Rama along with Seetha and Soumitri (meaning Sumitra's son = Lakshmana), well revered by the Sage Suteekhsna, spent that night there. On the following morning, after completing their usual morning chores, Rama told the sage Suteekhsna "We stayed here happily and comfortably. We now have come to ask your permission to leave. We like to see the habitats of hermitages in their entirety, and also wish to see the sages living in the Dandaka forest. We wish to proceed before sun attains an intolerable glare, like an unworthy person of unworthy lineage attains wealth in an improper way with much glare." Saying so Rama with Seetha and Lakshmana fell prostrate at the feet of that sage Suteekshna seeking his blessing.
That eminent sage blessed them and said "Proceed in an invulnerable way, Rama, along with Lakshmana, and with this Seetha while she follows you closely like a shadow. See the pleasant thresholds of the hermitages of the dwellers in the forests of Dandaka. See the well-flowered woodlands with well-grown fruits and tubers, with herds of best animals and peaceful bird flocks. You may go now but come again after seeing all of them."
Rama and Lakshmana tied their quivers well on their backs, and took the twangy bows and exited along with Seetha from that hermitage. A Sage named Dharmabhrita accompanied them as a sort of guide.
On the way Seetha was thinking. She was not happy about her dear hubby's aegis to the sages against their tormenting rakshashas. Seeing her pensive mood, Rama asked her "A penny for your thoughts, Seetha." Looking at her darling fondly she replied "Wielding weaponry you are entering into an area where the rakshashas are abound. To protect the sages you have to fight and kill the rakshashas. During that process we two may get separated, which in turn is intolerable to you as well as to me. So leave the weapons back at hermitage and go to forests to see sages.
"I am not at all happy about your going towards Dandaka forest. Let me explain. When you with your brother wielding bow and arrows, walk deep into the forest and meet some rakshashas, you now will fight with them and kill them or make them run away. This will surely result in their coming back with an enhanced strength in number and weapons.
"Let me tell you the sad story of the hermit who was pious and true worded, doing ascesis. Indra did not like that, as usual. Then Indra came to that hermitage in the guise of a soldier. He gave his sword to the hermit requesting him to keep it safe for him and he will take it back when his work was finished.
"To ensure that the sword is not lost, the sage moved about the forest, always carrying the sword. Wherever that dedicated guardian of that entrustment goes, even to obtain tubers or fruits, he was carrying that sword. Carrying that sword always, that hermit slowly made his own faculty infuriated, loosing determination in ascesis. Then with the constant association of that weapon that sage gradually became inadvertent, and smitten by vice he went to hell.
"This story clearly demonstrates the imprudence of flaunting a weapon constantly. The sequel of constant association with a weapon is as good as constant association with fire. Please do not think that I am teaching you or trying to impose my views on you. I am mighty concerned about you. I am telling you out of my love for you all this and with respect I am reminding but not tutoring you. I strongly feel that your wielding your bow to kill the rakshashas in the Dandaka forest without any enmity is undesirable.
"We have come here to live like hermits. Then why should you carry any weapon? Donning like hermits, living in a forest and carrying a weapon is inconsistent. l suggest that you may follow the tenets of Kshatriyas on going back to Ayodhya.
"Everlasting satisfaction will be there to my father-in-law and mothers-in-laws, on your becoming a devout sage after your forfeiture of the kingdom. From virtuousness prosperity emanates, from righteousness happiness, and by honourableness all are achieved, and this universe is the essence of probity. Experts will make efforts to exhaust their own selves with those and those principles, thus they realise sublimity; unachievable is the pleasure by pleasuring alone.
"Always tread along the righteousness with a pure mind, and specially in these sagely forests. You know everything in all the three worlds, in all its nuances. I cite all this with my womanly waver. And I know very well that no one can argue with you and win a point over you about dharma. However, I earnestly request you to ponder mindfully along with your brother, and what that is appropriate, you do it; but not belatedly."
Comment.
Sheetha's dilemma
This particular chapter is an interesting juncture in Ramayana, where Seetha reminds about the question of triggering cause for Rama's waging a war against the rakshashas. She is inquisitive to know why Rama alone shall raise the bow and arrows against some rakshashas hurting some sages. These sages are having super powers and Indra like celestial chiefs are coming to these sages to take them to heaven. Can't they eliminate these demons? But these super hermits are requesting Rama to protect them from rakshashas. And Rama obligingly started to wage this unilateral war, where any war requires a triggering point. Can't the super sages eliminate these demons, with their powers acquired by their penances? This is the question of Seetha. For this, Rama replies so convincingly in the next chapter, saying that the sages cannot issue forth a curse at the demons, in the course of their penance.
Sage Vishvamitra, though being a furious sage, once sought the help of Rama to counter the rakshashi Tataka. See chapter 5. Rama's character and valour revealed. And Rama rendered it. Now also these sages do not waste their powers at the mischievous demons, but ask Rama to safeguard their interests, for Rama is the king, whether he may be in his capital or in a forest.
Secondly, Rama was subjected to the throne of Ayodhya, now being held by his brother Bharata, and as a loyalist to that throne, Ram should act in accordance with the rules of his kingdom. This area Dandaka forests was under the ambit of their own kingdom. So Rama had to perform the deeds suitable to their kingdom. On killing Vali, Rama replied Vali "all this area is under our kingdom, now held by Bharata, and it is my duty to act in accordance with the decree of that throne..."
