“I shall go with you today to the forest. There is no doubt about it. I cannot be prevented, O greatly fortunate one. I am ready to go.” (Sita Devi speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 27.15)

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सह त्वया गमिश्यामि वनमद्य न सम्शयः
नाहम् शक्या महाभाग निवर्तयितुम् उद्यता

saha tvayā gamiśyāmi vanamadya na samśayaḥ
nāham śakyā mahābhāga nivartayitum udyatā

A violation of personal space. Breaching the cone of silence. Not respecting boundaries. Do these criticisms apply to the close associates of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Does their insistence ever cross the line? Would they be more helpful admiring from a distance, in experiencing at least some separation, for a brief period of time? In the case of Shri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, His own words can be used against Him. A clever attorney can present the compelling evidence in front of Rama, who happens to be both judge and jury. After the defense rests, there is only one possible verdict.

In the following hypothetical situation you have some urgent matters that require attention. At the same time, someone in your family has come to visit. They insist on following you throughout the day. First, there is the trip to the auto-mechanic. Your car needs a new set of windshield wipers. It is also due for an oil change. You sit in the waiting room, with your companion close by. They ask you what you are getting done. They make comments about how they maintain their own vehicle, back home. You spend the next few hours seated right next to them.

The next stop is the local convenience store. You have to pick up some items. In one of the aisles, you are not sure which item to take. You are running an informal inspection. You are reading the labels. Your companion happens to come by. They have their own opinions on the matter. Of course, they are not shy in sharing those sentiments. You feel as if you cannot get a moment to yourself.

The next stop is the dry cleaner’s. You are picking up some clothes. You strike up a conversation with the owner. Your companion decides to chime in. When returning to the car with your clothes, your companion feels the need to criticize your choice. You see, you should just clean the clothes at home. Why pay someone else? Moreover, why not find a more inexpensive place? At this moment, you finally lose it. In what feels liberating at the moment, and deeply regretted later on, you share the following sentiments:

“Oh my goodness, why are you here? Seriously, ask yourself that question. Just what exactly are you doing here? It can’t be to help me, because you haven’t been helpful for anything! You just nitpick at everything. You insert yourself into situations that do not require your presence. You have no respect for anyone, it seems. Your opinions are utter nonsense! I feel totally suffocated. Can you leave me alone, at least for a few minutes? Is that too much to ask? I can’t live like this.”

When reviewing the historical narrative that is the Ramayana, we see that the central character, the hero to the tale, has a difficult time shaking off well-wishers and supporters from the hometown of Ayodhya. Rama is not necessarily looking to get away. He is not in desperate search for isolation, for solitude, for peace and quiet. Rather, there is a kind of punishment that He has to serve out. It is a sentence proposed by the youngest queen named Kaikeyi and accepted by the father, King Dasharatha. Rama must leave Ayodhya and not return for fourteen years. He cannot take any of the royal opulence with Him. He has to live like a beggar, like a renounced mendicant.

The punishment is bad enough. The separation is itself heartbreaking. Due to His immeasurable kindness, Rama tries to spare others. He dissuades them from following Him. He has to be particularly careful with His wife, Sita Devi. Rama has to review the horrors of forest living, highlighting the stark contrast to life in the kingdom. There will be no comforts. There will be no pomp. There will be no valuables. The net worth is taking a dip, like after the worst day of trading for a stock. It is better for Sita to stay at home. She will be happier that way.

The only problem is that Sita refuses. She insists on accompanying her husband. While heartwarming to see, is she not interfering with the plans? While she is living up to the dharma of that specific ashrama, known as grihastha, should she not obey her husband? Should she not listen to what He says? Is not Rama’s advice the final word on a matter?

The reality is that such devotion is always recommended. We find the same mentioned in Bhagavad-gita, that a person should always think of the Supreme Lord. If they see Him everywhere, then they will never forget Him. If they are always thinking of Him, then they will surely come to Him.

मन्-मना भव मद्-भक्तो
मद्-याजी मां नमस्कुरु
माम् एवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवम्
आत्मानं मत्-परायणः

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi yuktvaivam
ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.34)

If the mind should always think of Rama, why not stay with Him at the same time? Sita used Rama’s own teachings against Him, that a wife should always serve her husband. Therefore, complaints would contradict the teachings. Rama was helpless, as is always the case with pure devotion. For this reason it is sometimes said that devotees reach a status superior to even the object of worship.

कियो सुसेवक धरम कपि प्रभु कृतग्य जियँ जानि
जोरि हाथ ठाढ़े भए बरदायक बरदानि

kiyo susevaka dharama kapi prabhu k।rtagya jiya’ jāni
jori hātha ।thā।dhe bhae baradāyaka baradāni

“The great devotee in the monkey form carried out his duty, giving everything of himself, and the Lord became so grateful that He, the one who gives boons, stood before Hanuman with folded hands asking for a boon.” (Dohavali, 112)

In Closing:

What can He do?
When wife accompanying too.

Against better advice recommended,
Her case impeccably defended.

By previous words husband said,
Now headed to forest instead.

Rama helpless to loving stance,
Devotees to follow at every chance.

Categories: stories

Tags: dailyprompt, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, ramayana, sita