Glories of Sita Devi – Sri Sita Navami

Glories of Sita Devi – Sri Sita Navami

I offer my humble Dandavat Pranam to all the Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis who have assembled here and are encouraging me to speak some Hari Katha.

Even during her childhood, Sita Devi would easily lift the Shiv Dhanush—the great bow donated by Lord Shiva—and clean the area beneath it effortlessly. This bow was so huge, so gigantic, and so heavy that even 1,000 military from the army of Maharaj Janak could barely lift it. Yet Sita Devi lifted it as if it were a lotus flower. So Maharaj Janak made a promise: “Whoever is able to string this bow, only that person will marry my daughter.ˮ

Now the time had come to see who could fulfill that challenge. Maharaj Janak sent an invitation to Vishvamitra Rishi, and he was staying at the Garden House.

Now, everyone had gathered in the royal assembly. Maharaj Janak instructed his servant to make an announcement.

The servant called out, “Savdhan! Sita Devi padhar rahi hain!ˮ meaning, “Attention please, Sita Devi is stepping in.ˮ

Sita Devi entered, offered pranams to her father, Maharaj Siradhwaj Janak, and then to all the respected elders and spiritual teachers (Guruvarga). She then sat on the right side of her father. Only a married wife sits on the left side of the husband; a mother, daughter, or sister always sits on the right side of the male.

Then Maharaj Janak declared, “As I promised, whoever is able to string this bow shall marry my daughter.ˮ

One after another, various kings and princes came forward, boasting of their past deeds and accomplishments. But when they approached the bow and gave their best effort, not to speak of stringing it—they couldnʼt even move it an inch! When a thousand warriors are needed to lift it, how could a single person do it?

Those who failed were mocked by others, and when the next one failed, it was their turn to be laughed at. This cycle of pride and humiliation continued.

Seeing this, Maharaj Janak became disheartened and cried out in despair, “Fie on me! Fie on me! Why did I make such a vow? Had I known that no one would be able to string this bow, I would never have made such a promise. It seems my daughter will have to remain unmarried for life. Why did I make such a promise?ˮ

Hearing these words—that there is no hero left in the world—Lord Ram and Lakshman, who were seated next to Vishvamitra Rishi, listened silently. Lord Ram remained calm and quiet, not saying a word. But Lakshman could not tolerate such words and stood up…

“Janak Maharaj! Why are you boasting so much? Saying that there is no hero in this world! What is in this old and worn-out bow? If my brother Rama commands me, I can take the earth itself as a football and kick it here and there. What is so special in this old bow that you are boasting about it? As long as even a small boy of the Sun Dynasty is present, such words should not be spoken!ˮ

Although these words were harsh, Maharaj Janak became very pleased, because this meant that heroes still exist in the Sun Dynasty who are capable of stringing the bow.

Lord Ram said, “Lakshman, calm down.ˮ

Lakshman replied, “Brother, this is an insult to you! I cannot tolerate your insult. If you order me, I can lift that bow easily!ˮ

Lord Ram responded, “Yes Lakshman, I know. Sit down. Calm down.ˮ

Lakshman is controlled only by Lord Ram, just as Nityananda Prabhu is controlled by Mahaprabhu, and Baladeva Prabhu is controlled by Sri Krishna. No one else can control them.

Now, Lakshman sat down.

Then, Vishwamitra Rishi instructed Lord Ram to lift the bow. Lord Ram offered his respectful obeisance to Vishwamitra Rishi and Maharaj Janak and approached the bow like a lionʼs cub.

It is mentioned in the shastra: “Krishnam Vande Jagadgurumˮ – Krishna is the spiritual master of the entire universe. And Lord Ram is the incarnation of Krishna. Then why did Lord Ram offer pranam to Vishwamitra Rishi? Because of His human-like pastimes. Although the Lord is worshipped by the entire world, when He appears in this world, He performs human-like pastimes and offers respect to elders and teachers.

When Lord Ram lifted the bow and strung it, no one could even comprehend what had happened—it was so swift. The moment He strung the bow, a tremendous sound erupted. Everyone was surprised—”Oh my goodness! What is that sound?ˮ Then they saw the bow lying broken in two pieces, and Lord Ram standing calmly.

