Dashrath stepped out of the palanquin with a.s.sistance and hobbled into the kopa bhavan. He seemed to have aged a decade; the stress of the last few days had been immense. He sat on his usual rocking chair and dismissed the attendant with a wave of his hand.
He raised his eyes and observed his wife; Kaikeyi had not acknowledged his entry into the room. She sat on a divan, her hair undone, unkempt. Not a speck of jewellery on her person, her angvastram lay on the ground. She wore a white dhoti and blouse, and sat with an appearance of calm that belied the fury that raged within; he knew her well; he also knew what was going to happen and that he couldn"t say no.
Speak," said Dashrath.
Kaikeyi looked at him with sorrow-filled eyes. You may not love me anymore, Dashrath, but I still love you."
Oh, I know you love me. But you love yourself more."
Kaikeyi stiffened. And are you any different? Are you going to teach me about selflessness? Seriously?"
Dashrath smiled ruefully. Touche."
Kaikeyi seethed with the anger of a woman scorned.
You were always the smartest of all my wives. I enjoyed my verbal battles with you the way I enjoyed duelling with a warrior. I miss those sharp, acerbic words that could even draw blood."
I can bleed you with a sword, too."
Dashrath laughed. I know."
Kaikeyi leaned back on the divan, trying to slow down her breathing, trying to control herself. But the hurt still showed through. I dedicated my life to you. I nearly died for you. I disfigured myself in saving your life. I never ever humiliated you in public, unlike your precious Ram."
Ram has never-"
Kaikeyi interrupted Dashrath. He has, now! You know that he will not follow your order tomorrow. He will dishonour you. And Bharat would never-"
It was Dashrath"s turn to interrupt. I am not choosing between Bharat and Ram. You know they have no problems with each other."
Kaikeyi leaned forward and hissed, This is not about Ram and Bharat. This is about Ram and me. You have to choose between Ram and me. What has he ever done for you? He saved your life once. That"s it. I have saved your life every day, for the last so many years! Do my sacrifices count for nothing?"
Dashrath refused to succ.u.mb to her emotional blackmail.
Kaikeyi laughed contemptuously. Of course! When you don"t have any counter argument, all you do is clam up!"
I do have an answer, but you will not like it."
Kaikeyi laughed harshly. All my life, I have tolerated things that I don"t like. I submit to the insults of my father. I tolerate your selfishness. I live with my son"s disdain for me. I can tolerate a few words. Tell me!"
Ram offers me immortality."
Kaikeyi was confused. And it showed on her face. She had always managed to get large quant.i.ties of Somras for Dashrath, repeatedly haranguing Raj Guru Vashishta for the legendary drink of the G.o.ds. It dramatically increased the life-spans of those who consumed it. For some reason, it had not worked its wonders on Dashrath.
Dashrath explained. Not immortality for my body. The last few days have made me fully aware of my mortality. I"m talking about immortality for my name. I know that I have wasted my life and my potential. People compare me to my great ancestors and find me wanting. But Ram... He will go down in history as one of the greatest ever. And he will redeem my name. I will be remembered as Ram"s father for all time to come. Ram"s greatness will rub off on me. He has already defeated Raavan!"
Kaikeyi burst out laughing. That was pure luck, you fool. It was sheer chance that Guru Vishwamitra happened to be there with the Asuraastra!"
Yes, he got lucky. That means the G.o.ds favour him."
Kaikeyi cast him a dark look. This was getting nowhere. The h.e.l.l with this. Let"s get this over with. You know you cannot refuse me."
Dashrath sat back and smiled sadly. Just when I was beginning to enjoy our conversation..."
I want my two boons."
Both of them?" asked Dashrath, surprised. He had expected only one of them to be called.
I want Ram banished from the Sapt Sindhu for fourteen years. You can announce at court that this is because he broke Lord Rudra"s law. You will be praised for it. Even the Vayuputras will applaud you."
