A sense of gloom descended on Ayodhya. The royal family was gathered around the apartment of Queen Sita, which had remained vacant all these years of her absence. It was a shrine of sorts, a temple that housed the hearts of many.
The queen was gone, but the wife remained in His heart, as she always would. Her spirit existed in every atom of His being, in every chamber of the palace, in ever garden of the kingdom.
But that was not why the kingdom was in mourning.
Maharaj Ramachandra, the emperor of the vast kingdom of Kosala, stood solemnly as his younger brothers stooped over the lifeless bodies of their wives.
In his heart, he felt as if he had lost Sita all over again.
Urmila, Mandavi and Shrutakirti had been different that morning. Normally, they were so joyful, so full of life, but that day they appeared almost celestial in their silence, their solemnity. They had greeted their husbands lovingly, touched Ram's feet in obeisance, and then declared they wanted to spend some time in their Sita didi's chamber.
Ram had known in his heart that those precious moments would be their last.
Hours later, he had gone into Sita's chamber, and he'd seen the three sisters leaning against her golden statue, each of their head by her feet. Their eyes were closed and a serene smile played across their lips. They appeared to be sleeping.
The moment Ram had entered the chamber, a brilliant white light had filled the room, and three golden orbs arose from the sisters and entered Sita's statue.
Ram had held his hand up in blessing, his heart at peace but also mourning the loss of his brothers.
The three sisters, each of them a part of Mahalakshmi herself, were now reunited with Her, their sister and mother.
It was now up to Him to break the news to everyone.
Each of his brothers reacted differently, but he knew they all felt the same pain, the same loss.
Bharat had hidden his pain and let only a few tears escape from his eyes. Lakshman had dropped to the floor and hidden his face in his hands. Shatrughan, the youngest, had broken down in bitter tears.
Ram had gathered them all in his arms, offering them the comfort only a brother who understood their pain could.
Urmila, Mandavi and Shrutakirti were no less than their sister. They were her image, her reflection, and the Raghuvansh would forever remember their devoted love and service.
Ram had sent messengers to relay the news to his children and nephews, and mere days later they all arrived together, running into his arms and weeping for their mothers.
He had held them all, offering them words of advice and comfort, and in turn they offered solace to their grieving fathers.
Then the funerals took place. Taksha and Pushkal, Angad and Chandraketu, Subahu and Shatrughati, each lit the pyres of their respective mother.
Luv and Kush attended to their uncles, offering them comfort and affection.
That evening, the entire family spent a quiet and solemn dinner reminiscing the happier times spent in the past. Lakshman fondly recollected how he and Urmila were at odds, constantly bickering and fighting before falling in love. Bharat remembered the supportive nature of Mandavi, how she never questioned any of his decisions because she always understood him, and loved him more for it. Shatrughan remembered the childish, playful nature of Shrutakirti. As the youngest, she had always been pampered by everyone, and her competitive nature had always drawn him in.
The eight children, now Kings themselves, felt happy hearing the stories of their mothers.
Soon, they too had to leave, for their Kingdoms awaited their presence, and Ram would not let them neglect their royal duties.
A few months later
A sense of calm had descended on Ayodhya. The palace was much quieter without the lively sisters flitting about it, but as with everything else, life went on.
It was time. He knew it. His brothers knew it.
Lakshman and Ram sat together in Ram's chamber one evening. Lakshman was pressing Ram's feet, but both had their eyes closed.
My dear Sesha, it is time,' thought Ram. The greatest test of your life is about to happen. Can you fulfill your duties?'
Prabhu, do you doubt me?' Lakshman replied through his mind. I am at your service, and I will fulfill each of your orders.'
We will have to be separated, but not for long.' Ram cautioned.
Every moment without you will be difficult to bear, Lord, but it cannot be helped. I accept your orders.'
We will be reunited, Sesha. We will be together once again.'
Prabhu, Mata and I will await your arrival eagerly.'
Lakshman and Ram both smiled in their trance-like state.
Sesha, you have fulfilled each and every one of my orders faithfully in this lifetime. I could never have asked for a more loving and dutiful younger brother. I would like to bestow you with a boon.'
Prabhu, serving you gives me immense happiness. I do not require any boon.'
And yet, I would like to give one,' thought Ram. In this lifetime, you served me like a dutiful younger brother. You fulfilled each and every one of my wishes. And thus, in our next lifetime, I will be reborn as your younger brother and return the service.'
Prabhu!' Lakshman looked stricken. How can I ever accept service from you? Even if you are born as my younger brother, I wish to stay by your feet.'
