17. TWO PROMISES REVIVED (Part - 8)

"I know no father and no mother, other than you," said

Lakshmana, still unsoftened. "You are everything to me. And

there is no meaning in my existence, and in the possession

of my limbs and sense intact, unless I establish you on the

throne as your right, irrespective of what a female serpent

has tried to do. My blood boils and will not calm down—you

will now see what my bow can do… ."

At this Rama held his hand back. He said, "I am firmly

convinced that our mother Kaikeyi is the one who deserves

to inherit this kingdom, having saved our father's life and

being assured of his gratitude; it is Bharatha's privilege—

being the one chosen by Kaikeyi; and my privilege is

renunciation and the association of enlightened hermits of

the forests. Do you want to let your anger rage until you havevanquished an innocent brother who has no part in this, a

mother who has nursed us, and a father who was the

greatest ruler on earth? Is that victory worth all this? Is this

anger, which seeks to destroy all firm relationships, worth

nurturing? Control yourself, and take your hand off your bow."

Lakshmana relaxed, muttering, "What's all this strength of

my arm worth! Mere burden, if it cannot be employed to

destroy evil when I see it; and my anger itself has now

proved futile."

Rama went up with Lakshmana to bid farewell to his

stepmother Sumithra. As had happened with the others,

Sumithra also bewailed Rama's exile and tried to stop him.

Once again, untiringly, Rama expressed his determination to

go and his joy at being able to fulfill his father's terms. While

they were talking, a servant maid sent by Kaikeyi came

bearing in her arms garments made of tree barks, a

reminder for Rama to change quickly and depart.

Lakshmana ordered another set for himself, shed the finery

he was wearing, and changed into coarse bark. Presently

Rama, dressed like an ascetic or penitent, was ready to

leave. At the sight of his departure, the women wept. Rama

made one last attempt to leave Lakshmana behind but

Lakshmana followed him stubbornly. He then went into Sita's

chamber and found her already dressed in the rough tree

fibre—her finery and jewels discarded and laid aside,although she had decorated and dressed herself as befitting

a queen a little while ago. Rama, though he had been of so

firm a mind for himself, felt disturbed at the sight of her—the

change being so sudden. He said, "It was never my father's

intention to send you along with me. This is not the life for

you. I have only come to take your leave, not to take you with

me… ."

"I'm dressed and ready, as you see… ."

"If it is your wish to discard fine clothes because I wear

none, you may do so, though it's not necessary."

"I'm coming with you; my place is at your side wherever

you may be… ."

Rama saw the determination in her eyes and made one

last plea. "You have your duties to perform here, my father

and mother being here. I'll be with you again."

"After fourteen years! What would be the meaning of my

existence? I could as well be dead. It will be living death for

me without you. I am alive only when I am with you; a forest or

a marble palace is all the same to me."

When he realized that she could not be deflected from her

purpose, Rama said, "If it is your wish, so let it be. May the

gods protect you."

A large crowd had gathered outside the palace when Rama,

Lakshmana, and Sita emerged in their austere garb, asdecreed by Kaikeyi. Many wept at the sight of them, and

cursed Kaikeyi again and again among themselves. A

silence ensued as Vasishtha arrived with every sign of

urgency. The crowd watched expectantly, a spurt of hope

welling up in their hearts of a last-minute development which

could transform the scene magically. For the first time

people saw the sage Vasishtha looking forlorn and tired.

Stepping up before Rama, he said, "Do not go. The King

desires you to stay and come back to the palace."

"It is his desire I should be away… ."

"Not his. He never said it, it is your stepmother's order.

She has …"

Rama did not want him to continue his comment on

Kaikeyi and interrupted. "Forgive me. It is my duty to obey

her also, since she derives her authority from my father, and

he has given her his word. How can it be different now?"

"Your father is deeply grieving that you are leaving him. He

may not survive the separation, in his present state… ."

Rama said, "You are our teacher in all matters. Please

comfort my father, see that he realizes the nature of our

present situation—of my duty as his son in keeping his word.

A word given is like an arrow, it goes forward. You cannot

recall it midway… ." He made a deep bow to indicate that he

had nothing more to say. Vasishtha turned back without a

word, and withdrew, unwilling to be seen with tears in his

eyes.

When Rama took a step, the whole crowd stepped

forward, and it stopped when he stopped. No one spoke.

Considering the vastness of the crowd, the silence was

overwhelming. There were tears in several eyes. Rama told

someone nearest to him, "Now, I'll take leave of you all," and

brought his palms together in a salutation. They returned the

salutation, but moved when he moved, showing not the least

sign of staying back. They surrounded Rama, Sita, and

Lakshmana. The crowd was suffocating. After they had

proceeded along for some distance, the crowd made way

for a chariot which pulled up. Sumanthra got out of it and

said, "Get into the chariot. Sita Devi may not be able to walk

through this crowd… ."

Rama smiled to himself. "She has undertaken to keep me

company and may have to go a long way on foot yet."

"Still, when a chariot is available, please come. At least

you can leave the crowd behind and get ahead… ."

Rama helped Sita up into the chariot. The horses started

to gallop, but not too far—to no purpose actually, as the

crowd made it difficult for the vehicle to proceed except at a

walking pace. Rama said, "Let us go slowly; no harm."

Lakshmana added, "Our stepmother has at least refrained

from specifying how fast you should get away!"