SHRI RAM AND MARYADAS OF HIS TIME
: 2

KAEKAI
AND RAM

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After
the marriage of all the brothers, the next obvious thing that immediately
occupied the attention of the royal family was appointment of Yuvraj. After all
King Dasrath was an old man, and the earlier a Yuvraj was appointed, the
better, everyone felt, it would be for Ayodhya.

But
now, everyone knew of the peace treaty between Shri Ram and Ravan. They also
knew that Shri Ram had to stay in forest for a period of fourteen years to
earmark specific areas around forest where the new generation of human,
commonly called as Vaanars can flourish and grow. Shri Ram repeatedly requested
that Bharat may be appointed Yuvraj as his commitment towards his obligations
in that treaty was absolute. But Dasrath was not prepared to listen .He clearly
told Ram that he was free to do whatsoever he wanted to do in his old age, but
not now. The royal family, including his brother Bharat, also wanted to see him
as Yuvraj, and as such were not supporting him. Shri Ram had three mothers.
Although he was born to Kaushaliya, his favorite mother was Kaekai. In this
case, even Kaekai bluntly told him that vanvaas was for the older people and he
was free to enjoy this in his ripe age. Even the Maryada was against this, and
the incarnation of Lord Vishnu was expected to follow the same, especially
while dealing with his own family and older parents, she told him teasingly.
Shri Ram barely managed deferment of decision for some time, stating that he
was not prepared as yet to take over the responsibilities of Yuvraj.

As
it happened Bharat and Shatrughan had gone to their Mama’s(maternal uncle’s)
place to spend some time, and Sage Vashisht informed king Dasrath of a highly
auspicious muhurat, a few days ahead, which was not likely to repeat itself for
a couple of years. He also told King Dasrath that the Muhurat was so strong and
auspicious, that any work undertaken in it would give highly auspicious and
positive result. King immediately decided that this muhurat would be used for coronation
of Ram as Yuvraj. Celebrations started immediately.

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Ram
knew that he has been cornered. There was no way he could oppose this. He knew
he had earlier agreed to become Yuvraj, though because of the family pressure,
but now there was no way out. The Maryada of that time would not let him oppose
this. But never the less, he was determined to utilize the muhurat to go to the
forests.

He
knew that the only person who could help him was Kaekai. Kaekai loved and
adored him and also had the highest respect and regards for him because he was
an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. After all she was his favorite mother. Ram told
Kaekai, once again why it was important for him to go to forest. Vaanars were
living a miserable life. Kingdoms, including people living in Ayodhya had no
sympathy for them (read HINDU
HISTORY...START OF A NEW KALP ;  RAMAYAN
AND HISTORY). They were not
even considered as humans. Surely he can take on Ravan at a later date but the
plight of Vaanars had to end as soon as possible. Even the fight with rakshas
won’t be easy, he told Kaekai, and he would like to utilize this muhurat to
leave Ayodhya for forest. Kaekai once again told him that she was all in favor
of this coronation and is eagerly waiting to witness it. She also told Ram to
stop thinking about this for the time being as his father was fairly old and
may not be able to bear his exit to forest. Further, as a Queen and member of
royal family her dharm would not let her help him.

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Ram
reminded Kaekai that since she knew who he was, she had to believe him that
whatever he was doing was in the interest of his father and Ayodhya. His father
was virtually on the thresh hold of obtaining moksh, except for one karma whose
result he had yet to bear, and that was the curse he had received when he
accidently killed the son of a blind old couple on a pilgrimage. Even the
people of Ayodhya would benefit immensely, both in stature and by other
residual benefits, after his victory over Ravan. He knew, said Ram, it was
tough and required lot of guts to do what he wanted her to do. The king had
promised that he would forthwith fulfill any two wishes that she may ask him to
fulfill. He wanted Kaekai to ask for his banishment to forest for fourteen
years and coronation of Bharat as Yuvraj.

Kaekai
was petrified. She bluntly told him that this was not possible. But Ram was not
there to get a NO. He begged and cajoled her. She had the guts and she could do
this, he told her. Kaekai told him if she accepted what Ram wanted her to do;
she would be the most unpopular queen and a spoiler and would also be called a
wicked step mother. Ram told her that he wanted to establish as dharm the need
for single marriage, and what she would be doing would make his task a lot
easy.

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As
earlier said Kaekai loved and adored Ram. She also had the discriminating power
to understand what was being asked for. She knew at heart that God does not
belong to any one person, one family. HER Ram was on a mission, and HE needed
her help for the sake of humanity and she decided to be on HIS side.

Several
time this had been asked why Kaekai? Why not Manthara with Goddess Swarsati?

I
have picture of Shri Ram at my pooja place because I believe that by merely
having his picture at my pooja place, I would be relieved of all untimely
obstruction in any work I am undertaking / involved in. How can I believe that
Goddess Swarsati and Manthara could have done that without Shri Ram’s active
participation? Here Ram was present in person and yet  Manthara could
manipulate the entire royal family. No Ram was actively involved in this and
Kaekai did this on behest of her Ram.

Kaekai
episode is interesting in several ways. Some believe that whatsoever she did
was because of her love for her son Bharat. Others believe that Kaekai loved
Ram more than her son Bharat. Conclusions in both the cases will be
different. In the first instance she would be deemed to have acted as a selfish
queen, and in the second instance she was a selfless, god-fearing individual,
who was prepared to make exemplary sacrifices for her NATION and HUMANITY.

You
too have a choice to make. Make it now.

         PLEASE
ALSO READ THE FOLLOWING:

• SWAMBER OF
  SITA
• HOROSCOPE
  OF SHRI RAM
• AGNI
  PARIKSHA OF SITA .. FACTS
• RAMAYAN
  AND HISTORY
• HINDU
  HISTORY...START OF A NEW KALP