Aranye-gamanam - The Exile of the Righteous

4 years ago

proteeti

@sambhavami

The first few months following her marriage proved challenging for Shrutakirti. After only a single night together, Shatrughna had been sent away on business by the King, leaving Shrutakirti to wander alone in the magnificent chambers allotted to them. 

When the sun was up, she would awkwardly follow her mother-in-law or one of her sisters on their short trips around the city. At night she would go to Lakshmana's side of the mansion to have dinner with Urmila and Sumitra. Lakshmana preferred eating at the King's chambers or in the royal gardens with Rama and Bharata. She often wondered what Seeta or Mandavi did during dinnertime. Then she would reason they must also be eating with their mothers-in-law. During these dinners, she learned Sumitra was also a very lonely woman. Her mansion was much smaller than Kaushalya and Kaikeyi's. Though she never complained or treated her sisters differently, Shrutakirti could still see her discomfort. The unease in Sumitra's chest occasionally raised its head, especially when customary festival gifts from the other two queens arrived at her doorstep, and she would have to scramble to upgrade her own offerings.

Whenever this happened, Shrutakirti would attempt to console the queen. She would often write painstakingly detailed notes to go with every gift and accompany the carriers to deliver them in person. Sometimes, she would write to her husband. 

She hated asking for allowances, but she had finally made peace with her husband's skittish nature and learned to be more direct. He would buy her a necklace of emeralds and then spend months agonizing over whether to give it to her and when. Reminding him of obscure holidays made it easier for him to send timely gifts to his mother and wife.

Often, Urmila would come bursting into her bedroom in the evenings, complaining of her newest fight with Lakshamana. "He never takes me anywhere! I'm never going back there again!" She would complain. The sisters would go to sleep, but then in the middle of the night, Shrutakirti would wake to find her sister missing and would go back to sleep with a chuckle. Those two could never keep a fight going for very long!

Shatrugha would return for mere weeks between his extensive travels. Shrutakirti awaited those days

---

The anger of Kaikeyi had cast a pall over the celebrations at Ayodhya.

Shrutakirti stood holding a curtain at the corner of the sprawling room. Seeta, sat trembling before her dressing mirror, absentmindedly fidgeting with the flowers set before her.

She looked at her brothers-in-law. Rama was sitting with his head in his hands while Lakshmana paced up and down angrily.

"Nothing can be done now Lakshmana." Finally, Rama said with a sigh. "Our Father has spoken, and I must leave."

He raised a finger to silence Lakshmana before the latter could begin his tirade.

"If that be the case brother, I shall accompany you!" Lakshmana declared, his fists still clenched.

Seeta stood facing the two brothers. She no longer shook. Gazing at Rama's eyes, she spoke, "Do me a favour Shrutakirti, and ask our helpers to pack some dresses for me. Make sure they match the yuvaraja in austerity."

Out of the corner of her eyes, Shrutakirti saw Urmila fall to the ground, unconscious. She had not realized Mandavi and Urmila had been standing at the gate, privy to the last part of the conversation.

---

As the days progressed, Shrutakirti found herself strangely alienated from the grief that had enveloped the city. The cries of Maharaja Dasharatha still rang in her ears. Almost like a wounded deer that calls out to its fawn at its deathbed!

Suddenly she sat up with a start.

Whatever was she thinking?!

However much she tried, she still could not shake off the chill she felt. Wherever she turned, there were inauspicious signs.

Finally, at daybreak, the kanchuki came bearing the news.

The King was dead, and the King was exiled.

---

Shrutakirti stood beside her husband. He wore a grim expression; his eyes were still swollen from sobbing. They had just returned from the funeral of King Dasharatha.

"Could you pack some clothes for me please?" Shatrughna asked her.

"What for?" She asked back.

"To go to Nandigrama with brother Bharata." He smiled weakly.

"You can't go!" Shrutakirti blurted out.

"I must follow my brother, priye!" Said Shatrughna, "Also, how can I stay here, enjoying this lavish royal life while my brothers are tormented by the various difficulties of life in those dark, untamed forests?!"

Shrutakirti raised an eyebrow, "Fulfill your bhratra-dharma for them in your own time rajakumara!" She exclaimed.

"Even if you cannot be bothered, I cannot afford to not think of the future of this kingdom! The rightful King refuses to return, and the next two in line would rather roam the forests with him than take care of their citizens! Therefore, neither you nor I will be going anywhere.

This is not the time to grieve, swami! This is when we assemble the army and guard the gates! Even the thought of the numerous enemies that Ayodhya has garnered makes me tremble! If we don't stay, there will be no kingdom for brother Rama to rule!"