SiRa Lakshmila Bharma Shkriti MegNa SS ( chap 8 page 51 ) - Page 35

Maharaaj Dashrath Looked towards Sage Vashisht With Shock and Grief , but the sage seem to to unperturbed by any of the Kings Emotions

Vashsiht :  Dashrath , In my Chambers , NOW...

Dashrath : Yes , Respected Sage

A few Moments after Dashrath and Vashisht went away for talk , Rani Kaushalya, who in her consiscence  knew what the matter was all about , still  asked Sumitra , hoping to get an answer she was looking for as a last ditch effort.

Kaushalya ( crying )  : Sumitra , for God's sake pls assure me  , its not about sending our children to Gurukul.

Sumitra ( Hugs back Kaushalya ) :  No Didi , it is time finally , we have to let go of them for their own own good.

The four Princes , Standing Next to their Mothers , getting the gist of the conversation of their mothers , were visibly shaken at first .  Ram tried best to maintain his composure .

But the Bubble inside Shatrughan Burst out  , and He Ran away to his room Crying.

Shatrughan ( Shouts , Cries, runs to his room ) :  I am not  going anywhere and I am not leaving anyone.

Mothers :  Putra , Stop , Listen to us...

Bharat :  Brother...

They follow him behind to console him

Meanwhile

Ram : laxman , Pitashree must be distressed a lot , I know he loves all of us too Much , I need to be with him now, he needs me . You go and see if Shatru is alright  . Bharath is soft and I fear he might break up too , maybe they will need a stricter brother with them now .

Lakshman : Ram Bhayia , not just you , I think We both need to be with Pitashree now , I am sure Mothers will handle the situation there .

Ram : I am surprised I haven't seen a tear in your eyes still Lakshman , wont you miss everyone here.

Lakshman : Of course I will Bhayia , but as long as you are with me to  wherever I go ,  I can manage , its separation from you  that will break this Lakshman Apart . And Having said that , you yourself have put up a very brave face before us , Don't I know how sad u are from inside your Heart Currently...?

Ram hugs Lakshman Back Tightly

Ram : Don't say that Lakshman , Even I cant Bear any separation from You. Come On , lets go .

As Ram and Lakshman Went towards the Guru's Chamber , they couldn't help but evesdrop standing outside  the door about  all the conversation that was taking Place inside

Dashrath ( annoyed tone ) :  But Rishivar , How Can I let a piece of my Heart go away from me for so many years

Vashisht : Oh Come on Putra , don't tell me you didn't knew that there would be a time when u would have anyway had to face this day

Dashrath :  Yes Gurudev , I knew I would have too , I just didn't imagine it would be this tough , isn't there any alternative , cant the boys be taught everything here .

Vashisht :  Everything being taught here ?????  Meaning that we break the Raghukul Parampara ???

Dashrath ( voice getting louder in agitation): But following Parampara is least of my concerns when I know My Ram's life is in danger. You remember don't you , telling me that my eldest Son's life will be at the mercy of Destiny till he reaches Adulthood. Am I supposed to butcher my Son for the sake of Raghukul.

Listening to this statement , Lakshman grabbed Ram's hand tightly , as if to never let it go , as if to state that any Harm approaching his brother would have to deal with him first.

Vashisht : Putra Dashrath ,  for the praja , you are the emperor first and a father later . This is a sacrifice  the king will always have to make , leaving his personal emotions behind for the cause of greater good . And why just Ram , don't you remember what I said next , that if Ram escapes unhurt , the bad omen will befall on the person he loves and cares about the most , So who else are u going to keep with you on this doubt , all his three brothers , all the mothers , who then ...?

These were the words that led Ram to reciprocate lakshman's hand in fear of losing him, he held Lakshman's Hand even firmer , he was clear in his mind who he loved the most.

Ram ( wiping a lone tear ): Common Lakshman , I think I have heard enough , let's leave , shatrughan must be unconsolable

There at chambers

Dashrath : But Gurudev...

Vashisht : No Putra , No more areguments , you are a Suryavanshi ,  don't concede defeat towards the hands of destiny , fight it , let your boys go to Gurukul , make them able and strong , let them learn to fight and defend themselves. And its Gonna be All OK  , remember what the prophecy also stated , that the wives of your children shall be their shield , once married , no evil can befall upon them.

Dashrath : Gurudev , I think u say correct , I just pray to lord shiva to keep everything in order. My Sons are my life , without them , this dashrath would just be a body without soul.

