ENCOUNTERS IN EXILE

After Bharatha's departure, Rama left Chitrakuta. Dwelling in the proximity of Ayodyha, he feared, might encourage people to come across the river and persuade him to return

home. He felt that such encounters would dilute the value and purpose of his renunciation. He decided to move farther into the forests. Though Lakshmana had built at Chitrakuta a hut

with mud, bamboo, palm leaves, wood, and other materials available in the forest, and decorated and brightened the floor and walls with colored earth (so well designed and

constructed that Rama was constrained to ask in admiration,

"When did you learn to be such a fine house-builder?"

Rama left this beautiful cottage and moved on. In the course of their journey, they came upon several sages residing in their ashrams, all of whom received Rama's party as

honored guests. Among these were Athri and his wife Anusuya, who gave all her jewellery and clothes to Sita and compelled her to wear them then and there. Rama went on to Dandaka forest, and then on to Panchvati (on the advice of Sage Agasthya). On the way he noticed, perched on a rock, Jatayu, the Great Eagle. Jatayu explained to Rama that although he was now in the form of a bird his origin was divine. He proved to be possessed of extraordinary ripeness of spirit and wisdom. He had been a great friend of Dasaratha at one time, associated with him on battlefields;

they had been so close that at one time Dasaratha had remarked, "You are the soul, I am the body. We are one."

Rama was happy to meet a contemporary of his father's in this remoteness. Jatayu also welcomed him as his foster parent. When he learnt of the death of Dasaratha, he broke

down and swore to end his life. But Rama and Lakshmana pleaded, "Having lost our father, just when we found solace in meeting you, we cannot bear to hear of your ending your

life. Please desist." In deference to their wish Jatayu promised to live at least until Rama could return to Ayodhya after his term of exile, meanwhile taking upon himself the

task of protecting them, especially Sita, during their sojourn at Panchvati. He led the way to Panchvati on the banks of the Godavari, suggesting, "While I fly, follow me in the

shadow of my wings."

When Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita reached the Godavari River's bank, they were enchanted with their surroundings.

Rama felt a great tenderness for his wife, who looked particularly lovely adorned with the ornaments given by Anusuya. Rama glanced at her whenever a beautiful object

caught his eye. Every tint of the sky, every shape of a flower or bud, every elegant form of a creeper reminded him of some aspect or other of Sita's person.They reached Panchvati, set in sylvan surroundings in the proximity of the river. Lakshmana, adept as he had proved to

be, had already gone ahead and created a home for them with clay, thatch, leaves, and wood, enclosed with a fence, and affording protection from sun and rain, and privacy for

Rama and Sita. Again Rama was delighted with his brother's engineering and architectural genius, and entered his new home filled with a sense of wonder. For all its idyllic

charm, and in the joy of companionship of Sita, Rama never lost sight of his main purpose in settling down in this region —he had come here to encounter and destroy the asuras,

the fiends who infested this area, causing suffering and hardship to all the good souls who only wanted to be left alone to pursue their spiritual aims in peace. Rama's whole

purpose of incarnation was ultimately to destroy Ravana, the chief of the asuras, abolish fear from the hearts of men and gods, and establish peace, gentleness, and justice in the

world.

And so one evening, when he noticed in the woods, amidst the creepers and plants in his front yard, a damsel of

the utmost beauty, he became wary. The damsel's anklets jingled at her feet when she walked, her eyes flashed, her teeth sparkled, her figure, waist, and bosom were that of a chiselled figure. Rama, even the austere Rama, was struck by her beauty. As she dallied at his gate, he stood staring at her in wonderment, and when she flashed her smile at him

and approached him half-shyly, Rama said, "Oh, perfect one,you are welcome. May you be blessed. Tell me who you are,

where you have come from, who are your kinsmen, and what you are doing, so accomplished and beautiful, in this solitude? What is the purpose of your visit here?"

"Here I answer your question with humility. I am the daughter of Sage Visravas, son of Pulastya, who was Brahma's own son; half-sister of that friend of Lord Shiva, Kubera, the wealthiest man and the most generous in all the worlds, who lives in the north; and direct younger sister of

one at whose name gods in heaven and emperors of this world tremble, and who once tried to lift Mount Kailas itself with Lord Shiva and Parvathi on it. My name is Kamavalli."

Rama asked in surprise, "Do you mean that you are Ravana's sister?"

"Yes, I am," she replied proudly.

He concealed the many misgivings that stirred in him and asked, "If you are Ravana's sister, how have you come to possess this form?"

"I abhorred the ways of my brother and other relations and their demoniac qualities; I abhor sin and cruelty and prize all virtues and goodness; I want to be different from my kinsmen

and I have earned this personality through constant prayers."

"Oh, beauty, will you explain why, when you happen to be

the sister of that overlord of three worlds, Ravana, you have not come surrounded with attendants and bearers, but all alone, unescorted?"

She answered, "I have chosen to reject evil-doers such as my brother and the rest and thrown my lot with those who are saintly and good; and I shun the association of my own

people, that's the reason why I'm alone. I have come alone now—mainly to see you… . I want help from you. Will you grant it?"

"Tell me your purpose. If it's right and proper, I'll consider it."

"It's not proper for a woman of breeding to state her innermost feelings, but I dare to do it, driven to desperation by the attacks of the god of love. Forgive me …"