Chapter
11 (a)
Lakshmana - Too
Within
the Palace, the companions of Rama, elated and happy,
ready with their bright countenances and splendid robes
were waiting to accompany him to the Festival Hall.
Sumanthra went into the apartments that lay still deeper
Inside the Palace. There he saw Rama, seated on a golden
cot, scattering Divine Light around him, and Sita
standing by his side, gently fanning him. He shone like
the Moon with the star, Chitra.
Sumanthra was in a
hurry; he could not brook delay. He said, "Rama! Mother
Kaikeyi and your Father have both asked me to bring you
quickly to the Palace of that Queen; they have sent me on
that mission here; I have hurried hither for that same
purpose". As soon as he heard those words, Rama turned
towards Sita and said, "Sita! This is a sign of some
obstacle, and not of anything else. I am not unaware of
this; but I kept silent and said, 'Yes' for everything,
so that Father might be kept happy. Fatherís
orders are to be honoured, lest he be pained." While Rama
was talking in this strain, the heart of Sumanthra was
pounding fast inside him. He was trying to interpret
Ramaís words and the picture of Dasaratha lying
wailing on the floor. He was now convinced that the
obstacle Rama spoke of was genuine.
But, Sita interrupted
Rama; she said "Lord! What are you talking about? On this
auspicious occasion you should not speak thus. Whatever
the obstacle, father-in-law's words must be honoured. If
he is content, we are content. For his sake, we must
renounce whatever has to be. Do not hesitate even a
little; go immediately. Whether the Coronation takes
place or not, we shall be equally happy. Mother Kaikeyi
has inordinate affection towards you; any- thing that she
directs us to do, any order that she gives us, will be
for our good beyond doubt. There is no one here on earth
who is as solicitous for our welfare as Mother Kaikeyi.
When Father and such a Mother send word that you should
hasten towards them, how happy we should be!" Saying
this, Sita followed Rama to the main door of the Hall and
wished him well.
Rama told her, "Sita!
Donít I know all this? For me, the days that are
past, the days that are around us and the days yet to
come are all the same. I welcome each day with full joy.
To uphold the reputation of Father, I am prepared to do
anything, I am prepared to go anywhere. I am indeed
immensely happy that you share my feeling and second my
resolve." Rama moved out, accompanied by Sumanthra. When
they ascended the chariot waiting on the road in front of
the Palace, people raised shouts of 'Jai, Jai Ramachandra
Prabhu ki Jai.' The acclamation shook the
skies.
Sumanthra announced to
the populace, "Now the chariot is not taking Rama to the
Coronation Hall. It is taking him to where the Emperor
is. So, allow the chariot to go as fast as it should.
Rama will return in a few moments; so wait here itself."
Sumanthra explained the reason for the hurry, and drove
in hot haste. When Rama was proceeding thus along the
city streets to the Palace of Kaikeyi, in his divine
chariot, as soon as he was sighted, heroes cheered like
lions. Minstrels and courtiers started paeans of praise.
The strains of many instruments of music filled the sky.
Acclamation of "Jai", "Jai" rose from the thick masses of
people on both sides of the road. Women in their best
clothes, bedecked with jewels, thronged the terraces of
the house and filled the windows, eager to wave lamps
when Rama passed by.
When he approached the
Palace, they showered floral petals and waved sacred
lamps. People gazed upon the Prince until he passed
beyond reach of the eye; then, they relished with joy the
picture of "Rama in the chariot" they had imprinted on
their hearts, and, stood without stirring wherever they
were, like idols of themselves, lost in contemplation of
the Bliss that filled them.
The chariot rode into
the precincts of the Palace of Dasaratha named
Vardhamana, as imposing as Mount Kailas itself. It passed
through the three quadrangles guarded by vigilant
bowmen.
Then, Rama alighted
from the vehicle. Thereafter, he moved through two more
quadrangles on foot. While walking across, he told his
companions and even Lakshmana to stay back. For, Rama
knew what was about to happen soon. In spite of this, he
was acting like a mortal, as naturally as any would under
the circumstances! Finally, Rama entered the apartments
of the Queens and the place where Dasaratha had fallen on
the bed. His hair was disheveled; he was wearing the
clothes of 'yesterday'. He was lying on the bed without
any regard to propriety. Rama was astonished at the
spectacle. Kaikeyi was standing by the side of the
bed.