Sesha, in this lifetime, I have had to take many difficult decisions as the elder brother. In our next lifetime, you will be the elder and carry the responsibility of our family. Won't you relieve me of my burden, priya anuj?'
Prabhu, if that is your wish, then it shall be my command.'
Lakshman bowed his head to his brother and Ram placed a fond hand on it.
He then closed his eyes and summoned his son, known to everyone as Yama Dharmaraja, or Maha Kaal.
A few days later
Maha Kaal appeared in Ayodhya in the guise of a sage.
It is said that whoever his gaze landed on would meet with death. It so happened that Prince Lakshman was the first one to receive him, and when he requested to meet with Raja Ram, he led him to his brother's chamber.
The sage made quite a peculiar demand.
He wished to speak with the King privately, and whoever intruded upon them must receive mrityu dand as punishment.
The royal court was perplexed, but Ram agreed with the sage's demands, and he sent everyone from the room, ordering Lakshman to stand guard outside so that no innocent being would come in unwittingly. Lakshman immediately agreed.
Just as Lord Vishnu's two devoted servants Jaya and Vijaya guarded Vaikunta, Prince Lakshmana guarded the entrance to Raja Ram's chambers, daring anyone to get past him.
No one would die on his watch. His brother's orders were like those of God.
Bharat and Shatrughan offered to relieve him of his duties, but Lakshman refused. Ram bhaiyya had specifically ordered him to stand guard, and thus he would.
He had only ever disobeyed his brother once in his lifetime. He would not do so again.
Then Sage Durvasa came. Bharat and Shatrughan received him respectfully, and he requested to meet with Raja Ram.
Wait for a moment, they beseeched him. Their brother was meeting with someone else.
Durvasa refused. They suggested themselves as an alternative. Could they not fulfill his wishes?
But Durvasa was adamant. He must meet with Raja Ram.
Bharat and Shatrughan went to Lakshman.
"What must be done, Saumitra?" they asked.
Lakshman went to meet the sage, leaving Bharat and Shatrughan standing guard outside Ram's chamber.
He fell at Durvasa's feet, and Durvasa blessed him, a mysterious smile playing on his lips that vanished as soon as Lakshman stood up.
"Munivar," Lakshman spoked in a placating tone, "Ram bhaiyya is attending to someone else right now, and by his orders I cannot intrude. Please tell me what you need, and I will ensure it gets done."
Maharishi Durvasa was often misunderstood by people. He was termed "angry and irascible" by those who did not know better.
In reality, he was born from an ansh of Mahadev himself. He was Rudra, and though he got angry easily, it was only when people were dishonest and their devotion lacking. Those whose hearts were pure pleased him quite easily.
Durvasa felt happy seeing the devotion of Lakshaman, but he also knew his duty. He had the power to see the past, present and future.
It was time for the Lord to return to his divine abode, and thus he had his own role to play. It was time for him to playact his part in Narayan's leela.
His eyes blazing with perceived fury, Durvasa spoke in a loud and harsh tone.
"Impertinent prince! Do you not know who I am? If you do not take me to see Raja Ram this instant, I shall curse the entire kingdom of Kosala with eternal devastation!"
"No!" Lakshman spoke aloud, a shocked look on his face, "Munivar, please do not take such a drastic decision. I shall tell Ram bhaiyya you wish to meet with him right now."
He had made up his mind then and there.
The human in Lashman felt grieved at the thought of what he was about to do, but the divine in him, the aspect of Ananta Sesha who was impatient to return to his abode, smiled serenely.
He must sacrifice himself for Ayodhya. Had not his ancestors done the same?
The Raghuvansh was known for Kings and Queens who sacrificed their own happiness, and sometimes their own lives, for the sake of their kingdom. Nothing was more important than the praja's wellbeing.
Had not his grandfather, King Aja done the same? Had not his father, King Dashrath, done so? Had not his own brother, King Rama, sacrificed his own happiness at every turn?
And now it was his turn, and he would fulfill his duties happily.
With a deep breath, Lakshman opened the door to his brother's chamber and stepped in.
He saw the sage his Ram bhaiyya was meeting, who was not a sage but Maha Kaal himself.
Seeing the intruder, Maha Kaal disappeared at once and Ram glanced at him in shock.
"What have you done, Lakshman?" his brother asked him with a heavy heart.
"I have done what is best, bhaiyya," Lakshman answered him with a brave smile. "Maharishi Durvasa wishes to meet with you. We can discuss this afterwards."
Ram nodded, and went with Lakshman to meet with the sage.
