Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 64

Exile for Sita 

Dear All,

We all are aware of the incidents that took place in Ayodhya, leading to Sri Rama asking Sita to leave Ayodhya.

Whereas in all Rama Stories and even in the Rama serials that came, the whole episode has been projected as if Sita is sunk in Agony with Rama asking her to leave Ayodhya, here is how Swami writes on the episode,

He (Rama) went near Sita and spoke to her pleasantly. He had a smile on his face when he told her, "Janaki! You have not asked any boon from me so far, yet, I shall grant you a boon. Go to your holy Home." That very moment, Sita fell at the Feet of Rama and went to Vaikunta (Heaven) in her subtle body. No being anywhere, nothing was aware of this fact. Sita in her gross physical frame only was standing before Rama on Earth. 

Rama asked the Earth-Sita (Maya Sita) "Pray for a boon" and Sita replied, "Lord! I have a desire to spend some happy days in the hermitages of Muni's (ascetics)". Rama said, "Be it so" and told her, "Start on your journey tomorrow morning". She collected and packed many articles of clothing and utensils for the daughters and wives of ascetics of the hermitages. 

Rama woke up early. Servitors and favor-seekers were

singing praises of His virtues and excellences. His lotus-like face bloomed. Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna paid homage to Him prostrating at his feet. But, Rama did not converse with his brothers. He kept silent. His face was flushed with emotion. His body showed signs of tension. Every limb was shivering with excitement. The three brothers were lost in fear and anxiety, not knowing the reason for his grief. They shuddered at the sight of Rama's sadness. They could not fathom the feelings that agitated him. 

At last, Rama found words to express his wish. Between sighs, he said, "Brothers! Don't say, no. Take Sita into the forest, leave her there and return." On hearing this, they were stunned. They were caught in the flames of despair. Their hearts were scorched. They doubted whether Rama was serious or was only joking. Satrughna sobbed aloud; Lakshmana and Bharatha stood motionless, tears streaming from their eyes. They were speechless. Their lips were quivering; their hands were shivering. 

At last, with folded hands, Satrughna prayed thus: "Your words have pierced our hearts. Janaki is Lokamatha, the Mother of all beings. You live in the hearts of all living beings. You are the Embodiment of Sath-Chit-Ananda. For what reason has Sita to be discarded now? She is eternally pure, in thought, word and deed, isn't she? O, Destroyer of the Rakshasa Race! She is now pregnant and, at this time, in this condition, is it right to forsake her alone?" Satrughna could not say more; the sorrow surging within him flowed in tears and loud wails. 

Rama said, "Brothers! Listen! If you disregard my word, breath cannot survive in this body. May it be well with you. Brothers! As I have ordered, take Janaki into the forest this very morning." He continued sitting with his head bent, silent, as if he was sad at the turn of events. 

Bharatha could not restrain his feelings, when he heard the words, so shocking to the ear. He said, "Lord! I am very low in intelligence. Yet, please give heed to my prayer. Our Solar Dynasty has earned fame and renown in the world. Our father Dasaratha, your mother Kausalya and you yourself - Master of the Three Worlds - have won great fame. Your glory is sung by the Vedas and by the thousand-tongued Sesha. Janaki is the repository of all that is beneficent. Her name will destroy all traces of inauspiciousness; it will confer all things beneficent. 

She is the soul of holiness. By her blessings, women can attain the supreme Goal. How can this Janaki live separate from you and exist happily in the forest? Can she live even for a moment apart from you? How can a fish live without water? She is the embodiment of wisdom and the personification of all the virtues. She cannot lead a solitary life." 

Rama listened to his words calmly and then replied thus: "O Bharatha! You have given utterance to words that are consonant with ordinary ideas of morality. But, the Ruler has to foster Dharma and welfare according to the dictates of morality. In carrying out his duty of guarding and guiding his people, he should not cause any crisis or revolution; he has to protect them with great affection." Then, he disclosed the information that the messenger had gathered and communicated to him. He said: "Brothers! Our dynasty has suffered great infamy. Its name has been tarnished. This dynasty had a series of Kings and Emperors each one more famous than the others. Their might and majesty are known all over the world, There is none who won greater renown than they. They were ready to give up their lives, but, they never acted contrary to their plighted word. Our dynasty has no taint attached to it. And, when there was a likelihood of its being tainted, he who hesitated to give up his life was certainly vile. Understand this well." 

At this, the brother cried, "Lord! Janaki surely has no trace of taint. She has come out of the blazing fire. Gods or saints will not impute even in dreams the slightest fault in her. Not knowing this, if anyone calls her a sinner, he will suffer the torture of hell for billions and billions of years." Bharatha could not control his resentment at the very mention of this possibility. At this, Rama became visibly angry and his eyes reddened. Lakshmana noticed it, and unable to withstand it, he hid himself behind Bharatha. 

But, Rama addressed Lakshmana himself directly. "Lakshmana!", he began, "Grasp the implications of what the people are saying; give up the foolish pose of sadness. If you disobey my command and begin arguing with me, you will have to rue it until death. Take Janaki in a chariot and leave her to herself in a deserted place with no human habitation on the bank of the Ganga and then return." 

Love.