Hearing these unpleasant words like unto death, Rama, the destroyer of
foes, was not pained, and spoke thus unto Kaikeyi. "Be it what thou
sayst; carrying out the promise of the king, I shall repair unto the
forest from this place wearing bark and matted hair. Now I want to know
only why that lord of the earth, invincible and the conqueror of foes,
does not receive me in the same way as he used to do on previous
occasions. Be not angry, Oh worshipful one, I speak before thee, be thou
propitiated well, and I shall go to the forest wearing bark and matted
hair. What is there that I cannot perform, considering it good without
suspicion, if I am ordered so by my well-wisher, spiritual leader,
father and king, who acknowledges thy service (rendered in time of
danger[117]). But this one sorrow burns my heart, why king did not tell
me personally of the installation of Bharata. What of the command of the
king, my father, I shall even at thy mandate joyfully make over unto
Bharata, my kingdom, Sita, wealth and even my life, thereby satisfying
thee, aad fulfilling my promise. Do thou now console the bashful king;
why has he, with his eyes steadily fixed on the ground, been shedding
tears slowly? Let messengers, with fast going steeds go to-day at the
command of the king to fetch Bharata from his maternal uncle's house.
And I shall, not even judging the propriety of my father's words,
speedily repair unto the forest of Dandaka for fourteen years." Hearing
those words of Rama, Kaikeyi was pleased, and being certain about his
departure, hurried on Raghava. "Let it be that messengers with fast
going steeds shall go to bring Bharata from his maternal uncle's
residence. I do not think it proper for thee, O Rama, to delay, when
thou art so anxious; it behoves thee therefore to depart from this place
speedily unto the forest. The king being abashed, does not himself
address thee, there is nothing else than this. Do thou, Oh best of men,
dispel this wretchedness of his. As long as thou shalt not hurriedly
depart froth his presence, Oh Rama. thy father shall not bathe, or eat
anything." 'Oh fie!' 'what affliction' sobbing hard with these words,
the monarch, filled with sorrow, swooned away and fell down upon the
sofa, embellished with gold. Raising the king up, Rama, being directed
by Kaikeyi, began to hurry on his departure to the forest, like unto a
steed struck sharp with a whip. Hearing those cruel and unpleasant words
of the wicked Kaikeyi, Rama, not being distressed, began to address her
with the following words. "Oh worshipful one, being addicted to wealth
do I not long for living in this world; like unto Rishis, know me, to be
well established in pure religion. If I can, even at the sacrifice of my
own life, satisfy my worshipful father rest assured it is to be done
first in all manner. There is no virtue greater than the serving of the
father and carrying out his words. Even though not commanded by him, I
shall; for thy words, live in a solitary forest for fourteen years. Oh
Kaikeyi, certain it is that thou art not acquainted with my foremost
virtues, inasmuch as possessing full authority to rule me, thou hast
requested the monarch for this. Excuse me until I ask my mother, and
comfort Sita; even this very day shall I wend my way unto the great
forest of Dandaka. It behoves thee to do that by which Bharata may
govern the kingdom and tend our father, for this is the virtue eternal."
Hearing these words of Rama, his father, greatly afflicted and incapable
of speaking anything on account of sorrow, began to cry aloud.
Worshipping the feet of the king lying insensible, and those of vicious
Kaikeyi, that greatly effulgent one went out. And reverentially going
round his father and Kaikeyi, and issuing out of the female apartment,
Rama saw his own friends and relatives. Then followed him Lakshmana, the
enhancer of Sumitra's joy, greatly angry and with his eyes full of
tears. Going round with reverence the house of instalation full of
necessary articles, not turning away from it his wistful look, Rama
began to proceed slowly. Loss of kingdom could not diminish the great
beauty of that beloved of the people on account of its everlasting
pleasantness, like unto the wane of the moon. There was manifest in him
no change of mind, who was about to fly as an exile to the forest and
leave the world, like unto one emancipated while yet living. Leaving
aside the excellent umbrella and well adorned _chowries_, forsaking his
relatives, chariot, citizens and other people, calmly bearing the
affliction in mind and not manifesting the outward signs of sorrow,
Rama, with a view to communicate this unpleasant news to his mother,
entered her abode. All persons, who were present there and who adorned
themselves on account of the installation, did not percieve any sign of
mental agony on the face of Rama. Like unto the rays of the fully
brilliant autumnal moon, that hero of mighty arms, having control over
himself, did not forsake his native cheerfulness. The pious Rama, having
high fame, entered into the presence of his mother, manifesting great
regards for the people with sweet speech. Then followed him, the son of
Sumitra, of mighty prowess, of equal accomplishments with his brother,
and bearing the mental sorrow. Rama, entering the abode of his mother,
saw it filled with all sorts of amusements; and even though his mind was
not agitated with any mental disturbance seeing the impending calamity
of loss of wealth, he was anxious lest the lives of his dear relatives
might be in danger.
[117] The epithet _Kritajnena_ may as well be rendered into general
terms; such as 'who acknowledges services rendered onto him.' Here
in translation I have followed the commentator who has restricted
it to the special sense suitable to the occasion.-- T.