Dasaratha's face had
lost all trace of brightness; he was lamenting and
wailing. He raised his head; his eyes fell upon Rama. His
tongue failed to spell out what he longed to say. Tears
streamed from his eyes. Though he tried to speak, no
sound came. Rama had never before seen or experienced
such a fearsome scene. He was filled with anxiety; he
hastened to the presence of his father, and held both his
feet in his hands. "Tell me, father, why you lament so?
What is the cause? I shall try to confer joy on you, in
the best manner possible. I shall dedicate my very life
for the sake of restoring your Ananda. Tell me what has
caused this grief; do not weep", he pleaded.
At this Dasaratha
exclaimed, 'Rama!" and broke into tears again, unable to
continue. He lost consciousness. Rama tried to revive him
and console him; but, he fell deeper into grief and could
not be pacified. Then, Rama mustered courage and took his
father to task, "Father! what is all this? You have to
instill courage into young persons like me; on the other
hand, you are weeping and wailing and filling us with
fear! No. This is not right. This is the occasion to be
happy; but, is it Dharma, is it proper, for you to sink
into grief? Till this day, whenever you were angry or
worried, my coming to you used to remove in a trice all
signs of those troubles, and to make you beam with
Ananda. You used to gain peace again when you drew me
near, didnít you? How is it then that the longer
you took at me the more you suffer from sorrow? This
makes my grief too more painful. Can you not mention the
reason for this strange behaviour and bring solace to me?
Wonít you tell me? Has any wrong been committed by
me? Or, if there is anything I have to do, tell me, I
shall do it without fail. I shall correct myself, if you
tell me my faults. Do not grieve; do not doubt or
hesitate; tell me with the authority of affection what I
have to do, and I shall bow to the order. Father! Your
being plunged in grief is not good augury for you, for me
as well as for the Empire".
Praying thus, Rama
turned towards Kaikeyi. With folded palms, he asked her,
"Mother! Have I committed any wrong? Tell me who that
execrable sinner is who caused such grief to father! The
moment father saw me, he used to beckon me lovingly, draw
me close to him, and fondle me caressingly! Now, he does
not even look at my face; why is it so? He does not utter
one word; he keeps his face turned away from me! If,
however, the fault, the crime is mine, I am ready to
suffer any punishment to atone for it. It is enough for
me if father is happy. Or, is he suffering from any
illness or disease? Else, have my brothers, Bharatha and
Satrughna sent any bad news? They are well, arenít
they? Mother Kausalya and Sumitra are well, I hope! I am
overcome with grief, since I am unable to understand the
reason for fatherís agony! I shall do whatever is
needed to bring joy back to him, however hard it may be.
His command, however painful, I shall discharge to the
full, most loyally, with bowed head. Whoever is born, the
father is the cause of his birth. Therefore, the father
is everyoneís visible God. I seek nothing higher
than his happiness. Have compassion on me; tell me what
has taken place. Mother! was your self-respect hurt by
any incident, resulting in your speaking some harsh words
against father? Or, did my mother act against his will
and hurt his feelings? Mother Kausalya will never behave
like that. And, Sumitra? I am more certain about her. She
will not at all act so. And father will certainly not
lament so distressingly, even if either of them acted so
foolishly. There must be some very serious reason for his
plight. When father is reluctant to tell me what that is,
at least you can tell me about it and console my
grief".
Looking at Rama who was
so pathetically praying to her, Kaikeyi gave up all sense
of mercy and moderation, all consideration for the
husband who might be plunged in deeper misery when he
hears her words spoken in utter disregard of the
calamities they were sure to usher in. She did not stop
to inquire whether the words could be uttered or whether
they were better left unspoken. She did not discriminate
between the fleeting present and the oncoming future. She
brushed aside the claims of love, and cast off her own
innate dignity and motherly status.
She said, "Rama!
Listen! Years ago, during the battle between the
Devas and the
Asuras (Gods
and Demons), your father was wounded by dire demonic
arrows and he suffered unbearable pain. I nursed him back
to health and happiness. He appreciated my sacrifice and
service and told me to name two boons promising to grant
them to me. At that time, I felt that the only thing I
craved for was his recovery and victory; so I replied:
ëI do not desire any boon now; I shall ask you for
the promised boons when I feel the urge laterí.
