Tuesday 1 October 2013

83. Rama gives additional reasons.

          Seeing the action of Bharata and the reaction of others, Rama decided to mollify them from a different angle. He said "My dear Bharata, I fully understand and appreciate your point of view. Let me tell you that there is one more very important reason why I could not agree to your earnest request. Long ago, when our father married your mother, he promised your maternal grandfather that he would confer his kingdom to the first son of his daughter as an exceptional marriage-dowry. Thereafter, in a conflict between devas and asuras, your mother received the promise of two boons from the King Dasharatha, as a token of his joy and gratitude.
           "Your illustrious mother of beautiful complexion consequently demanded from our father these two boons viz. throne for you and exile to the forest for me. I too, have been enjoined by our father to live here in the forest for fourteen years, in accord with the granting of the boon.
            "I therefore, have come to this forest accompanied by Lakshmana and Seetha in order to carry out the promise given by our father. You too ought, likewise, to make our father, as a person having given a true promise by getting yourself anointed to the crown without any delay. For my sake relieve the mighty king from his vow and make both our mother and father happy. 
            "My dear brother! Formerly, an illustrious king named Gaya, while performing a sacrifice in a place called Gaya in honour of his ancestors, chanted the following verse: 
      पुम् नाम्ना नरकाद् यस्मात् पितरम् त्रायते सुतः |
तस्मात् पुत्र इति प्रोक्तः पितृऋन् यत् पाति वा सुतः ||
एष्टव्या बहवः पुत्रा गुणवन्तो बहु श्रुताः |
तेषाम् वै समवेतानाम् अपि कश्चिद् गयाम् व्रजेत् ||
(The meaning of the above is:
Since a son saves his father from going to the place of torment (hell) called 'Put', he is named as 'Putra' ie. He who saves his ancestors from all dangers (of going to Hell)'
'To have many virtuous and learned sons is to be desired, since one, atleast among them, who is intimately connected will come to Gaya to perform a sacrifice.')
          "Dear Bro! This is the conviction of all the royal sages. Therefore, save our father from hell. Bharata! Go to Ayodhya along with Shatrughna and all the Brahmanas and give joy to the people there.
           "I too, without delay, will proceed to Dandaka forest along with Seetha and Lakshmana. Dear Bharata! You become the Lord of men. I will become the emperor of the wild beasts of the forest! Return now to the excellent city of Ayodhya full of joy and I also with joy will enter Dankada Forest!
            "O, Bharata! Let the royal white umbrella provide a cool shadow for your head, repulsing the rays of sunlight. I will take shelter comfortably under the abundant shadow of these forest-trees. The wise Shatrughna will be helpful to you. Lakshmana is known to be an outstanding friend for me. We, the four excellent sons, will ultimately make the king true to his promise. Do not get disappointed."
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