Episode Nine - Graduation and Return

Welcome to the ninth episode of The Journey of Rama. If this is your first encounter with The Journey, please read Episode One first.

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On with Episode Nine!

Shafts of sunlight shot through the leaves of the enormous banyan tree in the center of the Ashram. A soft breeze whispered through the branches. Vashistha sat in lotus pose in his spot under the tree, and his students sat gathered before him.

"Today," Vashistha began, "is both a joyous day and a day of sadness." He paused to listen to the call of a peacock in the distance. "Rama, Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrugna have reached the end of their studies, and it is time for them to return to Ayodhya."

The students remained silent, although Vashistha was keenly aware of the groans in their hearts. All the boys, from the youngest neophyte to the adolescents of the princes' age, loved the four sons of Dasharatha and viewed them as friends and counselors. Vashistha and his wife Arundhati would also miss their presence at the Ashram. In a relatively short time, the princes had become an integral part of Ashram life, with Rama's divine presence at the core.

Still, graduation is a time for celebration. The four princes performed a ceremony to pay tribute to their Guru, after which all the students sang chants and songs honoring both Vashistha and Rama. Guru Vashistha then placed his hand on the head of each prince in turn and stared into their eyes, transferring his own subtle energy into them and awakening the spiritual energy that was dormant in his students.

Arundhati arranged a great luncheon feast, after which the four princes would depart. The Guru presented each prince with a new bow and quiver, which they filled with the arrows they had carved in their free time between lessons.

Sumant, Dasharatha's minister, came with a giant chariot to carry them home to Ayodhya. His eyes widened when he saw how the princes had grown; they were no longer boys but strong, able young men. Sumant had arrived during the meal but declined to eat until Rama came up to him and beseeched him to partake. "Noble Sumant, if you are to drive the chariot all the way home to Ayodhya, I would prefer that you be well-fed." Rama grinned, "We would not want you to fall faint and lose control of the horses, would we?"

Sumant bowed low before Prince Rama. "As you command, my Lord." Sumant ate heartily and without shame.

After the meal, Rama and his brothers offered flowers and fruits to their teacher, who then blessed them and wished them well.

"Please come to Ayodhya soon, Guru-ji," Bharat asked. Vashistha promised he would.

The princes shouldered their bows and climbed aboard the gleaming chariot as Sumant took the reins. "I love the Ashram," said Shatrugna, "but I cannot wait to see Father and our Mothers again!" Bharat ruffled Shatrugna's hair and said, "You cannot wait to eat palace food!" Shatrugna nodded, "There is that as well!" The princes laughed.

They spent most of the ride through the forest in silence, watching the play of the sun between the branches of the trees, observing the goats and cows grazing near the villages and farms, and marveling at how, each time they passed through a town, the citizens would stop whatever they were doing to stare at the chariot and its passengers.

"My goodness, you would think we were royalty!" joked Lakshman as they approached the capital. "No," said Bharat, "it's just that Rama's so handsome!"

"Oh?" replied Rama, smiling, "I thought it was Sumant's great mustache they were admiring."

As they entered the city, citizens crowded the streets to welcome the princes home. The sound of drums filled the air, dancers surrounded the chariot, boys and girls threw colored powders at each other, and all of Ayodhya was in complete festive joy. The princes waved to the crowds; girls were almost swooning at the sight of the four handsome young royals, and no matter how thick the throng, all the people were sure to make way as the vehicle approached.

All the servants and staff were cheering inside the palace gates, but the princes' vision was riveted on their mothers. Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra stood before the arched entrance of the palace, tears of joy in each one's eyes, happy to have their sons at home.

In the following weeks, the princes involved themselves in the life of the city, and the city was thrilled to have them. Each morning, Rama and his brothers would bathe and then perform their spiritual practices. They would have breakfast with their parents and obtain their permission to go into the city. Rama visited various temples to listen to the priests sing the scriptures, after which he would lecture on their meaning. Everyone who attended was astounded at his wisdom. In the afternoons, all four princes would observe their father's meetings or sit in the council with Sumant and the other ministers.

King Dasharatha had never been happier. He rejoiced in the actions of all his sons, but Rama was his joy and delight. When Rama was with him, he was at peace and fulfilled. He looked forward to spending the rest of his life in the presence of his beloved Rama.

Destiny, however, takes no heed of expectations, even those of a King.

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