It happened so quickly that in the blink of an eye, He had lifted the bow, strung it, and it was broken in two.

Then the girlfriends of Sita Devi said to her, “Now you can place the garland around Lord Ramʼs neck. This moment will never come again.ˮ

Srila Gurudev (Srila Narayan Goswami Maharaj) used to say, “A golden chance knocks only once in a lifetime!ˮ

So Sita Deviʼs friends were telling her that this was her golden chance. Sita Devi became very happy and overwhelmed. Holding the garland, she could not walk—she felt shy and joyful at the same time. Her sakhis supported her from both sides. Slowly, she approached Lord Ram and placed the garland around His neck.

According to the promise, she placed the garland, but the full wedding ceremony was yet to take place. By the order of Maharaj Janak, she placed the garland, but the actual wedding, where everyone would be invited, with feasting and rituals, was still to come.

In the meantime, a personified storm appeared—his name was Parshurama. He descended from a mountain.

When he heard a tremendous sound, by his mystic powers, he closed his eyes and understood—one of the bows of Maharaj Dasharatha had been broken into two pieces.

“What? Who did this? Who broke the bow of my Guru? I shall chop his head off! What is this? No one is there to punish them? It must be a Kshatriya who did this! In the past, I annihilated all the Kshatriyas on Earth—21 times! Only those who were still in their motherʼs womb survived.ˮ

Parashuram came forth like a cyclone. Just like in India, when the cyclone Fanny with winds of 250 km/h destroyed Orissa and many other places, and soon after, another cyclone approached—not as strong, but heading toward Tripura, Meghalaya, and possibly Assam.

In a similar storm-like manner, Parashuram entered. He was dressed as a Muni, holding an axe in one hand and a bow and arrows in the other. Seeing him, the kings and princesses trembled. They thought, “Oh my goodness! Maybe he will chop our heads off!ˮ

“Haa! I will not accept pranams!ˮ he roared, chastising the assembly. “Maharaj Janak, tell me clearly—who has broken the bow? I will cut off his head immediately! Do you not know who I am? I am Parashuram! I will not delay in punishing the offender!ˮ

At this, Lakshman could no longer stay silent. He stood up and said, “Why are you so attached to that old and torn bow? If you want, I can present you with hundreds of bows!ˮ

Parashuram became even angrier. “Foolish boy! Do you think this bow is like any other? This is the divine bow of Lord Shiva! Do you think any ordinary bow can compare to that? You are just a boy! If not for your age, I would have already taken your head!ˮ

Lakshman replied, “Real heroes donʼt boast—they prove themselves through action. If you want to take off my head, why are you delaying? We have broken many bows in our childhood. No one made a complaint then. Why now, for this old and broken bow? If youʼre so attached, Iʼll give you a dozen more!ˮ

Parashuram shouted, “You foolish boy! That was a small bow. This is not the same!ˮ

Lakshman calmly said, “Small or big, a bow is a bow. For a true Kshatriya, whether it is small or large, the purpose is the same.ˮ

Parashuram growled, “Who is this boy? Vishvamitra! Who is he? Stop him, or my axe, which is thirsty for blood, will be forced to act!ˮ

Lakshman boldly replied, “In our dynasty, we honor saintly persons. You wear the dress of a Muni, but you hold weapons in your hands. If you werenʼt wearing a Muniʼs dress, I wouldʼve already defeated you with a single arrow!ˮ

Parashuram barked, “Vishvamitra! Take this boy away! I donʼt want to see his face!ˮ

Lakshman smirked and said, “Prabhu, if you donʼt want to see me, you can simply close your eyes. Thatʼs a simple solution.ˮ

“What?? You are insulting me? I will punish you for this! You dare chastise me?!ˮ

Lakshman laughed and said, “I am not a baby pumpkin that you can just point at and Iʼll shrivel up and rot! Forget it! Take off that Muni dress and fight me! Only because of your attire you are still standing before me. Otherwise, I wouldʼve already dealt with you as I please.ˮ

At this heated moment, Lord Ram stepped forward and spoke with calmness, “O revered Muni, please donʼt be angry. He is just a boy. He does not understand. I am the one who is responsible.ˮ

Parashuram turned sharply, “Ohhh! You are the one who did it? And now this boy mocks me with your support? He dares insult me because of your presence?ˮ

Lord Ram gently said, “What can I do? I only lifted the bow…ˮ

Lord Ram said, “What can I do? I only lifted the bow, touched one string—and it broke. I have no fault in this.”