A few hours later
A sense of gloom had once again descended on Ayodhya.
Ram had called an emergency meeting with the royal court. Everyone was present, his ministers, his brothers, Mahamantri Sumantra, Maharishi Vasishta and Mahabali Hanuman.
Lakshman stood in the middle of the court, his palms pressed together as if in prayer and a smile on his face. There was no fear in his eyes, no sadness.
Bharat and Shatrughan glanced at him sadly, but they knew. They knew what would happen, and they understood. They too were a part of the Lord's leela.
Raja Ram sat in all his splendor atop the royal throne of Ayodhya.
The human in his heart wept for the brother who would soon leave him, but the Lord in him, that was now more awake than before, was at peace with the end of a memorable lifetime.
Mahamantri Sumantra stood up.
"Maharaj," he spoke clearly, "This is a difficult time for the Raghukul. Rajkumar Lakshman is a well-respected and loved prince. The praja will never accept a death punishment for such a noble soul."
Sumantra too felt pain. He had been a Minister since Maharaj Dashrath's time, and he had seen the four brothers born and grow up before his eyes. They were like his children, and every time they felt pain, so did he.
Raja Ram acknowledged his words and turned to Vasishta.
"Gurudev, I seek your advice. We are all in dharma sankat at this time. How can I give a death punishment to the one who has committed no wrong? And yet, I cannot go back on my word."
Gurudev Vasishta smiled softly. "This is a difficult choice indeed, Raajan. Let's hear the opinion of everyone present first."
"There is no need for anyone to give an opinion," Lakshman spoke up firmly, "Bhaiyya, you have given your word to someone, and thus you must keep it. I am prepared to meet death by your hand."
Ram glanced at him with both pride and pain mingled together.
"Lakshman, it is not as easy as you say. How can I ever give you death? I agree with Gurudev. We must hear the opinion of everyone present."
All the ministers gave their opinion. Some stated that Lakshman must be given mrityu dand as per Ram's promise to Maha Kaal. Others stated it would be an injustice.
Finally, Lord Hanuman, the storehouse of wisdom himself, gave his opinion.
"Prabhu, scriptures state that sacrificing a noble being is akin to giving death," Hanuman told his Lord with tears in his eyes, "You must sacrifice Lakshman bhaiyya. That way, neither will you be giving death to him, and nor will you be breaking your promise."
This was the same reason why Vibhishan, who people often called "Kul drohi" was anything but. By insulting him and sacrificing him in front of the entire court of Lanka, Ravan had unwittingly ended all relationship with his brother, and thus Vibhishan owed neither him nor Lanka his allegiance.
"Bajrangbali has spoken right, Raajan," Vasishta told his pupil kindly, "By sacrificing Lakshman, you will be keeping your word, and neither will you be giving death to an undeserving soul."
Ram closed his eyes to hide his pain from everyone. The human in him warred with the perceived injustice, but the divine won out.
Ram would never sacrifice his brother Lakshman, for how can Ananta Sesha ever be far from him? Just as Mahalakshmi would forever reside in his heart, Ananta Sesha was his soul. The three of them would never be separated from each other.
Ram would never sacrifice his brother.
But Raja Ram would sacrifice Prince Lakshman, for he had a duty to uphold the honor of the Raghukul, the great dynasty he had taken birth into. He could not blemish it by breaking his promise, not after all this time.
Opening his eyes, Raja Ram spoke in a crisp and formal tone.
"O' Son of Sumitra, Rajkumar Lakshman, I, Maharaj Ramachandra, the King of Ayodhya, sacrifice you this instant."
The entire court was silent, not even their breathing could be heart. They glanced from Ram to Lakshman to gauge his reaction, but he simply had a smile on his face, as if he was amused by what had happened.
Stepping forward, Lakshman touched his brother's feet.
"As you command, your highness," he responded just as formally as his brother.
A king had sacrificed a prince.
But the loving brother in him remained forever in his heart.
Ram watched his brother leave the royal court for the very last time. A single tear trickled down his cheek, but another part of him felt at peace.
The end was nearing.
Lakshman removed all his silk clothing and jewels, which identified him as a Prince of Ayodhya. He wore pure white cloth and began the last journey of his life.
Alone he walked, flanked neither by his brothers nor by guards.
People all around him joined their hands, paying their last respects to a noble soul who had sacrificed his life for them all.
Till the end of time, people would remember Lakshman, the prince of Raghukul.
Dutiful son. Loving brother. Affectionate husband. Doting Father.
