, all those Nishadhas were miserable watching the state of horses of Rama. Nishadharaja/Guha regained his courage and spoke to Sumanthra “Oh! Sumanthra, leave all your grief, you are highly intelligent and knower of Paramarththa, kindly regain your courage.” Nishadharaja described various legends to relieve the grief of Sumanthra and encouraged him to be seated on the chariot to return to the palace. Alas! Sumanthra could not drive the chariot due to extreme grief. The pain of separation from Raghuvara was unbearable for Sumanthra. The horses were not prepared to move on the pathways if anyone utters the name of Rama, Sita and Lakshman, it neighs looking at them affectionately. How did I explain the pain of separation of the horses of Rama? They were miserable like the serpent lost its gem. Nishadha King was extremely distressed watching the wretched state of horses and Sumanthra. He called for his four sincere charioteers and caretakers of the horses and asked them to drive Sumanthra safely back to the way to the palace.