Lakshmana and Urmila- Part V

Lakshmana continued to roar at the top of his voice, "Must you go on and on? Here I am trying to tell you something but no, once you start speaking, there seems to be no end. Are you so much in love with your own voice? Is the respect you have for your husband?"

Urmilla lowered her face and turned aside.

Lakshmana took a deep breath to calm himself and continued, "What was I saying? Yes... we four brothers share a unique bond..." But, Lakshmana stopped abruptly as he looked at Urmilla. 

There was a tear rolling down her cheeks and her lips were trembling.

Lakshmana felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. He staggered backwards and slumped on the couch.

He had done it again. Lost his temper. That too, at his newly -wed wife. During their first ever conversation.

Lakshmana stole a glance at Urmilla. She was still standing, trying to hide her tears.

Lakshmana ran his fingers through his hair. How many times had brother Rama advised him to keep his temper in check. He had never succeeded. In fact he had never really tried. It was a joke among the brothers that if Lakshmana stood beside a pile of hay, the hay would go up in flames, such a firebrand was he.

Lakshmana slammed a fist into his palm. Was nothing going to go right tonight? He knew he should go and comfort her but he could not muster the courage. He sat still, his face buried in his hands.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Aryaputra" said a small voice.

Lakshmana looked up and got up hastily.   "Aryaputra" began Urmilla in a quavering voice. "Please forgive me." She had her face lowered, but he could see tears flowing freely from her eyes.

Overcome with guilt, Lakshmana held her chin and lifting her face , wiped her tears. He found his voice was choked too as he replied "No Urmilla. It is I who should apologize to you. I should not have shouted at you. Will you forgive me?"

Urmilla held her fingers to his lips as if to silence him. "Please do not embarrass me, Aryaputra by asking for my forgiveness." She tried to smile and said  "I am known to be talkative girl. My father used to say..." Urmilla stopped abruptly and blushed.

Relieved to see her smiling, Lakshman also confessed  "And I am known for my  temper..."

Both of them laughed.

Lakshmana and Urmilla - Part IV

PART IV

Lakshmana took a breath to calm himself and holding Urmilla by her shoulders spoke to her “Urmilla- I have something important to tell you.” Lakshmana turned away, unable to look into her soft eyes. “In fact, Urmilla, I owe you an apology….” His voice faltered.

“Not to me but to my venerable father” Umilla responded

Lakshmana swung around. “To you father? What on earth for?”

“For the way you shouted at him…”

“I shouted at him? But when?” Lakshmana looked bewildered.

“At the swayamwar sabha. When none of the kings were able to lift the bow.” Urmilla’s eyes widened as she recollected the scene and held her palms over her ears. “My God…..the way you stormed and ranted at my venerable father. Did you know that even great sages talk to my father with respect. My father is known as ‘raja rishi’”. Urmilla said proudly

Lakshmana  gulped uncomfortably.

 Resented being lectured to by his newlywed wife Lakshmana retorted “Your father too was not without blame. How could he claim that the world was devoid of heroes when my brother and I were sitting right there? And did I say anything objectionable ? All I said was….”

“You had the ability to lift the whole world like a ball and smash it like a clay jar; you could break Mount Meru like a raddish and as far as the bow was concerned – it was, for you, simply like the stem of a lotus carrying which, you could run a hundred yojanas” finished Urmilla.

Lakshmana looked at her amazed “How do you remember each and every word that I said?”

Urmilla lowered her head and giggled “Because then I thought how wonderful it would be to get married to someone like that”

Lakshmana felt a warm glow spreading through him.

Urmilla looked at him with her large eyes- they had a hint of brown, Lakshmana noted- as she asked him “Is it true, Aryaputra? Your brother only broke the bow, but would you have been really able to pick it and run a hundred yojanas with it?”

Lakshmana spread his chest and answered dismissively “Well, I probably got carried away at that time, but yes, we Raghuvanshis are rather good with bows and arrows.

However Lakshmana soon came back to the thought that was on the top of his mind. “Urmilla- I have something to tell you….”

Urmilla interrupted him once again “Oh there’s one more thing- you should surely seek pardon from Sage Parashurama”

Lakshmana was startled “Apologize to Parashurama?”

Urmilla replied self righteously “You argued with him too, didn’t you? My venerable father says Parashurama is an avatar of Narayana himself.”

Lakshmana held her by her shoulders and looking straight at her said “Urmilla- your husband is rather short tempered. You better get used to it. I am not going to apologize to all and sundry.”

