The Valmiki Ramayana

by Amish Tripathi

  Chapter 7(38)

  The great-souled kings left in different directions. The earth trembled as those brave ones cheerfully left for their own cities. For Raghava’s sake, many thousands of akshouhinis had come and assembled. All of them happily returned. Full of strength and pride, all the kings said, ‘We were unable to remain in front and witness the encounter with Ravana. Bharata summoned us later and it was a futile exercise. Had the kings been there, there is no doubt that they would have killed the rakshasa. Protected by the strength of the arms of Rama and Lakshmana, without any anxiety, we would have happily fought on the other shore of the ocean.’ Thousands of kings conversed in this and other ways. Conversing, the maharathas went to their own kingdoms. Having gone to their cities, to bring pleasure to Rama, the kings donated many kinds of jewels. There were horses, gems, garments, elephants crazy with musth, divine sandalwood and celestial garments. Bharata, Lakshmana and maharatha Shatrughna collected those treasures and returned again to Ayodhya. Those bulls among men returned to the beautiful city of Ayodhya and gave all those jewels to the great-souled Raghava. Filled with joy, Raghava accepted all those and gave all those to the great-souled Sugriva. He gave them to Vibhishana, other bears and apes, other brave ones with Hanumat as the foremost and the immensely strong rakshasas. Cheerful in their minds, they accepted everything that Rama had given them. The immensely strong ones wore them on their heads, necks and arms. They drank many kinds of extremely fragrant liquor.658 They ate meat and extremely sweet fruit. All of them resided there for more than a month. But because of their affection towards Rama, it seemed to be only an instant. Rama found pleasure with the apes who could assume any form at will, with the immensely valiant kings659 and the extremely strong rakshasas. The pleasant and second month of Shishira660 also passed. All the apes and rakshasas were delighted.

  Chapter 7(39)

  The bears, apes and rakshasas resided there. The immensely energetic Raghava spoke to Sugriva. ‘O amiable one! Go to Kishkindha, which is impossible for even the gods and the asuras to assail. Without any thorns and with the advisers, rule over the kingdom. O mighty-armed one! Filled with great affection, look towards Angada, Hanumat, the immensely strong Nala, the brave Sushena, your father-in-law, Tara, supreme among strong ones, the invincible Kumuda, the extremely strong Nila, the brave Shatabali, Mainda, Dvivida, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, the immensely strong Sharabha and the immensely strong and invincible Jambavat, the king of the bears. Look towards Gandhamadana with affection. Filled with affection, look towards all the other extremely great-souled ones who were ready to give up their lives for my sake. Do not do anything disagreeable to them.’ Saying this, he repeatedly praised Sugriva.

  In sweet words, Rama addressed Vibhishana in these words. ‘O king! You are revered. Follow dharma and rule Lanka. It is the city of the rakshasas and of your brother, Vaishravana. O king! You should never turn your mind towards adharma. Indeed, it is certainly intelligent kings who enjoy the earth. O king! Always remember me and Sugriva with great affection. Go, devoid of any anxiety.’ Hearing Rama’s words, the bears, the apes and the rakshasas repeatedly lauded Kakutstha in words of praise. ‘O mighty-armed one! Your intelligence and valour are extraordinary. O Rama! Your sweetness has always been supreme, like that of Svayambhu.’

  While all the apes and rakshasas were speaking in this way, Hanumat bowed down and addressed Raghava in these words. ‘O king! I have always had great affection for you. O brave one! I have always been controlled in my devotion towards you. I do not feel like going elsewhere. O brave one! There is no doubt that as long as Rama’s account is heard on earth, until that time, life will reside in my body.’ Thus addressed, the Indra among kings arose from his seat and raising and embracing Hanumat, addressed him in these words. ‘O best among apes! There is no doubt that this will happen. As long as the worlds remain, my account will also remain. As long as my account travels around in the worlds, there is no doubt that until that time, life will reside in your body.’ Raghava took off the necklace from around his neck. It was made of lapis lazuli and possessed the complexion of the moon. Affectionately, he fastened it around Hanumat’s neck. The great ape clasped the necklace close to his chest. He was as radiant as the Himalaya mountains, when the moon adorns the crest. Hearing Raghava’s words, all the apes arose. The immensely strong ones bowed their heads down at his feet and departed. Rama embraced the mighty-armed Sugriva and clasped Vibhishana, with dharma in his soul, close to his bosom. All their voices choked with tears. There were tears in their eyes and they were almost senseless. They took their leave of Raghava with a great deal of sorrow, as if they were confounded.

