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!!”
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