As we saw, people are moved to tears at the sight of Janaki having to wear the ascetic's garb. 'She is so innocent that she does not even know how to wear this. Why then should she be taken along with you Rama! We are not able to stop you because you are firm about your decision. But she was not exiled! Let her remain here,' the people pleaded.
The sight of Rama and Lakshmana changing over from their royal robes was not this shocking. They were distressed to see the quick turn of events that have pulled the princes in a diametrically opposite direction over night, no doubt. But if they stood in tears and in utter helplessness, a sudden wave of shock swept over then when Sita, their endeared princess, had to don the hermit's weeds and the way she struggled with it.
Vasistha, the royal preceptor, could not let it happen any more. It was only the previous night that he called on Rama in his palace and had asked him to observe fasting along with Sita, in preparation for the coronation ceremony. "Propitious is your father to you O, Rama," he had told him, "inasmuch as you are going to attain sovereignty (tomorrow). (Therefore) keep you fast for the night with Sita. Out of love your father, Emperor Dasaratha, is positively going to install you in the office of Prince Regent next morning, (even) as Nahusha installed (his son) Yayati." (Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Canto V, Sloka 9and 10)
Not only that his words have gone wrong; his instructions to the couple to undergo fasting - as part of the rituals to be observed for the ceremony - had served no purpose; but also he stands witness to this pathetic sight. He chides Kaikeyi for having exceeded her limits and having misled the king and brought disgrace to the family.
'You tend to think that you have coveted a great fortune for your son Bharata by forcing the wheel of time in the opposite direction overnight. What you do not realise is that Bharata would not accept this. He would not stoop from his level and bear with you for this unfairness. And for now, Sita is not proceeding to the forest. I have better plans for her.' 'Aatmaa hi daaraah sarveshhaam daarasamgrahavartinaam. Aatmeyamiti raamasya paalayishhiyati mediniim.' To a person who always cares for his wife, she is nothing other than his very soul. Sita is nothing other than Rama's soul and she can rule the earth.
'Let him go ahead with his resolve. I am not stopping him. I tried my best to stop him. But could not do so. Let her remain here. The kingdom was offered to Rama. It is appropriate that she rules it in his absence. I tell you Bharata would not even touch the crown. Or, if you still feel that she should also go with him, let it be so. We will all follow them to the forest. This entire city, including the frontier-guards, would move to wherever Rama moves along with his wife. You will be left with vacant houses and empty streets to happily rule about.'
Of course these are words that flow out of an agonised heart. Though he speaks of grand plans of making Sita the queen in the absence of Rama, it was not that he did not realise how difficult it was to make that happen, especially in view of the fact Rama would not allow that, as it has already been ordained that Bharata would be installed as the Prince Regent. "Moreover, putting aside the bark of trees," he pleads with Kaikeyi, give excellent jewellery to your daughter-in-law, O Kaikeyi! The bark of trees is not ordained for her.' Thus saying so Vasistha prevented that wearing of garment by Sita." (Ibid, Sloka 35)
But despite all that, it is amazing to see the calmness with which Janaki takes the situation. She remains as cool as her husband, with that never evanescent smile on her countenance. Valmiki says, "Even though Vasistha, the preceptor of the king, who had an influence beyond compare and the best of Brahmanas was speaking as above, Sita did not turn away in her resolution to follow the ways of her beloved husband." (Ibid, Sloka 37)
But this steadfastness, this show of an iron-will, is just the beginning.
As we saw, people are moved to tears at the sight of Janaki having to wear the ascetic's garb. 'She is so innocent that she does not even know how to wear this. Why then should she be taken along with you Rama! We are not able to stop you because you are firm about your decision. But she was not exiled! Let her remain here,' the people pleaded.
'You tend to think that you have coveted a great fortune for your son Bharata by forcing the wheel of time in the opposite direction overnight. What you do not realise is that Bharata would not accept this. He would not stoop from his level and bear with you for this unfairness. And for now, Sita is not proceeding to the forest. I have better plans for her.' 'Aatmaa hi daaraah sarveshhaam daarasamgrahavartinaam. Aatmeyamiti raamasya paalayishhiyati mediniim.' To a person who always cares for his wife, she is nothing other than his very soul. Sita is nothing other than Rama's soul and she can rule the earth.
Of course these are words that flow out of an agonised heart. Though he speaks of grand plans of making Sita the queen in the absence of Rama, it was not that he did not realise how difficult it was to make that happen, especially in view of the fact Rama would not allow that, as it has already been ordained that Bharata would be installed as the Prince Regent. "Moreover, putting aside the bark of trees," he pleads with Kaikeyi, give excellent jewellery to your daughter-in-law, O Kaikeyi! The bark of trees is not ordained for her.' Thus saying so Vasistha prevented that wearing of garment by Sita." (Ibid, Sloka 35)
