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Day 11 A to Z Challenge 2015 - Kingship
Dashrath watched his beloved Son
Grow into a fine young man
Hearts of all the young prince had won
It was time his reign began
A proclamation was soon made
Rama to be crowned the king
But Manthara the cunning maid
Poisoned Kaikeyi's mind to sting
A couple of years went by and Rama and Sita grew closer together, basking in each other's love. King Dashrath was ready to hand over the reigns of Ayodhya to his most beloved son Rama. Slowly Dashrath had groomed him to be the next king, teaching him all the facets of kingship. Kaushalya on the other hand, taught Sita the fine art of being the queen and lovingly prepared her that Rama's personal life would take a back seat once he sat on the throne.
The people of Ayodhya loved their young prince and looked forward to the day when Rama would lead them as their king. King Dashrath in consensus with his ministers, members of his court and kings from other lands, proclaimed that Rama's coronation would take place the next morning.
Joy filled the hearts of all.
But destiny was to play another game in the form of Manthara who was Queen Kaikeyi's handmaid. Annoyed with the attention that Rama received over her beloved Bharat (Kaikeyi's son and Rama's younger half brother), she instigated Kaikeyi to sabotage the coronation and make demands on King Dashrath. Manthara and Kaikeyi have become two of the most hated characters in the Ramayana.
But Manthara was a simpleton who lived an insecure, materialistic life. And fickle minded Kaikeyi was easily swayed. Kaikeyi and Manthara display the characteristics that cause disharmony in relationships - focussing on the destructive self important I.
When our actions benefit others, we bring joy to others and to ourselves. When our actions are made with selfish motives of pleasing the "I" we create tension among our relationships. When we start to compare our lot in life with others we create an unhealthy restlessness within ourselves. The grass may seems greener on the other side. Inevitably it is not. Because we each walk our own path. Because each journey is individual and aligned to our soul. We are here for soul growth not to compete.
Kaikeyi and Manthara's actions were for self gratification. On the other hand Rama always brought joy to others. He learned that from his mother Kaushalya, the primary queen of King Dashrath. Though she was neglected by him in favour of the young queen, Kaushalya treated Kaikeyi with affection, acting in the interests of all to bring harmony among relationships. And when Dashrath needed wise council, it was Kaushalya he turned to and she was there for him, dependable, forgiving and sensible. Lord Vishnu chose wisely when He chose Kaushalya as His earthly mother.
What is Kaikeyi planning and how does it shape the course of events? In my verses tomorrow.
Love is in the air. May we find contentment in the life we are fated to live for our lives are divinely and lovingly ordained by the Great Spirit. May we choose wisely so our actions benefit many.
If you do leave a comment, please leave a link to your blog so I can drop by and say hello. Thanks.
Check my previous posts in this series
Written for: AtoZ Challenge 2015
Linking to: Write Tribe ProBlogger Challenge
Check out some other Bloggers participating in the challenge: AtoZ List 2015
And the Blog-A-Rhythm AtoZ posts featuring many bloggers
The Ramayana is a historical chronicle of events during the life of Lord Rama in an ancient time in a land called Bharatvarsh a part of which is now modern day India.
This year's theme was given to me through meditation. But more than just a theme I was also asked to write this from the perspective of Divine love and not just a recounting of the events as they took place. Hence the essence of my posts is "Love is in the air".
The individual theme and tone of my verses are also given to me. And I try to convey what Spirit wants to say through my poetry and prose. In essence, I only transcribe what is given to me, the author of these posts is my soul, the Universe, God and Goddess.
Warm Regards
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Manthara poisoned Kaikeyi's mind with her words. The insecure get swayed by others while the strong of character and will do not let others change their minds. This one act affected so many lives, one person proved to be cause of so much turbulence. When we act with selfish motives we create negative vibes around us, the trick is to remain positive and spread joy all around.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sulekha. You summed it up perfectly.
DeleteEnjoyed reading your interpretation Suzy of a story we've grown up on. Unhappy insecure people make others unhappy. And that's what Manthara and Kakeyi did.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tulika. Glad you enjoyed my version.
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ReplyDeleteYou said it. Selfishness destroys relationships and creates disharmony. No wonder Kaikeyi was reviled by everyone in Ayodhya.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cynthia. The ever important I inevitably gets in the way.
DeleteComparison is a kill-joy. I have seen so many loving relations crumble to dust because of of selfishness, ego and comparisons of wealth and lifestyle that lead to competition! Great going Suzy :) I'll catch up on the posts I missed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vidya. Glad you liked my post.
Deleterelationships do turn ugly when I comes into picture. The selfishness of one ruined the lives of many.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly right Rajlakshmi.
DeleteSo true - '...When our actions benefit others, we bring joy to others and to ourselves...' But insecure people are always thinking of me and myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruchi. It is our insecurities that cause problems.
DeleteI can cause so much destruction in life!! When there is love, there should be no space for selfishness!
ReplyDeleteKaleidoscope of Hopes
So true Swathi. Love should be selfless. A hard thing to do though.
DeleteI loved the way you reminded me that the grass is not always greener because we all have our own paths to tread. Sometimes we are so busy counting others' blessings that we overlook our very own.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bellybytes. You summed it up very well,
DeleteWhen we trust other's counsel over our instinct, we must be ready to face the consequences.
ReplyDelete*Shantala @ ShanayaTales*
So true Shantala.
DeleteI love how you put the story in those verses. Lovely interpretation of the instances of Ramayana.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jyotsna. Glad you like my version of the Ramayana.
DeleteKaikeyi changed the course of this story! When we cling to I, Me, Myself in relationships, we not only hurt ourselves but others too!
ReplyDeleteWell said Shilpa, in the end we hurt ourselves the most.
DeleteThank you Suzy, such a commentary n contemporary life as well. One of the reasons I love these myths and legends.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. There is much to learn from these legends.
DeleteSuch beautiful verses and I loved that narration. This story never gets too old and the way you are telling us again makes it even more beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Parul for your very sweet comment. Glad you like my Ramayana.
DeleteLoved your poem and post Suzy. What excites me is that I have also written about Kaikeyi for K today :)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome to check my A-Z posts here: http://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.in/
Thanks Sundari. Glad you liked my post.
DeleteJust read about Kaikeyi on Sundari's blog and now here! I love how you begin with the poem and take us through the narration! it is said, wherever the Ramayan is narrated, lord Hanuman is nearby and listens to it being told. I'm sure Hanuman is watching over you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Little Princess. Oh how nice to imagine Hanuman watching and listening. Made me smile. Jai Hanuman.
DeleteGreat poem and such a fascinating story. I like the explanations, too. Thanks for sharing the story about Rama. I'm finding it very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cat, glad you are enjoying the Ramayana it is one of my favourites.
DeleteAnother beautiful narration, Suzy. I really get the feel of those old traditional kathavachaks from your narration of Ramayana stories. Keep it up! I like what Titli says - Lord Hanuman is watching over you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Beloo. Blessings to you for your lovely words. Jai Hanuman.
DeleteIt was a moment of weakness that defined the course of Rama's life and with him the whole clan. You have put is across very well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janu.
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