Parashuramji replied sarcastically, “Yes, yes… you’re such a simple, innocent boy. Youʼve broken the Shiv Dhanush—the divine bow of Lord Shankar—and yet you claim you have no fault?”

Lord Ram humbly responded, “What can I do? If you feel Iʼve done wrong, then you may punish me.”

Parashuramji said, “Very well,” and handed over his own bow—also blessed by Lord Shankar. “If you can string this bow, then I might consider forgiving you.”

Without hesitation, Lord Ram took Parashuramʼs bow and effortlessly strung it. Lakshman, always ready, picked up the arrow.

Parashuram, shocked and now trembling, asked, “Who are you?”

Ram replied with calm dignity, “My name is very short—just two syllables: Ram. On the other hand, your name is quite long—Parashuram. Rama with an axe.”

Then, holding the arrow, Lord Ram said, “My arrow is infallible. I must release it—so tell me, shall I destroy you or the fruits of all your austerities? I must take some action.”

Parashuram, now humbled and realizing Ramʼs divine nature, said, “Now I understand who you truly are. Please forgive me, Prabhu. Donʼt kill me. If you destroy my mystic power, how will I reach Mahendra Mountain? I never stay in this world at night—itʼs my vow. So, I request you, donʼt take away my travel power. You may destroy the results of my austerities, I donʼt mind. I can always perform tapasya again and regain them.”

Accepting his request, Lord Ram shot the arrow—not at Parashuram, but into the land of Rajasthan, where it scorched the earth. This is the cause of the Rajasthan desert.

Parashuram then turned to Maharaj Janak and said, “Now you must arrange a wedding so grand that nothing like it has ever happened before—and never will again.”

We all, in this world, live between history and mystery. What has passed is history, what is yet to come is a mystery. And what someone offers in the moment—like a birthday gift—is called the present. Thatʼs why we call it a present, not history or mystery.

Now the time had come to invite Maharaj Dasharath, the father of Lord Ram. Maharaj Janak sent invitations across all directions, but first and foremost, he sent a message to Ayodhya.

In Ayodhya, Maharaj Dasharath was seated in the royal assembly, along with Kaushalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi. A messenger arrived and humbly handed him a letter. As Maharaj Dasharath read it, tears of joy filled his eyes—tears born from the boundless love and affection he had for Ram. His heart overflowed with happiness.

Tears are of two types: When one cries out of joy, the tears are cool. When one cries out of pain or sorrow, the tears are warm.

For example, when a young boy goes abroad for education and returns after 8 to 10 years, he is no longer a child. When he knocks on the door, his parents—overwhelmed with joy—hug him tightly and cry. Those are cool, joyful tears. But when someone is suffering, being beaten, and cries, their tears are warm, full of agony.

Thereʼs an example in the scriptures: When Ramanujacharya was a young boy, he studied under a Mayavadi teacher named Yadav Prakash in a mayavadi school. One day, the teacher was giving a cold, impersonal explanation of the Lordʼs lotus eyes-“kapyasam pundarikam”

At that time, everyone used to study in one Gurukul. Whether someone was the son of a king or the son of a poor man, all would study together. Nowadays, there are many high-end schools, but back then, everyone learned the same things in the same place.

Yādava Prakāśa was explaining a verse — “kapyasam pundarikam” — saying that the eyes of Bhagavan are like the buttocks of a monkey. In Vrindavan, you can see monkeys whose backsides and faces are reddish. Hearing this, Ramanuja Acharya, whose childhood name was Lakshman, was massaging the back of his guru Yādava Prakāśa when tears began to fall onto his back and was warm.

