Friday, July 1, 2011

Towards the jungle


The Divine three kept walking ahead
Behind them, the crowd did tread
King Dasaratha watched this from the palace top
His heart, every second, was threatening to stop

He thought of what he could do now, best
And a chariot for Ram was sent at his behest
The chief minister Sumanthra himself drove it well
And reached the noble three in a spell

Sumanthra addressed Lord Rama and spoke
Filled with sorrow his voice did choke
“The King sent me to ride for you
Until you reach the jungle and say adieu”

All the while, Sumanthra hoped secretly
That he would talk to Rama discreetly
And somehow change the latter’s mind
This decision of exile, to leave behind

Ram, Sita and Lakshman got on to the vehicle
Hoping to overcome the delicate obstacle
That people had created by following them
Out of love and respect though Ram did condemn

The chariot tried to move and take speed
The crowd started to wail, beg and plead
The path of the chariot, they decided to block
In front of the chariot they started to flock

The people shouted prayers for Rama to be stopped
Some even offered their lives for the gods to be sopped
For Sumanthra to stop, they gave out a pleading call
Even at the feet of the horses they did fall

Sumanthra was unable to speed up the horses
He became deeply hurt on seeing their faces
He turned back to see with hope at Rama’s face
But could not see as usual the merciful grace

Disappointed, he somehow cut through the crowd
Which had gathered helplessly hoping to shroud
The path of fate that draws their prince,
Whose mere glance would destroy their bondage and sins

Though the chariot kept moving, leaving them behind
They did not complain that Rama was unkind
They all decided to travel to the jungle with Him
They would not allow Him to be a fate’s victim

The chariot by now crossed the country’s limits
And entered the forest dwelt in by pious hermits
Rama continued to expound through out the ride
About the view to Sita who sat by His side

As nature’s beauty unfolded before their eyes
The noble three’s spirit started to lighten and rise
Ram and Lakshman recalled some pleasant memories
Of fun and frolic from their childhood stories

They had been in jungle on numerous occasions
As princes and warriors to pursue their passions
In riding, shooting and hunting some game
So that their skill with weapons would become tame

With a smile on her lips, Sita listened with intent
And laughed out loud hearing comedy content
Sumanthra felt light on seeing them in lighter vein
But at the bottom of his heart there was immense pain

Within his mind he wished to talk Rama out of this
Take Him back to the city and soak it in bliss
He kept thinking of what to speak as he drove
During which the chariot entered a beautiful grove

On river Tamasa’s banks the grove was set
Like a heaven on earth, one could bet
Seeing the beauty of the place they decided to stay
Rama instructed Sumanthra to call it a day

Sumanthra unyoked the horses allowing them to rest
Of all the royal steeds they were the best
He took them to the river and bathed them clean
Thirst quenched and refreshed they glittered with sheen

Ram and Lakshman offered prayers to the sun
Without whom, life on earth would not run
And then they ate some jungle fruits
For they had vowed to live on fruits and roots

After the meal they sat under a tree
Admiring the surrounding, peaceful and free
As Sumanthra decided that it was time to talk
He heard sounds from afar denoting people walk

The four heard indistinct sounds of a crowd
Which gradually became clear and loud
Lord Rama smiled and shook His head
Realising, all the way behind Him, people had tread

Both men and women young and old
Surrounded Rama with affection untold
Determined to stay with their beloved Ram
Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!

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