Vashisht : And I will personally see that our princes are churned into the finest warriors this universe has ever seen , common now , you have your boys to prep up for the journey.

Both Dashrath and Vashisht Went to Sumitra's Room , where the rest family was present and the queen were busy packing for their boys , albeit very reluctantly.

There in Sumitra's Room:

Kaushalya ( sad mood ) to Ram : Putra Ram , from today , you have to be the Father as well as the Mother to your Brothers , You have to be their pillar of strength , take care of them ... and ...and ...( throat chokes in crying )  and take care of yourself too.  ( and embraces him in tight hug ) .

Ram : Don't worry Ma , I shall always be there for them , and I will miss u all very much.

Kekayi : Bharat , from today your Ma isn't going to be there around you , you have to manage everything yourself . Do everything as gurudev  and your Brother Ram says to you . Learn with dedication , and take care of your brothers , specially Shatrughan , he shall need you the most. I want to see you return as a charming and strong Prince.

Bharat : Yes Ma , I promise .   

Meanwhile  shatrughan is still lying on Sumitra's Lap , arms round her neck like an infant , the tears visibly dried up and made stream marks on the face .

Lakshman : common U devil , will you stop now , its not that you are going alone , we three are going along too.

Shatrughan makes a disgusting face towards his twin and then looks towards his mother with his big complaining eyes.

Sumitra : LAKSHMAN ...  don't tease ur Brother ,  and I am seeing you are least concerned about going away from Ayodhya ,  wont you miss us ...?

Lakshman ( murmuring very softly  ) : Ayodhya is least of my Concerns when Yama is sprawling near my Ram Bhayia

Ram ( pinching Lakshman , drags him to a corner ) :  Shhh...  will you please keep quiet , I don't want to listen to any of this again , and certainly No one else should know this. And don't tell me you don't know who I love the most ... Its you  silly . You  too  share the same fate as mine.

Lakshman : I don't care about my Life as long as you are OK .

Ram : you are now going to get a tight slap from me in front of everyone If I hear u say these unauspicious words again.

Lakshman : Sorry Brother , I wont say again if it hurts you . ( Hugs Him )

The Mark on their chests shines a little brightly as they embrace , but no one notices.

Just then Guru Vashist and Dashrath enter Sumitra's chambers. Shatrughan runs into his father's arms crying and dashrath picks him up with his strong mascular Arms  .

Dashrath : So boys , I hope by now u all know where you all are headed to . Are you ready to Face the next challenge in your lives ?

Lakshman , Ram , Bharath : Yes Father

Dashrath : And by any chance , Are u going to miss your father a tiny bit as well

Lakshman , ram and Bharath run towards Dashrath and grip him tightly

All three together : Yes Father ,we will.

Shatrughan in the meanwhile is still silent , arms bent around dashrath's neck .

Dashrath : Good Good , That's like my Brave princes , certainly more brave than your father. Complete your Shiksha and return Back Strong , I cant wait to see the day when I can relieve myself from all the duties of an emperor

Sumitra : Come here Lakshman , and listen to me very carefully  . Just as Kaushalya and Kekayi Didi Said , I want you to be  very attentive in the Gurukul towards ur Shiksha , and I want you to always look forward to your elder brothers , I want you to ne around them always

Lakshman : you don't have to say that Ma , Till I am around , no one can touch my Ram Bhayia , and Bharat bhayia and shatrughan too

Sumitra : And Keep your anger in check , I don't want you to get into fights everytime , otherwise what will Gurudev think of you , that his Ma has taught him to always fight

Lakshman( casually ) : Well ... ( long pause ) , that depends on situation , I cant guarantee that .

Sumitra( loudly ) : LAKSHMAN...

Lakshman gives no reaction at all

RAM : LAKSHMAN ... Do as MA wishes.

Lakshman : Ok Bhayia , if u say so

Sumitra : See , How he agreed at once to Ram , but this boy never listens to me . If you are going to be this much temperamental , How I am gonna find a bride for you ...

Lakshman  ( making funny face ): I don't need one , or you can find someone as temperamental as me   ,  I just want my Ram bhayia to be with me always.

Ram : Shut up and come with me , we have a lot of preparations to do

Sumitra : Stupid Boy...

And Sumitra let goes of Lakshman's comment casually ...

Dashrath caresses Ram's cheek softly , as if seeing him for last time

Dashrath : Ram , you and your brother get ready , you all are leaving tomorrow morning. Till then , I have to have a Man to Man talk with your little brother

Dashrath takes shatrughan away to the throne , and disperses all his ministers from there for some time . He Makes Shatrughan sit On the Throne and himself sits on one knee , kneeling towards him

Dashrath : Do you know where you are sitting Son ?

