Ashwamedham - The Last Sacrifice

4 years ago

proteeti

@sambhavami

As the chariot bearing Shrutakirti entered Ayodhya, she marveled at how much had changed in the past one decade. The buildings that were newly painted at the time of Shatrughna's victory over Lavana had dulled into grimy specs. Although, the roads had been paved recently and were clean and smooth. There were newer homes and new faces welcoming her. She smiled and waved through the translucent curtains hanging from the roof of the chariot while her young sons both laughed and cheered.

At the palace gates she was welcomed by her sister Mandavi. After exchanging pleasantries Shrutakirti finally asked Mandavi the question that had been lingering at the back of her mind, "Is Maharaja remarrying? I thought the Ashwamedha yajna could not be performed without the presence of the Queen. Well since Seeta is not- well, is he remarrying?"

Mandavi shook her head with a small smile, "You've come a long way, sister. Freshen up, then I'll show you."

As Shrutakirti followed Mandavi she looked around the palace with wondering eyes. With every sight she was greatly astonished. The palace had been decorated to the fullest. Gold and silver ornaments hung from walls and pillars in place of flowers. The servants and maids worked wearing expensive jewellery. The beautiful white horse stood tied at a corner of the yajna-bhoomi, attended by several servants and soldiers.

Mandavi led her sister into a room away from the hullabaloo of the rest of the palace. Shrutakirti sighed in relief as the familiar scent of burning incense floated towards her. Looking ahead, she stood dumbfounded as a life-like golden statue of her sister Seeta stared back at her. She turned around with a jolt as a deep voice spoke from behind, "Can I help you with something?"

Rama himself was standing at the gate.

Mandavi and Shrutakirti immediately fell at his feet with folded hands. Rama smiled, "So, do you like her?" He asked Shrutakirti while absentmindedly stroking the hair of the golden statue.

Composing herself Shrutakirti spoke, "She's fine, but she's not my sister."

Rama laughed sadly, "Well, who is?"

Seizing the opportunity Shrutakirti asked, "Then why did you let her go?"

"Well Maharani, a true King never executes his own will. The wish of his subjects is divine command for him. My praja wanted me to forsake my wife, and so I had to."

"You think your praja is just in this case?"

"It does not matter what I think. Or, what happens to me."

Shrutakirti could only catch a glimpse of the tears in Rama's eyes before he turned away.

"So, the praja accepts this?" She asked, pointing at the statue.

"Funnily enough, they do!" Rama chuckled, tears still fighting against his will.

---

As the first part of the yajna concluded, everyone gathered in the temporary royal hall erected beside the yajna-kshetra. The King wished to entertain his guests. Shrutakirti took her seat beside her sisters while Shatrughna was seated beside the Kings Janaka and Kushadhhwaja.

The first performers of the day entered the hall. They were but two boy monks, with their veenas strung over their shoulders. A wave of whispers had spread around the hall like the waters of Sarayu during a flood.

Shrutakirti looked at the boys intently. There was something familiar about them, but she could not recollect where she might have seen them. She looked around at her two sisters, they looked equally confused.

They introduced themselves as the students of Rishi Valmiki. Shrutakirti's discomfort grew as they began to sing praises of King Rama. Even their voices seemed familiar to her however she could not place the boys.

After some time she concentrated on the song they sang. Soon, she lost herself in the melody and almost forgot the eerie feeling. After their performance, the boys went around to all the royal family members seeking their blessings. As they came to the three sisters they all smiled and blessed the boys. Shrutakirti said with a wide smile, "Your mother has taught you very well! Tell her that when you go home, alright boys?" The boys grinned and went away.

It clicked for Shrutakirti at that moment. Stopping her sisters she exclaimed, "The fairer one! He looks like a baby version of sister Seeta! That is why I felt I knew him!" Urmila and Mandavi stared back at her. "What do you mean?" Mandavi asked. Shrutakirti shook her head, "Nothing. They reminded me of Seeta."

For the next seven days, after the completion of the sacred rituals of the yajna, the boys performed. They relayed the story of Sri Rama through their beautiful, innocent melodies. The sisters soon found themselves laughing and crying, elated and disgusted, along with the rest of the audience, at various points of the story, as they rode upon the lilting ocean of music the children created.

They finished their song of Sri Rama's coronation just as the audience all broke into varying waves of saadhu-vaad. The maidens all around showered flowers upon them as they bowed to the King and the others present. Rama himself showered praises upon them. Once the wave of cheer quietened a little Rama said, "So boys! We already know who the divine Guru is, who has honed you two into such fine men of culture." With a nod to Sage Valmiki he continued, "But, we still do not know you names. Or the names of the two divine souls who bear the good fortune of calling you their children. Tell me more about you and your parents!"