  Chapter 7(40)

  The mighty-armed one gave leave to the bears, apes and rakshasas. Rama was happy and with his brothers, found joy in this happiness. On one afternoon, with his brothers, Raghava heard sweet speech being spoken from the sky. ‘O amiable one! O Rama! Look towards my face with a peaceful glance. O lord! Know me to be Pushpaka. I have come here from Mount Kailasa. Following your command, I went to Dhanada. O best among men! However, when I presented myself before him, he told me, “Having slain the invincible Ravana, lord of the rakshasas in a battle, the great-souled Raghava, Indra among men, has won you. O amiable one! I am greatly delighted that he has killed that evil-souled one, Ravana, with his companions, sons, advisers and relatives. Rama, supreme in his soul, has conquered Lanka and you. O amiable one! I am commanding you. You should bear him. It is my supreme desire that you should belong to the descendant of the Raghava lineage. Be his vehicle and bear him to all the worlds. Without any anxiety, go there.” Knowing the instructions of the great-souled Dhanada, I have again come to your presence. Therefore, accept me.’ Kakutstha agreed and honoured Pushpaka with parched grain, fragrant flowers and excellent perfumes. ‘Go where you wish. Come when I remember you.’ Saying this, Rama released Pushpaka again. Adorned with flowers, Pushpaka left for the desired direction. Thus, knowing about its own soul, Pushpaka vanished.

  Bharata joined his hands in salutation and addressed the descendant of the Raghu lineage in these words. ‘When you are ruling over the kingdom, all kinds of extraordinary creatures who aren’t human are repeatedly seen. A little more than a month has passed, but there is no disease among mortals. O Raghava! Even creatures who are old and decayed do not die. Women give birth to sons. The men are healthy. O king! The people who are residents of the city are filled with great joy. At the right time, Vasava showers down rain that is like amrita. The wind that blows is extremely pleasant to the touch. O lord of men! There has not been a king like this for a long time. This is what the inhabitants of the city and the countryside are talking about.’ Bharata spoke these extremely sweet words. On hearing them, Rama was delighted. He was filled with pleasure, happiness and joy.

  Chapter 7(41)

  Having let go of Pushpaka, decorated with gold, the mighty-armed Rama entered Ashokavana.661 The place was adorned with sandalwood, aloe, mango, tunga,662 kalayeka663 and devadaru trees in every direction. It was covered with priyangus, kadambas, kurubakas, jambus, patalas and kovidaras. There were beautiful flowers and pleasant fruits everywhere. The beautiful leaves and flowers fluttered and it was full of intoxicated bees. There were birds of many hues—cuckoos and bhringarajas. Hundreds of other kinds of colourful birds resided on the branches of mango trees and decorated them. Some trees were like molten gold. Other trees were like the flames of the fire. There were other radiant trees that possessed the complexion of blue collyrium. There were many kinds of ponds and they were filled with excellent water. The extremely expensive stairs were made out of jewels, with crystal deep inside them. There were clumps of blossoming lotuses, adorned with chakravaka birds. There were many kinds of walls and the platforms made out of stone were decorated. Here and there, parts of the grove were like lapis lazuli and gems. The grass was excellent and the trees were laden with flowers. It was like Indra’s Nandana, or like Brahma’s Chaitraratha. In that spot, Rama’s grove had a form like th
at. There were seats outside the houses and the houses were covered with creepers. The descendant of the Raghu lineage entered that prosperous Ashokavana. He sat down on an auspicious seat that was decorated with bouquets of flowers.

