RAMAYANA SERIES Part 4_KING OF DHARMA (33 page)

Rama inclined his head. “Regretfully, I must decline your invitation. Kindly inform Brahmadev on my behalf, and the Tridevi of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati, as well as Narad-muni that my work here is not yet finished. I must stay here and complete my work. Dharma demands it.”

At this new mention of dharma, Shiva’s expression grew distinctly darker. Rama felt the voice of the deva grow deeper, less affectionate. The change was instantaneous and not subtle at all.

This is not acceptable, Vishnu. What pressing work holds you to this mortal plane and this fragile human form? I see nothing demanding the presence of the great Preserver.

“That is precisely the reason, Mahadev. I am the Preserver, am I not? And as such, it is my role to preserve, and do whatever is needed to ensure the preservation of all Creation. In this present time, the mortal race requires my presence in order to ensure its continuance.”

I fail to understand your meaning. What is this new crisis that you say threatens the mortal race? The asura race is destroyed, the rakshasas are a dying breed and shall soon be gone. What other threat is there to speak of?

“The threat of adharma, Mahadev.”

Adharma? Explain yourself.

“As long as Ravana existed, he represented the forces of Adharma, the antithesis of Dharma. All Prithvi-loka was united in its common hatred of He Who Made The Universe Scream. A common enemy, a common cause.”

Yes. Hence the coming together of different species – vanar, rksaa, mortal

– to combat the menace of Ravana. I know this.

“But now that Ravana is gone, Adharma has no single form to embody. Yet due to the causal nature of Balance, the eternal scale of Dharma and Adharma, Adharma is as essential for Preservation as Dharma itself. For without Adharma there can be no Dharma, and vice versa.”

I follow. All creation requires contrary forces. It is through the meeting of disparities that change occurs and life propagates and continues. Male and Female unite in coition to reproduce their species. High and low pressures meet in the atmosphere to cause storms and carry precious water from the oceans and rivers to the lands that need it most, ensuring the propagation of flora and thereby, fauna. All nature is dependent on the Balance, and Balance itself is the art of mating contrary forces. This is the basis by which the mortal realm exists. But this has been the way of things since the creation of this plane. Since the great egg of brahman exploded and gave birth to Creation out of Sri’s navel. What is new about it that concerns you now?

“The passing of Ravana,” Rama said. “Without Ravana, Adharma now floats free. Unable to find a single great being in which to embed itself and maintain the Balance, it shall seek out and reside in a potentially infinite number of carriers. With the asuras gone, it will inevitably reside in mortals now, for they are created in our image, and like us they have the freedom of will to choose either side of the Balance. Adharma shall take root in countless mortals born and as yet unborn, and lead these adharmic individuals to wage war against their dharmic co-occupants of the mortal plane in an infinite variety of ways.”

Shiva inclined his head. Takshak’s hood bobbed and the serpeant hissed absently.

So it shall be. It is as you say. I do not dispute your speculation. We were aware of this back at the beginning of this particular conflict. That was our very strategy in fact. To push the asuras steadily out of the heavenly realms and down to this mortal plane. Prithvi-loka. Once here, you were to take various avatars and battle them directly. You did so in the form of thousands of avatars over the ages, some major, many minor. That is why you are here now, as Rama Chandra of Ayodhya. But once your individual avatar’s work is done, you have always left this plane and returned to your true form. Why should it be different now?

“Because this time it
is
different. We have succeeded in our plan to rid ourselves of the asura race, our greatest foes. By tricking them into coming to the mortal plane, then by slaughtering them, we have rid ourselves of an ancient and powerful enemy. But in doing so, we have engendered great Adharma upon this mortal realm. And that adharma will now proliferate and affect all future generations of the mortal race for millennia to come.”

True. We were aware of this when we agreed upon this strategem to combat the asuras. It was an inevitable consequence. What was the term you yourself used, Almighty Narayana? Collateral damage? A succinct phrase. Whatever the mortal race may suffer now cannot be helped.

