66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

vanquished an innocent brother who has no part in this, a
mother who has nursed us, and a father who was the
greatest ruler on earth? Is that victory worth all this? Is this
anger, which seeks to destroy all firm relationships, worth
nurturing? Control yourself, and take your hand off your bow.”
Lakshmana relaxed, muttering, “What’s all this strength of
my arm worth! Mere burden, if it cannot be employed to
destroy evil when I see it; and my anger itself has now
proved futile.”
Rama went up with Lakshmana to bid farewell to his
stepmother Sumithra. As had happened with the others,
Sumithra also bewailed Rama’s exile and tried to stop him.
Once again, untiringly, Rama expressed his determination to
go and his joy at being able to fulfill his father’s terms. While
they were talking, a servant maid sent by Kaikeyi came
bearing in her arms garments made of tree barks, a
reminder for Rama to change quickly and depart.
Lakshmana ordered another set for himself, shed the finery
he was wearing, and changed into coarse bark. Presently
Rama, dressed like an ascetic or penitent, was ready to
leave. At the sight of his departure, the women wept. Rama
made one last attempt to leave Lakshmana behind but
Lakshmana followed him stubbornly. He then went into Sita’s
chamber and found her already dressed in the rough tree
fibre—her finery and jewels discarded and laid aside,