Echoes Of Eternity: Tales From Hinduism

Rama's Soul

"Lakshmana." Rama's face radiated more with the latest developments in the course of their destiny. Lakshmana, his younger brother, the second youngest Prince of Ayodhya, was to accompany him on the journey to the forests.

Ever since the announcement of Rama's coronation, destiny started unfolding its pages and the youngest queen of Ayodhya became a pawn to send Rama to the forest, leaving the father distressed. 

Rama's mother Kaushlya was distraught upon hearing this. Sita , his wife, was astonished but determined about her next move. 

They were in Kaushlya's chamber when they heard loud footsteps, fuming with anger, coming towards them. The news reached Lakshmana too. 

He was furious, eyes bloodshot. Appearing as if he would shake the entire world. He could not bear injustice towards anyone, especially his brother!

It was with a great deal of effort that his anger quelled and he engaged in negotiations so as to assure that he remained constantly with Rama, accompanying him to the forest. 

He was Stubborn to go, while Rama did not want him to go. With great efforts, he persuaded his elder brother to his purpose, but a condition was raised. He could only go if his mother approved of it. Only then.

Sumitra, the middle queen of the King, agreed immediately and happily, that was what she wished for too. 

"Consider Rama as your father, Sita as your mother and the forests as Ayodhya."

Her words made an imprint on Lakshmana's heart and he proceeded to take leave of his wife, Urmila, who too agreed, though her heart was heavy with the thought of the separation, but happy that her husband took correct decision. 

With these events, the stage was set for the annihilation of Ravana and the clan and restoration of peace as three of them marked their journey towards the forests. 

Rama, in the entire sequence, could not help adoring his younger brother. His dedication towards him melted him, adoring his brother even more. Right from the moment they were born, they have been like each other's shadow. Their bond was not only of brothers, but included almost all shades love has, the 9 forms of intense devotion, authorised by his own decree. 

He was the Refuge of all, universe sprang from him but Lakshmana , who took the form of Adisesha, has been his refuge many times, his very own self, his reflection, his alter ego, his power, His very own form. 

"Lakshmana!" Rama initiated the conversation, "Let's make an  arrangement for distribution of our private property before we leave." 

"I will do so just in in a few minutes." The man who conquered sleep replied. His eyes sharp and face perfectly chisled, his voice plucky. He bowed before his elder brother, in respect before leaving. 

Lakshmana left the Chambers, ready to make arrangements and Rama went down in the Lane of memories, reminiscing how Lakshmana grew out to be man He is today. His childhood antics, his progression as a great student to a mind-blowing warrior, Rama lived it all, once again. 

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Rama traversed through memories. Memories of their Babyhood, of their journey as students and also of their early youth when all brothers got married to princesses of Mithila. 

Tenth day of auspicious 'Chaitra' appeared. The day which already brought another joy for the kingdom of Awadh. Younger Prince had arrived after the heir early on same day. The day was promising, while Ayodhya continued to rejoice in sweet voices of two princes, who were soon be named.

"Queen Sumitra gave birth to two sons!" Dasi exclaimed in joy,  delivering the news to King Dashratha.

Dashratha's eyes widened, smile appeared on his lips forming a curve, voice exuberant, "It is all grace of Bhagvan Narayana and our Kuldevta Surya Narayana!"

He rushed towards Chambers of his queen Sumitra, to look at faces of his sons and to enquire about well being of his wife.

"Golden complexion," Dashratha mused upon glancing at his first born through Sumitra,"Its heavenly!" He thought while looking at his son.

His tiny stature swelled his heart with love, with care. His eyes were sharp, round, huge and brown. His complexion Golden, like molten gold, like Maa Mahalakshmi herself! His tiny arms stretched from shoulders towards his little tummy, his legs delicate, soft. This tiny figure before him was beyond heavenly. The tiny baby was sleeping, resting from the tiring day of his birth, snuggled in arms of his mother, accompanied by his twin.

Time elapsed and soon came the day when the four princes of Ayodhya were to be named. The Naming ceremony was organised with great zeal and jest under the presidency of Royal priest of clan, Vashishtha, The mind born son of Lord Brahma, the creator.

Vashishtha, just like his elder brothers, Sanat Kumaras, wanted to live in eternal remembrance of Lord Narayana, the only shelter of this universe.  He wanted to live a life of hermit, renouncing from material pleasures and desires. He accepted the clergy for Suryavansh only on the pretext that his Lord, his Ishta, Sri Rama will be born in that clan and after eons, the day had finally come when he appeared in the clan of Surya, and today, today was the day Vashishtha was to name him, his brothers, who were all forms of Sri Vishnu.

ParaVasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha, the four Vyuha Avataras of Bhagvana appeared as four sons of Dashratha.

"Rama!" Vashishtha echoed! "The giver of joy!" He completed as he saw the Eldest Prince of Ayodhya, the blue hued Lord of universe.

"He will take care of entire universe, hence Bharat!" Thus he named the son of Kaikeyi.

"The one with every auspicious mark, Lakshmana!" He named the Golden hued, the elder son of Sumitra, "the one whose target will be to achieve happiness of Rama!" He gladdened while announcing.

"And Shatrughan, the annihilator of enemies" Thus he named the youngest Prince of Ayodhya, twin of Lakshmana. "He will be to Bharata like Lakshmana to Rama." He finished his statement.

The King and Queens swelled with love, oozing compassion by their glances on their babies, they were to write destiny, a history which will be remembered forever, eon by eon. Their love being a model for others to follow and their character a perfect example of how human being should be!