“But it can, Mahadev! By ensuring that Dharma itself proliferates and spreads just as rapidly and powerfully as its counterpart. That is why I wish to remain here. As the living embodiment of Dharma, Rama Chandra of Ayodhya.”

Shiva was silent a moment, gazing at Rama. Worlds lived and died, warred and were destroyed, within his eyes, as he contemplated. When he spoke, the vibrations of his speech were softer, his tone inflected with understanding and compassion.

I see now. I see it quite clearly. You feel…guilt. For by tricking the asuras into coming to the Earthly realm and battling them here, we have polluted their plane of existence. And because you are responsible for much of the conflict, for launching war after war between Dharma and Adharma, you feel personally responsible for the future of the mortal race now. So you wish to…make amends? Reparations?

“I wish to help maintain the Balance. To show the mortal race that even in the face of the greatest assault by the forces of Adharma, Dharma can still triumph.”

Shiva nodded.

I see. Yes. I understand you now.

“It would not take long, Mahadev. For us devas, it would barely be a few moments, insignificant against our infinite existence. But it would help establish Dharma here upon this mortal plane once and for all, like a beacon blazing from a high tower for all to see and gain succour from.”

And you propose to do this first by remaining here in this same mortal form. As Rama. Thereafter to take new amsas or avatars as required. Suitable avatars for different challenges, different ages.

“Yes.”

Again another moment of silence. Aeons to other worlds, other dimensions. The business of Destruction and clearance of debris continued unabated as the Three-Eyed One contemplated and weighed Rama’s words. Finally, he spoke, and for the first time there was a tinge of sadness in his tone.

Who am I to argue with Almighty Hari? Yet, I urge you, my dear friend. My brother in the service of Brahman, reconsider one last time. Dwell upon the many consequences of your decision.

“I have done so already, and at great length,” Rama replied. “It is what I desire.”

Shiva turned his gaze to Sita, who started then controlled herself.

And the mortal amsa of Lakshmi Devi? What does she say about your decision?

Now, it was Rama’s turn to be silent a moment. He felt Sita return Shiva’s gaze without flinching or reacting visibly. When she spoke, her voice was clear and steady without a trace of hesitation or doubt.

“My place is with my Lord, just as his place is beside me always. Whatever needs to be done, it shall be done. Not for nothing is my Hari known as Maryada Purshottam in this mortal avatar. When Rama sets his mind to a task, that task is always accomplished. When Rama says he shall stay upon Earth and propagate Dharma to ensure the survival and happiness of the mortal race, then he shall certainly do as he says. And I shall assist him in whatever way possible.”

Rama felt a flush of pride even though he had already anticipated Sita’s response.

Shiva nodded slowly, sadly.

I expected no less. Just as my beloved in her first incarnation as Sati once threw herself onto her father Daksha’s yagna fire and cremated herself to protest his humiliation of me, so also you, Lakshmi, can hardly be expected to leave Vishnu’s side. But I must caution you as a friend and a fellow Deva. The path you choose is not an easy one.

“The path of Dharma never is, Mahadev,” Sita said quietly.

And you are aware of the calamities that will befall you if you remain here upon this mortal plane? Shiva gestured around. As you can see, I froze time before opening the Vortal to this world. That had nothing to do with the fact that Ravana’s son Atikaya had already used the moon-sword Chandrahas to cast a spellsong over the city and its environs – my power encompassed the entire plane of Creation. The moment I leave and the Vortal vanishes behind me, time shall resume, and Atikaya, Chandrahas and whatever other threats await you shall be unleashed once again. It is not my place to interfere in the playing out of whatever transpires thereafter. You will have to bear the brunt of the events that follow.

Sita inclined her head. “I have borne all that has been thrust upon me thus far. I shall bear the rest.” She gestured towards Rama with her joined hands. “So long as my beloved is by my side, I can endure any calamity.”

At this, Shiva’s eyes widened ever so slightly. Just enough to reveal a hint of surprise. He turned his searing gaze upon Rama again.