Shatrughan : Yes Father , its your Throne

Dashrath : As of today , it is Mine , in the future , it may be yours

Shatrughan ( shocked ) : But Why Father , I am the youngest . It Ram Bhayia's right on this , not mine .Even for some reason he is not crowned , Still there will be Bharat and lakshman Bhayia .

Dashrath : I know Son  , I know   . And I also know that your Ram Bhayia will make the most magnificent of Kings. But Destiny is cruel Son , and we have to be prepared for everything , for the worst of times. That's why I need you to be strong

Shatrughan : I don't understand Pitashree

Dashrath : See son ,  When the worst times hit us , we don't know as to how everyone will react to it , it can break even the toughest of Kings , force them into taking decisions in a not so healthy state of mind. And your Brothers will need your support always , you know why , because you are the strongest at heart.

Ram is really Kind Hearted , he can forgive almost anyone even if someone did very wrong to him.Your Brother Bharat is very soft , and Lakshman can loose temper easily.

But You, you  may be the youngest  , but I know  you can take  into your stride the most difficult of the situations. You complete the three of them.

Shatrughan ( smiles ): I never imagined you thought of me so high father...  

Dashrath: Putra , sometimes we just have to look inside us a bit harder to know our qualities, I am sure I can look forward to your return as a mature and Brave Prince , just as your brothers. Now , shall we prepare for leaving tomorrow , or you still want to stay back...

Shatrughan : No Father , I will go and learn to become a fine prince . And I promise I will never cry there in Ahsram , I will always be of help to my brothers and take care of them.

A few Thousand Miles Away ...In Lanka

Raavan Arrives with his huge Asur Sena and kumbhkaran to the palace Gate , with Queen Mandodari waiting with a Aarti Thali , in anticipation of welcoming her Husband Back  victorious from War

But as soon as her Eyes drop on her husband , the Aarti thali  falls from her Hand

Raavan is visibly injured , a deep red wound on his bare chest reflects the amount of damage done to him by a powerful weapon from the enemy.

Raavan pushes aside Mandodari forcefully and goes to his chambers , in a very angry mood.

So angry he was on his defeat that he didn't even notice his son megnath who was standing alongside his mother for his welcome .

Mandodari : Bhrata Kumbhkaran , what happened , how can Swami be defeated??

Kumbhkaran : I don't know what to tell you Bhabhi , we almost had swarg LOK in our hands , when that Indra Fired his Vajra over bhratashree.

Mandodari : So is there no counter to the Vajra of Indra

Kumbhkaran : There is . But...theres no point talking about it

Mandodari :  and why is that ?

Kumbhkaran :Because to learn the counter , one has to be accepted as a disciple by Guru shukrachariya , its only him who can teach counters of the powerful weapons created by Swarg Lok's Guru Bhrahaspati  . And you know how are relations between brother and gurudev.

Madodari : Yes , I know. Anways , you pl take rest while I attend to swami

Mandodari goes to raavan in their room , but he was already asleep by then

THE NEXT MORNING

IN AYODHYA :

The queens and King Bid farewell to kids , only to see them an year Later  , a relaxation that rishi Vashisht allowed , that the boys could visit ayodhya once a year for 15 days

The king and Queens are teary Eyed , but happy on Vashisht's assurance that he would always be there for them in the ashram.

As their Chariots leave for Gurukul , Vashisht sees Dashrath's fallen face .

Vashisht ( to himself ) : If I could only tell you Putra , that the Ansh of  Narayan and Adishesha Require no Protection from any one , they are supreme .  Great is your leela Bhagwaan Vishnu...

IN LANKA

Raavan is awake early , and spots mandodari  sitting by his side , with some food and medicines

He sees his wounds being dressed up already , probably this was done when he was asleep

Raavan : Mandodari , I am sorry for reacting the way I did yesterday , And I need to opologise to my son as well , I reacted very rudely to all of you

Mandodari : Megnath was here all night swami , and it was him who dressed your wounds , you know it was the first time I saw  a tear in his eyes .

Raavan : I need to see him now

Mandodari : He must be in his chambers ,  asleep after being awake all night

Both reach Megnath's Room , but find him nowhere , instead find a Note on the table that Read

" Pitashree , I am leaving Lanka and going to Guru Shukracharya for learning all Asuri Vidya . It's a promise of a son to his father , that I wont show you my face till I take revenge from the Man who insulted you "