Sunat bachan Raaghav harshaaye, Maataji ke mandir aaye
O hearing these words Raghav hastened and reached his Mother's temple
Charan kamal mein kiyaa pranaam
he bowed down at her lotus feet
Ram Siya Ram Siya Ram A jai jai Ram
Dear Lord Ram rushes to his mother's temple with compassion and joy in his heart. She who loved and nurtured him for so many years. Such a special connection a mother and son have. She is his best friend, first to celebrate the joys of his life. She is his refuge and harbor when life is cruel. He is her joy and treasure beyond any jewel, gold, luxury, or comfort. He reverently bows down to her lotus feet and embraces her with a gentle smile, and love in his eyes.
Maataji main to ban jaau, Chaudaah barash baad phir aaun
O Mother I am going to the forests and will return after fourteen years
Charan kamal dekhu sukh dhaam
back to the lotus feet of the joyful land
Ram Siya Ram Siya Ram A jai jai Ram
“Mother, I have the great honor of fulfilling Father's word! I will learn from sages, saints, and great mother earth in the forest. Truly it will increase my ability to serve our people and all living beings by taking this great pilgrimage of fourteen years. Then with all joy and love I will return to you and Ayodhya!” Prince Rama was every bit aware of his mother's great shock at this surprising news, but strongly emphasized only the positive aspects of the situation so that she would not be carried away by sorrow like his Father.
Suni shool sam jab yah baani, Bhu par giri Kaushalya raani
O after hearing this news Queen Kaushalya fell in a faint
Dhiraj bandhaa rahe Shri Raam
Bravely he stood there, Shri Ram
Ram Siya Ram Siya Ram A jai jai Ram
His dearest mother swoons in sorrow as he feared she would. Catching hear gently, he continues to look at her loving with as much joy as possible. However, tears begin to form in the creases of his eyes, as he sees the great pain his beloved mother is experiencing. Still he holds fast, embracing her, doing his best to share with her warm feelings of hope and love through a tender yet steadfast strength.
The mother's pain is greatest when her beloved child is put into the trails of life. Unfairly and untimely placed upon the young one's shoulders she suffers ever the more. Rama knows this, and immediately goes to her when he clearly understands the tragic situation. The optimism and the promise of learning and growth do little to stifle the overwhelming heartbreak and sorrow of a mother who is forcibly separated from her child. The one that she nursed; tended to with such loving care; always watchful of every triumph and stumble; celebrating and mending them along this mysterious journey of life.
Lord Rama feels the deep pain of his mother, but still follows dharma. As a kshatriya, one of the ruling class, and even more so as a prince, Rama's decisions are firstly for the welfare of civilization and society, dharma. Personal desires like staying with his beloved mother are considered only after dharma is fulfilled. Do we agree? There is no greater love than to give one's life for a friend. And the more friends we have the more of our life we give. Rama is said to be the friend of all beings, their great protector. In no way an easy ideal to live if we look at the world with attachment to personal desires. Do we agree? For me it is not easily agreed on or understood. But like the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ, it is a mystery worth pondering again and again, especially when I find myself at the crossroads. Adorable Lord Rama remains compassionate with his mother, but never balks when choosing the way of dharma.