Then you have not told her yet, my friend? She is clearly unaware of the fate that lies ahead should you choose to remain here in this mortal avatar.

Rama saw Sita frown and glance at him but kept his own eyes on Shiva. “No, Mahadev. I have not had a chance as yet. Events have transpired at a fantastic rate this day and we have been kept occupied dealing with one crisis after another.” He added, “I shall tell her soon.”

“What?” Sita asked, anxiety evident in her tone. “What will you tell me soon? What fate lies ahead?”

Shiva looked keenly at Rama who swallowed. Suddenly, Rama felt the weight of his decision bear down on him with unendurable pressure. Facing Ravana had not been as great a challenge. When he turned slowly to face Sita directly, he felt his own heart melt and dissolve within his chest. It hurt even to breathe, to speak, to live.

“If we remain here, my love,” he said gently. “We shall not be together.

We shall have to separate and remain apart for the rest of our mortal existence.”

Sita turned and stared at Rama. His eyes were cast downwards, at the river, rather than directed at the Vortal through which they had been watching the other Rama and Sita converse with Lord Shiva. She turned and looked at Hanuman. The vanar was squatting on his haunches, gazing with a puzzled expression at the Vortal. He glanced up at her and from his puzzled look, she could tell that he knew nothing of what was going on. But Rama…Rama was another story.

She turned back to Rama.

“You know about this,” she said, barely able to believe it herself. “Somehow, I don’t understand how or why, you knew Hanuman was going to bring us here to see this, and you knew what we were going to see. Isn’t that so?”

Rama sighed and looked up into the distance. She saw blue sky reflected in his black eyes.

“I didn’t know we were going to see this exactly,” he said. “Just that something was to happen today. And that it would lead inevitably to what followed.”

“And what will follow?” she asked, her voice on the verge of trembling now. “What did you mean—,” she corrected herself, “what did
that
Rama mean – when he said that we shall not be together? Why not? What will drive us apart?”

Rama shook his head, turning to face her. “It is futile to upset yourself thus, my love. I do not know why we are even being shown these sights at this moment.” He gestured towards the Vortal, where the other Sita and Rama continued their conversation with Lord Shiva as the kneeling Ravana, the shocked Atikaya and the contemplative Maharishi Valmiki looked on. “What purpose does it serve? Who—”

“It serves the purpose of Dharma,” said a male voice, deep and sonorous, from behind them. “And as for who would do such a thing, or possess the power to enable such a demonstration, well that would be me.”

TEN

“What lies beyond?” Rama asked of the man as he stopped at the cusp of the cloud-field and the mist-mountain, looking up in part-fear, part-wonder. Was this a dream or the afterworld? It felt like both, and neither. And that vision of the war of Lanka? What had that been? A ghost-memory or a conjuration of some sort?

The man paused beside him. His face was expressionless, yet not without compassion. “Only by going forth can you learn what the future holds in store.” Again that maddeningly familiar manner of speaking, the voice of a man well educated and raised, yet too humble to have been royal himself. A raj-rakshak? A PF? No, he was too young to be a PF, and he did not bear any arms; a raj-rakshak would never fail to bear arms to protect his master. Why then did he seem so familiar? How did Rama know him and from where?

“Or I can wait for the future to approach me,” Rama replied, deliberately being difficult in order to test the man’s patience and character. “Time catches up with the idle and the active alike.”

A twitch of a smile on the man’s sculpted dark face. “Not here,” he said. “Not in Lokaloka. Here, Time is an absent master.”

Lokaloka? What place was that? And how could Time be absent from anyplace? Even dreams must begin and end and therefore served temporal laws. Unless…unless…But he could think of no satisfactory explanation. He was out of his depth here. And the rakshak knew it.

“Then tell me
something
,” Rama said. “Give me some reason to go up that…mountain?” If it was a mountain indeed. He felt he could be sure of nothing here. In Lokaloka. Wherever…
whatever
…that might be. He waited, feeling the mist nipping at his bare feet, not cold or wet, merely…wind. “What lies up there?”