In Exile

In Exile

Rama had no attachment to the glory or happiness that can be obtained in this world.

 Meditating on the spirit world and the Supreme Personality of God, he first went to his mother and gave her the terrible news. Heartbroken with grief, Kausalya hugged him and wished him all the luck. Then Rama went to his brother Laksmana and broke the news. Laksmana couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“You in exile? I can not believe it!”

Rama told him the details; he told him about Kaikeyi and Manthara and the plot he had been a victim of. Laksmana felt her heart explode with anger.

“How can you accept such an injustice? React! Send our father Dasaratha into exile, as he has proved too weak to be dominated by Kaikeyi. And let him go with her in exile. If you don’t feel like it, just nod and I, with my sword, will force them to leave immediately.”

Rama was bothered by his brother’s harsh words.

“Laksmana! How can you speak of our father in these terms? And also of Kaikeyi! Don’t talk about them like that! Dasaratha is not attached to the throne or anything else. Do you forget that he was going to crown me and go to the forest? Even if they are committing an injustice, we must always love and respect them. Our father is bound by his kshatriya ethic and Kaikeyi definitely acts under the Supreme Lord’s will. So, have faith and don’t grieve.”

But Laksmana was inconsolable and panted, like someone who can’t control his anger. He insisted a lot on accompanying him to the forest and eventually, Rama had to accept.

Then he went to Sita and told her about the dramatic event too.

“I will leave today. I am going to the forest, and you will not be able to accompany me. Laksmana will come with me and help me. “

In a faint voice, Sita said:

“You are my husband and I have promised to stay with you and serve you under all circumstances. I can’t live without you even for a day: How could I go fourteen years without seeing you? Do you want me to care about the joys of royal life if you’re not here to enjoy them with me? Don’t hesitate, I will go with you. And if you don’t want me, I will follow you closely and whenever you need me, I will run to you.”

 Rama tried to make Sita desist from her decision, but it was not possible. Finally, he agreed.

After greeting relatives and friends, the three took off their silks and royal jewels, dressed in the simple clothes of the hermits, and left the palace. Destination: the forest.

The terrible news of Rama’s exile had already spread throughout the city, and when he came out of his palace he found himself in front of a huge crowd. The citizens had gathered at the gates of the city to see him leave and to express their pain. As soon as they saw Rama and Laksmana dressed as hermits and the sweet Sita who followed them faithfully, they all began to complain, saddened by that pitiful and unjust sight. There was a loud buzz which, when the three passed through the crowd, became an uproar.

“Rama, we don’t know why this cruel king Dasaratha wanted to banish you to the forest,” many shouted, “but we can perhaps guess. We are sure it was the fault of Queen Kaikeyi, who is too attached to Bharata. And we also know that the king is too attached to her. But we don’t want to live in a kingdom ruled by a king who is too dominated by his wives, because this is not good for our inner evolution. Let us go with you to the forest. If we all come with you, the forest would be transformed into a kingdom, and what is now a kingdom would become a forest. We want Dasaratha to go into exile and for you to reign with justice over us all.”

Rama observed that genuine show of affection and smiled gratefully, but he was concerned that peace would continue to reign even after his departure. So, he spoke so that everyone could hear him.

“You must not think ill of your king, of my father, who is only the instrument of a mysterious divine plan. Nor about my stepmother Kaikeyi who caused all this. We are all in the hands of a supreme and kind Lord who controls everything. Only time will make us understand why all this is happening. Go back to your homes. Don’t follow me. Let me release my father from the promise he made to Kaikeyi. After the period of exile, I will return and will be your king.”

Eventually, the citizens of Ayodhya, with hearts saddened by the injustice perpetrated, returned to their homes. Rama, Laksmana and Sita entered the forest.

 

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