THE DEPARTURE OF LAKSHMANA

                                                     

Sri Rama always thought of his dear wife Sita and reached Ayodhya with his children LAVA and Kusa. At every yagna he performed he had the golden idol of Sita by his side! He performed Aswamedhe Yagas for ten thousand years! He also performed sacrifices like Agnistoma, Vajipeya, Atiratra and Gomedha! Rama Rajya came into effect and there was all   People were hale and healthy! Meanwhile the three Queens Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi passed away!

round prosperity everywhere! Rains were seasonal and there was no famine! People in cities, towns, and villages were very happy! There were no accidents and premature deaths or mishaps!

          Sri Rama ruled the country righteously and many years elapsed. Yamadharmaraja, the god of Death came to visit Sri Rama disguised as a sage! He told Laksmana that he was the disciple of a great maharshi called Atibala!Hearing the news from Lakshmana, Sri Rama came out to welcome the visitor. He was duly honored and extended hospitality! Yama told Sri Rama that he had a message for him from Lord Brahma! The message has to be given in private! None should interrupt or enter while Rama and Yama were in conversation! None should see or hear what transpired between them!  The punishment for any violation should be death! Sri Rama directed Lakshmana to guard the gate and not allow anyone inside! The visitor revealed himself as Yama and that the creator Lord Brahma had sent a message to Sri Rama—a kind of rteminder! Brahma said, “This is the opportune time for your return to your original abode! Sleeping blissfully on the ocean of milk, you created the great serpent Ananta and killed the asuras  Madhu and Kaitabha! Through their instability the earth came into bring with the mountains! You created me from your navel and made me responsible for creating people! When I could not protect the creatures, you ,as Vishnu, took over the protection of all beings! You took avatar as Vamana the son of Aditi and helped your brothers whenever they were in trouble! You have again come down to save people from the torture of Ravana! You decided to have Dasaratha as your father ! OH, Sri Rama! This is the time for you to return home! All Devas shall be extremely happy for your home coming!” Lord Brahma concluded the message.

             Sri Rama smiled at the message brought by the god of Death. He said that the purpose of his avatar has been fulfilled! He is ready to come back to his original abode! But as destiny would have it an unexpected thing happened !The great and irritable sage Durvasa  came to have an audience with Sri Rama and wanted an immediate meeting with him! Lakshmana was taken aback and requested him to wait for a while as Sri Rama was otherwise engaged. But the sage grew angry and warned Lakshmana that he would curse Sri Rama, Lakshmana and all others of the clan if he is not ushered into the presence of Sri Rama! Lakshmana felt it better to die by informing Rama about the sage rather than be cursed! Sri Rama received the sage warmly and enquired about the object of his visit! Sage Durvasa said that he had just concluded his tapas for a thousand years! He is very hungry and wanted the available food  immediately ! Sri Rama fed the sage with delicacies available to his entire satisfaction! Sage Durvasa left for his ashram soon!

              Sri Rama went back sad and miserable! He reflected on the words of Yama according to which Lakshmana has to be killed for his transgression! He felt that the time had come for the destruction of all! Lakshmana saw Sri Rama sad and pale. He requested him not to feel sorry! It is all the work of destiny! He should not hesitate to kill Lakshmana! As a King he should keep up his word. He should follow Dharma! Vasishta, their family mentor, echoed the same sentiment. Sri Rama should not break his promise. That will lead to the decay of Dharma! Sri Rama has to disown Lakshman and leave him once for all! Sage Vasishta reminded how Dasaratha kept his word to Kaikeyi which resulted in Rama’s long life in the forest. Sri Rama now had no other option but to disown and leave him! Reluctantly he said he disowned Lakshmana and ordered him to leave!

                With tears rolling down his cheeks, Lakshmana quickly reached the banks of river Sarayu He never turned back to his home or brother! Performing ‘achamana’ and with folded hands  he entered the river and controlled his breath perfectly retaining it for long! Indra and the devas, all sages,and heavenly damsels rained flowers on him! Invisible to mortals, Indra took away Lakshmana with his body to heaven! Devas and the sages were happy that the fourth ‘amsa’ of Lord Vishnu has returned to heaven!