Ramayana
Chapter 29
A Meeting with Rama
in the Privacy of the Inner Chamber
After Rama had left the assembly-hall Dashratha turned once
again to his ministers. After a quick but precise give and take regarding the
plan of action the future was more or less sealed for Dashratha and the
ministers.
Dashratha retired to his inner chamber, exhausted, but
fulfilled. But still, his mind was not at peace. Visions and memories buried deep
were reawakened from the past. He had sealed them long in his heart, but now he
felt impelled to unlock them and who else could he share them with but Rama? He
was restless with anxiety. He had spent several sleepless nights, unable and
unwilling to unburden himself to those in the family.
Finally, he made up his mind and asked Sumanta to bring Rama
to the inner chamber. When the guards at Rama’s inner chamber apprised him of
Sumanta’s purpose of coming again, he was apprehensive. His future was rapidly
evolving and was bound to take some definite form and direction, but somehow,
his spirit was not ready for the change. He knew that he had to define to himself
his own perception and role in it and there was no room for evasion or escape.
He looked at Sumanta carefully as he conveyed to him his
father’s desire to have a talk with him in the privacy of the inner
chamber. There was no sign of
perturbance on Sumanta’s countenance. He seemed to know Dashratha’s mind and
understood the need Dashratha felt for sharing his most intimate fears and
anxieties with his son. The assurance in Sumanta’s conduct rested Rama’s mind
and he proceeded towards Dashratha’s palace with Sumanta as his sole companion
and escort.
Rama watched his father carefully as he entered the inner
chamber. He greeted Dashratha from a distance and approached him without taking
his eyes off. Dashratha was eager to compose his thoughts. Expression and
coherence was all that was most important to him at that moment. He did not
allow Rama to bend. He led Rama to his seat and then occupied a place a little
far away from Rama. The distance helped him focus attention.
Dashratha started speaking, without looking at Rama.
“My son,” said Dashratha, “You are God’s blessing for me and
Kausalya. Now listen carefully to what I say to you. I have experienced the
splendor of this crown and I have known the responsibilities and the anxieties
which the crown brings. I am weary now and I need to be relieved of this burden,
the sooner, the better it will be for all. I am old. I have lived long. I have
experienced everything that is best that a king can wish for. I think, I have
redeemed myself of all that I owe to God and the humans. Nothing
needs to be accomplished now except to establish you as the heir
apparent and then as the anointed king of this empire. Now it is your duty to
do as I say. I wish to see you crowned soon because this is what everyone in
the kingdom wants. Moreover, how do I make you understand my state of mind at
present? My son, I am in the grip of
deadly apprehensions and fears. I am chased by bad dreams every night. Besides,
people have begun to see stars crashing down from the sky in the broad
day-light with the sound of thunder. My astrologers say that the constellation
that was on the eastern horizon at the time of my birth is being invaded by the
Sun , Mars and Rahu, which is not a good sign for me to continue to rule. These
signs portend ill omens for the ruler. They bring trouble for the ruler and in
the long run, they might cause the king’s death. So my son, it is best for me
to accomplish my mission while I am in sound mind and sound body. So while my
mind is clear of all delusions and distractions, I want to see you crowned as
the heir of the kingdom. The heart and mind of the humans is susceptible to
illusions and insanity. Before the evil forces prevail, I want to accomplish my
mission on this earth. Tomorrow, the moon will enter the auspicious
constellation Pushya. I know you can
vanquish foes and conquer all opposition. I am paying heed to my intuition at
this moment and it is telling me to make haste. So I am determined to see you
anointed as the heir to the kingdom without delay. I order you to observe
celibacy tonight. Observe a fast and go to sleep on a bed of grass tonight with
Seeta. Tonight, I want all your friends to shield you from every possible
calamity or mishap, because none can predict what obstacles may befall when one
is on the way to some momentous accomplishment. Besides, I see it the appropriate time to achieve this aim
while Bharat is still at his maternal uncle’s palace. I have no doubt that
Bharat looks up to you as his beloved and most revered elder brother, but in
the matters like these, you cannot predict the behavior even of the virtuous
and the wise.”
Without entering into any further discussion on the matter, king
Dashratha ordered Rama to go and do as he had commanded and Rama surrendered to
his wish quietly.
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