Lakshman was dazed to see 2 pairs of Simple yellow coloured cotton clothes on the table and a thread with Rudraksha. But he could not find his wife nearby and he went in search of her thinking she must be in her sister's room. But she was not there and his Bhabhi was all alone in her room and he was shocked to saw her with his other 2 sister in laws entering his father's room.
There he could see his crying mothers as they were unable to take the depart of their elder son for next 14 years and the worst was, they were shocked to see the delirious King and the royal doctor was not so confidant of his recovery.
Urmila went up to the King with determination and so was Mandavi. Shrutkirti stood beside the grieving mothers and put her consoling hands on their shoulders. Urmila started talking to Dashrath in low but strong voice asking him to get up.
Urmila: Pitasri, this is not good for the king Dashrath, who conducted the Ashwamedh Yaghnya. You are a Raghuvanshi and you should always be proud of your clan and its bravery and strength. What made you feel so low? Wasn't your son away from you for years during his Gurukul days? Did he not gone away from you with maharishi Vishwamithra for years for the benefit of rishi's or shall I say other than Ayodhyans? Then why you should feel so sad now? Please treat this as one more such tour. If you start losing hopes and cry, who will console the mothers?
Dasharath: Putri, I no longer feel happy to be born in Raghukul. If not for a Raghuvanshi, the promised would not have mattered and there would not have been a chance to send my son away for the mere reason I had given my promise to some woman in the disguise of love. I could control myself somehow during those days, as I was confidant of his return and now he has to leave his home and people for 14 long years and what shall I tell Kausalya in my favor? Earlier I had snatched away her daughter for my wish to have a son and now I have snatched away even that son, as I had given a word to my other wife? Had I not done that, atleast she would have had her daughter with her but now she has none. How will she live here after? Who will be there for her?
Urmila: Pijasri, what are talking? You should feel proud that you have a son, who worships the land you walk in. He feels that nothing is above his parent's honor and can do anything to retain that. And about Mata Kausalya, why do you feel she will be alone when you are there? Added to that she will have her 3 daughters with her and 2 of her sons also will be with her. Mata Sumithra is also there for her.
Lakshman was a bit nervous to hear this from her as he had already made up his mind to travel with his brother and be in the forest for the next 14 years. How will he be able to reveal his plans if Urmila promise his father and the mothers about his company for the next 14 years? In a hurry to stop her, he called out Urmila in a stern voice and said "stop your dialogue and go and check how is Bhabhi. How could you 3 leave her alone and come here to father? Mothers are there to take care of him and console him, go and do your duty as sisters."
Urmila just cast an eye at him and turned back to the king and said, "Pitasri, are you worried for Jijashi'r safety? Are you not confidant of his strength? He was the one who fought and killed Tataka and her clans, he was the one who fought and saved all of us from the asura's during our journey to Ayodhya single handedly.
Dasharath: Putri, I am proud of my son but at the same time I am sad because he has to leave for forest because of me. Putri during his gurukul, Rishi Vashsht was with him to take care of him and also were his brothers. And during Tataka time, Bramharshi Vishwamithra was with him and also was Lakshman. But now he will have to all alone for 14 years ...
Urmila: Pitasri, why do you think Jijasri will be alone this time?
All were shocked to hear this from Urmila
Dasharath: Putri, I can't understand your words. Who will be there with him as he has to go on exile for 14 years and he has to live a commoner's life?
Urmila: His brother will be with him. Your younger son, Sumithra Nandan Lakshman will accompany his brother in his exile. So be assured of jijasri's safety and take rest.
Dasharath: Putri, don't say that, how can I live after sending 2 of my sons away? Moreover, just moments back you said Kausalya will have 2 of her sons with her ?
Urmila: Pitasri, you shall not say this again. Jijasri has to leave as he is bound by his duty towards his parents. Soumithri has to leave with him as he is bound by his duty towards his brother and it is his duty to keep the future king of Ayodhya safe and in good health. And about my assurance of 2 sons, yes, Maa will be with her 2 sons "Bharat bhaiyya & Shathrughan bhaiyya". Moreover Bharat bhaiyya was her favorite son and he was the one who was more attached to Maa Kausalya.
