Life and its breath!

The Ganga flowed behind them with rhythmic chime

The oarsman stood with tears as it was farewell time

Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman wished him well

And started their journey, in search for a place to dwell

They entered the woods which were dark in the day

Through rocks and trees they had to make their way

The crafty jungle before them slowly loomed

Wild animals all around roamed and vroomed

To clear the path and watch out for danger

Lakshman went ahead as a dutiful ranger

Following him closely was Mother Sita at the centre

Behind Her went Lord Rama who was now the mentor

That was a forest; Sun could not enter, from the start

Now his descendants were exploring its deepest part

Looked like the Sun failing to enter the forest through his ray

Had sent his descendants to explore it to have his say!

Lakshman walked ahead removing stones and thorns

Sita watched at distance, few stags locking their horns

Lord Rama took delight in naming them for her

And also enumerated the uses of their skin and fur

Various flowers were grown to decorate the forest

Trying to better one another in a colourful contest

Flowers of colours white, red, yellow and blue

Had blossomed to contrast the wild’s greenish hue

Sita was excited on seeing the incandescent scene

For, to such beauteous locales she had never been

Like a little child she wished for flowers to hold

Lakshman got them for her before being told

Tall tree branches laden with luscious fruits

Bent down to the ground touching their roots

Looked like the trees prostrated with gifts to Ram

Welcoming Him in their home which was always calm

Elephants lifted their trunks and trumpeted loud

As if welcoming Lord Rama to rule the fauna crowd

Peacocks spread their plumes as if to hold a banner

For Lord Rama to enter the jungle in a royal manner

The large hearted lions watched Lord Rama’s arrival

Considering Rama to be, in majesty, a perfect rival

The tigers watched from distance, Lakshmana’s gait

Fearing Lakshmana’s might they went to a frozen state

The deer and rabbits watched Mother Sita’s face

And felt safe like kids who were in their mother’s embrace

Beautiful birds, around Her, flew and fluttered

With musical chirps, their welcome, they uttered

Admiring the beauty around, the trio steadily walked

About the exotic visuals they happily talked

Now and then they stopped to take some rest

Under trees on which birds had built their nest

They walked all day long until sun set

They picked up woods that were not wet

They lit up fire to evade darkness and cold

Emitting heat and light, the fire glittered like gold

Around the fire they sat, in the open, under the sky

Thinking of His parents Lord Rama breathed a sigh

With no people around, His emotions took over Him

In a pensive mood He became silent and grim

Tears flowed down when He thought of His mum

Thinking of His father’s health He became numb

Seeing His sad face Sita tried to cheer Him up

But He continued to drink from His broody cup

“Damn my birth, for giving my parents, pain

After raising me well, this is what they gain

A son who cannot be a devoted staff

But snatches away their happy laugh

Mother always eats only after I eat

Father, to me, has always been sweet

Now, not knowing if I’ve eaten, how will she eat?

How will dad sit, with majesty, in his royal seat?

How did mother Kaikeyi who was always kind

Out of lust for power and wealth, become blind?

Only for kingdom, over king, does she care?

Even to kill my father, for kingdom, would she dare?

When I think of this my head starts to spin

How could one love wealth over their kin?

I am afraid Mother Kaikeyi might even plan

To kill father, if he does not go by her plan!

If thus be the state of my father, such a mighty one

What would not happen to my mother, the puny one?

Lakshman! You have made a mistake by joining me

Did you think of what Mother Sumitra’s state would be?

You must return immediately home, I beseech

Please! With kindness, see sense in my speech

Mothers Kausalya and Sumithra need your protection more

For Kaikeyi might try to settle some past time’s score

Lakshman I want you to go to Ayodhya now

And serve our parents with devotional love

It would be selfish of me to keep you here

While our parents are bereft of any sons near

To serve one’s parent comes first, before all

From serving your mother you must not fall

For me to be in the jungle, fate has decreed

But for you to be here, what is the need?

Sita and I can take care of ourselves

Our old parents are the ones who need your helps

Did you think of your wife Urmila, the humble?

The one who bid good-bye to you without a mumble

I have made up my mind, my dear brother

Anymore for my welfare you need not bother

Tomorrow at dawn, in the jungle, Sita and I will stay

While, towards Ayodhya, you must make your way”

Hearing this Lakshman was in utter shock

For a moment, he knew not, what to talk

He felt forsaken, by his God

Was he a burden to his Lord?

To stay with his Brother, he was desperate

How can life and breath, ever be separate?

Collecting himself, he expressed his view

Drops of tears from his eyes fell in queue

“Brother, our mothers are no ordinary women

To serve them, at their behest, there are a thousand men

Both men and women, await for them to clap

And get things done in a split second’s gap

But who would care for You, in these woods that are deep?

Who would make bed for You, while You go to sleep?

Who would bring water for Your daily needs?

Who would ready the place to perform Your religious deeds?

Will You do these all by Yourself?

