66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

decreed by Kaikeyi. Many wept at the sight of them, and
cursed Kaikeyi again and again among themselves. A
silence ensued as Vasishtha arrived with every sign of
urgency. The crowd watched expectantly, a spurt of hope
welling up in their hearts of a last-minute development which
could transform the scene magically. For the first time
people saw the sage Vasishtha looking forlorn and tired.
Stepping up before Rama, he said, “Do not go. The King
desires you to stay and come back to the palace.”
“It is his desire I should be away… .”
“Not his. He never said it, it is your stepmother’s order.
She has …”
Rama did not want him to continue his comment on
Kaikeyi and interrupted. “Forgive me. It is my duty to obey
her also, since she derives her authority from my father, and
he has given her his word. How can it be different now?”
“Your father is deeply grieving that you are leaving him. He
may not survive the separation, in his present state… .”
Rama said, “You are our teacher in all matters. Please
comfort my father, see that he realizes the nature of our
present situation—of my duty as his son in keeping his word.
A word given is like an arrow, it goes forward. You cannot
recall it midway… .” He made a deep bow to indicate that he
had nothing more to say. Vasishtha turned back without a
word, and withdrew, unwilling to be seen with tears in his
eyes.