The scene of Rama breaking the news of his exile to Sita in Valmiki Ramayana takes us by surprise. We do not see the splendid son who accepted it calmly when Kaikeyi pronounced the 'supposed order' of the king to leave for the jungle. "No change of mood of mood was perceived in him any more than in a master - Yogi - who surpasses all (common) men (because of his having risen above all pairs of opposites) - even though he was ready to retire to the woods and was renouncing the sovereignty to the (entire) globe." This is how he took the order from Kaikeyi. (Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Canto XIX, Sloka 33.) Nor do we see the calm and controlled elder brother who pacifies a raging volcano of Lakshmana. He is quite different when he is in the presence of his endeared Sita, his wife, his love, his innermost heart-of-heart.
Rama's breaking the news to Sita is preceded by his visit to the chamber of Kausalya. His face shone as brightly as the full moon when he met Kausalya, his mother, says the Poet. Nor could Kausalya see any difference in his countenance that remained as sweet as ever. He clung to her with his arms around her neck and she smelt his head. Neither did Rama show any difference of expression nor did Kausalya read any signs of remorse from his actions. "May you attain the age and renown of ancient royal sages of virtuous conduct and possessing a noble soul, and acquire virtue, worthy of your race! (Please go and) see, O scion of Raghu, your royal father, who is true to his promise. That pious soul is going to install you in the office of Prince Regent this very day." (Ibid, Sloka 23 and 24)
Even up to this point of time Rama displaying a brave façade and Kausalya is still under the impression that he is - within a couple of hours or so - about to be appointed as the Prince Regent. Well, it would be nothing less than arrogance to suspect his feelings, his sincerity and his sense of duty. But we are not only surprised but are shocked to listen to the words of Sita when she receives him in their private chamber. 'Why! What happened to you! Why are you looking so pale, lifeless and dull!' is how she receives him. Moments back Rama was with his mother and even she could not read any difference in his appearance. Not until Rama himself announces the decision to enthrone Bharata and to exile him in a matter-of-fact voice, without showing any pain or remorse could Kausalya know or even guess any such thing. But, here is Sita. Listen to her.
"Seeing him pale of countenance, bathed in perspiration and unable to restrain his grief, Sita (who felt sore stricken with grief) said, "What is this now, my Lord……… Your lovely countenance does not shine splendidly as it should when canopied by an umbrella white as foam and provided with a hundred ribs. Nor is your lotus-eyed face (I find) being fanned (as it should) with a pair of excellent chowries shining like moon and swan." (Ibid, Canto XXVI, Sloka 8, 10 and 11)
But was there grief in the mind of Rama? Does it not sound strange?
The scene of Rama breaking the news of his exile to Sita in Valmiki Ramayana takes us by surprise. We do not see the splendid son who accepted it calmly when Kaikeyi pronounced the 'supposed order' of the king to leave for the jungle. "No change of mood of mood was perceived in him any more than in a master - Yogi - who surpasses all (common) men (because of his having risen above all pairs of opposites) - even though he was ready to retire to the woods and was renouncing the sovereignty to the (entire) globe." This is how he took the order from Kaikeyi. (Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Canto XIX, Sloka 33.) Nor do we see the calm and controlled elder brother who pacifies a raging volcano of Lakshmana. He is quite different when he is in the presence of his endeared Sita, his wife, his love, his innermost heart-of-heart.
Even up to this point of time Rama displaying a brave façade and Kausalya is still under the impression that he is - within a couple of hours or so - about to be appointed as the Prince Regent. Well, it would be nothing less than arrogance to suspect his feelings, his sincerity and his sense of duty. But we are not only surprised but are shocked to listen to the words of Sita when she receives him in their private chamber. 'Why! What happened to you! Why are you looking so pale, lifeless and dull!' is how she receives him. Moments back Rama was with his mother and even she could not read any difference in his appearance. Not until Rama himself announces the decision to enthrone Bharata and to exile him in a matter-of-fact voice, without showing any pain or remorse could Kausalya know or even guess any such thing. But, here is Sita. Listen to her.
