Prakarana 29

Verse 572 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि बासर बीते चारी। रामु निरखि नर नारि सुखारी।। दुहु समाज असि रुचि मन माहीं। बिनु सिय राम फिरब भल नाहीं।। सीता राम संग बनबासू। कोटि अमरपुर सरिस सुपासू।। परिहरि लखन रामु बैदेही। जेहि घरु भाव बाम बिधि तेही।। दाहिन दइउ होइ जब सबही। राम समीप बसिअ बन तबही।। मंदाकिनि मज्जनु तिहु काला। राम दरसु मुद मंगल माला।। अटनु राम गिरि बन तापस थल। असनु अमिअ सम कंद मूल फल।। सुख समेत संबत दुइ साता। पल सम होहिं न जनिअहिं जाता।।

Thus four days passed in that manner; men and women, gazing upon Rama, were filled with joy. In the hearts of both gatherings such love arose that without Sita, Rama would not go forth at all. Sita's exile in the forest with Rama was a million times more blissful than dwelling in the city of the gods. Lakshmana would shun Rama and Vaidehi; whichever house he fancied, there he would go. But when he found it unsuitable, he would come back and dwell in the forest near Rama. Bathing in the Mandakini at all three times of day, the sight of Rama was a garland of joy and blessings. Rama's wandering in the mountains, forests, and hermitages was his sport; his food was roots, fruits, and tubers, like nectar. Thus twelve years passed in happiness; they did not feel like moments, nor did they seem like years.

Verse 573 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एहि सुख जोग न लोग सब कहहिं कहाँ अस भागु।। सहज सुभायँ समाज दुहु राम चरन अनुरागु।।280।।

Seeing such happiness, all the people said, "Where is there such fortune as this?" Both gatherings were naturally and lovingly devoted to the feet of Rama.

Verse 574 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि सकल मनोरथ करहीं। बचन सप्रेम सुनत मन हरहीं।। सीय मातु तेहि समय पठाईं। दासीं देखि सुअवसरु आईं।। सावकास सुनि सब सिय सासू। आयउ जनकराज रनिवासू।। कौसल्याँ सादर सनमानी। आसन दिए समय सम आनी।। सीलु सनेह सकल दुहु ओरा। द्रवहिं देखि सुनि कुलिस कठोरा।। पुलक सिथिल तन बारि बिलोचन। महि नख लिखन लगीं सब सोचन।। सब सिय राम प्रीति कि सि मूरती। जनु करुना बहु बेष बिसूरति।। सीय मातु कह बिधि बुधि बाँकी। जो पय फेनु फोर पबि टाँकी।।

In this way they fulfilled all their heart's desires; hearing Rama's loving words, their hearts were captivated. At that time Sita's mother sent her maidservants, seeing that a fitting moment had come. Hearing that Janaka's queen had arrived, Sita's mother-in-law went forth to meet her with haste. Kaushalya received her with great honor and offered her a seat, bringing her at the proper time. Both were full of virtue and affection; even the thunderbolt would melt at seeing and hearing them. Their bodies thrilled, their eyes filled with tears; they began to trace lines on the ground with their nails, lost in thought. All saw in Sita and Rama's love a living image, as if compassion had taken visible form. Sita's mother spoke with such art and wisdom that it seemed as if she were piercing the foam on milk with a needle.

Verse 575 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनिअ सुधा देखिअहिं गरल सब करतूति कराल। जहँ तहँ काक उलूक बक मानस सकृत मराल।।281।।

Hear the nectar and see the poison; all the doings of the world are terrible. Here and there are crows, owls, and herons, and among men, the rare swan.

Verse 576 (चौपाई)

सुनि ससोच कह देबि सुमित्रा। बिधि गति बड़ि बिपरीत बिचित्रा।। जो सृजि पालइ हरइ बहोरी। बाल केलि सम बिधि मति भोरी।। कौसल्या कह दोसु न काहू। करम बिबस दुख सुख छति लाहू।। कठिन करम गति जान बिधाता। जो सुभ असुभ सकल फल दाता।। ईस रजाइ सीस सबही कें। उतपति थिति लय बिषहु अमी कें।। देबि मोह बस सोचिअ बादी। बिधि प्रपंचु अस अचल अनादी।। भूपति जिअब मरब उर आनी। सोचिअ सखि लखि निज हित हानी।। सीय मातु कह सत्य सुबानी। सुकृती अवधि अवधपति रानी।।

Hearing her, Sumitra spoke with concern: "The ways of fate are exceedingly strange and wonderful. He who creates, preserves, and destroys again, plays like a child; his ways are unfathomable. Kausalya said: "Blame no one; under the sway of karma, joy and sorrow come and go. The Creator knows the difficult ways of karma; he is the giver of all fruits, good and ill. The will of the Lord is the head of all; creation, preservation, and dissolution are his play. The goddess, overcome by attachment, grieves in vain; such is the ancient and unchanging illusion of fate." The king will live or die; he has brought this upon himself. Grieve not, my friend, seeing your own loss. Sita, mother, spoke words of truth: "O queen of the virtuous, up to the Lord of Ayodhya."