Lakshman walked into the turbulent waters of Sarayu. It was as if the river itself was revolting against his decision.
Closing his eyes and praying to the Lord, Lakshman obstructed his breath and gave up his life in the way all divine beings do. It was not death in the way of a normal human. It was the Samadhi of a divine being, wherein he shed his human body and his soul united with his divine form.
The moment Lakshman shed his mortal body, a brilliant light flooded the river, and from its depths emerged a large white serpent with seven hoods.
The serpent splashed joyfully in the river and then disappeared from sight. It swam through the Sarayu and entered Nagaloka, the serpent kingdom.
Greeting his relatives, Ananta Sesha departed for Vaikunta, the Lord's abode, where he was united with his mother Mahalakshmi and his consort Nagalakshmi, who took the form of the milky white ocean ksheer saagar.
Sesha coiled himself into a bed for the Lord, and awaited his arrival along with Mahalakshmi.
A few days later
Ram greeted his sons and nephews upon their arrival and relayed the events that had taken place. He advised them to be dutiful Kings, to be just to their people, and to never shy away from sacrifice. He told them to uphold the honor of the Raghukul and to teach the next generation, their own children, the values they themselves had grown up with.
Kush gave him good news that spread joy throughout the kingdom. His wife was in the family way.
Ram smiled joyfully hearing this. The next generation was coming. The Raghukul was blessed.
Standing in front of Sita's golden statue, Ram glanced at his wife with a smile. The statue seemed to come to life, and Sita smiled back at him.
Did you hear the news, priye?' Ram thought in his mind, You are going to become a Dadima.'
Sita's statue seemed to smile back mischievously, And you, my lord? You are to be a Dadaji.'
Ram chuckled to himself.
He divested himself of the silks and jewels that were a trademark of the Raghukul kings. He was now just Ram, and it was time to embark on his final journey.
He carried the golden murti of Sita himself, and he was followed by a large entourage of people.
In front of him walked his divine consort in the forms of Shridevi and Bhudevi. Before them was Goddess Gayatri.
His brothers, Hanuman, Sugriva, Vibhishan, Jambavant and the people of Ayodhya followed behind him.
Reaching the Sarayu river, Ram waded into its cool water and glancing at the golden murti of Sita lovingly, he submerged it. Shridevi and Bhudevi disappeared along with it.
The waters seem to glow brilliantly, having received into its depth the divine murti of Goddess Mahalakshmi herself.
Next, Ram turned to his entourage and held his hand up in blessing as they all bowed to him.
Everyone chanted "Jai Siya Ram!" as he waded deeper into the water.
Luv and Kush did not shed tears. Standing with their cousins, they glanced at their father adoringly and thanked the Lord they had been born to such divine beings.
In front of them was the highest example of an ideal King and Queen, and if they could strive to be even a bit like their parents, they would be blessed indeed.
Ram's body was soon fully submerged into the Sarayu river, and soon it glowed a deep blue color as from its depth, Maha Vishnu appeared in all His glory.
The eyes of everyone present were soon wet with tears. How fortunate they were to see the Lord himself! They all bowed low, touching their head to the ground.
Maha Vishnu smiled and blessed them all. The people of Ayodhya begged to unite with him, and he agreed. He told them they had all attained a place in Vishnu loka.
Narayana instructed Lord Hanuman to remain on Earth till the end of time, and then he could unite with him, for the world needed a devotee like him to protect it from the forthcoming cruelties. Till the moment Hanuman remained on Earth, so would Ram naam.
Vibhishan was instructed to rule Lanka until it became submerged into the waters of the ocean, and then he would be able to unite with the Lord.
Jambavant still had a role to play in the Lord's life, and thus he must remain on Earth until that role was fulfilled. The aged bear King accepted the Lord's orders graciously.
Sugriva, who had crowned Angad the King of Ayodhya, entered the Sarayu and became one with Surya Narayana.
The rest of the vaanar sena, who were all incarnations of various devtas, all entered the Sarayu and became one with their divine selves.
The praja all entered the river and attained Vishnu loka.
Finally, Maha Vishnu himself left the Earth and returned to Vaikunta, where he was finally reunited with his beloved Mahalakshmi and Ananta Sesha.
Mahalakshmi glanced at him with unconditional love as she once again seated herself by his feet.
Ananta Sesha hissed in delight, all seven of his hoods bent in homage to the Lord.
Ksheer Saagar was once again dancing in joy, her waters splashing as she paid obeisance to the divine image of the trio.
All was right with the Universe.
Seher Hone Ko Hai