Your father said, 'Right! whenever you like, ask me
whichever two boons you wish for; I shall certainly grant
them and fulfill your desire. These boons have no limit
of time and are bound by no condition. Whenever you ask,
whatever the boons, I shall give them', he
vowed.
"You know that scions
of the Ikshvaku line never break their promised word.
Putting faith in that well known fact, I asked now for
those two boons: one, that my son Bharatha should be
crowned Emperor and two, that you should be sent into the
Dandaka Forest for a period of fourteen years. As a
result, your father is creating this hubbub! Why
elaborate further? I shall not modify or withdraw my
demands. If your father is as adherent of Truth, and if
you desire to prove that you too are an adherent of
Truth, you have to go this very moment to the Dandaka
Forest, wearing deerskin and matted hair. You have to
reside there for fourteen years.
"Since you are his very
life-breath, he does not like to send you into exile; he
is reluctant to ask you to go. He apprehends you may take
it amiss; that is the reason for this grief. Rama! No
other calamity or deluge has happened here. It is
meaningless to exaggerate this minor matter and make out
that a mountainous catastrophe has landed on us. Rama!
The father can be saved from the sin of breaking his word
only when his very image, the son, resolves to fulfill
the vow he fails to fulfill. Else, if he who vowed and he
who is the son of the person who vowed, both neglect it,
then the father has to meet the doom of eternal downfall.
You are not unaware of this".
Rama was not affected
in the least, while listening to these words uttered with
such deliberate hard-heartedness. With a smile playing on
his lips, he replied, "For this reason, it is not proper
that father should lament". He nodded his head as if to
signify his approval of the proposals made by Kaikeyi.
But, when this conversation fell on his ears, Dasaratha
felt as if his heart was being sawn within. He rolled and
groaned in extreme agony. Rama turned towards Kaikeyi and
said, "Mother! It will happen as you have contemplated! I
am reverentially placing on my head the promise made by
my father. It is enough if father draws me near him as he
so lovingly used to do until now and speaks to me
affectionately, and blesses me. Well, if I am at least
told that I donít deserve these, that I have not
earned that merit, I will accept it without demur and
with equal joy and satisfaction. For, father always
wishes the best for me. He blesses me always and desires
that I progress ever. He is a great seer; he is for me
not only the father, but the preceptor who teaches the
highest path. What responsibility and duty have I than
conferring joy on him, who is both father and teacher?
This is my dearest duty, my Dharma. I will derive immense
Ananda in the forest for fourteen years. Not merely
fourteen, if fatherís wish is such. I am prepared
to live all my life in the forest itself! But, why is it
that father is hesitating to tell me about these two
boons? This is what pains me. Will I ever say no to what
he says? Rama is the servant and support of the parental
word, not its opponent. Is there any act of gratitude
nobler than dedicating this body, which was received from
the father, to his service alone? I shall offer it with
Ananda; I am not one who waits to be told to do so.
"Mother why did you not
mention to me that Bharatha is the person to be crowned?
I and my brother - there is no difference between us; why
then did you entertain any difference between us? We know
no distinction among ourselves. Also, why is it that you
say, ëThis is your fatherís commandí?
Do I ever disobey your commands? No I never do so.
Whether you say it or my father says it I un-hesitatingly
carry it out. I am leaving Ayodhya this very day, and
proceeding to the forest. Mother! Send proper messengers
charged with the task of bringing Bharatha from the
grandfather's place. It is best to get him quickly. If my
moving into the forest and the coronation of Bharatha
happen at the same time, father will be saved from
physical strain, mental anxiety and the sense of void.
And you too can be fully content! Who can say how events
will shape themselves?"
When Kaikeyi heard
these words from Rama, she was filled with Ananda and
apprehension. She feared what might happen if Bharatha
arrived while Rama was still present in the city; she
concluded that it was best to insist on Rama leaving for
the forest that very day itself. She replied, "Rama! It
is possible to make arrangements to get Bharatha from
where he is to Ayodhya; but, there is no need why you
should continue here until he reaches this City. Since
you have decided to start the hermit life, why should you
delay your departure? For, the longer the start is
delayed, the day of your return too will be advanced! It
is advisable that you get ready to leave even now. "Your
father is eager to tell you this himself, but, he is
unwilling to express his command directly. Though his
heart insists that he should say it, he is bothered by a
sense of shame, for he loves you much. He is reluctant to
inform you of his promise to me; that is the reason for
his distress. He has no other grief. The quicker you
depart from Ayodhya, the sooner he will recover from
agony. Until you leave Ayodhya, I am afraid, he will not
take food or bathe. Therefore, if you yearn to restore
him to happiness, the sooner you depart the
better".