Urmilla looked shocked. “But my venerable father says…..”

Lakshmana hit his forehead with his palm and forcing himself to keep calm, spoke with exaggerated calmness, “Urmilla –did your venerable father always have to say something or did he also keep quiet- at times, at least?”

“Oh my father used to go into silence for long periods, for it is in silence that Man connects with his inner nature. My venerable father used to say…..” Urmilla stopped and sensing something asked “Are you making 

fun of my father, Aryaputra?”

Lakshmana hid his smile and keeping a straight face answered “Me? I wouldn’t dare too”

Urmilla heaved sigh of relief “Oh thank you. For a moment, I thought you were….”

Lakshmana made one more attempt to voice his thoughts “Urmilla I have something to tell you. We four brothers share a unique bond….

“That’s so wonderful. Even we four sisters are like that. My venerable father says…”

This was too much for Lakshmana. He hollered at the top of his voice “WILL YOU PLEASE GIVE YOUR FATHER A REST AND LET YOUR VENERABLE HUSBAND SPEAK?”

Urmilla lapsed into silence, pouting.

Lakshmana and Urmilla - Part III

As he entered his room,it took him a few minutes for his eyes to get used to the darkness and he looked around for his wife. Had she ensconced herself in a corner, weeping her heart out?

At last he found her- sleeping blissfully on his- no, he corrected himself- on their bed. Lakshmana debated whether to leave the discussion till morning- but though it better to resolve it then and there. He couldn’t take the tension anymore. Yes, he would wake her up. It would be the best thing to do.

It turned out to be the worst thing he ever did.

Startled out of her sleep by someone shaking her shoulder and calling out her name, Urmilla could only make out the dim outline of a man in the darkness. She held he hands to her ears and shrieked ay the top of her voice “Help…. Help….” Her cries rang out in the darkness

Lakshmana tried to cover her mouth with his palm to muffle her shouts, but it only made matters worse. 

Urmilla tried to dig her nails into his arms in an attempt to free herself- but the hands holding her were too strong.

“Sh….Urmilla…Don’t shout.. It’s me, Lakshmana…”

Eyes widened , Urmilla looked at the face above her and recognition dawned. Lakshmana eased his grip on her and stood in front of her glowering.

Urmilla hurriedly got up and whispered “Aryaputra?”

Lakshmana nodded and still glowering, pointed to the nail marks on his forearm “A fine welcome from my wife” Urmilla looked abashed.

By now, however, Urmilla’s shouts had attracted the security and they were pounding at the door Random shouts of …Open….Princess…Are you safe… could be heard.

Lakshmana realizing that the door would soon be broken down, asked Urmilla to open the door. Urmilla shook her head, pointing to her disheveled appearance. Lakshmana gave an angry snort and went to the door where the guards were still hammering for all they were worth.

Lakshmana jerked open both the doors and asked nonchalantly “Yes?”

The Chief of Palace Guards was  standing in front of him, a club in one hand and surrounded by  a dozen soldiers. They seemed taken aback on seeing him there. “Oh Prince” said the chief, lowering his club, “We didn’t know you had arrived. We thought we heard some screams. Arya Sumanta had informed us that you had been called on some important mission and that special security should be provided to your rooms since the princess was all alone. Security has been tightened all over, you know”

“ Thank you Sumanta” thought Lakshmana mentally and spoke to the Chief, “No, it’s all right, I have returned” trying to close the doors.

But the Chief was not so sure. He put in his foot between the doors Lakshmana was trying to close and peered inside. “Are you sure Prince? We distinctly heard a woman’s scream”

The way she screamed, the whole Ayodhya must have heard thought Lakshmana.  “Umm.. it was nothing….just that ….” Lakshmana racked his brains furiously for an explanation, “it was just that we were sleeping and my wife had a nightmare…” Lakshmana tried to force the doors shut.

To his surprise (and annoyance) the Chief burst into laughter and the rest of the guards were unsuccessfully trying to hide their smiles. The Chief removed his foot and began to retreat. Just before the doors were shut, he turned back and winking at Lakshmana said slyly “Good attempt at explanation Prince, but tell me does anyone sleep on their marital night? The chief guffawed loudly and left.

Lakshmana swore softly under his breath and made a kicking movement with his leg at retreating Chief’s back. He slammed the doors shut and walked back in to the room, his temper none the better.