  Rama sat down on a seat that was covered with a spread of kusha grass. Kakutstha clasped Sita in his arms and like Indra offering Shachi amrita, made her drink excellent maireya liquor. Rama asked the servants to quickly bring different kinds of meat, various types of fruit and other objects to be used. Young and beautiful women who were under the influence of drink, accomplished in singing and dancing, danced before the king. Thus, with Sita, whose face was beautiful, Rama was delighted. Like a god, he spent many days finding pleasure with Vaidehi. While the great-souled Raghava, king among men, sported himself in this way, the auspicious winter season passed. In the forenoon, following dharma, the one who knew about dharma performed all the tasks that had to be done for the city. In the remaining half of the day, he was in the inner quarters. In the forenoon, Sita performed the tasks meant for the gods. In particular, she joined her hands in salutation and served her mothers-in-law. Thereafter, adorned in many colourful ornaments, she went to Rama, just as in heaven Shachi goes to the one with the one thousand eyes when he is seated. On seeing that his wife was expecting, Raghava was infinitely delighted and uttered words of praise. He said, “O Vaidehi! These are signs of my getting an offspring. Tell me. What do you wish for? What should I do to satisfy your wishes?” Vaidehi smiled and addressed Rama in these words. “O Raghava! I wish to see the sacred forests where the hermitages are. The rishis, sacred in their deeds, reside along the banks of the Ganga. O brave one! I wish to survive on fruits and roots and live near their feet. O Kakutstha! This is my supreme desire, that even if it is for one night, I should reside with those sacred ones who subsist on roots and fruits.” Rama, unblemished in his deeds, promised that he would act in this way. “O Vaidehi! Be assured. There is no doubt that you will go there tomorrow.” Kakutstha said this to Maithilee, Janaka’s daughter. With his well-wishers, Rama then left for the chambers that were in the middle.664

  Chapter 7(42)

  Learned people came and seated themselves near the king on all sides. They spoke about many kinds of things and laughed. Vijaya, Madhumatta, Kashyapa, Pingala, Kusha, Suraji, Kaliya, Bhadra, Dantavakra and Sumagadha—they conversed about many kinds of things that made them laugh. In the course of one such conversation, Raghava asked, ‘O Bhadra! What is being talked about in the city? What is happening in the kingdom? What do the residents of the city and the countryside, who are dependent on me, say about me? What do the dependents say about Sita, Bharata and Lakshmana? What do the dependents say about Shatrughna and my mother, Kaikeyee? If there are complaints about a king, the residents leave for a new kingdom.’

  Thus addressed by Rama, Bhadra joined his hands in salutation and said, ‘O king! The residents who are in the city speak auspicious words. O amiable one! They speak about the victory you earned after killing Dashagriva. O bull among men! In their own cities, the citizens repeatedly converse about this.’ Thus addressed by Bhadra, Raghava replied in these words. ‘The residents of the city may utter agreeable words and disagreeable ones too. Hearing about what they say, I will perform auspicious deeds and avoid inauspicious ones. Do not be scared. Have no fear or anxiety. Tell me what people in the city and the countryside speak about.’ Hearing the words spoken by the great-souled Raghava, Bhadra joined his hands in salutation. He controlled himself and uttered these extremely beautiful words in reply. ‘O king! Hear about the agreeable and disagreeable words citizens speak in the crossroads, the forests and the groves. “Rama performed the extremely difficult task of building a bridge across the ocean. No gods or danavas had ever done this earlier. He killed the invincible Ravana, with his forces and his mounts. He brought the apes, the bears and the rakshasas under his subjugation. Raghava killed Ravana in the battle and got Sita back. Turning his back on any intolerance, he again brought her back to his own house. But what kind of a heart does he possess? He finds pleasure and happiness with Sita. Though Ravana had forcibly abducted her earlier, he takes her up on his lap. She had been taken to Lanka and had been confined in Ashokavana. She had been under the subjugation of the rakshasas. Why does Rama not find this reprehensible? We will also have to tolerate this from our wives. Subjects follow whatever a king does.” O king! The residents of the city say this and many other things, in all the cities and the countryside.’ Hearing the words that he spoke, Raghava was greatly afflicted. He asked all the well-wishers, ‘Do they say this?’ All of them lowered their heads down on the ground and bowed before him. Despondent, they replied to Raghava, ‘There is no doubt about this.’ Kakutstha heard the words that all of them spoke. The scorcher of enemies gave all of them permission to leave.