Dasaratha lying
prostrate on the bed heard these heart-piercing words of
Kaikeyi; he could not contain his anger and sorrow. He
burst into indistinct fury, "Fie on you, traitorous
demon!" and turning to Rama, he cried, "Rama" twice,
before he fainted again. Rama sat on the bed, with the
head of his father on his lap; he stroked the forehead
and consoled and comforted him with sweet lovingness. He
also spoke to Kaikeyi, "Mother! I am not a covetous
fellow, poisoned by worldly ambition. I have no desire to
win over the people and establish my rule over the
kingdom. I wish to live like a hermit; I yearn to foster
and maintain righteousness (Dharma), that is all. I have
only one more resolve: to confer joy on my most revered
father. To realize these three objectives, I am prepared
to undertake any task. A son has no greater duty, no
higher good, than serving the father. Mother! Though
father has not directly spoken to me, you are telling me
what his command is, arenít you? That is quite
enough. Besides, you are speaking in his very presence,
and despite his hearing what you say, he is unable to
alter or deny anything. Therefore, I infer that your
words are virtually his. So, I bow to the order, and
shall leave as directed.
"Mother! I have one
little wish, which I hope you will fulfill. When Bharatha
is ruling the empire, see that he obeys in every way the
orders of Father and that he contributes to the joy and
satisfaction of Father by his acts. For me, for Bharatha;
indeed, for every son, there is nothing more holy and
more fruitful than the vow of filling the heart of the
father with contentment and happiness. Service of the
father is the Sanathana Dharma, the eternal duty, of the
son".
With these words, Rama
fell prostrate on the ground and touched the feet of
Mother Kaikeyi. Dasaratha, who heard his Son, writhed as
if the Dharma that Rama expounded and the equanimity
which he revealed aroused his love even more and thus
aggravated his sorrow beyond control. Knowing that Rama
will not stay in Ayodhya any longer, he lost all sense of
propriety and status. He shouted, "Rama!", and slumped on
the hard floor of the room. Women in the zenana heard the
thump, and were stunned into grief and wonder. They
lamented loudly among themselves at the turn of events.
Rama realized that it was not advisable to delay any
longer. He prostrated before his father and touched his
feet. Then, he walked out of the apartment.
Lakshmana was standing
at the door and listening to the words spoken inside the
room. He was in tears; he was furious against Kaikeyi and
angry against father. He found it impossible to give
expression to his feelings; so, he followed the footsteps
of Rama with arms folded, eyes on the ground, head bent
low. Though he had lost a kingdom, and had to exile
himself into the forest, Ramaís face shone like
the moon behind thick dark clouds, unaffected by the
black veil. The splendour of his countenance was
unaffected; for, he faced honour and dishonour with equal
serenity. He behaved like a veteran Yogi,
with no trace of agitation in thought, word and deed; he
walked as if nothing had happened to cause him worry.
However, Sumanthra guessed that some transformation had
happened inside the palace. The guess soon grew into
certainty. When his eyes fell on Lakshmana, his heart
suffered a shock. To add to his fears, Rama brushed aside
the White Umbrella that was held over him by the
attendant. He ordered that the ceremonial whisks be not
used for him. He declared that he did not deserve any
more the silver chariot. On hearing this, Sumanthra lost
strength of body and will. He was confirmed in his worst
fears.
Rama did not speak a
word to those around him or to the citizens he met; not
that he was sad, no, he knew that others would be hurt if
they heard the news. For, if he spoke, he would have to
speak out the truth; and he would be spreading sadness
through his own words. In spite of this, his style of
walking back to the palace announced the sad news to all
onlookers.
Rama did not proceed
direct to the apartments of Sita. He chose to walk to the
palace of Kausalya. The palace was resplendent with flags
and festoons and other external marks of jubilation. The
women and other attendants of the palace got intimation
of the approach of Rama and Lakshmana to the mansion and
they got ready lamps on plates, and ranged themselves in
rows to welcome them. Old and trusted guards at the main
entrance rose sharply when they espied the Brothers, and
exclaimed, "Victory! Victory" "May it be victory to you"!