“Why did they come, aryaputra ? asked Urmilla innocently

Lakshmana glowered at her and rubbing his forearms replied, “To express their appreciation over your singing abilities.”

“Oh, but when did I sing?” wondered Urmilla missing the sarcasm completely.

Lakshmana looked like he would like nothing better than to wring her neck.

Lakshmana and Urmilla Part II

PART II

Things happened just as Lakshmana feared. 

The next day the four brothers were summoned by Guru Vasishtha and their father. Maharaja Dasharatha revealed that they had come to Mithila in anticipation of one marriage but now because of a happy coincidence there would be four weddings. Shatrughna let out a whoop of joy, Bharata was embarrassed and Lakshmana, shocked.

The next few days were a blur and it was only on reaching Ayodhya and its familiar environs that Lakshmana was able to think once again. They were ceremoniously received at the palace gates and the greater part of the day was spent in Guru Vasishtha explaining to them the sanctity of marriage and the mothers teasing them.  

Lakshmana felt himself going hot behind the ears as he listened to all gentle ribbing and he assiduously kept his face down. Soon it was night. The four brothers had gathered in the central courtyard. The king had departed to his bedchamber after blessing them. The mothers performed their aarti and asked them to go their room to ‘begin a new chapter in their lives’. 

Lakshmana gulped uncomfortably. Brother Rama left, after bowing to the mothers, walking with his usual steady gait. Bharata  followed suit. Shatrughna after walking a few steps, broke into a run. Looking at his twin, Lakshmana could not help but smile. But then he realized much to his embarrassment, he was the only one left there . Mother Kausalya patted his shoulder and told him to go to his room ‘where his wife would be waiting for him’.

Lakshmana forced himself to turn towards the corridor leading to his room. Somehow the stretch seemed longer than usual. His wife? A new chapter in his life? Somehow, Lakshmana had never envisaged such a situation. He had been content to serve his brother Rama. He had been under the impression that his life was just an extension of Brother Rama’s. Now he was expected to lead an independent life- with new responsibilities to fulfill.

He was both confused and scared. Will his responsibilities as a husband come in way of his duties as a younger brother? Would he, after marriage too, be able to remain what he was before- Rama’s shadow? 

Lakshmana paused, leaned on the wall and mopped his brow.

Two servant girls passed by and on looking at him, broke into giggles. Lakshmana glared at them but they only covered their faces and giggled harder. That did it. Lakshmana waited for them to disappear and making an about-turn walked furiously- out of the corridor, out of the palace till he reached the royal stables.

He flashed his ensign to the guards who let him in hastily, though with looks of surprise. But, on looking ahead, he spotted Arya Sumanta in deep conversation with the Keeper of Stables. “Doesn’t that man ever sleep?” wondered Lakshmana.

Arya Sumanta too was surprised to see Lakshmana walking rapidly towards the horses. “Prince? You? At this time of the hour? But tonight is suppose to be your…..”Arya Sumanta let the sentence hang delicately.

Lakshmana nodded, still walking rapidly, “It’s something urgent Arya. I have to go”

Sumanta was now trotting to keep pace with Lakshmana. “What’s the matter Prince? I can handle it. You ought to be with….”Sumanta jerked his thumb in the direction of the palace.

Lakshmana mumbled “ No… It’s okay….I need  to go somewhere… I will be back soon”

Sumanta stood panting and mystified as Lakshmana untied a horse and began to lead it away. “Prince- the security around the capital has been tightened. You won’t be able to go more than two yojanas without being questioned” called out Sumanta behind Lakshmana’s back.

 Lakshmana swung himself on the horse and nodded to Sumanta, mentally praying that Sumanta would have more sense than to inform the king that 

Prince Lakshmana had been spotted wandering about on what was supposed to be his bridal night.

He mounted a horse and patting it to keep quiet, rode it till he reached the banks of Sarayu. He dismounted and sat down on a rock near the river. The soft ripple of the waters and the cool air seemed to calm his feverish mind. 

He made his decision – he would inform Urmilla in no uncertain terms that first and foremost he was Rama’s brother and she better resign herself to that. Lakshman got up and began to lead the horse by its reins. He felt better, having arrived at a decision. 

But a small voice began to speak at the back of his mind. But, what about the bond that had been forged between him and Urmilla? Did he have the right to ignore it altogether? If he was so averse to the idea of marriage, the small voice continued incessantly, he ought to announced his decision before the wedding–not now. Lakshmana sighed. A nice mess he had got himself into.