Sumithra had tears in her eyes while Lakshman lowered his eyes with shame as he thought so low about her by thinking she may hurt his parents with her words. Dasharath was shocked with her assurance and said "Bharath??? Don't forget that he is Kaikeyi's son." This time it was Mandavi who answered her father in law.
Mandavi: Yes father, true he is Rani Kaikeyi's son but at the same time he is your son also. How will your son, who is also a Raghuvanshi go against its customs? How you did for once thought that he will accept the Ayodhya Throne which was not his by right? How did you even think that he will go against his brother and snatch his kingdom? As he also taught by the same Guru and was he not ate the food from Kausalya maa? Is he not brother of Shanta who showed the path of sacrifice? Being a Raghuvanshi, if Jijasri is keeping the Kul maryadha by keeping his father's promise and following his mother's wish, how will Bharat be different? Will he not follow the same path and save the throne for his brother till he returns from his supposed exile? I once again assure you, be assured that the king of Ayodhya will be the first son of King Dashrath and in no context my husband is your first son and he will never ever accept the throne and crown which is not his by birth. This is the promise I will give you as your bahu.
Ram was shocked beyond words and so were rajrishi vashisht and minister Sumanthra. Ram walked up to Urmila and mandavi and said "what are you both talking? Mandavi, Please don't make this big promise, the state can't be without a ruler for such a long time. Father has already decided to descend the throne and if Bharat will not ascend it, Arajakatha will arise and enemies will attack our state. If there is no king, who will give orders to the army and who will take care of the welfare of the state? And you Urmila, I was about to talk to you to convince Lakshman to stay back here you have gone a step ahead and have assured our father that Lakshman will accompany me to the forest. This is not the time for emotional promise. You are just married and 14 years away from your husband is not a joke. Moreover Bharat needs a supporting hand in ruling the state and Lakshman is required for that. Who will take care of his duty towards the state and family? So please consider these factors and allow me to go alone and take care of the state, mothers and father well."
Urmila: Jijasri, if I am newly married and staying away from my husband is not easy, then how will that be so easy for my sister? How did you think she will be happy in Ayodhya without you? And how did you even think that she will not follow her wife's duty? Being a Raghukul Vadhu, she has given vachan to you to stay with you in your happiness and in your sorrow. So here comes my sister who is ready to follow your foot steps in the forest. So Sowmithri is required more at forest with you to take care of you and Sita didi. Please don't stop him from following you as he has been doing only that ever since his birth. About his duty towards the state and family, I will discharge those duties. I will be his deputy till his return and from this moment I will take care of all his duties and deliver them. His only duty from now on will be to follow you and look after you and my sister. I can't pardon him even if he miss his duty by blinking his eyes and if something wrong befalls on you because of his that mistake. From now on I will no longer be Urmila but I will be Lakshmila who will do the dual duty of Lakshman & Urmila.
While all the people were shedding tears, the 3 brave sisters of Mithila - Urmila, Mandavi & Shruthkirti, promised them in unison "We, the daughters of Mithila, disciples of Maa Gargi and who have accepted Raghukul as our Dharma after marriage will give vachan to the world that "We are here to uphold the Raghukul prestige and will put our 100% to see that the state is flourished. We will not allow any outsider to take decisions on our behalf or will not allow anyone to take due advantage of ourselves. We 3 sisters will be together in this task and will ensure no difference of opinion comes in between the brother or between the care takers of the throne and the subjects. We will ensure the kids and female are taken good care an all the youths trained in warfare and given proper education to lead happy life. We will ensure that the state and family are kept in good shape and no harm can reach them before it crosses us. We the 3 sisters will dedicate our 14 years to the state of Ayodhya and will lead our personal life only after the Rajtilak of Raghunandan. We will resume our Rajbhushan only after the entry of Dasharthi in Ayodhya. This is the promise given by Kulvadhus of Ayodhya & daughters Raghu clan on behalf of ourselves and our husbands.
P.S:Hope I have not made some blunder in writing this.