They bowed low and offered homage. When Rama entered the
second square inside, Brahmins who had gathered there
showered their blessings on him. On entering the third
square, the young maids in attendance on the queen rushed
in, carrying the happy tidings that Rama and his younger
brother were arriving, to offer reverence to the mother.
They were themselves delighted at the sight of the
princes. From the outer door right up to the room where
the Mother was, maidens standing on both sides of the
long passage waved ceremonial lamps as sign of welcome,
to ward off evil and welcome joy and
prosperity.
Queen Kausalya had
observed vigil all night, in preparation for the holy day
that had dawned. She was engaged since dawn in worshipful
rites. Aged Brahmin priests were propitiating the God of
Fire with Vedic hymns, when Rama was announced. The
mother was overwhelmed with joy, since she could witness
with her own eyes the Coronation of her son. She
celebrated her joy by means of several rites; she gave
away plentiful gifts. She fasted and kept vigil; Ananda
was enough food for her, the Ananda she shared with all.
She ran forward to clasp Rama in her arms; she caressed
the curls on his head; she led him by the hand into the
shrine room where she was spending the morning. She had
no knowledge of the somersault events had taken. Innocent
and simple-hearted that she was, she wore the white sari
of purity and with the sacred silk cord tied round her
wrist, she was gratefully engaged in the worship of the
Gods. Looking at the face of Rama, she noticed an added
splendour illumining it. So she could not contain within
herself her Ananda. "Son!" she said, "your forefathers
were all Royal Sages, Rajarshis. They were strong
upholders of Right. They were super-souls, Mahatmas, each
one. You shall be as long-lived as they, as renowned as
they; your glory must reach the ends of all the quarters
as their glory did. Son! Follow the ideals of
Righteousness which were held high by this dynasty; do
not neglect them, even in a fit of absence of mind. Hold
on to them, without wavering in the least." With these
words, she placed a few grains of rice on his head, in
token of her blessing on the auspicious day. She placed a
golden seat near hers, saying, "Son! You observed the
ceremonial vigil last night, didnít you? And, you
fasted yesterday, according to rule. You must be
exhausted. Sit here for a while, and eat a few fruits."
So saying, she held forth a gold plate of fruits which
she had made ready for him.
Rama was thrilled by
the Ananda of the mother and the love she showered on
him. He wondered how he could communicate to her the turn
of events; he was unwilling to destroy the atmosphere of
joy. For the sake of giving her satisfaction, he sat on
the golden chair, fingered the contents of the plate and
said, "Mother! From this moment, I should not touch gold.
I should not sit on golden chairs. I am awaiting your
blessing, for, I have to proceed as an exile to the
Dandaka Forest. I came to you for taking leave". Kausalya
could not understand a word of what he said. She could
only say, "Son! Within a few minutes, you are to be
crowned King, and you talk of the Dandaka Forest! I am at
a loss to make out the sense of what you say". She
thought her son was teasing her with a joke. She said,
"Son! In this auspicious hour, you should not, even in
fun, talk of things of bad omen. Give it up, my lovely
gem!" She scooped with her fingers a little from a plate
of rice, boiled in milk and with sugar, and placed it on
Rama's tongue! Observing her love and her Ananda, the
eyes of Lakshmana were spontaneously filled with
tears.
Kausalya noted it; she
turned to him, and inquired, "Lakshmana! Why are you so
sad?" She hurried towards him and tried to caress him,
but Lakshmana could not suppress his grief any longer. He
wept aloud and sobbed. The queen stood aghast; she did
not know why he sobbed. Ramaís words and
Lakshmana's grief confused her much. Meanwhile Rama
interceded: "Mother! if you promise not to grieve, I
shall tell you one thing" and he held her hands in his,
very firmly. "This is something that will endow me and
you, and our entire family and dynasty with imperishable
glory. So, donít give room for any anxiety, doubt
or distress. Agree to it with alacrity and affection.
Does it not give you great joy that I obey
fatherís command? He has resolved to crown my
brother, Bharatha! He has resolved to send me, in the
habiliments of a hermit, into the Dandaka forest for a
period of fourteen years. I have bowed to his command and
come here to take leave of you." At this, Kausalya
shrieked "Rama", and fell on the floor. "What a turn of
events is this? Is the tender child of mine to be sent
into the dark jungle? What crime has my Rama done to
deserve this? Can this be true? Or, is it meaningless
jabber coming out of my own brain, since I had no sleep
and no food?"
