DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0475
390 INDIAN MYTH AND LEGEND
be summoned quickly from Girivrajah, and I will hasten
to the jungle of Dandaka."
Said Kaikeyi: "So be it. . . . But tarry not, for thy
sire will neither wash nor eat until thou hast departed
hence."
Rama bowed before his sire who was prostrated with
sorrow; he bowed before Kaikeyi also. . . . All the
royal attendants wept, but Rama was unmoved as is the
ocean when a pot of water is drawn from it or poured in.
He went towards Kausalya, his mother, who was
engaged making offerings to Vishnu on his behalf, and
informed her what had taken place.
Kausalya wept and cried: "O dearly beloved, if thou
hadst never been born I would not have to suffer this
calamity. . . . My son, 1 am the chief queen, but Kaikeyi
hath supplanted me, and I am disliked and neglected by
my husband. ... I am old and unable to endure the
loss of thee, my son. . . . Hath my heart grown hard as
rock that it will not break now ? Is Yama's mansions so
full that I am not called away ? I have no desire to live
any longer. . . . Can a son obey a sire in his dotage ?. • •
Rama, Rama, the people will rise in revolt; seize thou
the throne, and if thy father remaineth hostile slay him,
because he hath become contemptible before all men,
being but a woman's slave."
Lakshmana said: " Mother, thy words are just. Who
will dare oppose Rama so long as I serve him ?"
Said Kausalya: " Hear the words of thy brother, Rama.
If thy sire's command must be obeyed so must mine, and
I command thee now not to depart to the jungle. If thou
wilt not obey me, 1 will eat no more food and thou wilt
be guilty of my death."
Rama said: " I must obey my sire's command. Permit
me, therefore, O mother, to depart now. . . . O Laksn-
be summoned quickly from Girivrajah, and I will hasten
to the jungle of Dandaka."
Said Kaikeyi: "So be it. . . . But tarry not, for thy
sire will neither wash nor eat until thou hast departed
hence."
Rama bowed before his sire who was prostrated with
sorrow; he bowed before Kaikeyi also. . . . All the
royal attendants wept, but Rama was unmoved as is the
ocean when a pot of water is drawn from it or poured in.
He went towards Kausalya, his mother, who was
engaged making offerings to Vishnu on his behalf, and
informed her what had taken place.
Kausalya wept and cried: "O dearly beloved, if thou
hadst never been born I would not have to suffer this
calamity. . . . My son, 1 am the chief queen, but Kaikeyi
hath supplanted me, and I am disliked and neglected by
my husband. ... I am old and unable to endure the
loss of thee, my son. . . . Hath my heart grown hard as
rock that it will not break now ? Is Yama's mansions so
full that I am not called away ? I have no desire to live
any longer. . . . Can a son obey a sire in his dotage ?. • •
Rama, Rama, the people will rise in revolt; seize thou
the throne, and if thy father remaineth hostile slay him,
because he hath become contemptible before all men,
being but a woman's slave."
Lakshmana said: " Mother, thy words are just. Who
will dare oppose Rama so long as I serve him ?"
Said Kausalya: " Hear the words of thy brother, Rama.
If thy sire's command must be obeyed so must mine, and
I command thee now not to depart to the jungle. If thou
wilt not obey me, 1 will eat no more food and thou wilt
be guilty of my death."
Rama said: " I must obey my sire's command. Permit
me, therefore, O mother, to depart now. . . . O Laksn-