Verse 577 (दोहा/सोरठा)

लखनु राम सिय जाहुँ बन भल परिनाम न पोचु। गहबरि हियँ कह कौसिला मोहि भरत कर सोचु।।282।।

Let Lakshmana, Rama, and Sita go to the forest; the outcome will be good, do not grieve. With a heavy heart Kausalya said: "My only sorrow is for Bharat."

Verse 578 (चौपाई)

ईस प्रसाद असीस तुम्हारी। सुत सुतबधू देवसरि बारी।। राम सपथ मैं कीन्ह न काऊ। सो करि कहउँ सखी सति भाऊ।। भरत सील गुन बिनय बड़ाई। भायप भगति भरोस भलाई।। कहत सारदहु कर मति हीचे। सागर सीप कि जाहिं उलीचे।। जानउँ सदा भरत कुलदीपा। बार बार मोहि कहेउ महीपा।। कसें कनकु मनि पारिखि पाएँ। पुरुष परिखिअहिं समयँ सुभाएँ। अनुचित आजु कहब अस मोरा। सोक सनेहँ सयानप थोरा।। सुनि सुरसरि सम पावनि बानी। भईं सनेह बिकल सब रानी।।

"By the Lord's grace and your blessing, my son and daughter-in-law are like the gods of the forest. I have never broken my oath to Rama; that I declare to you, my friend, with true feeling. Bharat's character, virtues, humility, and greatness are known; his brotherly devotion and trust are good. Even Saraswati, if she tried to describe him, would be at a loss; as if the ocean were to be emptied by a shell. I have always known Bharat to be the light of the family; the king has told me again and again. Gold is tested by the touchstone; men are tested in times of opportunity. What I have said today is improper; in my grief and affection, I have little wisdom." Hearing these words, pure as the river of the gods, all the queens were overcome with love.

Verse 579 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कौसल्या कह धीर धरि सुनहु देबि मिथिलेसि। को बिबेकनिधि बल्लभहि तुम्हहि सकइ उपदेसि।।283।।

Kausalya said: "Be patient and hear me, O goddess, daughter of the king of Mithila. Who, being a treasure of wisdom, can give counsel to your beloved or to you?"

Verse 580 (चौपाई)

रानि राय सन अवसरु पाई। अपनी भाँति कहब समुझाई।। रखिअहिं लखनु भरतु गबनहिं बन। जौं यह मत मानै महीप मन।। तौ भल जतनु करब सुबिचारी। मोरें सौचु भरत कर भारी।। गूढ़ सनेह भरत मन माही। रहें नीक मोहि लागत नाहीं।। लखि सुभाउ सुनि सरल सुबानी। सब भइ मगन करुन रस रानी।। नभ प्रसून झरि धन्य धन्य धुनि। सिथिल सनेहँ सिद्ध जोगी मुनि।। सबु रनिवासु बिथकि लखि रहेऊ। तब धरि धीर सुमित्राँ कहेऊ।। देबि दंड जुग जामिनि बीती। राम मातु सुनी उठी सप्रीती।।

The queen, having found an opportunity with the king, began to explain in her own way. "If the king's mind accepts this counsel, then let Lakshmana and Bharata be kept from going to the forest. Then I shall take proper measures with due thought; my anxiety about Bharata is very great. There is deep affection in Bharata's heart; he will not remain well, I fear. Seeing his nature and hearing his simple speech, Queen Kaikeyi was overcome with the rasa of compassion. Flowers rained from the sky and cries of "Blessed, blessed" were heard; even the siddhas, yogis, and munis were moved with tenderness. The whole palace was in disarray; then Sumitra, composing herself, spoke. The night passed and morning came; Rama's mother rose with love."

Verse 581 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बेगि पाउ धारिअ थलहि कह सनेहँ सतिभाय। हमरें तौ अब ईस गति के मिथिलेस सहाय।।284।।

She said, "Quickly place your foot upon the ground, speaking with love and truth. For me now the only refuge is the help of the Lord of Mithila."

