Rescinding his decision on Ram’s succession had hit Raja Dashrath hard. He was dying. Rani Kaushalya had put a brave face on the impending separation of her son and daughter-in-law. Rani Sumitra, ever a stoic, had only blessings for her son, Lakshman, who had decided to follow Ram to the jungle. Rani Kaikeyi did have her moment of triumph in making her husband grant her cherished wishes, yet she could not go gaga with it. One, Dashrath was in precarious condition, and two, everyone – from minister Sumantra and the Raj Purohit Muni Vashisht down to the commoners in Ayodhya’s busy streets – was deriding her for self-destructive egotism. Bharat and Shatrughan, who could have brought some semblance of normalcy in the royal house, were away with Bharat’s maternal grandfather, unaware of what was happening back home. (Shatrughan, it will be recalled, was Rani Sumitra’s son and Lakshman’s twin-brother. He was closely attached to Bharat, as was Lakshman to Ram).
Before leaving for the Dandkaranya forest, Ram went again to his father to take leave of him. Sita and Lakshman were also with him. Raja Dashrath made a vain effort to persuade Sita to stay back, while Kaikeyi impatiently urged the trio to hurry up. Esteemed readers will pardon me for bringing in a personal reminiscence here. About seventy years ago, someone had written a song, which became quite popular in Jammu region those days (it was set to the tune of the ever-famous Bollywoodsong, ‘Man dole/mera tan dole’ (‘Nagin’, 1954) –
Ban Ram chale, Lakshmanbhichale/ Dashrath ne tyagepran re/ Ab kaunsambhalenaagriya…
Aage aage Ram chalat hain/Peechhe Lakshman bhaiya/ Unke beech men chalin Janaki/ Soonikarinagaiya re…
Ram sets out for the forest, Lakshman too goes. Dashrath passes on. Who is now to look after the city?
Ram walks ahead, Lakshman is behind him. In between them walks Janaki;they have desertedthe city…
The song was a good attempt to evoke the feeling of desolation when Ram, Lakshman and Sita left Ayodhya for the forest.
Sant Tulsidas says that before his departure, Ram did not forget his duty as the eldest son of the family to courteously request the palace workers to do everything in their power to keep the raja happy. Dashrath blessed Ram with all his heart, telling him that it was their last meeting. He would not be alive, he said, when Ram returned home on the expiry of his banishment. He entreated him fondly to stay with him at least for one more night. Ram expressed his inability to comply with his father’s wish, telling him of the promise he had made to Kaikeyi that he would proceed to the forest that day itself. Dashrath had to be content with embracing Ram yet again.
Balmiki says that the raja then commanded Sumantra, who was standing close by, to make proper arrangements for Ram’s journey to the forest. The prince, he said, would have the treasury following him wherever he went. Adept servants as well his royal army would also go with him. But Kaikeyi interjected him. If all that was being sent away with Ram, what would Bharat do with the hollow title of raja? Ram intervened between his father and the step-mother. He said he had nothing to do with all that pomp and wealth when he had forsaken the throne itself. He was glad to leave behind everything for Bharat. What he desired was the tree-bark apparel fit for a hermit. Hearing Ram’s words, Kaikeyi did not take long to present the garb of a hermit, asking him to put it on and leave the palace as early as he could.
Ram changed into the proffered dress. Encouraged perhaps by Ram’s response, Rani Kaikeyi overstepped herself. She brought similar garments for Sita as well. The princess did not know how to put them on. Ram came to his consort’s help. He wrapped a silken saree round her. There was an outcry at this pathetic scene. Sita was in trepidation. Queens Kaushalya and Sumitra hugged her and began to cry. Muni Vashisht was tearful. It was too much for Dashrath to bear. “Kaikeyi,” he shouted at the brutish rani, “You sought Ram’s banishment. That I have granted you. Now, why are you misbehaving with Sita? I cannot bear to see my daughter-in-law in suchan attire.” Dashrath had had his say. Sita was allowed to take with her all her finery and jewels.
On the raja’s instructions, Sumantra brought forth a well decorated chariot. Sita’s garments and jewellery were loaded on it. Raja Dashrath, his ranis and the entire royal household bade the trio a tearful farewell. Old Dashrath was still hopeful that Ram, Sita and Lakshman wouldn’t be away from the palace for too long. Theywere too delicate to stand the hardships of a jungle life. He instructed Sumantra –
SuthisukumarkumardouJanaksutasukumari/
Rath charhaeedekhraibanuphirehugayen din chari//
Take along the two most delicate princes and the tender princess in the chariot and after showing them around the forest, return in four days.
Ramcharitmanas, Ayodhya Kand, doha 81
Raja Dashrath instructed Sumantra further that in case the brothers did not agree to return, then he must request Ram to allow him to bring back Sita. She could spend the period of Ram’s banishment either in Ayodhya itself, or live with her parents in Mithila, if she so desired.
As Sumantra’s chariot carrying Ram, Sita and Lakshman began to move, the whole population of Ayodhya – men, women and children – began to follow it. Ram tried to persuade them to go back to their homes but they won’t listen to him. Everybody stayed on the banks of the Tamsa river during the day. Late at night, Ram instructed Sumantra to drive the chariot in such a manner that the people would not know in which direction they had proceeded.Driving discreetly, they reached Shringverpur on the banks of Ganga, where Guha, the headman of the boatsmen greeted them warmly. Guha invited them to stay in his locality, but Ram refused politely, telling him that his vow prohibited from staying anywhere other than a forest. Then Sumantra conveyed to him his father’s direction. Ram reiterated his vow and turned down his request to go back to Ayodhya.
Ram was on the warpath. There was no way he could return home, or seek shelter anywhere else till he had fulfilled his mission.
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