“No! No! By no means will I follow what you say.
The mighty King of Suryavansh, Sri Ram is giving into the talks of the gossipmongers!! How can you even think of abandoning Sita Mata? She is as chaste as this Earth, as this universe. Everyone has seen her go through the Agnipariksha. You still want to do this to her, to abandon her! No bhaiya! You may kill me for my disobedience, but I shall not give in to this cruel act,” Lakshman retaliated, as Ram ordered him to take Sita away from the palace and drop her in the forest. Not receiving any reaction from Ram, Lakshman continued, “Bhaiya, it was you, the progressive personality, who reformed Ahilya. She was punished by her husband, made an outcast by the society, turned into a stone as if dead, for a crime she didn’t even commit. She just fell into Indra’s trap. Only you were able to see her innocence and it was you who resurrected her from a stone to a living being, rehabilitating her into the society. It was your unbiased perception, who saw Shabri, the untouchable tribal woman, beyond her caste and creed. By accepting her hospitality, you set an example to the world that caste or birth do not define a person. It was you who bestowed the honour upon Mandodari, the wife of demon Ravana, and saved her from the impending ostracization from the society after Ravana’s death. You saw her as a deserving and faithful wife and a righteous queen. And now, when it comes to your wife, Mata Sita, why have you suddenly become so cold and weak?”
Receiving only Ram’s back and silence, Lakshman flung his hands in frustration. He pleaded again, “Think again Bhaiya! Take back your words. Change your decision. Sita Mata doesn’t deserve this. After an exile of 14years, when she is finally able to adorn herself as the queen, you are taking it away from her. Why! Why are you doing this to her? To yourself? Why so much pain? Ayodhya will never be called just for its judgements if she is sent away. This action will become a blotch on Raghu Vansh’s history. Don’t do this!”
With a deep sigh, Ram replied to Lakshman, “I know Lakshman, this decision will always be a subject of ridicule for eons to come. It will always raise a finger on me as a husband. But there is no other way to save my dear wife from the havoc these travelling stories will have on her, even if she stays adorned and safe here. I know her, and I also know how crowds behave and operate. By sending her, I will take away a comfortable life, but will save her honour. It will save her from everyday torture she will go through with these hush-hush words and scanning eyes of the crowd. I am also confident of Sita’s strength, and that, she can stand alone and make a life for herself anywhere even when I am not beside her. She is divine and powerful beyond means. Do as I say Lakshman. Take her away before I collapse to my heart’s weakness.”
Tears rolled down Lakshman’s eyes, as he spat with anger, “What good is it to build an empire, be the scion of Sun god when we do not even have power to save our own? Why are we so vulnerable to these talks of ordinary people? An innocent, chaste person is being banished because the Janta’s heads are filled with cooked up stories and pollution of hackneyed beliefs. It is a shameful act bhaiya! Do you know how Mata Sita will feel? How much she will suffer? It’s a lifelong punishment for no crime. She stood by you. And now, you are withdrawing when she needs you. I do not understand you, Shri Ram!”
Choking with words, Ram spoke, sealing Lakshman’s plea and anger.
“I know my Sita as she knows me. I will always be looked down upon as a husband. But my Sita knows the purpose behind my birth. I wasn’t given a choice. I was sent to this Earth with a purpose to become Maryada Purshottam, and this is one of the prices I am paying to be so.”
Like all the people in the world, Ram’s explanation didn’t convince Lakshman. With drooping head and slouching shoulders, he simply walked away to follow the orders and fulfil his duty of serving Shri Ram.
