Sita!!

 It’s a winter afternoon. Two men were hiding behind the tree observing kids play in front of an Ashram. One of them clearly in tears, other gazing them in silence. The silent one says, “Brother, I can see our childhood in them. Lava clearly has inherited your archery skills.” No response. “Brother!”, he called out concerned. “Lakshmana! I would like to see Sita before we go” They tiptoe around the trees towards a hut. As they are about to enter, a voice calls them out from behind the tree. “I wish not to see you here” The voice unmistakably Sita’s. They can see her shadow near the door.

  “Sita! It’s so great to hear your voice again. How are you?” asks Rama. Sita says, “I am doing well. How is everyone in Ayodhya?” “Our days are filled with sorrow. Not a day goes by without us thinking about you”, replied Rama. Sita says, “it’s good to hear you but, please leave immediately”

Rama responds, “I never got to talk to you before you left. All I can say is that I merely discharged my duty as the protector of law. You can never understand the anguish I had been through to make the decision. But, it is my duty to uphold the dharma.” His voice clearly trembling. “Any respectable judicial system gives the accused a chance to defend herself. You didn’t give me the opportunity. When Ahalya was cursed to become a rock due to no mistake of her own, Gautama Maharishi showed her a way to get out of misery through you. But, despite knowing my innocence, you condemned me to a punishment without giving me a recourse. Which school of justice taught you that?”

  “I tried to argue your case in the council. But, the council of scholars decided that it is wise to send you away. I could not make an exception for you. That would set a very bad precedent.” Rama pleaded. “Women are extremely vulnerable during pregnancy. That is the time when they require great support from the family. I was banished from the kingdom in such a turbulent time. Which council will make such a decision? I know. A council without women. A council without women making decisions for women”

  “I am sorry Sita. Can’t you excuse me at least as a husband?” There was a long silence. “I love you”, she whispered. “You’re there in my every thought and my every action. I see you in Lava and Kusa. Husband and wife are like two wheels of a relationship. If one fails, the entire vehicle falls. You made a decision on our relationship without asking me. If you told me your decision, I would’ve gladly left. I wish you had trusted me more”

  Time passed between them. One could hear other’s presence. That seemed like an oasis in the desert for both of them who longed for each other. But finally, the two men departed as the darkness descended

(You can read the first part at https://rohitkuppili.blogspot.com/2021/10/rama-and-vashishta.html)

 

PS: The story is my imagination and views are personal

Rama and Vashishta

 Breakfast is in full swing in the lunch hall. One could hear the laughter ringing from far off. The camaraderie shared by the brothers is envied across the kingdom. After the breakfast, Lakshman pulled Ram aside. “Brother, Is it possible for you to excuse me from administrative duties for couple of days?” he asked sheepishly. “Why Lakshmana? Is something wrong”, Ram looked concerned. “Urmila wants to visit Kashmir before she goes into labour. The legend in Mithila is that if a pregnant lady visits Kashmir during her pregnancy, the child will look like snow”, he responded grinning. Rama laughed and said, “Take as many days as you want Lakshmana, Urmila’s wish is our command.” Lakshman thanked him and took his leave. 

  But, Ram was getting flustered. He remembered the time during Sita’s pregnancy. He commanded Lakshman to leave her in forest to carry out his duty as a king. “Ah, how have I failed in my duty as a husband. I haven’t been at her side when she needed the most. My kids would be growing up without knowing their father. How I wish to tell them that they are the heirs to the mighty Ayodhya!”, Ram collapsed in despair. He sent a word to his minister that he’s unwell and asked him to perform duties in his absence.

  It’s late evening. Guards brought the news that Sage Vashishta has come to see him. Ram changed himself and went to the door to welcome the sage. After exchanging pleasantries, Vashishta asked Ram, “Why are you looking so flustered Rama? What’s bothering you?” Ram hesitated for a moment and asked, “ I sent Sita away to forests to fulfil Rajdharma? But, I have failed in my duty to my wife and kid. Did I make the right decision?” 

  “Rama! You know what the washerman said. He said, "Rules apply only to the common men. Our rulers are beyond that." If that’s the perception among people, it is hard to uphold Dharma. You did what is necessary of you as a king?” Ram responded, “Oh learned one! The entire world knew that my Sita has done no mistake after Agnipravesha. Isn’t it unjust to send her away because someone said something without proper knowledge. What about me? I’ve been longing to see her all the time. What mistake have I done to suffer this punishment? What sort of Rajdharma is this that causes misery to people who have committed no mistake”

  Vashishta says, “Rama! I agree that your family have been wronged. But, it is the duty of your family to put your country before yourselves. Your decision is necessary to uphold justice in the kingdom. Your action shows the world that everyone is equal before law. What sins have all the soldiers who fought your war against Ravana committed? Why should they fight for you in your rescue mission of Sita? It’s their duty for their motherland. This is your duty towards your kingdom.”

