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!!”