And while You do this, leave Sita all by Herself?

In this jungle where wild animals linger

Searching for a prey, to quench their hunger

Please Brother, don’t do this to me

Serving You in the forest let me be”

Saying thus Lakshman fell at Lord Rama’s feet

Hugging Lord Rama’s knees, he made the ground his seat

Mother Sita tried to speak on Lakshman’s behalf

She tried to make Lord Rama see the other half

“Lord! With us, by Mother Sumithra, Lakshman has been sent

Her son to us, for our service, she has happily lent

By serving us, Lakshman does serve his mother

For he will only be carrying out her precise order

If Lakshman goes back, our mothers will be worried

Deeper in their sorrows, about us, they will get buried

At least now they take respite in knowing we two are not alone

If Lakshman goes back, even this consolation will be gone

People will also criticize Lakshman as being weak in mind

For the determination at start, he will be leaving behind”

But Lord Rama was not convinced with any of these points

He would always stick with his decision, even if it disappoints

His wife, or His brother or any of His kith and kin

For He always wanted what is right to always win!

“No Sita! It is not fair for him to be here

About my parent’s life, I am in fear

Lakshman! Tomorrow at dawn, you must go

That’s an order from me, so don’t say no!”

Lord Rama’s words were like needles that pierce

But against His orders, Lakshman could not be fierce

With no heart at all, Lakshman agreed to obey

Bereft of any energy, he became like lifeless hay

The night went by, a silent one

Against Lakshman’s prayers fate had won

Sun rose up lightening all but Lakshman’s face

Who was with much difficulty trying to brace

Lord Rama embraced Lakshman to console

Lakshman’s emotions were not easy to control

Lakshman embraced Rama very tight

And cried like a child until his heart became light

Lakshman asked Rama and Sita together to stand

He fell at their feet, prostrated on the land

He came around them keeping them to his right

Both to Lord Rama and Sita, he was a pitiful sight

He hugged Lord Rama for very long

The embrace, like his love, was very strong

Lord Rama caressed his back and head

And kissed him on his cheek with love unsaid

Though it pained for Lord Rama too

To change the decision, He did not want to

Lakshman now smiled at his brother

And at Sita, who, to him, was always a mother

“I take leave of both of you

Though this act, at my heart does hew

Sorry brother, for not obeying without talking back

The courage, to do what is right, I always lack”

Saying thus Lakshman bid farewell and turned

Though to stay back, his heart strongly yearned

He walked away with steps that were unsteady and slow

His head as if in defeat, hung very low

The mighty man was now crying like a child

And tracing his steps back in the wild

Lord Rama could see Lakshman wiping his eyes

And could sense Lakshman heaving heavy sighs

Lord Rama saw Lakshman’s walk was a stumble

Lord Rama was afraid Lakshman was going to tumble

With tears barring his vision Lakshman tripped

At Lord Rama’s heart, for Lakshman, sympathy gripped

Lakshman slowly walked and disappeared behind a tree

Lord Rama’s love for his brother was now at spree

Tears flowed from His eyes like a profuse river

Lord Rama shook His head as if in a shiver

Calling out to His brother Lord Rama ran

Following Him behind Mother Sita too ran

Both of them, to Lakshman, called out loud

From Lakshman’s heart disappeared the sorrow cloud

Not sure if he was being called but with hope

He peeped from behind the tree to see his Brother lope

Waving out to him, he saw the Divine Two running

He realised his Brother was going to get back the shunning

He ran towards his Brother, like a calf to a cow

And stood before Rama with a respectful bow

With a curious look and a hesitant smile

For his Brother to talk, he waited for a while

“Never will I send you hereafter away from me

If I have to do so in future, that would be the end of me”

Saying thus Lord Rama took back his order

Lakshman smiled a smile that could not be broader

The divine three now felt light at heart

Lakshman was happy for Rama could not see him apart

They continued their journey deeper into the jungle

Sita teased Rama’s act, like in a jingle

All three laughed at the turn of the event

And continued to walk enjoying the moment

They soon reached the junction of two sacred rivers

The waters colliding with each other and creating quivers

Situated between the Ganga and Yamuna was a hermitage

In which lived a groups of hermits serving a sage

The sage’s name was Bharadhvaja, the wise

Whose, spiritual powers were always on the rise

The divine three entered the sage’s place

Which, was brimming with vibration of divine grace

The sage was more than happy to receive the three

His assistants, to serve them, became busy like bee

Sage Bharadvaja appreciated Lord Rama for his adherence to Dharma

And reassured Him that He was earning by this, very good Karma

The sage praised Mother Sita for taking up such pain

He wished very good life and children for her to gain

He appreciated Lakshman for being so devoted

“You set example for brothers!” the sage denoted

The sage offered them fruits and roots for food

And provided them shelter, for the night, under his hood

After relishing the food, the divine three slept

To lofty heights, the sage’s joy had leapt

Pondering all night about the identity of Ram

The sage said unto himself, “Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!”