Verse 582 (चौपाई)

लखि सनेह सुनि बचन बिनीता। जनकप्रिया गह पाय पुनीता।। देबि उचित असि बिनय तुम्हारी। दसरथ घरिनि राम महतारी।। प्रभु अपने नीचहु आदरहीं। अगिनि धूम गिरि सिर तिनु धरहीं।। सेवकु राउ करम मन बानी। सदा सहाय महेसु भवानी।। रउरे अंग जोगु जग को है। दीप सहाय कि दिनकर सोहै।। रामु जाइ बनु करि सुर काजू। अचल अवधपुर करिहहिं राजू।। अमर नाग नर राम बाहुबल। सुख बसिहहिं अपनें अपने थल।। यह सब जागबलिक कहि राखा। देबि न होइ मुधा मुनि भाषा।।

Seeing her love and hearing her humble words, Janaka's daughter clasped her holy feet. "Queen, your entreaty is fitting, you who are Rama's mother in Dasharatha's house. They honor even their inferiors; they bear the smoke of fire upon their heads. The servant is a king in action, mind, and speech; may Shiva and Bhavani ever be your helpers. Your body is worthy of the world's regard, like a lamp that shines like the sun. Rama will go to the forest to accomplish the gods' work, and will rule unshakably in Ayodhya. By Rama's arm-strength, gods, nagas, and men will dwell happily in their own places. I have said all this by way of foretelling; Queen, do not think the sage's speech is in vain."

Verse 583 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अस कहि पग परि पेम अति सिय हित बिनय सुनाइ।। सिय समेत सियमातु तब चली सुआयसु पाइ।।285।।

Saying this, she fell at her feet, showing great love and making entreaty for Sita's sake. Then Sita, along with her mother, went forth, having obtained permission.

Verse 584 (चौपाई)

प्रिय परिजनहि मिली बैदेही। जो जेहि जोगु भाँति तेहि तेही।। तापस बेष जानकी देखी। भा सबु बिकल बिषाद बिसेषी।। जनक राम गुर आयसु पाई। चले थलहि सिय देखी आई।। लीन्हि लाइ उर जनक जानकी। पाहुन पावन पेम प्रान की।। उर उमगेउ अंबुधि अनुरागू। भयउ भूप मनु मनहुँ पयागू।। सिय सनेह बटु बाढ़त जोहा। ता पर राम पेम सिसु सोहा।। चिरजीवी मुनि ग्यान बिकल जनु। बूड़त लहेउ बाल अवलंबनु।। मोह मगन मति नहिं बिदेह की। महिमा सिय रघुबर सनेह की।।

Vaidehi met with her dear family, each according to their own manner. When Janaki saw the ascetic garb, all were distressed with special sorrow. Having obtained leave from Janaka and Rama, she went to the ground and saw Sita coming. Janaka took Janaki to his heart, a guest, purifier, and the love of his life. The ocean of love surged in his heart; the king's mind was like one who has bathed at Prayaga. The knot of Sita's love grew tighter; upon this, Rama's love shone like a child. The long-lived sage, as if his wisdom had fled, found support like a drowning man. Videha's mind was lost in infatuation, thinking of the glory of Sita and the Lord of the Raghus' love.

Verse 585 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सिय पितु मातु सनेह बस बिकल न सकी सँभारि। धरनिसुताँ धीरजु धरेउ समउ सुधरमु बिचारि।।286।।

Sita's father and mother, overcome with love, could not restrain themselves. The daughter of the earth maintained her composure, considering the propriety of the occasion.

Verse 586 (चौपाई)

तापस बेष जनक सिय देखी। भयउ पेमु परितोषु बिसेषी।। पुत्रि पवित्र किए कुल दोऊ। सुजस धवल जगु कह सबु कोऊ।। जिति सुरसरि कीरति सरि तोरी। गवनु कीन्ह बिधि अंड करोरी।। गंग अवनि थल तीनि बड़ेरे। एहिं किए साधु समाज घनेरे।। पितु कह सत्य सनेहँ सुबानी। सीय सकुच महुँ मनहुँ समानी।। पुनि पितु मातु लीन्ह उर लाई। सिख आसिष हित दीन्हि सुहाई।। कहति न सीय सकुचि मन माहीं। इहाँ बसब रजनीं भल नाहीं।। लखि रुख रानि जनायउ राऊ। हृदयँ सराहत सीलु सुभाऊ।।

Janaka and Sita beheld him in the guise of an ascetic; love arose, and a special joy filled their hearts. He made both daughter and family pure; their fair fame is proclaimed by all the world. He who had crossed the stream of the Ganga's glory now crossed the ocean of his journey, as the Creator had ordained. The Ganga, the earth, and the three worlds are vast; on this occasion a great gathering of sages assembled. Her father spoke words of true affection; Sita felt bashful, yet her heart was comforted. Then her father and mother took her to their hearts; they gave her counsel, blessings, and loving advice. Sita could not speak for bashfulness; she thought, "It is not good for me to remain here tonight." Seeing her distress, the queen informed the king; in his heart he praised her noble nature.