Yādava Prakāśa asked, “Who is crying? I explained everything so nicely, and someone is crying?ˮ

Someone replied, “Itʼs Lakshman.ˮ

Yādava Prakāśa asked, “Hey Lakshman, why are you weeping?ˮ

Lakshman replied, “Sir, what you are explaining is completely wrong. It is breaking my heart.ˮ

Yādava Prakāśa asked, “Then what do you mean by ‘kapyasam pundarikamʼ?ˮ

Lakshman (who would later become Srila Ramanuja Acharya) replied, “kapi -It means to drink water. Who drinks water? Whether it is tap water, drainage water, river water, Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean—wherever the water may be, the sun drinks it. The sun evaporates impure water—salty, dirty—and gives us pure, life-giving rainwater. So, who is the real drinker of water? The sun. ‘āsaʼ means: When the sun rises, the lotus blooms. A lotus has petals that spread outward, and the center is slightly elevated. Therefore, the lotus-like eyes of Bhagavan are reddish on the sides and elongated.ˮ

Hearing this, Yādava Prakāśa thought, “One day, this boy will challenge my philosophy. I must kill him.ˮ

I am not telling the full history. Now coming back to Lord Ram.

Later, when King Dasharatha heard the message from Mithila, he was so pleased that he took off his very expensive necklace and offered it to the messenger. The messenger did a respectful pranam but said, “King Dasharatha, I cannot accept this necklace.ˮ

Dasharatha asked, “Why not? You are a messenger!ˮ

The messenger replied, “Though I am a messenger, Sita is my daughter.ˮ

Dasharatha asked in surprise, “Your daughter?!ˮ

The messenger said, “Yes. Sita is not just the daughter of King Janaka. She is the daughter of the entire Janakpuri. To all the elders of the kingdom, she is like their own child. When she comes to your home, you will understand. She is so qualified, so virtuous. We are donating our daughter here. How can we take anything in return? Please excuse me.ˮ

Dasharatha was very surprised. At that time, when wedding parties went to marriage ceremonies, women did not accompany them. But nowadays, men and women both go—dancing, drinking—father, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law—everyone is drinking and dancing on the road. Where have the clothes gone? No one worries.

In ancient India, it was not like this. So Maharaj Dasharatha took Bharat, Shatrughna, and the others and proceeded to Janakpuri with the army. Where the king goes, the army follows. Even today, when the American President travels, two big airplanes accompany him—one for himself and another for the military. This tradition came from ancient Indian thought: when the king moves, the troops go too. This was not invented by the American brain but came from Indian brain.

They all went to Janakpuri.

Lord Ram approached Vishwamitra Rishi and said, “Rishivar, we four brothers—Rama, Bharat, Shatrughna, and Lakshman—were born at the same time and studied at same gurukul. If I marry, my brothers should also marry. It would be better if all four of us marry together.ˮ

Vishwamitra replied, “I will keep this in mind.ˮ

Then he approached the purohit and guru of King Janaka—Satananda, who was the son of Rishi Gautama and Ahalya Devi. Vishwamitra Rishi informed him of Lord Ramʼs request.

When Dasharatha arrived in Janakpuri, Vishwamitra told him, “I have a proposal. Since the king has come with other two boys, why not marry all four of them together?ˮ

Dasharatha was overjoyed and said, “I came for Rama’s marriage only, but now all four of my sons will be married! This is wonderful!ˮ

Satananda replied, “Yes, it is very good. There is no problem. King Janaka has two daughters—Sita and Urmila. Sita has already been finalized for Rama, and Urmila is for Lakshman. King Janakaʼs younger brother also has two daughters—Mandavi and Shrutakirti. Mandavi will marry Bharat, and Shrutakirti will marry Shatrughna.ˮ

Everyone was delighted.

According to the tradition of Maharaj Janakaʼs family, oil paintings were made of the daughters, which were shown to the grooms before marriage. A few days passed as they awaited an auspicious tithi for the wedding.