"Maharaja!" One of the boys piped up, "There is one more chapter in this song, that our Guru has written very recently. If we have your grace, we would like to present that as well." The other boy said, "Yes Maharaja! I am afraid we cannot reveal our identity before completing this song because our life itself is tied to this one chapter."

Rama looked at them confused, but granted them permission.

They began,

"Maharaja, do you remember the first night

Of your Kingship in Ayodhya?

How you embraced your Queen

And promised she would not be missed,

Because she would never be alone!

Do you remember, when hidden by the swaying

Creepers of Panchavati, she tied strings of flowers

To your matted hair and you proclaimed there

Will never be a purer soul than her!

Then you sold your promise

For one 'yes' from your ruled-"

"Stop!" Roared Rama, as the boys stopped singing, clearly afraid.

"How do you know that? Who told you?!" Rama inquired, disoriented in anger.

"The very same who told you!" The darker boy retorted. "We are Kusha and Lava, the sons of Mother Seeta, the daugheter of King Janaka and the Queen of Ayodhya!" Said the other one.

"And you are our father. Maharaja."

"What is the proof?!" Rama blurted, as the entire sabha gasped. Shrutakirti's eyes widened in shock. This was not the person she saw in the quiet corner of the palace! Rama continued, "If you speak the truth, let your mother Janaki present herself before the royal court and prove so."

"That can be arranged now itself, Maharaja." Sage Valmiki said smiling, "I was afraid to leave Janaki back in my ashram so I have brought her here along with me. Also, if it's helps, I vouch for the truth and purity of these two sons of yours and my dear daughter Janaki."

"Let her prove it herself, Maharshi. I am sure she will comply." Replied Rama, now calmer.

---

Seeta entered the royal hall, her head bowed. Shrutakirti was aghast to see her sister in such a condition. She was dressed in a plain, worn dress and wore no jewellery at all. Her face was stricken with tears, but her eyes were dry. Her simplicity was almost jarring against the affluent pedestal she stood upon. Shrutakirti could feel the grasp of Urmila grow tighter over her hand as her own eyes filled with tears.

Seeta spoke in a quiet voice, "You asked for me, Maharaja."

Rama sat in his high throne with a stoic expression. "If you can prove once again, for the entire world to see, that you are indeed pure in mind and body, then you may regain my affection and this throne."

Seeta smiled softly, "For you to banish me again when you hear something, Maharaja?"

"Just do this, and we can put all of this behind us-" said Rama. Seeta interrupted him, raising a hand.

She laughed, "You think you banished me? I could have overturned your so-called decree in a second if I wished to. Even the Gods stand with me today. But no, I will not prove my purity or the identity of these children today. You may accept them or reject them. Either way they are equipped to live their life on their own terms.

However, I no longer wish to live in a world where I am not valued. You can keep your affection and your throne. Hard as it might be for you and your subjects to believe, but Seeta actually does have a place to go!"

Shrutakirti's eyes widened in shock as her sister folded her hands and began to pray. "O Mother Earth! I have always stood by my earthly duties, but now I no longer wish to remain in this world! Take me home with you, Mother!"

All present in the sabha collectively gasped. Many leapt backwards as the ground shook and a huge crack appeared in the middle of the hall. A divine chariot driven by a beautiful woman appeared from within. The woman smiled as she helped Seeta onto the chariot.

Rama finally leapt from his pedestal and rushed towards Seeta, pleading with her.

Shrutakirti quietly descended from her seat as well and embraced the sobbing, distraught boys.

"Please, Seete! I take it all back, I don't care what anyone says, you're mine! Please don't leave me again!"

Seeta's eyes burned with rage as her entire form glowed with a divine light. She shook her head side from side and turned to her sons, "Be good you two." A lone tear rolled down her cheeks.

"Wh-what about them, Seete?! Who will take care of our sons?" Asked Rama.

"You will be a good father and a mother to them, just as I have been for so long. Consider this my last request?"

With a blinding flash, the chariot disappeared. The crack healed and the world returned to normalcy; only without Seeta.

Rama and his sons collapsed to the ground, desperately running their hands over the ground where the crack was, looking for her.

Shrutakirti once again wiped her tears and approached Shatrughna, "Ask all the guests to leave and brother Bharata to prepare to take over the administration for some time. It's best that we leave them alone for now."