Aug 18, 2007

Chapter 70: Rama leaves Ayodhya

Rama, Lakshman and Sita come to bid farewell to D and KK. D is shocked to know that Sita and L are also accompanying. He tells Sita that he has promised Mithila King the very best for Sita and he has to abide by it. Sita too says that she is bound by her marital vow to be with hubby all the time. L too says that he too has taken vow to be with Ram all the time and he has to go too. KK is very happy about this since she thinks the number of people to revolt is getting lesser. She is honored by them and thanks them. Rama says that there will not be any revolt from anyone. This is Raghu clan and unity is synonymous with Raghu clan. Thus saying, Rama asks for farewell since it is almost dawn. D keeps asking them not to go but Rama & Co leave.

D asks mantri Sumant to take him away from the chamber where he is situated with KK. He doesnt want to see her face again and neither she should see his face again. KK seems nonplussed now. Once on his bed, he informs Sumant to be the charioteer and take Ram to the border of Ayodhya where there is a dense forest. Ram can stay there for 14 years, that way he is still close by. Sumant rushes out before Rama leaves. After Sumant leaves, D realizes he did a grave mistake. He himself could have been the charioteer instead of Sumant. He rushes out shouting Ram, Ram. All his wives and daughters-in-law come running behind him. He is hardly having any life left in him though. But he is too late.

D comes crying and shouting ‘Don’t leave, Rama’ to the main door of the palace, but Rama and Co carry on in their journey, along with Mahamanthri in the chariot. [Rama, although refusing chariot, would agree since Sumant is just following his father's orders and Sumant asks for permission to just follow his duty.]

Seeing them go away, D faints again at the doorstep. He is carried back to the bedroom where he is doctored, but he informs that his only solace would be the sight of Rama back in palace. The wives except KK cry along with him.

Bharat and bro strangely feel something going wrong in Ayodhya and cant sleep whole night. They inform their granpa of their anxiety and granpa tells them to go check on Ayodhya if all is well. By the way, granpa is feeling all better.

Rama and Co are met by the small village head Nishaad, one of the chieftains who had voted Rama as Yuvraj in the court. N is surprised to see Rama in Saint’s dress, when actually he is supposed to have become yuvraj that day. They tell him of latest happenings. Rama & Co take rest in N’s place and finally comes to the river frontier that separates Ayodhya from woods.

But to Rama’s dismay, there are no boatmen at the coast to assist Rama and co to cross the river. The reason, N explains that all boatmen are afraid of Rama’s feet’s dust which perhaps might turn their boat into something else, because of which they might no longer be boatmen. Rama is perplexed as to what needs to be done. N solves the problem by watering Rama’s feet – a feat which Rama initially refuses but finally agrees to get done.

Once that is done, all are set to leave Ayodhya. Rama takes a handful of Ayodhya’s sand and bids adieu to it. Mahamanthri requests Rama to come back for pop’s sake. Rama says pop’s ‘pran’ (promise) is more important than ‘praan’ (life). If needed D can visit Rama at the forest, but Rama will not go back to Ayodhya palace for 14 yrs. The mahamanthri waves goodbye and returns to palace.

N helps Rama and co to cross Ganga. Rama says he doesn’t have anything to thank him. N says showering Rama’s feet itself was enough for him.

Rama then thanks Prime Minister Sumant for getting him till here. Sumant says he will accept the thanks only if he heads back to Ayodhya. "What?!" Ram asks. Sumant says it is the request from the King. King wanted Ram to cross the river which symbolizes him to have gotten out of Ayodhya, and then ignore the 14 years and head back to Ayodhya. Rama says rubbish. The promise is for 14 years forest life exile and he is bound by the pledge & Dasharath's vow given to KK. He doesnt want D's vow to become a ridicule by Rama going to Ayodhya just after crossing it. If required, dad can visit me in the forest, Rama says and R & Co go into woods bidding adieu.

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