One evening, Maharaj Janaka announced, “I will now show the paintings of my daughters. Before the proper tithi, you cannot meet them in person. This is our tradition.ˮ

That night, Lord Ram, Bharat, Shatrughna, and Lakshman were roaming around and joking together. They were all the same age, and Shatrughna, being the youngest, was especially loved. Whenever there was something delicious, they would give it to Shatrughna.

Shatrughna told, “My dear brothers, why are we waiting three more days for the wedding ceremony? ‘Shubhasya śīghramʼAuspicious things should be done immediately! If something is bad, then keep postponing it—’not today,ʼ ‘tomorrow,ʼ ‘next year.ʼ But good things? Not next year—this year! Not this year—today—Not today—immediately!ˮ

Later, when Lord Ram killed Ravana—who was a great demon due to bad association, despite being the grandson of Pulastya Rishi and well-versed in Vedic knowledge—Lord Ram sent Lakshman to him as he was dying. Ravana said, ‘Oh Lakshman, shame on me, shame on me!ʼ

Lakshman asked, ‘What happened?ʼ

Ravana replied, ‘I had the boon to build a staircase to heaven from earth. No one could get killed by Rama or you. I could have saved everyone. But instead, I wasted my time in indulgence—drinking and merry-making. Not today, not now, later… and now death has come. Shame on me! So I give you this advice—if you want to do something good, do it today! Not tomorrow, not even today—immediately! For bad things, keep delaying.ʼˮ

Shatrughna said, “Brother Rama, why delay our wedding? Letʼs have it now!ˮ

Lord Ram replied, “Everything has its time and place. A wedding happens only once. For that, we need to consider tithi, constellations, and other auspicious timings.ˮ

The next day, King Janaka brought the oil paintings of his daughters. Before marriage, they were not allowed to meet in person. One by one, the princes came and the curtains were removed.

First was the painting of Sita Devi. King Dasharatha, the ministers, and the princes were all filled with joy upon seeing her portrait.

After her, Urmila appeared, followed by Mandavi.

Shatrughan, growing restless, said, “When will I see my wife? When will I see my wife?” Lord Ram understood that Shatrughan had become deeply disturbed.

Maharaj Janak then said, “Maharaj, Iʼm very sorry. My youngest daughterʼs oil painting is not yet complete, so I could not present her before you.” Shatrughan, hearing this, became disheartened. And so, for the moment, they all returned.

Now the wedding ceremony was complete, and preparations were being made for the return journey to Ayodhya. But Maharaj Janak said, “Not today. Tomorrow. Let them leave tomorrow.ˮ In this way, Maharaj Janak did not allow the departure immediately—out of love and divine arrangement.

Meanwhile, in Ayodhya, Kaikeyi asked Kaushalya, “Why hasnʼt Maharaj Dasharath returned yet? We heard all four of our daughters-in-law would come together. Why is Maharaj Janak delaying? What is holding Maharaj Dasharath back?ˮ

Kaushalya gently replied, “It is the deep love and affection of Maharaj Janak. That love has captured Maharaj Dasharath’s heart. He cannot come now.”

Now the time had come. Maharaj Janak was Videha—meaning one without bodily attachment—had always remained detached. But now, as Sita Devi was stepping out of the palace, She turned to her mother and cried, “Mother, you are sending Me away? Why was I even born as a girl? I was born here, raised here… and now you are sending Me somewhere else?”

Maharani Sunayana lovingly explained, “Sita, this is the rule of nature. I also had a mother and father. I did not fall from the sky. When I was married, they too sent me with your father. Now, Your golden chance is knocking on Your door. You must serve Rama with full heart and soul. Whatever pain You’re feeling now, whatever tears are falling, You will forget everything in His love.”

Everyone was weeping. But Maharaj Janak, appearing outwardly firm-hearted, did not show any emotion. Sita Devi rushed to him, crying, “Father, Father…” and held him tightly. In that moment, the seemingly unshakable Janak broke down. The love of Sita, who is the very embodiment of divine love, melted like ice, even his strong heart. He began to weep bitterly—uncontrollably.

