Crowds thronged hither and thither, stood in knots at street corners, watched the portals of the palace, speculating and commenting. "Kaikeyi—the red-lipped prostitute," they said."We never suspected that our King was so lost in infatuation… . We thought that the red-lipped woman was our Queen, but she has shown her true nature—using her flesh to bait a senile male, who has sought his own ruin and thereby the ruin of our country. Let Kaikeyi try and rule this country with her son—there will be none left to rule over; we will all kill ourselves or move out with Rama. Ah, unfortunate earth not destined to have Rama as your overlord! What is Lakshmana doing? How will he stand this separation? What justification can there be for breaking a promise made to Rama? Strange act of justice this! The world has suddenly gone mad!"
Lakshmana, on hearing of the developments, was roused like the fire starting to consume the earth on the last day."Food kept for the lion is sought to be fed to the street puppy—so plans that doe-eyed Kaikeyi," commented Lakshmana.
He picked up his sword and bow, put on his battle dress,and aggressively roamed the streets swearing, "Rama shall be crowned, and whoever comes in the way will be annihilated. Let the whole world come, I'll destroy everyone who opposes, and pile up their carcasses sky high. I'll seize the crown and will not rest till I place it on Rama's head. This I'll achieve this very day, this very day." Seeing his fiery eyesand hearing his stentorian challenges, people withdrew from his proximity. "If all the gods in heaven, all the demons, all the good people of the earth, and bad—if the whole world oppose me, I'll not relent or yield to the desire of a mere female… ."
His challenges and the rattling of his arms and the twanging of his bow-string reached the ears of Rama, who was just on his way to take leave of his stepmother Sumithra,Lakshmana's mother, and he immediately turned back and confronted Lakshmana. "What makes you wear all this battle-dress, and against whom are you uttering your challenges? And why are you so wild and angry?"
Lakshmana said, "If this is not the occasion for anger, when else is it? After having promised you your rightful place —to deny it now! I can't tolerate it. The vicious dreams of that black-hearted woman shall not be fulfilled. I'll not let my senses watch this injustice passively. I'll resist it till I perish."
"It was my mistake," said Rama. "I have only myself to blame for accepting my father's offer of the throne so readily without thinking of the consequences. Your tongue, learned in the recital of Vedas and all the truths of godly life, should not be allowed to utter whatever it likes so irresponsibly.
Your charges will not stand the scrutiny of judicious and serene temperaments. You must not utter such bitter remarks about people who after all are none other than your father and mother." (Rama makes no distinction between mother and stepmother). "Calm yourself. Sometimes a river runs dry, and then it cannot be said to be the fault of the river —it's dry because the heavens are dry. So also, our father's change of mind, or the apparent hardheartedness of Kaikeyi, who has been so loving and kind, or Bharatha's chance of succession… . These are really not our own doing, but some higher powers have decreed them. Fate …""I'll be the fate to overpower fate itself," said Lakshmana,with martial arrogance. Rama argued with him further. "I'll change and alter fate itself, if necessary," repeated Lakshmana and concluded his sentence with the refrain,"Whoever dares to oppose my aim will be destroyed.
"I know no father and no mother, other than you," said Lakshmana, still unsoftened. "You are everything to me. And there is no meaning in my existence, and in the possession of my limbs and sense intact, unless I establish you on the throne as your right, irrespective of what a female serpent has tried to do. My blood boils and will not calm down—you will now see what my bow can do… ."
At this Rama held his hand back. He said, "I am firmly convinced that our mother Kaikeyi is the one who deserves to inherit this kingdom, having saved our father's life and being assured of his gratitude; it is Bharatha's privilege— being the one chosen by Kaikeyi; and my privilege is renunciation and the association of enlightened hermits of the forests. Do you want to let your anger rage until you have vanquished an innocent brother who has no part in this, a mother who has nursed us, and a father who was the greatest ruler on earth? Is that victory worth all this? Is this anger, which seeks to destroy all firm relationships, worth nurturing? Control yourself, and take your hand off your bow."
Lakshmana relaxed, muttering, "What's all this strength of my arm worth! Mere burden, if it cannot be employed to destroy evil when I see it; and my anger itself has now proved futile."
Rama went up with Lakshmana to bid farewell to his stepmother Sumithra. As had happened with the others, Sumithra also bewailed Rama's exile and tried to stop him.
Once again, untiringly, Rama expressed his determination to go and his joy at being able to fulfill his father's terms. While they were talking, a servant maid sent by Kaikeyi came
bearing in her arms garments made of tree barks, a reminder for Rama to change quickly and depart.
Lakshmana ordered another set for himself, shed the finery he was wearing, and changed into coarse bark. Presently Rama, dressed like an ascetic or penitent, was ready to leave. At the sight of his departure, the women wept. Rama made one last attempt to leave Lakshmana behind but Lakshmana followed him stubbornly. He then went into Sita's chamber and found her already dressed in the rough tree fibre—her finery and jewels discarded and laid aside,although she had decorated and dressed herself as befitting a queen a little while ago. Rama, though he had been of so firm a mind for himself, felt disturbed at the sight of her—the change being so sudden. He said, "It was never my father's intention to send you along with me. This is not the life for you. I have only come to take your leave, not to take you with me… ."
"I'm dressed and ready, as you see… ."
"If it is your wish to discard fine clothes because I wear none, you may do so, though it's not necessary." "I'm coming with you; my place is at your side wherever you may be… ."
Rama saw the determination in her eyes and made one last plea. "You have your duties to perform here, my father and mother being here. I'll be with you again."
"After fourteen years! What would be the meaning of my existence? I could as well be dead. It will be living death for me without you. I am alive only when I am with you; a forest or a marble palace is all the same to me."
When he realized that she could not be deflected from her purpose, Rama said, "If it is your wish, so let it be. May the gods protect you."