Who Was the Washerman

Raam and Seetaa's story is very famous and common. Who doesn't know their story? Tulasee's Raam Charit Maanas describes their story up to only Raam's crowning as the King of Ayodhyaa. It doesn't describe their story after that, but Vaalmeeki Jee's Raamaayan goes long further than this. He describes their story even up to their Param Dhaam Gaman.

Seetaa did not go in exile with Raam for 14 years only, She went in exile in Her later life also. At that time She was sent by Her husband Raam, for ever, even in that condition for which the daughters-in-law are brought in the house and when the daughters-in-law are well taken care of. In fact nobody is at fault at any time, for any condition and for anybody. It is all the game of Destiny. Now you will ask "What was the Destiny of Seetaa for which she had to be exiled by Raam at such time?"

All know the story of the washerman in Ayodhyaa kingdom as how he became the means of Seetaa's exile. Once Raam's spies were wandering in the city in the night just to find out that what people talk about their King Raam, Queen Seetaa and their administration. There were many spies and mostly they were hearing the praises of their King, but at one time one spy heard a washerman scolding his wife. She came home late in the night, so her husband said - "You go back to the same house where you had been the whole day. I am not Raam who will keep you in my house even if you have have been to some other person's house. He is the King, He can do anything He wants, but I cannot keep you in my house." Washerman's mother tried to console him that his wife was innocent and he should not behave like this with her, but he was adamant. Hearing all this the spy felt very bad and he came back.

Next day when Raam comes to know about this, He gets worried, and asks Lakshman to leave Seetaa near Vaalmeeki Jee's Aashram. Lakshman is bewildered by this order but obeys elder brother's orders crying.

Who Was This Washerman?
Now who was this washerman on whose words, Raam exiled His innocent, pious and faultless Seetaa? One day Seetaa, in Her childhood, was playing with Her friends in the garden of Her palace. There was a parrot couple who was talking like this - "There will be a king named Raam on this earth and His wife's name will be Seetaa. He will rule for 11,000 years. Blessed are they who will enjoy each other's company."

Seetaa understood birds' language, so She understood what they were talking about. She got curious hearing Her name and Her future. She thought, "let me ask some more about my future.", so She asked Her friends to catch those birds and they brought those birds to Her. Seetaa told the not to worry and tell Her from where they came? And who was this Raam and who was the Seetaa? The birds said - "There is a Rishi named Vaalmeeki. We live in his Aashram. He has written a book "Raamaayan" which seems very dear to him. He always read some couplets from it, that is how we have also remembered some of them. Now we tell you about those Raam and Seetaa. By the grace of sage Rishyashring, Vishnu will appear in His four forms - Raam, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughn. Raam will come to Mithilaa along with His brother Lakshman, break the bow and marry the daughter of Janak Seetaa. We have told you everything, now please free us."

Seetaa again asked - "Where will be Raam and whose son He will be? How he will look .like?" Hearing this, the she-parrot knew that that girl was Seetaa herself, so she fell on Her feet, she said - "His beauty cannot be described even with 100s of mouths. Blessed is Seetaa who will enjoy with Him or thousands of years. But who are you and why are you asking about Him with so much curiosity?" Seetaa said - "I am the same Seetaa whom you are talking about. When Raam will come here and accept me then only I will free you, till then you live with me and eat sweet things."

The she-parrot said - "Seetaa, We are forest dwellers, how we will live in your house? I am pregnant now, let me deliver my babies, then I will come and live with you." But Seetaa did not free them. The he-parrot also requested Seetaa to free his wife but She did not free her and let him go without his wife if he liked so. So the she-parrot cursed her, "You are separating me from my husband at the time of pregnancy, you will also be separated from Raam at the time of your pregnancy." and died in sorrow of the separation of her husband. Since she died taking Raam's name at the time of her death, a Divine vehicle took her to Raam's Dhaam. After her death, the he-parrot cursed Seetaa - "I will take birth in Ayodhyaa and will be the cause of your separation from Raam." and off he flew.

Because of the curse of the she-parrot Seetaa was separated from Raam at the time of Her pregnancy time; and since the he-parrot insulted Seetaa, he was born as a washerman (in a lower kind of order among human beings), and only his words became the cause of Her exile.

Sushma Gupta
www.sushmajee.com