Seetha's doubt comes true and she alone becomes the ultimate cause for Rama, to wage war with Ravana.
End Comment.
=========================================================
That eminent sage blessed them and said "Proceed in an invulnerable way, Rama, along with Lakshmana, and with this Seetha while she follows you closely like a shadow. See the pleasant thresholds of the hermitages of the dwellers in the forests of Dandaka. See the well-flowered woodlands with well-grown fruits and tubers, with herds of best animals and peaceful bird flocks. You may go now but come again after seeing all of them."
Rama and Lakshmana tied their quivers well on their backs, and took the twangy bows and exited along with Seetha from that hermitage. A Sage named Dharmabhrita accompanied them as a sort of guide.
On the way Seetha was thinking. She was not happy about her dear hubby's aegis to the sages against their tormenting rakshashas. Seeing her pensive mood, Rama asked her "A penny for your thoughts, Seetha." Looking at her darling fondly she replied "Wielding weaponry you are entering into an area where the rakshashas are abound. To protect the sages you have to fight and kill the rakshashas. During that process we two may get separated, which in turn is intolerable to you as well as to me. So leave the weapons back at hermitage and go to forests to see sages.
"I am not at all happy about your going towards Dandaka forest. Let me explain. When you with your brother wielding bow and arrows, walk deep into the forest and meet some rakshashas, you now will fight with them and kill them or make them run away. This will surely result in their coming back with an enhanced strength in number and weapons.
"Let me tell you the sad story of the hermit who was pious and true worded, doing ascesis. Indra did not like that, as usual. Then Indra came to that hermitage in the guise of a soldier. He gave his sword to the hermit requesting him to keep it safe for him and he will take it back when his work was finished.
"To ensure that the sword is not lost, the sage moved about the forest, always carrying the sword. Wherever that dedicated guardian of that entrustment goes, even to obtain tubers or fruits, he was carrying that sword. Carrying that sword always, that hermit slowly made his own faculty infuriated, loosing determination in ascesis. Then with the constant association of that weapon that sage gradually became inadvertent, and smitten by vice he went to hell.
"This story clearly demonstrates the imprudence of flaunting a weapon constantly. The sequel of constant association with a weapon is as good as constant association with fire. Please do not think that I am teaching you or trying to impose my views on you. I am mighty concerned about you. I am telling you out of my love for you all this and with respect I am reminding but not tutoring you. I strongly feel that your wielding your bow to kill the rakshashas in the Dandaka forest without any enmity is undesirable.
"We have come here to live like hermits. Then why should you carry any weapon? Donning like hermits, living in a forest and carrying a weapon is inconsistent. l suggest that you may follow the tenets of Kshatriyas on going back to Ayodhya.
"Everlasting satisfaction will be there to my father-in-law and mothers-in-laws, on your becoming a devout sage after your forfeiture of the kingdom. From virtuousness prosperity emanates, from righteousness happiness, and by honourableness all are achieved, and this universe is the essence of probity. Experts will make efforts to exhaust their own selves with those and those principles, thus they realise sublimity; unachievable is the pleasure by pleasuring alone.
"Always tread along the righteousness with a pure mind, and specially in these sagely forests. You know everything in all the three worlds, in all its nuances. I cite all this with my womanly waver. And I know very well that no one can argue with you and win a point over you about dharma. However, I earnestly request you to ponder mindfully along with your brother, and what that is appropriate, you do it; but not belatedly."
Comment.
Sheetha's dilemma
This particular chapter is an interesting juncture in Ramayana, where Seetha reminds about the question of triggering cause for Rama's waging a war against the rakshashas. She is inquisitive to know why Rama alone shall raise the bow and arrows against some rakshashas hurting some sages. These sages are having super powers and Indra like celestial chiefs are coming to these sages to take them to heaven. Can't they eliminate these demons? But these super hermits are requesting Rama to protect them from rakshashas. And Rama obligingly started to wage this unilateral war, where any war requires a triggering point. Can't the super sages eliminate these demons, with their powers acquired by their penances? This is the question of Seetha. For this, Rama replies so convincingly in the next chapter, saying that the sages cannot issue forth a curse at the demons, in the course of their penance.
Sage Vishvamitra, though being a furious sage, once sought the help of Rama to counter the rakshashi Tataka. See chapter 5. Rama's character and valour revealed. And Rama rendered it. Now also these sages do not waste their powers at the mischievous demons, but ask Rama to safeguard their interests, for Rama is the king, whether he may be in his capital or in a forest.
Secondly, Rama was subjected to the throne of Ayodhya, now being held by his brother Bharata, and as a loyalist to that throne, Ram should act in accordance with the rules of his kingdom. This area Dandaka forests was under the ambit of their own kingdom. So Rama had to perform the deeds suitable to their kingdom. On killing Vali, Rama replied Vali "all this area is under our kingdom, now held by Bharata, and it is my duty to act in accordance with the decree of that throne..."
Seetha's doubt comes true and she alone becomes the ultimate cause for Rama, to wage war with Ravana.
End Comment.
=========================================================
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