  Chapter 7(43)

  Having allowed the well-wishers to go, Raghava thought and made up his mind. He spoke these words to the gatekeeper who was near him. ‘Quickly fetch Soumitri Lakshmana, the one with the auspicious signs, the mighty-armed Bharata and the unvanquished Shatrughna. Hearing Rama’s words, the gatekeeper joined his hands in salutation above his head. Without being barred, he went to Lakshmana’s house and entered. Joining his hands in salutation again, he addressed him in these words. ‘The king wishes to see you. Go there without any delay.’ Hearing Raghava’s command, Soumitri agreed. Mounting his chariot, he went to Raghava’s residence. Seeing that Lakshmana had left, the gatekeeper went to Bharata’s presence. Joining his hands in salutation, he spoke these words. ‘The king desires to see you.’ Bharata heard the words that the gatekeeper had spoken. He swiftly got up from his seat and went there on foot. Seeing that Bharata had left, he665 quickly went to Shatrughna’s residence. Joining his hands in salutation, he addressed him in these words. ‘O best among the Raghu lineage! Come. Let us go. The king wishes to see you. Lakshmana and the immensely illustrious Bharata have already left.’ Hearing his words about what Rama had commanded, Shatrughna bowed his head down on the ground and went to where Raghava was.

  Hearing that the princes had come, he666 was overcome by thoughts and his senses were distracted. He lowered his head and with a disturbed mind, addressed the gatekeeper in these words. ‘Quickly make the princes enter and bring them before me. My life depends on them. They are like my breath of life outside my body.’ The princes were attired in white garments. Hearing the commands of the Indra among men, they carefully controlled themselves and entered, joining their hands in salutation. They glanced at his face, which was like the moon when it is grasped by a planet. It was like the setting sun, bereft of all radiance. They saw that the intelligent Rama’s eyes were full of tears. They glanced at his face, which resembled a lotus with its lustre lost. They quickly lowered their heads at Rama’s feet and greeted him. All of them controlled themselves and stood there. However, Rama’s eyes were only full of tears. The mighty-armed one embraced them with his arms and raised them. Asking them to be seated, he addressed them in these words. ‘You are everything to me. You are my life. O lords of men! I rule over this kingdom because of what you have done. You are accomplished in the sacred texts. You are full of intelligence. O lords of men! Therefore, for my sake, again make efforts.’

  Chapter 7(44)

  All of them sat down, distressed in their minds. With his mouth dry, Kakutstha addressed them in these words. ‘O fortunate ones! All of you listen to what is in my mind. Do not act in a contrary way. Hear what the citizens are saying about me and Sita. There is great and terrible condemnation among the residents of the city and the countryside. It has shattered my inner organs. I have been born in the lineage of the great-souled Ikshvakus. In the city, they are conversing about Sita’s evil conduct. O amiable ones! You know that Ravana abducted Sita in the desolate Dandaka forest and that he was destroyed by me. O Soumitri! You yourself saw that the bearer of oblations to the gods667 and Vayu, who travels in the sky, declared Sita to be devoid of sin. In earlier times, in the presence of the g
ods and all the rishis, the moon and the sun also averred that Janaka’s daughter was devoid of all sin. In the presence of the gods and the gandharvas, in the island of Lanka, the great Indra delivered the one who is pure in conduct into my hands. In my inner soul, I know that the illustrious Sita is pure. That is the reason I accepted Vaidehi and returned to Ayodhya. However, grief because of this great condemnation is shattering my heart now. This great condemnation is spoken about in the cities and in the countryside. In this world, if a person’s bad deeds are spoken about, that person is destined for the inferior worlds as long as this recital takes place. The gods condemn bad deeds. The gods honour deeds. Therefore, great-souled ones undertake all acts that lead to deeds. O bulls among men! Scared and terrified of condemnation, I am prepared to give up my life and all of you, not to speak of Janaka’s daughter. That is the reason you see me immersed in this ocean of grief. I do not see any other misery that can be greater. O Soumitri! Tomorrow morning, ask Sumantra to prepare the chariot. Ascend it with Sita and leave her at the end of the kingdom. The extremely great-souled Valmiki has a hermitage on the other bank of the Ganga. It is like heaven and is located on the banks of the Tamasa. O descendant of the Raghu lineage! Leave her in that desolate region. O Soumitri! After doing this, return quickly. Act in accordance with my words. Do not at all answer me back about Sita. If you try to restrain me, I will be greatly displeased. I am urging all of you, on my arms and on my life, that after I have stopped speaking, you do not entreat me in any way. If you respect me, if you follow my commands, you will now take Sita away from here. Act in accordance with my words. She has earlier told me that she wants to see the great hermitages located on the banks of the Ganga. Her wish will also be satisfied.’ With tears flowing from his eyes, Kakutstha said this. Surrounded by his brothers, the one with dharma in his soul then entered.