Now there was only one thing to do. Explain his stance to Urmilla and pray that she understands. Or, better still explain his stance and ask her to take the decision. After all, she was Maharaja Janaka’s daughter. Maybe she would understand. The small voice at the back of his mind agreed.

His quarters in the palace were completely silent and dark. Most of the lamps had blown themselves out save for the few all-night ones which threw eerie shadows on the walls. The distant roll of drums announced that it was the second prahar after midnight. 


Lakshmana quickened his steps. What would Urmilla be thinking? Maybe be she would be restless with anxiety….had she informed anyone about his absence? Lakshmana hit his forehead with his palm. A nice way to start his married life. Wonder why they didn’t teach such things in the Gurukul, he thought wryly.

Lakshmana and Urmilla - Part I

Part I

As he walked aimlessly in the dark, Lakshman was not sure what he was feeling- angry, confused, scared - perhaps all of them. From a distance he could see the whole Ayodhya decked up to commemorate the princes’ marriages, but here he was, running away from all of it.

It all began, Lakshman thought, with the cocky, smart alec, too- big- for- his-boots Shatrughan. Shartughan along with their brother Bharat and father Dasharat had arrived in Mithila the day before to solemnize  Ram and Sita’s  wedding.

Rama and Lakshmana were sitting in their room when Shatrughna rushed in, breathless with excitement. He stopped abruptly on seeing his eldest brother there. “Oh Brother” he said folding his hands  “I didn’t expect to see you here”.  Shatrughan stood politely but it was obvious he was bursting to tell something. Rama, indicating to him to sit down, asked in an indulgent voice “Is there something you want to say Shatrughan?” 

Shatrughan  burst out, “Shrutakirti. …..I have found out……. Her name is Shrutakirti.”

Lakshman released the knot he was tying on his bow and looked up.

Rama looked amused. “Who is Shrutakirti?”

“Your youngest sister-in-law, brother. The younger daughter of Maharaja Kushdhwaja” replied Shatrughan  triumphantly.

“So what of her?” persisted Rama, with a faint smile on his lips.

“Um…nothing.  Nothing at all….Just that….Isn’t it a beautiful name?” replied Shatrughan, trying to control his excitement.

Lakshman looked at him disapprovingly.

“Did you find only the name beautiful or…..?” asked Rama with a laugh

“Now that you ask, brother, she is beautiful too. Very beautiful” replied Shatrughan, grinning.

Rama stood up and patting Shatrughan on the shoulder, left the room.

Shatrughan  settled himself on a couch and closing his eyes murmured blissfully “Shrutakirti…”

Lakshmana left the bow he was stringing and walking up to Shatrughna, remonstrated with his twin.

“Shatrughna, is this any way to speak to brother Rama? How can you talk so freely about girls in front of him?”

“Why what was wrong in that? I only mentioned that Shrutakirti was a beautiful name.”

“How does it matter ?” grunted Lakshmana picking up the bow again.

“Will I not want my future wife to have a beautiful name? Shrutakeee…….erti. Sounds so good” answered back  Shatrughna.

“Your future wife?” sputtered Lakshmana. “Chi….chi…Very bad. How can you think of getting married before brother Bharata?”

Shatrughna sat up on the couch and answered “Don’t worry brother. I have found out that Maharaja Kushdhwaja has another daughter. Maandavi..... she is going to be brother Bharata’s wife .

“Brother  Bharata’s wife? You’ve decided that too?”

“No not me. Brother Rama will. Why did you think he just left the room? By tomorrow all our marriages will be fixed”. Shatrughna collapsed, laughing.

“It’s less than twenty hours of your arrival in Mithila and already you have found out so much?” asked Lakshmana incredulously starting to string the bow again. “From where did you get so much information?”

“Guess?” asked Shatrughna winking.

“Shrutakirti?”

“Exactly, brother” replied Shatrughna getting up. Shatrughna walked and stood behind Lakshmana. Placing his elbows on Lakshmana’s shoulders he leaned forward and whispered in his ears “And guess what brother? Maharaja Janaka has one more daughter. Isn’t it perfect? Four brothers here and four sisters there”

The bow slipped from Lakshmana’s hand as he suddenly became very still.

Shatughana jumped forward and picking up the bow handed it to Lakshmana. “Don’t you want to know the fourth sister’s name?”

Lakshmana shook his head furiously

Shatrughna held his twin  firmly by his shoulders and whispered “Urmilla”.