Then, the departure began. Sita Devi and Lord Ram sat together in one palanquin. In the same way, Lakshman and Urmila, Shatrughan and Shrutakirti, Bharat and Mandavi each sat together in their own.

According to ancient Indian tradition, after the wedding, there is a special part of the ceremony where the bridegroom visits a designated house or palace, where only the brides and their sisters or close friends are present. No other men are allowed.

In that private space, playful teasing and jokes are common. Some of Sita Devi’s friends began teasing, saying, “Fie on Maharaj Janak! Fie on him!”

Someone asked, “Why? Why are you so angry?”

Another replied, “I’m unhappy. Why did Maharaj Janak marry Sita to this Rama?”

Lord Rama asked gently, “Why do you say that?”

The girl replied, “Because they are barren. They won’t be able to produce children. In the future, Sita Devi will remain childless. Rama will not have children through Sita.”

“Why not?” asked Lord Ram.

She answered, “In Ayodhya, they are unable to produce biological children. To have children, they must perform a fire sacrifice, and only after eating the sweet rice offered during the Yagna will they be blessed with sons.”

“In Ayodhya, they had to perform a fire sacrifice and then eat sweet rice. If one ate the sweet rice, then a child would be born. Maharaj Dasharath had no sons, so he performed the Putrakameshti Yagya. From the sacrificial fire, a personified deity appeared and gave sweet rice. Kaushalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra each ate the sweet rice, and then they became pregnant and gave birth to children.”

Lord Rama was smiling as they were all joking about this. Lakshman, unable to tolerate the teasing, said, “Yes, yes, in Ayodhya they don’t have the power to produce babies on their own. They have to eat sweet rice, and only then children are born. But in your Janakpuri, even eating sweet rice every day doesn’t result in a child—they have to plough the land, and only then does a baby come from the earth.”

Now Sita Devi came from Janakpuri to Ayodhya. Kaushalya Devi told Lord Rama, “My dear son Rama, listen. This is the tradition of the Sun Dynasty. When you meet your wife for the first time, you must present a gift.”

Lord Rama replied, “Yes, mother.”

There was also another tradition: a large golden plate filled with milk would be placed before the couple, and a ring would be dropped into it. The challenge was to find the ring. Why not use water? Because water is clear and anyone can easily find the ring. In milk, you cannot see clearly because it’s thick.

So Lord Rama and Sita Devi had one plate, and likewise Lakshman and Urmila, Bharat and Mandavi, Shatrughan and Shrutakirti. Lord Rama, being the eldest, was to go first. The others would follow His lead; they would joke and tease one another.

Lord Rama and Sita Devi began searching for the ring. Sita Devi found it first, while Lord Rama could not. Sita Devi looked at Lord Rama’s face and everyone started clapping and laughing joyfully.

At this first meeting, Lord Rama said, “Sita, in this world there are many queens, but my mother told Me to give You a presentation. I offer You only one promise: in My whole life, no one other than You will ever come into My life.”

Because of this vow, Lord Rama never married anyone other than Sita Devi. This is the reason.

Time passed pleasantly. Meanwhile, Bharat and Shatrughan went to their maternal uncle’s house (Kaikeyi’s father), which was very far away. Maharaj Dasharath and Kaushalya then approached their guru and priest, Maharishi Vashishtha. They offered pranam to him and said, “Oh Gurudev, I have become old now. All the subjects of Ayodhya deeply love my eldest son Rama. I wish to make Rama king so that I can dedicate my remaining time to the bhajan and service of Bhagavan.”

Bhagavan Himself has become his son. See the human-like pastimes of Bhagavan. In a similar way, Vasudev Maharaj had also said, “I have spent enough time in worldly affairs. Now I will do bhajan of Bhagavan.” His son Krishna is Bhagavan Himself. These are the human-like pastimes. Yogmaya makes them forget for the sake of lila.

Dasharath continued, “Gurudev, you are omniscient. Please calculate an auspicious date to crown Rama as king.”

Then Vashishtha took the Panchang and calculated. He said, “Oh Maharaj Dasharath! Tomorrow is the most auspicious day. If you miss this opportunity, the same tithi will come again only after one full year.”

