Hari Om.
Let us begin the twenty eighth sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam with offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
Having taken the blessings from mother kausalya after offering a lesson or two in dharma of a wife to her, rAma headed to sItA to convey his immediate departure to the forest. She was expecting him to be coming in a procession with all the fan fare and festivity due to a prince ready to be crowned. However she finds rAma coming by walk and without ceremony. Upon her questioning, rAma immediately comes to the point and conveys the news in a matter of fact manner and advises her to stay in the palace serving her parents-in-law and confer motherly affection on bharata and Satrughna. And then the wonderful sItA, not even once questions daSaratha’s decision or the crooked thoughts of kaikEyi. She implicitly knows the dharma of rAma and so has no advise to offer on that count or questions to ask. Her only point being, if rAma was ordered to go to the forest, it was as much an order for her too! She immediately poured out her heart and told rAma, that she wouldn’t even prefer the high heavens to him! She insists in every way possible to accompany rAma to the forest. Does rAma accept? Onwards…
The righteous rAma heard the tear filled words of sItA about desperately wanting to accompany him to the forest. He consoled her and thought about the difficulties of forest life and with a view to dissuade her from her insistence, he said – “O sItA, you are born into a noble and exalted race. Therefore, it is appropriate that you stay here in the palace and attend to your duties. That will please me. Further, listen, I shall narrate to you the terrible nature of the forest. And knowing these, desist from the thoughts of residing in the forest.
The forest life is full of hardships and I know of no comfort there. Out of prudence and for your good I am saying these.
The roars of waterfalls and lions living in the caves are frightening. Hence the forests are terrible.
Huge and lusty wild beasts roam around freely and spring up on the humans the moment they see them. Hence forest life is dreadful.
The rivers in the forest are full of slush and crocodiles, so much so that even the mighty elephants have difficulty in crossing those. Hence forest life is terrible.
The paths in the forest are full of obstacles like the thorny creepers. The howls of fowls reverberate there. It is hard to negotiate these paths and these regions are arid. Hence the forests are treacherous.
After a hard day’s life one has rest at night on a bed of dry leaves fallen by themselves. The forest life is miserable.
One has to be spend time in complete self restraint and no indulgence, partaking only of the fruits that fall by themselves on the ground. Hence forest life is terrible.
Clad in the barks, wearing matted locks, one has to fast as much as one can and engage in the worship of forefathers and gods. One also has to extend hospitality to unheralded guests. The life there is nomadic in nature and with all these one has perform ablutions thrice a day at the appointed times. Therefore the forest life is difficult indeed.
O dear sItA, one has to collect flowers by own self and offer them to the gods every day as prescribed by the vEdas. The forest dwellers are not sure where their food will come from and have to contend with what little food they obtain through hardships. Therefore the forest life is ever dreadful.
Strong winds, pitch darkness, dreadful hunger and terrible fear, these are hallmarks of forest which make it an inhabitable place filled with difficulties.
The forests are replete with reptiles of all shapes and sizes. They live in the rivers and are sliming around on the paths resembling the rivers themselves. Therefore the forest is a dangerous place to be in.
Birds, scorpions, insects and mosquitoes sting all the time in the forests. Thorny trees with intertwined branches on the top, the kuSa grass and reeds everywhere make life a suffering in the forest.
There are numerous hardships for the body and terrible fears associated with life in the forest. Hence forests are dreadful.
Conquering anger and greed one has to to concentrate on penance. Even in provocative and alarming situations one should not lose his cool. Hence the forest life is difficult indeed.
Considering all the above terrible difficulties and dangers, O sItA, I feel the life in the forest is not suitable for you”.
As rAma detailed the dangers associated with forest life and citing those was not inclined to take her along with him, she felt deep grief sensing his intention. With grief overcoming her she said these words.
Here we conclude the twenty eighth sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 