Hari Om.
Let us begin the forty first sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
Queen kausalyA’s chambers were busy. The king was listless in the palace and moved to kausalyA’s chamber for solace. Queen kausalyA, the mother of rAma was suffering the pangs of separation from her dear son. While daSaratha was devastated and was sure he wouldn’t last long enough to witness the return of rAma, kausalyA brooded more hopefully wondering when she would see the return of his darling son rAma along with lakshmaNa and sItA. It pained to her to think that the trio, in their youthful life deserve every bit of luxury and comfort but would spend a hard life in the forests. As she brooded over thus, queen sumitrA, the mother of lakshmaNa chips in with wise words that more than anything underscore her commitment to dharma and how she felt about rAma sticking to the path of dharma. True to her name, i.e. good friend (su+mitrA), sumitrA tells kausalyA that she ought to be proud of a son like rAma rather than feeling sad about his exile. She describes the superlative nature of rAma’s virtues and personality and convinces kausalyA that, ably served by the greats sItA and lakshmaNa, rAma will have no regret of dwelling in the forest and that soon enough the trio will be back in ayOdhyA. As all this happens in the royal chambers, the trio on the other hand are speeding away from ayOdhyA. How far have they gone? Onwards…
As the dhArmic and wedded-to-truth rAma proceeded to the forest, the king, other royal officials, ministers and citizens began to follow his chariot. But after a while, the king and the other royal officials were stopped by the ministers since they had a duty towards the kingdom and were not free to go. But the commoners had no such problem. rAma who was going to the forest to ensure his father stands by his promise, was dear and pleasing to them like the moon. So they continued to follow rAma’s chariot in spite of being asked by rAma to go back to their homes repeatedly. rAma fondly looked them in the eye and pleaded with them to go back treating those subjects as his own children. He said –
“O my dear citizens of ayOdhyA, the love and respect that you have showered on me, kindly make bharata the recipient of the same. He is one of fine conduct and will ensure that you are well taken of in every respect. Although one of tender age, bharata is endowed with virtue, valour, wisdom beyond his years and royal qualities. He is gentle, approachable. He has been recognized as the crown prince of ayOdhyA and just as I have accepted him so, you too should accept him and support him. He will surely look after you very well and drive away all your fears. The act that will please me most now is for you to ensure that the king does not get overwhelmed with grief due to my exile”.
As rAma (dASarathi) kept sticking to dharma, the citizens kept desiring him to be their lord.
यथा यथा दाशरथि र्धर्म एवास्थितोऽभवत्।
तथा तथा प्रकृतयो रामं पतिमकामयन्।।2.45.11।।
Both rAma and lakshmaNa had cast the citizens in the net of their virtues due to which the dwellers of ayOdhyA were miserable and were choking. They were no ordinary people. They were accomplished and elderly in many (three) ways – in age, in wisdom and in splendor. They found it hard to keep pace with the swiftly moving chariot and following from a distance with great difficulty and fatigue now addressed the horses of the chariot thus –
“O horses of a high breed, you of all animals have the best perception. So stop at once. Refuse to carry your master any further. He is dhArmic, he is pure, he is valorous, he is auspicious and he is firm in his resolve. Such a great man deserves to be carried to the city (of ayOdhyA) not to the forest. So, please go no further, turn back”.
As rAma heard these helpless andpitiable pleas of the old brAhmins to the horses, he could stay no longer on the chariot. He alighted! rAma, the compassionate could not bear the sight of the old citizens struggling and trudging behind his chariot. He along with sItA and lakshmaNa began to walk towards the forest along with them. The old brAhmins were much distressed to see their beloved rAma walking thus in the sun. They said –
“O rAma, the entire order of brAhmins who are always engrossed in vEdic rituals and hymns is following you as you are our wellwisher. Look at these umbrellas that protect us from the sun like the clouds. We have acquired these during the vAjapEya yajna. But, alas, you have no royal parasol protecting you from the sun. O dear, please come under our umbrellas!
O rAma, although our heart always follows the vEdic mantras but for your sake, today it desires forest life. The vEdas are housed in our hearts and are our greatest wealth. Our women are capable to taking care of themselves at home with good conduct.
O rAma, several of us have started yajnas and their completion is dependent upon our return to ayOdhyA. But we have made up our mind to follow you and not return to ayOdhyA until you do. If you do not understand the adharma of not completing the yajna who will. So, we brAhmins of ripe old age, endowed with grey hair that is soiled now, beseech you to return to ayOdhyA.
O rAma, all beings, animate and inanimate desire your return to ayOdhyA. The tall trees want to follow you as well but are firmly rooted. Unable to move, they appear to be wailing in wind. The birds have no interest in their food. They are shocked and are rooted to the trees and want your return to ayodhyA. Please be considerate and compassionate, O rAma, return to ayOdhyA”.
As the brAhmins kept pleading with rAma and kept walking, the river tamasa was sighted, flowing across their way and it appeared as if even the river was requesting rAma to return to ayOdhyA. Minister sumantra also alighted from the chariot and unyoked the tired horses from the chariot. He allowed them to relax on the ground and let them graze not too far from his gaze near the river tamasa.
Here we conclude the forty first 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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Next: 2.46. Citizens let down by sleep!
Previous: 2.44. Bravo, sumitrA!
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 
