________________
The Moon was Eclipsed
"Noble men! Undoubtedly you have carried out your duty with unquestionable loyalty. So far I have not ignored you. When that is so how can you ignore my interest? It is an eternal truth that dedicated people are never neglected by the king and yes! You may be sure that I will never invite ignominy for the sake of a woman."
What Shri Ram said greatly pleased the city-heads. Greatly relieved and pleased they left the palace. But Shri Ram was filled with unbearable grief and agitation.
285
Now Shri Ram had only two ways open to him both equally painful and agonising. One was to keep silent over Sita's affair and to bear with disgrace and the other was to abandon Sita and to bear the grief of separation from her. He experienced such anguish as he did not experience even at the time of his leaving Ayodhya to fulfil his father's promise.
He could not even bear with the thought of living without Sita. His heart was filled with grief. The stain on Sita's character had to disappear by itself. Otherwise; the only way left to him was to abandon her. But the very thought of abandoning Sita filled him with grief.
Conflicting and confusing thoughts arose in his mind: "Let people say what they like to say against Sita. Let me face the ignominy silently' but the very next moment a contradictory thought arose: "Merely for the sake of Sita is it proper to stain the Ikshwaku dynasty and of our royal family ?" Shri Ram continued to think thus. He could not find a way out. His face which had been formerly radiant now became bleak and blighted. Throughout the day he remained in grief At night he tried to find out personally what people were saying about Sita.
The sun set in the west. The goddess of the evening made her appearance. The sky appeared colourful in the rays of the setting sun. Small clouds seemed to be playing hide and seek in the sky. Step by step dense darkness descended upon the city. The city became silent. Shri Ram set out in disguise.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