Verse 587 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बार बार मिलि भेंट सिय बिदा कीन्ह सनमानि। कही समय सिर भरत गति रानि सुबानि सयानि।।287।।

Again and again Sita met them and took leave with due honor. The wise and gracious queen spoke of the time when Bharata would return.

Verse 588 (चौपाई)

सुनि भूपाल भरत ब्यवहारू। सोन सुगंध सुधा ससि सारू।। मूदे सजल नयन पुलके तन। सुजसु सराहन लगे मुदित मन।। सावधान सुनु सुमुखि सुलोचनि। भरत कथा भव बंध बिमोचनि।। धरम राजनय ब्रह्मबिचारू। इहाँ जथामति मोर प्रचारू।। सो मति मोरि भरत महिमाही। कहै काह छलि छुअति न छाँही।। बिधि गनपति अहिपति सिव सारद। कबि कोबिद बुध बुद्धि बिसारद।। भरत चरित कीरति करतूती। धरम सील गुन बिमल बिभूती।। समुझत सुनत सुखद सब काहू। सुचि सुरसरि रुचि निदर सुधाहू।।

Hearing of Bharata's conduct, the king felt a joy like gold, fragrance, nectar, and the essence of the moon. His eyes filled with tears, his body thrilled; his heart rejoiced as he praised his fair fame. "Listen attentively, O fair-faced, lotus-eyed one; the tale of Bharata is the liberator from the bondage of existence. It is dharma, statecraft, and spiritual wisdom; here I set it forth according to my understanding. But what can my mind say of Bharata's greatness? It cannot touch even the shadow of it, let alone deceive. Brahma, Ganesh, Shesh, Shiva, and Saraswati, and poets, the wise, and those learned in scripture Bharata's character, fame, and deeds, his dharma, virtue, and spotless glory All who hear and understand them find delight; they are pure as the Ganga, sweet as nectar, and fearless."

Verse 589 (दोहा/सोरठा)

निरवधि गुन निरुपम पुरुषु भरतु भरत सम जानि। कहिअ सुमेरु कि सेर सम कबिकुल मति सकुचानि।।288।।

Bharata is of limitless virtues, a peerless man; know him as Bharata's equal. Say, is it fitting to compare Mount Sumeru with a grain? Let not the mind of the poet's lineage hesitate.

Verse 590 (चौपाई)

अगम सबहि बरनत बरबरनी। जिमि जलहीन मीन गमु धरनी।। भरत अमित महिमा सुनु रानी। जानहिं रामु न सकहिं बखानी।। बरनि सप्रेम भरत अनुभाऊ। तिय जिय की रुचि लखि कह राऊ।। बहुरहिं लखनु भरतु बन जाहीं। सब कर भल सब के मन माहीं।। देबि परंतु भरत रघुबर की। प्रीति प्रतीति जाइ नहिं तरकी।। भरतु अवधि सनेह ममता की। जद्यपि रामु सीम समता की।। परमारथ स्वारथ सुख सारे। भरत न सपनेहुँ मनहुँ निहारे।। साधन सिद्ध राम पग नेहू।।मोहि लखि परत भरत मत एहू।।

All speak of him as beyond description, even as a fish without water cannot reach the earth. Hear of Bharata's boundless glory, O queen; those who know Rama cannot fully declare it. The king spoke, describing with love Bharata's disposition, having seen the inclination of the lady's heart. Lakshmana and Bharata went again to the forest; it was well for all, and pleasing to every heart. But, O goddess, Bharata's love and faith in the Lord of the Raghus cannot be shaken or abandoned. Bharata is the very limit of affection and attachment, though Rama is the embodiment of equanimity. He never looked, even in a dream or in his mind, upon wealth, self-interest, or pleasures as the essence. Rama's feet are the means and the end; seeing me, Bharata's mind turns away from this world.

Verse 591 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भोरेहुँ भरत न पेलिहहिं मनसहुँ राम रजाइ। करिअ न सोचु सनेह बस कहेउ भूप बिलखाइ।।289।।

Even in thought, Bharata would not transgress Rama's command; do not grieve, the king said, overcome with love.