Hearing this conversation, Lakshmana, who had gone there before, with
tears in his eyes and being unable to bear this terrible sorrow, took
hold of his brother's feet and spoke thus unto that greatly renowned
Sita and Raghava. "If thou art resolved to repair unto the forest filled
with deer and elephants, I shall accompany thee, always going before
with bows in my hands. Thou shalt range with me in that charming part of
the forest which resounds with the music of the birds and the humming of
the bees. Alienated from thee I do not long for the abode of the
celestials, nor for eternal life, nor for the wealth of the three
regions." The son of Sumitra, who spoke thus and was determined upon
going to the forest, being repeatedly requested by Rama with consoling
words to desist from his purpose, spoke unto him the following words.
"Formerly thou didst order me to follow thee; and why dost thou prevent
me now from accompanying thee to the forest? I want to learn, O sinless
one, why thou dost prevent me now from following thee. I entertain a
grave doubt in this." Then the highly effulgent Rama spoke thus unto
that sedate Lakshmana, who stood praying before him with clasped hands.
"Thou art sedate, fond of virtue, of peaceful temper, and thou walkest
always in the paths of righteousness. I hold thee dear as my life and
thou art obedient unto me and art my friend. If thou dost accompany me
unto the forest, O son of Sumitra, who shall serve Kaucalya and the
highly renowned Sumitra? That highly effulgent lord of earth who will
satisfy the world with the fulfillment of its desires like unto rain
spreading in showers over the earth, is himself now shackled with
desires unto Kaikeyi. That daughter of Acwapati obtaining this kingdom
from the monarch, there will be no end of the miseries of these
co-wives. Bharata attaining the throne and siding his mother, Kaikeyi
will never think of Kaucalya or Sumitra sore distressed with grief. Do
thou therefore, O son of Sumitra, live here of thy own accord or by the
favour of the monarch, and maintain these worshipful ones. If thou dost
act thus, it will be showing thy best regard in me. O thou, versed in
the knowledge of religion, real virtue consists in the adoration of
superiors. Do this, O son of Sumitra, for my sake; if we all go away
leaving her aside, she will not be happy in any way."
Accosted thus by Rama, Lakshmana, well versed in speech, spoke unto him
the following humble words. "Be afraid of thy power, O hero, Bharata
shall adore Kaucalya and Sumitra--there is no doubt about this. If that
wicked Bharata obtaining this excellent kingdom, does not maintain and
take care of them, being impelled by haughtiness and wicked impulses,
surely shall I kill him, that wicked-minded one, though he be assisted
by the entire population of the three regions. Besides, that worshipful
Kaucalya, who has made grants of many thousand villages unto her
servants, can maintain thousands of people like us, and has enough to
maintain herself as well as my mother. Do thou therefore permit me to
follow thee; there will be no breach of virtue in this,and I shall have
my desires attained and thy interests shall be secured. I shall go
before thee pointing out thy course, with stringed bows, a hoe, and a
basket in my hands. I shall bring for thee every day various roots and
fruits and other things that grow in the forest and which the ascetics
use in their sacrifice. Thou shalt amuse thyself with Vaidehi on the
sides of the hill, and I shall perform everything for thee whether thou
art asleep or awake."
Being extremely gratified with these words, Rama spoke unto him,
saying,--"Do thou follow me, O son of Sumitra, obtaining permission from
all thy relatives. The high-souled Varuna himself offered two
terrible-looking bows of etherial temper, two sets of weapons at the
great sacrifice of the royal Janaka--namely, impenetrable mail, two
quivers, two inexhaustible arrows, and two swords burnished with gold
and bright as the Sun. These things were offered unto me as bridal
presents, and I have kept them at the house of my preceptor. Do thou, O
Lakshmana, paying homage unto my preceptor, taking all those weapons,
swiftly bring them hither. Determined upon going unto the forest,
Lakshmana, taking leave of his friends, went to the abode of the
spiritual preceptor of the Ikshwakus and took from him those excellent
weapons. And that best of princes, the son of Sumitra, showed Rama those
heavenly arms--worshipped and well adorned with garlands. Seeing
Lakshmana arrive there, Rama, having control over his ownself, greatly
pleased, spoke unto him the following words. "Thou hast arrived, O
Lakshmana, just when I wanted thee. I want to distribute with thee these
my riches amongst the Brahmauas and the ascetics. There are many
excellent Brahmanas having firm reverence in their preceptor. I want to
distribute my wealth amongst them and many other personages who depend
upon me for their maintenance. Bring here speedily the worshipful
Sujajna, the son of Vasishtha; I want to repair unto the forest after
duly adoring him and other excellent Brahmanas."