Kumara Sambhavam- The Descent of the Divine- Part XII

THE DESCENT OF THE DIVINE

Shiva turned towards Parvati and sat facing her. Parvati closed her eyes and as everyone watched, a luminous shape entered Shiva’s body. At once, the five heads of Shiva emerged. 

The third eye – the Ajna Chakra- the seat of intuition and knowledge- in each head opened.

A spark of blinding intensity shot upwards from each of the Third Eyes.

A collective gasp rose from the audience. Everyone was looking upwards.

When five such sparks were suspended in space, the five faces of Shiva merged into one and from the top of the head- the Sahasrakara Chakra- rose one more sparking ball of light, bearing the Pranava mantra. An ethereal sound of “OM” could be heard.

When the six sparks hung there, Agni and Vayu reached out and reverentially scooped the six sparks in their hands. 

As per Shiva’s instructions, they invested the sparks with breath and warmth. They carried the sparks to the river Ganga who added the water element to the sparks. The sparks floated downwards into the Sara Vana forest where amidst the thick vegetation and flowery creepers, the earth element was added to the sparks.

The waters of Ganga gently placed each spark on a lotus and each spark transformed into a human baby. A bevy of young women passing by saw the babies. Taking the babies into their laps, the young women nursed them.

Seeing the process of their creation almost complete, Shiva and Parvati arrived there. There were still six separate babies- implying that the elements had not fused perfectly together into one entity.

Parvati –the embodiment of Nature herself, encircled all the babies and merged them into one complete, flawless child.

Kumara Sambhavam was done. Skanda had been born. Divinity had manifested itself.

Kumara Sambhavam - The Perfect Creation- Part XI

THE PERFECT CREATION

Narada was in Vaikunth when he got the news of the impending arrival of Shiva’s son. “Not to be missed” remarked Vishnu, as he got up from his serpentile couch.

Narada was surprised. “Are you going to disturb their privacy Lord?” asked Narada

“What privacy?” questioned Vishnu

Narada was perplexed. “I am a brahmachari Lord, how would I know the workings of marital life? But I always thought couples preferred privacy especially when they are about to bring their child into the world.”

Vishnu snorted. “Mortals and lesser beings might, especially when the creation takes place at a physical level- by a union of bodies. But this is Mahadev and Adi Shakti that we are talking about.”

“What’s the difference Lord?” questioned Narada.

“In animals, procreation is purely driven by instinct and hence the offspring too, continues to be an animal – bound by the limitations of its nature

Amongst humans, too, where the feelings of kama and moha dominate the child so created will always be trapped in maya, unaware of its true spiritual potential

“In Mahadev’s case…..” queried Narada

Vishnu looked into the distance, his voice dropping reverentially. “Mahadev and Devi Parvati are Purusha and Prakriti. The creation of their offspring will take place at the highest level- by a merger of their consciousness, by a synergy between their divine powers.”

By the time Narada reached Kailash, a host of Devas, Gandharvas, the Sapta rishis had already gathered there. The place had acquired a sudden luster. The air was pregnant with anticipation.

Seated with Devi Parvati by his side, Lord Shiva looked the very embodiment of Sat- Chit- Ananda. Narada made his way to the front and joining his palms together murmured “Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami”

The air was rent with shouts of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Om namah Shivaya”. Shiva raised his hand and silence fell. Shiva began to speak. Strong and sonorous, it was a voice no one had heard before.

“A being comes into this world when the male and female energies combine together. I, that is Shiva, represent the Purusha aspect and Parvati the prakriti tattva. No doubt, either of us is capable of producing a being independently, but in order to uphold the laws of nature and to ensure that the offspring that we are about to create is whole and stable, the Purusha and the Prakriti tattva in us have to combine.

“When our powers combine, the result will be a shining ball of light- formless- yet living. Every being on this earth is made up of the five elements.”

Shiva chanted   “ Aakashaat Vaayuhu    First there was space,  then from space came air

 Vayur Agnihi, ,    from Vayu came fire

Agnir Apaha,       from Agni came water

 Adyah Pruthivi, , from water came the Earth”

I now invite the Nature’s elements to assist in this creation. When the ball of light is created, Vayu Dev and Agni Dev will add their elements to it. They will  carry the light and deposit in the river Ganga who will add the water element. Ganga will carry the light sparks to the Sara Vana forest and thus the last, fifth element will be added. Once the five elements are combined in perfect proportion, the light sparks will assume a human shape.”

Agni and Vayu nodded to show their agreement.