  Rama asks, “My decision would’ve been correct if Sita committed a mistake. Sita hasn’t committed any mistake. In Lanka, Vibheeshana turned against his brothers to side with righteousness. He turned against his entire country and fought war with us for the sake of Dharma. If he’s praised for taking Dharma’s side even if it’s against his duty for his kingdom, why is it wrong if I do the same?”

  Vashista responds, “Rama! Your duty is to express your views in the council, which you’ve done very elegantly. But the council decided to send Sita to forests. It would be unwise of you to have opposed their decision. If you override the council in matters pertaining to you today, you could do it for someone else tomorrow. It’s a slippery slope that you’ve to avoid”

  “Am I a weak person for grieving over this? Am I a bad king for being emotional”, Rama asked his final question.

  “Emotions are part and parcel of human life. In this avatar, being born as a human, it is necessary that you experience the pains and pleasures of life. Honestly, that is what gives the ruler empathy to make good decisions. A king who can not feel pain is as good as a rulebook. What use is a rulebook when it has to decide on matters that affects lives of millions of people. Your story will be a shining example of how humans have to live in adversity. Worry not Rama! Your sacrifices will never go in vain”, with this Vashishta took his leave. After a long time, the goddess of sleep bestows its boon on Rama

  

PS: This story is entirely my imagination and views are personal

 

SPB

When I was working with TI, I came to know that SPB was doing a live show in National college grounds as a part of Bangalore Ganesh Utsav. I had a lot of work that day, owing to a release in office. Till late evening that day, I had no intention of going to the show. However, by some stroke of luck, I made up my mind to go to the show at the last moment. The ground was full by the time I went in. I squeezed myself through the people to go as close as possible to the stage. That day he was performing Kannada songs. Even though I had functional knowledge of Kannada, I didn’t know any of those songs. I was standing with a group of Tamilians who kept requesting for a Tamil song. I joined them and started asking for a Tamil song. Suddenly, it started lashing out heavily. I was dejected and getting ready to leave. Out of nowhere, he started singing oruvan oruvan mudhalali. Instant goosebumps moment. The grounds came alive. I shouted till my voice became hoarse.  Never did I imagine that’d be my first and last time seeing him alive. That’s my most precious fan moment.

  My love for him and his songs started in childhood. As a kid, I used to hate Mondays. Our school used to start at 9AM and last all the way till 7:30PM. My only consolation was an hour of Paaduta Teeyaga that used to come at 9:30PM in ETV. No matter where I am and what I’ve to do that day, I used to sit in front of TV along with my parents for the programme while eating food. Undoubtedly, the star of the show was SPB. The way he used to explain the musical intricacies of songs, the nuances of expression required was enthralling. I especially used to love it when he explains the meaning of those lyrics. Human emotions are so complex to understand. Even with the most powerful super computers in the world, scientists are not able to decode emotions. What better way to understand them than by travelling with the writer through the song. The program started in me a life long obsession for songs making music an integral part of my life.

  Not just me, I believe SPB has become an integral part of every Telugu man’s life. There is his song for every moment and a moment for every song. When in sorrow, he pulls you up by saying

చుట్టమల్లే కష్టమొస్తే కళ్లనీళ్లు పెట్టుకుంటూ కాళ్లు కడిగి స్వాగతించకూ 

ఒక్క చిన్న నవ్వు నవ్వి సాగనంపకుండా లేనిపోని సేవచేయకు

While teasing the lover, he croons as 

నాకన్నా నీకున్న తాకీదులేంటమ్మ నా ఎత్తు నా బరువు నీకన్న మోరమ్మా
నేనంటే కాదన్న లేడీసే లేరమ్మ నాకంటే ప్రేమించే మొనగాడు ఎవడమ్మ

He’s with you in class day dreaming with

చందమామను అందుకుని ఇంద్రభవనాన్ని కడతానురా 

పడవంత కారులోనే బజారులన్ని షికారు చేస్తానురా

సొంతమైన విమానములో స్వర్గలోకాన్నీ చుడతానురా 

అపుడు అప్సరసలు ఎదురు వచ్చి కన్ను కొడతారురా

 He gives you hope by saying

చిటికలోన చిక్కబడ్డ… కటిక చీకటి కరిగిపోక తప్పదమ్మ… ఉదయ కాంతికి

On the occasion of his death anniversary, as he says in one of his songs

తరలి రాద తనే వసంతం తన దరికి రాని వనాల కోసం. 

అదే విధంగా గంధర్వులని  చేరలేని మన దరికి వచ్చిన ఈ గాన గంధర్వునికి ఇదే నా నివాళి