Womanhood's Greatness

Weeks had gone since Bharatha had left

The Noble Three’s hearts were deeply cleft

Bharatha had come, touched their hearts, and left very soon

Now their hearts were like the sky bereft of the moon

Lord Rama was tormented by His father’s demise

Often the ground became wet by His silent cries

Mother Sita was sad on seeing Her Lord’s anguish

She did all that She could to stop Him from languish

Lakshman, like Guha, on seeing Bharatha’s army afar

Had suspected Bharatha and had got ready for war

But Lord Rama had stopped him, saying it was not needed

Only after some convincing, Lakshman had heeded

Lakshman often regretted for suspecting his brother

He melted for Bharatha, who now to him was like a mother

Lakshman could not forget the way, Bharatha had easily pardoned

On hearing Lakshman’s apology, though he was saddened

Time passed over The Noble Three like a peacock feather

Sorrows of separation and loss started to gradually wither

They slowly came back to their normal mood

Comforted by nature’s blessings which was too good

To visit the ashrams in the neighbourhood eventually they started

In the sages, they saw their relatives from whom they were parted

As time went by, Lord Rama noticed a sudden change

In the mindset of the sages living in the mountain range

Lord Rama approached them to know why they were troubled

They hesitantly revealed their fear which was recently doubled

“Rama! We live peacefully here renouncing violence, where as

The wicked demons of Janasthana often come here to harass

When they catch hold of a sage, who roams alone

They kill without mercy and eat even his bone

So, this Chitrakut Mountain, we have decided to vacate

And somewhere in the north we plan to locate

Seeing You and Lakshman strong and weaponed

The demons must have felt their sovereignty threatened

We realise that is why they have become aggressive lately

Not wanting to hurt you, we remained about this, mutely

Forgive us Rama! For planning to go away from you

But we strongly recommend the same to you

We know your protection is like an iron shed

But on our behalf, we want not blood shed”

Lord Rama was not offended but took it well

With people, without mistaking, he could gel

He offered to walk with them for some distance

They hugged him happily in acceptance

Lord Rama walked with them till it was time to say good bye

As if to throw out their attachment on Rama, they did sigh

“We will miss You very much, our pious Prince

But Your memories from us, nothing can rinse

To move elsewhere from Chitrakut, we would suggest

Discuss with Sita and Lakshman and do what is best

Our salutations to Your wife and brother, please convey

You are blessed to have such company walk Your way”

The sages took leave of Lord Rama and proceeded

Lord Rama to His ashram thoughtfully receded

After few days went by The Noble Three started to feel lonely

They decided to move towards a place, a little more homely

They vacated their ashram and started a new travel

The depths of the jungle, they decided to unravel

Across thickets, hillocks and streams, they went past

Into the depths of the Dandaka forest, that was vast

The day was coming to an end and it was dark

The Divine Three wanted to give a rest for their walk

As they were contemplating about a place they could stay

An ashram with a beautiful garden came their way

Lord Rama sent Lakshman to know who lived there

Also to inform the residents, who they were

Lakshman went ahead and called out to the ashram’s inmates

Who, had lost themselves discussing about Vedic dictates

On hearing all about Lord Rama through Lakshman’s voice

They ran into the ashram and came out shouting their joys

“Gurudev says he has been for long waiting for this day

He requests all three of you to come in without delay”

By a very old couple, The Divine Three were greeted

On mats made of thick grass, they were respectfully seated

Severe austerities had been done by the old couple

Even the laws of nature to them were now supple

Especially the wife, Anasuya was well renowned

Because of the spiritual powers she always owned

Only by serving her husband Atri, the powers, she earned

In spite of her powers, only to serve her husband she always yearned

Anasuya, in the past, had performed many miracles

Even for Gods’ sake she had removed many obstacles

Once the Sun was enveloped by Raahu, a shadow like being

Anasuya released the Sun from it for everyone’s seeing

Another time the world was shaken by a great famine

Anasuya brought rain with her powers and made it fine

She was a hermit who often took difficult vows

For which, even from the Gods, she received bows

Anasuya to The Noble Three, Sage Atri prefaced

He was happy; his ashram by Lord Rama was graced

Anasuya then took Mother Sita to the woman’s place

So that both men and women could have a personal space

While Lord Rama and Lakshman with Sage Atri chatted

Anasuya on Mother Sita’s shoulders appreciatively patted

“Daughter! I am happy to see You, to Your husband, so devoted

May Your greatness ever be sung and never be debated

I have heard news about You, right from Your nascency

You are revered by all for Your devotion and decency

But the stories I heard were always in bits and pieces

The desire to hear Your story, on seeing You, increases

Tell me Your story, impeccable one

By noble Rama, how were You won?

Tell me Your story, Oh, noble Princess!