Maharaj Dasharath immediately replied, “No Gurudev, then let it be tomorrow!”

“Tomorrow, as early as possible, send messengers to all corners to invite everyone. On one hand, I’m giving this instruction, and on the other, I’ve already decided in my mind that, whether they arrive on time or not, they will at least know. If some come later, that’s also fine. But the invitations must go out today itself.”

So, invitations were sent out everywhere. People and Damsels from all over Ayodhya began preparing. They dressed up beautifully, and the entire city was filled with dancing and singing. Slowly, the evening arrived. As we know, time waits for none—the sun began to set, and soon it became dark. Still, the people of Ayodhya continued to celebrate with joy and excitement.

At that time, in Kaikeyi’s palace, her maidservant Manthara (hunchback lady) entered. Seeing the celebrations outside, she asked the ladies, “Why is there so much noise? So much dancing and singing?”

Another maid replied, “Oh Manthara, hunch-back lady! Don’t you know? Tomorrow, our Ram will be crowned king!”

Manthara was shocked. “Ram will be king? What are you saying?”

The maids’ said, “Yes, don’t you know? You hunched back lady!”

Then Manthara rushed to Kaikeyi, disturbed and full of agitation. In her frustration, she began stamping her feet in anger and shouting, “Kaikeyi! Kaikeyi!”

At that time, it was spring. Due to the Spring Festival, Kaikeyi was in a peaceful state, absorbed in deep meditation. Meanwhile, Kausalya came to inform her about the royal decision—that Lord Rama would be crowned king the next day. However, seeing Kaikeyi immersed in meditation, Kausalya chose not to disturb her.

Had Kausalya informed Kaikeyi at that very moment, Kaikeyi would have joyfully joined her in the preparations for Lord Rama’s coronation. Manthara would never have gotten the opportunity to remind Kaikeyi about the two boons. And as a result, Lord Rama would not have been sent to the forest.

Later that evening, Sita Devi and Lord Rama themselves came to do pranam and take blessings from their “Choti Maa” (Kaikeyi). Still, Kaikeyi remained deep in meditation.

Now, night had fallen. Manthara came and said to Kaikeyi, “Do you know? Tomorrow, Rama will be crowned king!”

Kaikeyi replied, “Really?” She took her garland and gave her garland to Manthara.

Manthara took the garland and threw on ground and angrily said, “Foolish lady! Rama will be king?!”

Kaikeyi said, “Rama is my son.”

Manthra replied, “Rama is not your son. Bharat is your son”

Kaikeyi told, “Manthra! Your intelligent is completly polluted! Rama is my son—my first son. Bharata is my second son, and Lakshmana my third. They are all my sons”

But Manthara said: “Kaikeyi! You foolish woman. You don’t understand the nature of this material world. If tommorow Rama becomes king, your Bharat will be His servant!”

Kaikeyi told her, “Manthara your intelligent is completly polluted! Rama loves Bharat like his own life and soul!”

Bharata will become his servant. And you—you will become a servant to Kausalya! You will lose everything. Kausalya, who treats you like a younger sister or daughter, will dominate over you. Don’t be blind to the truth.”

Kaikeyi still spoke with purity: “Rama is my life and soul. How can I think like that? I love him more than myself.”

Manthara told, “From tommorrow, Kausalya will be the mother of king and you will be her servant!”

Keikye, “Oh Manthara, Fie on you fie on you. Your intelligent is so polluted! Kauslya treats me like her own sister!”

But Manthara continued: “Don’t you see? When someone has too much prestige, too much honor, too much wealth, too much beauty, and too much love—they stop caring about others. But time will show you the truth. You still have one night. If you act now, you can change everything.”

Kaikeyi, now confused, asked, “What should I do?”

Manthara replied: “Do you remember when you went to the heavenly planets with Maharaj Dasharath and you was his the chairoteer? He had gone to fight on behalf of the demigods against the demons. During the war, at a very critical moment, the demons attacked and broke the axle of his chariot. Maharaj Dasharath was about to fall from the chariot. You jumped down, held the axle in place, and saved his life. Because of that, he was able to keep fighting and emerged victorious.”

