Sita was sitting with her younger sister, Urmila, who had been crying almost incessantly.
Despite all that had been happening for the last few days, Sita had found time to come and meet Urmila repeatedly. Lakshman had insisted on coming along with Ram and Sita for the fourteen-year banishment. Initially, Lakshman had thought Urmila could also come along. He had later realised that the delicate Urmila would not be able to survive the rigours of the jungle. It was going to be a tough fourteen years. The forests could be survived only if you were sturdy and hard. Not if you were delicate and urbane. It had been tough for Lakshman, but he had spoken to Urmila and she had, reluctantly, agreed to not come along with the three of them. Though she was unhappy about it.
Sita too was constrained to admit that Lakshman was right. And she had come repeatedly to meet Urmila to help her younger sister make peace with the decision.
‘First maa left me,’ sobbed Urmila, ‘Now you and Lakshman are also leaving me. What am I supposed to do?’
Sita held her sister warmly, ‘Urmila, if you want to come, I will push for it. But before I do so, I need you to realise what jungle life means. We won’t even have a proper shelter over our heads. We’ll live off the land, including eating meat; and I know how you despise that. These are minor things and I know you will adapt to what needs to be done. But there is also constant danger in the jungle. Most of the coastline south of the Narmada River is in Raavan’s control. So, we can’t go there unless we intend to get tortured to death.’
Urmila cut in, ‘Don’t say such things, Didi.’
‘We cannot go to the coast. So, we will have to remain deep inland. Usually, within the forests of Dandakaranya. The Almighty alone knows what dangers await us there. We will have to sleep lightly every night, with our weapons next to us, in case any wild animals attack. Night is their time for hunting. There are so many poisonous fruits and trees; we could die just by eating the wrong thing. I’m sure there will be other dangers we are not even aware of. All of us will need our wits about us at all times to survive. And in the midst of all this, if something were to happen to you, how would I face maa when I leave this mortal body? She had charged me with protecting you … And, you are safe here …’
Urmila kept sniffing, holding on to Sita.
‘Did Kaushalya maa come today?’
Urmila looked up, smiling wanly through her tears. ‘She is so wonderful. I feel like our maa has returned. I feel safe with her.’
Sita held Urmila tight again. ‘Bharat is a good man. So is Shatrughan. They will help Kaushalya maa. But they have many powerful enemies, some even more powerful than the king. You need to be here and support Kaushalya maa.’
Urmila nodded. ‘Yes, Lakshman told me the same thing.’
‘Life is not only about what we want, but also about what we must do. We don’t just have rights. We also have duties.’
‘Yes, Didi,’ said Urmila. ‘I understand. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.’
‘I know, my little princess,’ said Sita, holding Urmila tight, patting her back. ‘I know …’
Only a few hours were left for Ram, Sita, and Lakshman to leave for the jungle. They had changed into the garb of hermits, made from rough cotton and bark.
Sita had come to meet Guru Vashishtha.
‘I’ve been thinking since our meeting yesterday, Sita,’ said Vashishtha. ‘I regret that we didn’t meet earlier. Many of the issues that arose could have been avoided.’
‘Everything has its own time and place, Guruji.’
Vashishtha gave Sita a large pouch. ‘As you had requested. I am sure the Malayaputras will also get you some of this. But you are right; it’s good to have back-up.’
Sita opened the pouch and examined the white powder. ‘This is much finer than the usual Somras powder I have seen.’
‘Yes, it’s made from the process I have developed.’
Sita smelt the powder and grinned. ‘Hmmm … it becomes finer and smells even worse.’
Vashishtha laughed softly. ‘But it’s just as effective.’
Sita smiled and put the pouch in the canvas bag that she had slung around her shoulder. ‘I am sure you have heard what Bharat has done.’
A tearful Bharat had come to Ram’s chambers and taken his brother’s royal slippers. If and when the time came for Bharat to ascend to kingship, he would place Ram’s slippers on the throne. With this one gesture, Bharat had effectively declared that Ram would be the king of Ayodhya and he, Bharat, would function as a mere caretaker in his elder brother’s absence. This afforded a powerful shield of protection to Ram from assassination attempts. Any attempts to murder the future king of Ayodhya would invite the wrath of the Empire, as mandated by the treaties between the various kingdoms under the alliance. Added to the cold reality of treaty obligations was the superstition that it was bad karma to kill kings and crown princes, except in battle or open combat. While this afforded powerful protection to Ram, it would severely undercut Bharat’s own authority and power.
Vashishtha nodded. ‘Bharat is a noble soul.’
‘All four of the brothers are good people. More importantly, they love each other. And this, despite being born in a very dysfunctional family and difficult times. I guess credit must be given where credit is due.’
Vashishtha knew this was a compliment to him, the guru of the four Ayodhya princes. He smiled politely and accepted the praise with grace.
Sita folded her hands together in respect and said, ‘I’ve thought about it. I agree with your instructions, Guruji. I will wait for the right time. I’ll tell Ram only when I think we are both ready.’
‘Ram is special in so many ways. But his strength, his obsession with the law, can also be his weakness. Help him find balance. Then, both of you will be the partners that India needs.’
‘I have my weaknesses too, Guruji. And he can balance me. There are so many situations in which he is much better than I am. That’s why I admire him.’
‘And, he admires you. It is a true partnership.’
Sita hesitated slightly before saying, ‘I must ask you something.’
‘Of course.’
‘I guess you must also have been a Malayaputra once … Why did you leave?’
Vashishtha began to laugh. ‘Hanuman was right. You are very smart. Scarily smart.’
Sita laughed along. ‘But you haven’t answered my question, Guruji.’
‘Leave the subject of Vishwamitra and me aside. Please. It’s too painful.’
Sita immediately became serious. ‘I don’t wish to cause you any pain, Guruji.’
Vashishtha smiled. ‘Thank you.’
‘I must go, Guruji.’
‘Yes. It’s time.’
‘Before I go, I must say this. I mean it from the bottom of my heart, Guruji. You are as great a guru as the one who taught me.’
‘And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, Sita. You are as great a Vishnu as the one I taught.’