Yes, I know how concerned you are about my prestige!" said Dashrath caustically.
You cannot say no!"
Dashrath sighed. And the second?"
You will declare Bharat the crown prince tomorrow."
Dashrath was shocked. This was unexpected. The implication was obvious. He growled softly, If Ram is killed in exile, people will lynch you."
Kaikeyi was aghast. She shouted, Do you really think I could shed royal blood? The blood of Raghu?"
Yes, I think you could. But I know that Bharat won"t. I will warn him about you."
You do what you want. Just honour my two boons."
Dashrath stared at Kaikeyi with anger. He suddenly looked towards the door. Guards!"
Four guards rushed in with Dashrath"s attendant.
Order my palanquin," said Dashrath, brusquely.
Yes, Your Highness," said his attendant, as they all scurried out.
As soon as they were alone, Dashrath said. You can leave the kopa bhavan. You will get your two boons. But I am warning you, if you do anything to Ram, I will..."
I will not do anything to your precious Ram!" screamed Kaikeyi.
The royal court a.s.sembled in the ma.s.sive Great Hall of the Unconquerable in the second hour of the second prahar. Dashrath sat on his throne, visibly tired and unhappy, but dignified. Not one of the queens was present. Vashishta, the raj guru, sat on the throne to the right of the emperor. The court was packed with not just the n.o.bility, but also as many of the common people as could be accommodated in the hall.
Except for a few, most were unaware of what was to transpire that morning. They simply couldn"t understand why Ram should be punished for defeating Raavan. In fact, the crown prince deserved to be commended for restoring Ayodhya"s glory and washing away the taint on his birth.
Silence!" announced the court crier.
Dashrath sat with heartbreaking majesty upon the throne, as if seeking honour from his son. Ram stood in the middle of the great hall, directly in his line of sight. The emperor coughed softly as his eyes fell on the lion-shaped armrest. He tightened his hold around it as he felt an overpowering temptation to change his mind. Realising the futility of the sentiment, he closed his eyes in resignation.
How do you save someone who thinks that doing so is an act of dishonour?
Dashrath looked straight into the eyes of his insanely virtuous son. The law of Lord Rudra has been broken. Some good did come of it, for Raavan"s bodyguard corps was destroyed. By all accounts, he is licking his wounds in Lanka!"
The audience broke into a loud cheer. Everybody hated Raavan; almost everybody.
Mithila, the kingdom of our Princess Sita, the wife of my beloved son Ram, was saved from annihilation."
The crowd cheered once again, but it was more muted this time. Very few knew Sita, and most did not understand why their crown prince had forged an alliance with a deeply spiritual but powerless kingdom.
Dashrath"s voice shook as he continued. But the law has been broken. And Lord Rudra"s word has to be honoured. His tribe, the Vayuputras, have not yet asked for Ram to be punished. But that will not stop the Raghuvanshis from doing the right thing."
A hushed silence descended on the hall. The people felt a dread as they steeled themselves to hear what they now feared their king would say to them.
Ram has accepted the punishment that must be his. He will leave Ayodhya, for I banish him from the Sapt Sindhu for fourteen years. He will return to us after cleansing himself with the fire of penance. He is a true follower of Lord Rudra. Honour him!"
A loud cry rent the air: of dismay from the commoners and shock from the n.o.bility.
Dashrath raised his hands and the crowds fell silent. My other beloved son, Bharat, will now be the crown prince of Ayodhya, the kingdom of Kosala and the Sapt Sindhu Empire."
Silence. The mood in the hall had turned sombre.
Ram held his hands together in a formal namaste as he spoke in a loud and clear voice. Father, even the G.o.ds in the sky marvel at your wisdom and justice today!"
Many among the common folk were openly crying now.
The golden spirit of the greatest Suryavanshi, Ikshvaku himself, lives strong in you, my father!" said Ram loudly. Sita and I will leave Ayodhya within a day."
