Ramayan Part 15 - Journey To The Forest Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

Dasaratha got up grief stricken,
To fall down speechless once again,
Cursing his stars, he cried aloud,
“Why I’m still alive, not dead? ”

“Your very sight, I do hate,
You, the harbinger of my ill fate,
Touch me not from now on,
You, an embodiment of sin.”

“If Bharata, on the throne, sits,
Let him not do my last rites.
My spirit will accept not,
His offering, reject it but.”

“How can Ram sleep
In the wild forest deep
In the bare wet ground
Amidst disturbing sound? ”

“Long live as a happy widow,
O’er the success you got now, ”
Thus he went on lamenting,
But Kaikeyi kept on ignoring.

With her wounded heart,
Kausalya tried her best,
To relieve him from the pain,
And comfort him, but in vain,

Sumitra said, in her turn,
“Sister, your heart-burn,
Will affect badly everyone,
Also Ayodhya in the long run.”

“Grieve not o’er the event,
What our destiny can’t prevent,
Indeed a blessed woman you’re,
Gifted you’re as Ram’s mother.”

“Lakshman, my son, I’m proud,
Will protect Ram in the wood,
Sita, born to face any hard life,
Will serve him best as his wife.”

“Ram’s best virtue and purity,
Is a stunning source of security,
Indeed a fine shield and armour,
To all of them, yes, I’m sure.”

“One day, your hero-son
Will ascend this throne,
To the delight of everyone,
All those who now mourn.”

These sweet words of Sumitra,
To the wrecked mind of Kausalya,
Gave all the comfort and relief,
From her mountain of grief.

What was the scene outside?
The people of Ayodhya tried,
To stop their beloved Ram best,
But he spoke with a touch-soft.

“Citizens, your love for me I know,
To keep my promises you’ll allow,
And be kind to Bharata, my brother,
Whose heart is noble and tender.”

They followed despite his request,
Fast went the speeding chariot,
Came to a halt near Tamasa river bank,
And settled down for the night dark.

Lakshman made a grass-bed,
On the ground he had it spread,
Rama and Sita slept on the bed,
For the night, he was on guard.

Long before the dawn broke,
Ram and Sita quietly awoke,
Then all the three left towards,
The direction far southwards.

The citizens woke up by morn
Were grief-stricken and torn
To find their prince gone
To a destination unknown.

They returned to the city,
To find it in a state of pity,
And wrapped in utter gloom,
O’er their missing dear Ram.