Dasaratha’s plea

They then went to see Dasaratha, The King

Who still lay on the floor, like a bird without a wing

The mighty one who could not be fell by a sword

Was now fallen to deceit, by His very own word

Rama and Lakshman carried their father to the cot

Remembering the victorious battles, the man had fought

They helped him lie with comfort and ease

And the pain of his heart, Rama tried to appease

“Dad! I am ready to start my exile now

To keep up your word, I’ve taken this vow

Fourteen years will pass like fourteen days

I’ll be back very soon in a lightning pace”

“I want you to bless me now and say, ‘so long’

And go about your life, happy and strong

Bharatha would care for you and be very nice

Protecting you like the eyelids, protecting its eyes”

Dasaratha opened his eyes, hearing Rama speak

And started to moan, with a voice very meek

He clung on to Rama’s hands, very tight

He did not want Rama to go away from his sight

Though he knew it would be a fruitless task

He gathered some courage and decided to ask

Shri Rama to give up the vows that were taken

And started to rant with a mind that was shaken

“Dear Ram, please don’t give up your right to rule

Do not bother to protect the word of this fool

Arrest me now and put me in jail

So that, in keeping my words, I’ll have reason to fail”

“An incapable man cannot keep his word

And for that reason, I won’t be blamed by the world

It is only me who is bound by the promise

If you break it, nothing would go amiss"

"You will be doing this at the larger interest

And that too only at my behest

The world will neither blame You for doing this

As I have already announced You as King, before this"

Shri Rama disposed off the idea with a smile

Who had been caressing his father’s chest all this while

“I don’t desire a Kingdom, dad

On my behalf you need not be sad”

“Me arresting you, would be like putting up a play

Just to avoid the price we have to pay

The world is no fool to believe such act

It would blame both of us for breaking a pact”

“It would talk ill of us, father and son

For playing a trick to cheat a woman

We belong to the clan of Harischandra, the great

Who stood by truth even at an adverse fate”

Hearing these words of wisdom, from his son

Except for silent tears, the king could say none

At the same time the king felt very proud about Rama

And admired Rama’s steadfastness in upholding Dharma

Shedding endless tears, The King became quiet

Lost in thought like a wordless poet

Rama, Lakshman and Sita changed to ochre clothes

And promised, not to enter any city, by taking oaths

With the entire palace shedding tears

With pleading requests piercing their ears

The Noble three, bid farewell to all

On the palace in-mates’ hearts, doom did fall

Thus Shri Rama took up to duty’s call

So that His father’s name would not befall

From glory to shame, failing in a ruler’s norm

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!