“When the war ended, Maharaj Dasharath got down from the chariot, came to you and embraced and said, ‘Kaikeyi, you have saved my life. Not only that—you helped me gain victory. I grant you two boons—ask for anything, and I will fulfill it, whenever you wish.'”

Kaikeyi said, “What benediction? I did that because I was your charioteer, as a duty. When the king is in the chariot, the charioteer must protect him. That’s what I learned from my father. So why thank me? Why offer a benediction? I am your wife and you are my husband. Benedictions are for outsiders. If you insist, I will keep that benediction like a fixed deposit. When the time comes, I’ll use it.”

This idea of “fixed deposit” also came from the Indian brain, not the western brain. You deposit money in the bank and withdraw it later—that concept came from Kaikeyi!

Then Manthara said to Kaikeyi, “Do you remember the two boons? Now is the time to ask King Dasharatha. Instead of Lord Rama, Bharat should be made king.”

Kaikeyi replied, “Alright. And what is the second boon?”

Manthara said, “Rama must go to the forest for 14 years.”

Kaikeyi asked, “Why should Rama be sent to exile?”

Manthara replied, “As long as Rama is in Ayodhya, no one will care for Bharat. Rama must leave!”

These words struck Kaikeyi’s mind like lightning. “Oh! Yes!”

Kaikeyi loved Lord Rama dearly. She would often take Him to her own palace. Maharaj Dasharatha, Sumitra, and others would also visit her palace frequently. One day, when no one was around, Lord Rama sat on Kaikeyi’s lap and asked lovingly, “Mother, if I ask you something, will you give it to Me?”

Kaikeyi said, “Oh yes! Even if you ask for my life, I will give it immediately.”

Lord Rama smiled and said, “Mother, look before you leap. It’s very easy to donate life, but very difficult to maintain it in this material world. Think 300 times before giving Me a boon.”

Then Lord Rama reminded her, “raghukula rīti sadā cali āī. prāna jāhu baru bacanu na jāī” — In the Raghukula dynasty, we uphold our word, even at the cost of life. You are the daughter-in-law of this dynasty. Whatever you promise, you must fulfill.”

Kaikeyi said, “Yes, I promise. I will fulfill it.”

Lord Rama then asked, “My dear mother, when I grow up and father performs My abhishekam (coronation), will you assist him?”

Kaikeyi joyfully said, “Yes, yes! Your father will hold my hand, and first I will pour the sacred water from the conch during your coronation!”

Lord Rama gently said, “Mother, listen. Before My abhishekam (coronation), you will go to Maharaj Dasharatha and tell him, ‘Not Rama, but Bharat will be king!'”

Kaikeyi was shocked, “Why? Why should Bharat be king? It is tradition that the eldest son becomes king!”

Then Lord Rama added, “The second boon you will ask: that I must go to exile for 14 years.”

Hearing this, Kaikeyi fainted. Lord Rama caressed her gently and revived her, saying, “Mother, what happened?”

Kaikeyi said, “Rama! Why would You ask me such a thing? Fourteen years in exile! Do You know how difficult exile is? Without You, how will we survive?”

Lord Rama calmly replied, “Mother, do you know who I am? ‘Bhaye prakat kṛpāla dīna dayāla, kauśalyā hitakārī’ — I have not taken birth from Mother Kaushalya’s womb like ordinary children.” Just as Vasudeva Krishna appeared before Devaki and Vasudeva in the prison of Kansa—fully dressed, with ornaments, already in youth—similarly, Lord Rama appeared, and only then took the form of a baby.

He continued, “Mother, I have come for a divine mission — Paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge — To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium. Demons will not come to Ayodhya. I must go to the forests where the sages and rishis reside, where the demons torment them. Only I can give them darshan and relief. No one else can do this.”

Kaikeyi, heartbroken, said, “It is like drinking poison. But if You are happy with this, then I will drink this poison.”

Thus, when Manthara later reminded her of this, the thought came back to Kaikeyi’s mind clearly.

“Alright,” she said. “I will do it.”