Much of the trials and tribulations that Rama goes through in the Ramayana would have been avoided if Dasaratha had not rashly granted two boons to Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi saved Dasaratha’s life in the battlefield and in return for her courage, Dasaratha granted two boons to Kaikeyi. Like an undated cheque, Kaikeyi opted to ‘encash’ these boons at a time of her choosing. Dasaratha did not realize the consequence of it.
Be careful while making commitments.
Perumal Thirumozhi – The Ninth set of Ten
730. (Dasaratha says) Oh Rama! The townsmen and the courtiers worship your very feet. Just as you were about to ascend the throne, my son, Kaikeyi banished you to the forest! I had brought you up to rule this kingdom (and not to wander in the wilderness)!
731. My Rama! Listening to my harsh words, you spurned the throne, the caparisoned elephant, the royal army and the splendid chariot. How could you walk to the forest accompanied by my daughter-in-law who has spear shaped eyes and your younger brother? My Lord! What will I do?
732. Born to the sharp eyed Kausalya, my son! Broad shouldered lad who wields the bow! One who is capable of melting my heart! Dark colored Lord! After being used to sleeping on the finest of beds, when did you learn to sleep under the shadow of trees on a bed of rocks? (In the Ashoka Vana, when Hanuman locates Sita, she asks Hanuman to describe Rama’s features. Hanuman describes Rama’s color as ‘Shyama’ – dark complexioned. Krishna is also called Shyama! To a generation obsessed with fairness in skin complextion, they remind us that even dark can be divine!)
733. Come! Go! Come back again to see my face just once! You won the bamboo like slender-waisted Sita’s heart by breaking the bow. You melt even my wicked heart! Why does my heart not break down upon seeing you leave for the forest where ferocious elephants wander here and there?
734. Your feet will be pierced by the rocks that are razor sharp like the spears of our enemies and your blood will flow from the wounds. The harsh sun light will fall on your delicate body. Hunger and disease will torment you. You proceed to the forest where no one wishes to go, just because I asked you to! I am the wicked one for having listened to Kaikeyi. What can I do?
735. No longer will I be able to hear him (Rama) call –‘Amma!’ I will no longer be able to embrace him affectionately rubbing his chest on mine. I will not be able to smell his hair. I will not be able to see his lustrous face. I am the unlucky father who sent his son to the forest. Why doesn’t my life leave my body this very instant?
736. Sumanthra! Vasishta! Learned Brahmins! Hair that used to smell of flowers has now been tied up into matted locks! Silk that used to cover his body has been replaced by the dress of a hermit! He (Rama) now looks like someone else. The forest that I need to proceed to instead has now become the destination of my dearest son. Is this fair?
737. Kaikeyi! You have banished to the forest our dear son Rama, his affectionate brother Lakshmana and the delicate parrot like beautiful Sita! You have created a blemish on the character of Bharata! What have you gained by sending me to the heavens as well by your wicked deeds? Aren’t you ashamed to stay alive?
738. You destroyed the ego of Parasurama. Not heeding to the sorrow caused to Kausalya and to me, you placed great importance to my word and proceeded to the forest. My Lord! My broad shouldered son! I hope to be your father in my next birth too!
739. Peerless in the clan of Manu! Both Kausalya and Sumithra who smell like honey, are broken hearted. Taken in by the misleading words of the hunchback Manthara, Kaikeyi banished you to the forest and you heeded her command. I no longer wish to be in this kingdom and aspire for the world above.
740. The ruler of Uraiyur – Kulasekara has composed this garland of Tamil verses describing Dasaratha lament about the broad shouldered Rama’s exile to the forest. Those who recite these verses will not be swayed by the wrong path.
Who do you miss in your life? You will find them soon. 🙂