While she was thus
trying to explain to herself and consoling herself, the
happenings at Kaikeyi's palace had spread throughout the
zenana and the noise of wailing and lamentation rose from
maids and attendants everywhere. All faces streamed with
tears in great sorrow. Cries of "Rama! Do not leave us",
were heard on all sides. Grief-stricken groups hurried to
the palace of Kausalya, who was overwhelmed with
astonishment, sorrow and fear. She could not unravel the
mystery of it all. She could not rise from the floor, for
she was weighed down with anxiety and despair.
Nevertheless, she was longing to understand what had
really happened to cause this universal agony. She drew
Rama on to her lap, and caressing his curly hair she
asked, "Son! What is this I hear? This news? Tell me
clearly what took place. I cannot bear this suspense any
longer". Rama told her, "Honouring the two boons that
father had promised Kaikeyi once upon a time, father
granted her these two wishes". Rama told Kausalya that
the first boon she was granted was, "Bharatha is to be
crowned" and the second was, I should be sent to the
Forest for fourteen years".
When Rama related these
facts and confirmed their truth, Kausalya exclaimed,
"Rama! Did Kaikeyi really demand such boons? Kaikeyi had
unbounded love and affection towards you. She would not
have wished for these things any day. Let that rest. Even
if she has, I am sure it must be only to test the king!
For this simple thing, why should there be so much
confusion and anxiety? Or, assuming that she asked for
the boons; will your father ever agree to grant them? I
refuse to believe this. Will your father, who cannot
tolerate your absence from his presence for a single
moment, send you away into the forest for fourteen years?
This is plunging me into more confusion."
Seeing his mother
doubting the truth of the incidents that actually took
place, Rama again held both her hands in his and pleaded,
"Mother! Believe my words! Father had already promised to
grant her whichever two boons she desired; afterwards,
when she asked for these two, he had no inclination to
break his plighted word, to take back the promise he had
solemnly granted. Nor could his mind agree to order me
into the forest and be without me. So, he is suffering
great mental distress. I cannot bear the sight of his
affliction. I have just now returned from that palace. He
is stricken unconscious: he is in terrible anguish. This
is the truth. I am not so cruel as to cause such anxiety
in you over a light laughable matter, believe me. I have
accepted fatherís order; I have come to you for
your permission."
With these words, Rama
fell at the feet of his mother. Kausalya lifted him up
tenderly. She said, "Rama! What strange behaviour is
this? However barbarian a person may be, will he demand
these horrible boons? Can ever any human being think of
sending you, who is to be crowned in a few minutes, into
the forest and for fourteen years? Am I to suffer
throughout my life? I got a son, after observing many a
vow and ritual. Looking on your lovely face, I overcame
the pangs of those years of sorrow. I have no other
desire; I ask for no other boon; enough for me if my son
is with me, near me. Have I become unfit for this little
gift? Did I deliver a child only to throw it into the
forest? Will any mother agree to send her son into the
jungle? Alas, what sin have I committed in the past? In
which of my previous lives have I kept apart a mother
from her son? Since the day when you were initiated into
Vedic studies, I was deriving happiness every moment from
the thought that the day of your Coronation was drawing
near. Have those sweet dreams of mine come to naught?
Have all my hopes been dashed to the ground and broken to
pieces? Have all the vows, vigils, rites and rituals I so
scrupulously observed and performed for ensuring your joy
and happiness been in vain? 0! what a big sinner am I?
Why has my heart not broken on hearing this news?
Perhaps, I have to hear and bear many more heart-breaking
news! Death does not help me! My heart still beats, in
spite of this shock. Alas, even death awaits the allotted
moment. He comes; but on seeing my plight leaves me
alive, postponing the moment of my release. Yama too has
no mercy towards me, I am pronounced undeserving of even
the realm of Death. O Rama! That this calamity should
happen to us!" She lamented and fell on the floor in a
faint. Coming to, she rolled on the floor, pressing her
heart with the palm of her hand. Rama could not quietly
look on the scene. The wailing of the maids, who gathered
around blasted his ears like thunderbolts.
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