In the far corner of the hall, standing un.o.btrusively behind a pillar, was a tall, unusually fair-skinned man. He wore a white dhoti and angvastram; he seemed visibly uncomfortable in the dhoti, though - perhaps it wasn"t his normal attire. His most distinguishing features were his hooked nose, beaded full beard, and drooping moustache. His wizened face creased into a smile as he heard Ram"s words.
Guru Vashishta has chosen well.
I must say that I am surprised by the emperor," said the fair-skinned man with the hooked nose, adjusting his uncomfortable dhoti.
He sat with Vashishta in the raj guru"s private chamber.
Do not forget where the real credit lies," said Vashishta.
I think that"s obvious. I must say you have chosen well."
And will you play your role?"
The fair-skinned man sighed. You know we cannot get involved too deeply, Guruji. It is not our decision to make."
But..."
But we will do all that we can. That is our promise. And you know that we don"t break our promises."
Vashishta nodded. Thank you, my friend. That is all I ask. Glory to Lord Rudra."
Glory to Lord Parshu Ram."
Bharat walked into Ram and Sita"s sitting room even as he was being announced. They had already changed into the garb of hermits, made from rough cotton and bark. It made Bharat wince.
We have to dress the way forest people do, Bharat," said Sita.
Tears sprang into his eyes. He looked at Ram as he shook his head. Dada, I don"t know whether to applaud you or try and knock some sense into you."
You needn"t do either," said Ram, smiling. Just embrace me and wish me goodbye."
Bharat rushed towards his brother and gathered him in his arms as a torrent of tears ran down his face. Ram held him tight.
As Bharat stepped back, Ram said, Don"t worry. Sweet are the fruits of adversity. I will return with more sense knocked into me, I a.s.sure you."
Bharat laughed softly. One of these days, I"ll stop speaking to you for the fear of being understood."
Ram laughed as well. Rule well, my brother."
There were some who believed that Bharat"s emphasis on liberty was more suited to the temperament of Ayodhya citizens, indeed the people of the Sapt Sindhu.
I won"t lie that I did not want it," said Bharat. But not this way ... not this way..."
Ram put his hands on Bharat"s strong muscular shoulders. You will rule well. I know that. Make our ancestors proud."
I don"t care what our ancestors think."
Then make me proud," said Ram.
Bharat"s face fell, along with a fresh stream of tears. He embraced his brother again and they held each other for a long time. Ram overcame his natural reserve as he held on to Bharat. He knew his brother needed this.
Enough," said Bharat, pulling back, wiping his tears and shaking his head. He turned to Sita. Take care of my brother, Bhabhi. He does not know how unethical this world is."
Sita smiled. He knows. But he still tries to change things."
Bharat sighed. Then he turned towards Ram as an idea struck him. Give me your slippers, Dada."
Ram frowned as he looked down at his simple hermit slippers.
Not these," said Bharat. Your royal slippers."
Why?"
Just give them to me, Dada."
Ram walked to the side of the bed, where his recently discarded royal garments lay. On the floor was a pair of gold-coloured slippers, with exquisite silver and brown embroidery. Ram picked them up and handed them to Bharat.
What are you going to do with these?" asked Ram.
When the time comes, I will place these rather than myself on the throne," said Bharat.
Ram and Sita immediately understood the implication. With this one gesture, Bharat would effectively declare that Ram was the king of Ayodhya and that he, Bharat, was only a caretaker in his elder brother"s absence. Any attempts to murder the king of Ayodhya would invite the wrath of the mighty empire of the Sapt Sindhu. This was mandated by the treaties between the various kingdoms of the Sapt Sindhu. Added to the cold reality of treaty obligations was the superst.i.tion that it was bad karma to kill kings and crown princes, except in battle or open combat. It would offer a powerful shield of protection to Ram, though it would severely undercut Bharat"s own authority and power.
Ram embraced his Bharat again. My brother..."