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Continued
from yesterday’s instalment
 Sita seems to be fond of offering such little prayers every now and then. The couple and Lakshmana reach the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja, who asks them to stay with him in the hermitage. Rama prefers to live in a deeper jungle, inaccessible to the people of Ayodhya so that they do not make a beeline to the Bharadwaja Ashram, which was fairly close to the city. On his advice, Rama moves to Citrakuta and they had to cross the river Yamuna now, from the hermitage of Bharadwaja.
Rama and Lakshmana, working together, made a raft. "The two brothers then prepared a fairly big raft consisting of a number of wooden logs (placed side by side) overspread with dry bamboos and covered all over with the fragrant roots of the Usira plant. Then, cutting shoots of canes and twigs of the rose-apple tree, the powerful Lakshmana made a comfortable seat for Sita." (Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Canto 55, Sloka 14 and 15)
This is contrary to the general belief that Lakshmana undertook all the physical labour whenever there was a need. Rama gladly partook in all the activities and the above Sloka mentions that very clearly.
The brothers had no assistance this time, as they had the affectionate huntsman Guhan and his men, when they crossed the Ganges. They rowed the raft with Janaki presiding over the scene. It moves like a dream. A thick forest, a swift river, two men rowing the raft and an angel seated comfortably in the raft and taken care of, always. Rama is very particular about her comfort and her happiness. We hear him telling Lakshmana every now and then to be alert, to protect her from dangers that may lurk in unexpected quarters.
In fact, once they reach the other bank of Yamuna, we hear him telling Lakshmana: "Taking Sita (with you) walk in the van, O Lakshmana (younger brother of Bharata)! Equipped with arms I shall follow you in the rear, O jewel among men! Offer to Sita (a princes of the Videha clan) whatever fruit or flower he daughter of Janaka asks for and in which her mind finds delight." (Ibid, Sloka 27 and 28) 'Take her with you. I will follow you both. If she likes some flowers or fruits on the way, do remember to bring them to her.'
 When the raft reaches the middle of the river, she utters her prayer once again, unheard either by Rama or Lakshmana, to Yamuna. "May I safely cross your waters (with my husband and brother-in-law) O gracious lady; and let my husband conclude his vow (of spending fourteen years in exile in the forest). When Sri Rama safely returns to the city (of Ayodhya) ruled over by the Ikswakus, I shall propitiate you by offering a thousand cows and a hundred (and one) articles of worship which cannot be procured even by gods."
The purpose of the prayer remains the same. The offerings remain the same. There is a minor difference however. The quantity! Narrating this incident with tender feelings, Srinivasa Sastriyar jokes about it. "In the case of Ganges it was a lakh of cows. Kalindhi is not so big and she reduces the quantity. The cows are only a thousand and the wine pots a hundred!"
There is one more occasion she prays. This time it is to a banyan tree, known as
syama. And again there is a difference, making her the endeared, with such tender feelings.
More follows...
Published on 5th
February 2003
Hari Krishnan
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