Rama - Beyond Maryada Purushottama

Part Six

The contrast in Rama's personal state and the condition of the kingdom was extremely stark. While he had had so many experiences of fate pushing him to his limits and him recovering every single time with more grit than he had the previous time. Every time his resilience was tested, every time new challenges tried his strength, he emerged victorious. He recovered every time and became a stronger man than he used to be.

On the other hand, Kosala never fell in trouble, really. Even when there was the crisis of the King's sudden demise and the crown prince being exiled, the rest of the family had lifted Kosala on their shoulders and only taken it to greater heights. And under Rama, Kosala never needed to worry about its stability, its strength. It was always one of, if not the strongest kingdoms in the mainland.

Now, however, Rama had had enough. Rama had ruled Kosala for centuries now, and he realised that it was time for him to pass it on to the next generation and leave. The princes had been assigned their responsibilities. They had been given their share of the kingdom, and their capability to look after Kosala had also been seen by their parents.

All Rama wished for, now, was to leave.

–––

Rama saw his brother walking up to him, seemingly with some sort of news. "Bhaiya! An ascetic has come here, and says he has a message to deliver to you. He wants to meet you right now."

Rama smiled and nodded. "Bring him in."

The ascetic arrived. Rama deemed that this ascetic was a divine being. Just his effulgence made him think that he couldn't simply be a mortal - his aura was full of strength and divinity.

Rama served the ascetic as he always did - washed his legs, offered him refreshments. He knew that the sage wanted to tell him something important, but the demand he made next reaffirmed the same.

"I will speak only and only to you, Kakutstha." his gruff voice said. "Anyone who interrupts this conversation must be sentenced to death by you. Promise me."

Rama nodded. "I assure you, nobody will interrupt. Lakshmana will guard this room." He turned to his brother, who nodded and bowed to the sage and him before leaving, closing the door. "Please tell me."

"Kosalesha, I'm Yama. I've come here to tell you, that you have fulfilled all the responsibilities you were meant to on earth. You've annihilated evil from Bhumi. Paripaalaka, you've done exactly what you were required to. Protected this earth and vanquished evil. This means that it is time for you to grace Svarga with your presence."

Rama smiled at him. "Dharmaraja, I will do as you say. I-"

The door swung open.

Rama's head snapped towards it and his eyes widened when he saw that it was his brother who was standing there.

Dharmaraja disappeared upon seeing Lakshmana.

Rama's hands trembled as he walked towards his brother. "W-What have you done-"

"Bhaiya. Listen, please. Maharishi Durvasa has called you. Please go and meet him right away. We can talk later."

Rama looked at him with eyes that had lost their life, their emotion forever, before he left, hoping there was some loophole in his vow.

–––

Durvasa had been served food and he had left. The first thing Rama did after that was to look for his brother.