Into Your beautiful life, give me some glimpses”

On hearing old Anasuya’s earnest and eager appeal

Her story to Anasuya, Mother Sita was happy to reveal

Choosing words Mother Sita candidly spoke

To hear which Anasuya’s ears were keen and awoke

“Seerathvaja Janaka, my father and Mithila’s king

Is an expert in the truth and wisdom, the Vedas sing

Once he wanted to perform a worship ploughing the land

The king like a farmer ploughed it with his own hand

He drove into the land, the plough, with a golden tip

The plough hit on an obstacle and he lost his grip

Wanting to know what the plough hit on, the land was dug

An ornate box was found in which I was on a silken rug

The king who had no child till then

To celebrate the event, ordered his men

The king announced to the world that I was his daughter

And since then cared for me like a mother, without a falter

Once as a kid, while I was at play

My ball, under a bow, made its way

I lifted the bow to reach to the ball

But misplaced it in the worship hall

Later my father called Me and asked if I knew

Who misplaced the bow, accessible only to a few

I said it was Me and that I was sorry

I saw disbelief in his eyes and a ray of worry

My father accepted my apology and told me to replace it

As he was looking, on its usual place, I made the bow sit

The King, with folded palms, before Me knelt

And spoke respectable words that made Me melt

“Oh! Great, little and beautiful one! Just six years old!

You lifted a bow, which mighty soldiers cannot uphold

Which goddess are You in a child’s guise?

Reveal Thy form and make me wise!”

Not understanding what he said, I started to cry

Various methods to stop Me crying, he had to try

Then he too became a child and played with Me

After which, questions like that he never asked Me

He then announced a condition to the world at large

That, to marry Me, lifting the bow was the only charge

Years went by while I waited like a lotus bud

My Lord came like the sun and created a mighty thud

The thud echoed His might that broke the bow

My Lord with His manliness had stolen the show

Though He won Me, He wanted to know if I liked Him

And also wanted His father to bless and permit Him

On knowing He respected His father, I liked Him

On knowing He respected my wishes, I loved Him

In a grand ceremony, He tied the nuptial rope around My neck

Since then, His love for Me, like His character, has no speck

It is twelve years now since we were married

I feel like, Me on His palms, He has always carried

Never did He disappoint Me, expect for once

Me, along with comforts, when He tried to renounce

Since He did that out of love, it doesn’t hurt very much

And also because I have understood His heart as such

He is the kind who always cares for all

By love and noble character, He is always tall

Only to protect His father from infamy, He gave up His right

With graciousness and greatness He avoided a fight

Though the king had already offered the kingdom by word

To put up a fight for material benefits, He was not gird

Yet, He considers such acts only as His own duty

His heart as much as His face is of immeasurable beauty

Thinking I renounced comfort, people say I am great

Not realising, leaning on My Husband’s shoulders keeps Me in a heavenly state

Will anyone eat the skin and throw the banana flesh

Can a fish live in a palace where no waters rush?

Can, giving up small for the big, be called a sacrifice?

I have given up nothing, to keep it precise”

Saying thus Mother Sita ended Her story

Anasuya completely understood Her glory

The old woman was happy seeing such clarity in a princess

She realised, before her was sitting womanhood’s greatness

“Sita! Dear Child! Your greatness I have understood

You will ever be considered a glory to womanhood

A Woman like You makes her life useful for all

Realising, relentlessly serving her husband is her duty’s call

Such a woman is an angel to her in-laws in human guise

The Good Karma of her parents will also be on rise

In serving her husband, by squeezing herself like a lemon

She earns for herself and her husband a place in heaven

Instead of valuing love and service, women who value wealth

Are useless and a disease on the family and society’s health

Though amidst crowd they live lonely lives

Their usefulness is like honey that is wasted in hives

You are a gem among all women, may god bless

You, as their role model, may all women profess

May You be always celebrated in times to come!

May Your name in history, earn a plum”

Out of love that oozed for Mother Sita in her heart

Closing her eyes, she created from thin air a costume lot

A yellow saree made of exotic silk and golden hems

And golden ornaments embedded with colourful gems

“During this exile wear these costumes on You

These will never fade and so, will ever look new

Between You and Your husband, may this costume make a stronger bond

On seeing You dressed thus, may Your Husband become more fond”

Mother Sita received the gifts along with Anasuya’s blessings

Went and stood before Her Lord, in Her new dressings

On seeing His wife so beautiful, Lord Rama was happy beyond measure

The very sight of Her to Him was always a source of pleasure

Thus, The Noble Three in Sage Atri’s ashram spent a night

On seeing The Noble Three, the old couple’s souls became bright

The disciples of Sage Atri delighted in serving Lord Ram

Always, murmuring in their minds, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”