The Vidaai

 It was time to leave for Ayodhyā. Four palanquins were arranged to carry the Brides while the Bridegrooms had to travel with their Father in a chariot. The citizens of Mithilā shed tears of joy and sorrow as their beloved Princesses were leaving their city. Sītā, Ūrmilā, Māndavī and Shrutakīrtī were happy to go to their Husbands' city but at the same time shed tears of sorrow as they were leaving their beloved parents. King Janaka and Queen Sunainā hugged Sītā and Her Sisters. Memories flashed before Sītā's eyes when She looked at Her Parents. The memory of Her Mother feeding and rocking Her to sleep, Her Father holding her hand and teaching Her to read and write, the discussions She often had with Her Father made tears well up in Her eyes.

Sītā remembered the light moments She shared with Her parents and Sisters. She remembered hiding behind Her Mother while playing a game of hide-and-seek with Her Sisters. She saw Herself as a young child frolicking in the palace corridors and gardens and visiting the shrines of Vishnu and Gaurī. She recollected how She lifted the bow of Mahādeva as if it were a flower.....

Memories were gushing before Sunainā's teary eyes too as She fondly remembered the moment Janaka placed the radiant baby born of the Earth in Her arms. She felt warm when baby Sītā cuddled Her. She remembered how Her Daughter was named 'Sītā' and how she placed a mark on Sītā's rosy cheeks to ward off evil. Sunainā and Janaka relived the day Sītā first called Her parents and walked towards them taking tiny steps. Sunainā rejoiced at the sight of the young Maithilī speaking sweet words and delighting everyone. Sunainā recollected the pain She and Janaka felt when nobody was successful in lifting the bow of Lord Shiva. She once again experienced the anxiousness she felt when Rāma was about to lift the bow. All were praying fervently for Rāma to be successful! Sunainā joyfully remembered the moment Rāma broke the divine bow and relieved her and Janaka and how Sītā garlanded Rāghava who alone was equal to Sītā in all ways. Sunainā marvelled at how quickly this lovely girl who illuminated everyone's lives had grown up to be the most beautiful and virtuous one in the three worlds! Sunainā knew that Sītā would be ideal in all aspects but advised Her out of concern and love to fulfil Her duties and make Her lineage proud. Sunainā who was blessed with the fortune of being the mother of the Mother of the Universe, also advised Jānakī to be a good Wife and Daughter-in-law! Sītā nodded Her head and firmly resolved in Her mind to make Her Parents and Mithilā proud. 

Sītā wept at the pain of separation from Her beloved parents. King Janaka caressed Sītā's head and held back his tears. His heart was overflowing with emotions. He knew how wise and dignified His Jānakī is and had immense faith in His Daughter that She would support Her Husband all the time. He also knew that Rāma will love and cherish Sītā greater than His own life and King Dasharatha would take care of everyone lovingly. Yet, out of duty, Janaka advised Sītā to make him proud and love Rāma with all Her heart as He was the only one worthy of Her. Sītā considered the words of Her Father as valuable as Her own breath and gladly obeyed Him. She promised that She would make Janaka proud of Her and shed copious tears. King Janaka wiped Jānakī's tears and fondly recollected all the pleasant memories. The moment the golden complexioned Bhūmijā sprang from the Earth was still fresh in His mind. His Daughter had made Mithilā prosperous and happy with Her talks, kindness, courteous behaviour and wisdom. She was always eager to learn new things. Today She was leaving his home to make Ayodhyā prosperous.

The four Sisters hugged their friends and companions and cried. Mālavikā, who was always bubbly and energetic, sobbed bitterly and embraced Sītā tightly. Jānakī was also very sad to go away from Her dear Sakhīs. She thanked and embraced each and every maidservant present in the palace. All were in deep sorrow and were going to miss Maithilī. Rāma, His Brothers and Father were touched by the love between the Princesses and everyone in Mithilā. King Janaka and His Brother made the four Princesses sit in their palanquins. King Janaka went to Dasharatha with folded hands and requested him to take care of His Daughters and forgive them if they displeased him at any time. "I am your servant, O King! Kindly accept my Daughters and look after them. They are my very breath." He said with tears in his eyes. King Dasharatha replied, "What do you mean, O King? Your Daughters are now my Daughters! They are pure and faultless and will never falter in their conduct. I will look after them as my own life and will treat them with respect and love. It's me who is subservient to you for you have blessed us with your gem-like daughters who are the lamps of Raghukula. You, being the donor, are greater than me, the seeker who lacks everything." King Janaka was overwhelmed. The Emperors warmly embraced each other and shed tears. King Janaka hugged Rāma and His Brothers. The party left Mithilā and set out to Ayodhyā.

Upon discovering that Lord Rāma had broken Lord Śiva's bow, the great Sage Parashurāma, armed with the Bow of Lord Vishnu, stormed and obstructed Rāma, King Dasharatha and their retinue, who were travelling back to Ayodhyā after the wedding. Parashurāma took the act of breaking Lord Shiva's bow as a personal insult to himself and his beloved Guru Lord Mahādeva. He was outraged and ready to avenge what he saw as an unforgivable sacrilege. He threatened to wield the axe on the offender. King Dasharatha begged the Sage to forgive him and Rāma and accept him as His servant. But nothing could move Parashurāma. Srī Rāma intervened when Parashurama bursted with fury. Rāghava tried to appease the Sage by talking to him with absolute respect. Pride had a firm grip on Parashurāma and he challenged Rāma to wield the bow of Vishnu. Rāma seized the Bow from Parashurāma's hand. The Sage was stunned knowing the bow of Nārāyana was as strong as Śiva’s bow itself and realizing how effortlessly Rāma was able to take it away from him. It slowly occurred to him that such a thing could only be possible on account of Srī Rāma's true divinity.

Realizing it was no ordinary Prince standing before him, Parashurāma identified Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Rāma and handed over the bow of Lord Vishnu to its rightful master. Lord Rāma revealed His Vishwaroopa or Universal form to Parashurāma and opens his eyes of ignorance. Thus, the pride of the great Sage Parashurāma was subdued by Srī Rāma's divinity and he humbly surrendered himself, accepted defeat and acknowledged Lord Rāma's true Self. 

To be continued....

Yours, 

Hari Priye