Prakarana 27

Verse 541 (चौपाई)

दिसकुंजरहु कमठ अहि कोला। धरहु धरनि धरि धीर न डोला।। रामु चहहिं संकर धनु तोरा। होहु सजग सुनि आयसु मोरा।। चाप सपीप रामु जब आए। नर नारिन्ह सुर सुकृत मनाए।। सब कर संसउ अरु अग्यानू। मंद महीपन्ह कर अभिमानू।। भृगुपति केरि गरब गरुआई। सुर मुनिबरन्ह केरि कदराई।। सिय कर सोचु जनक पछितावा। रानिन्ह कर दारुन दुख दावा।। संभुचाप बड बोहितु पाई। चढे जाइ सब संगु बनाई।। राम बाहुबल सिंधु अपारू। चहत पारु नहि कोउ कड़हारू।।

The elephants of the quarters, the tortoises, the serpents, and the Kol fish bear the earth; holding it firm, they remain steadfast and do not waver. Rama desires to break Shiva's bow; be alert, hearing my command. When Rama approached the bow, the men and women and the gods and the virtuous rejoiced. All were filled with doubt and ignorance; a faint pride arose in the hearts of the kings. The arrogance of the lord of the Bhrigus grew heavy, and the gods and the great sages were filled with contempt. Sita was anxious, Janaka regretted, and the queens were stricken with terrible sorrow. The bow of Shambhu was found to be exceedingly heavy; all went and climbed upon it together. By the strength of Rama's arms, the boundless ocean desired to cross; there was no one who could withstand it.

Verse 542 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम बिलोके लोग सब चित्र लिखे से देखि। चितई सीय कृपायतन जानी बिकल बिसेषि।।260।।

All the people gazed upon Rama as if upon a painted picture; beholding him, Sita, the abode of grace, knew herself to be utterly overcome.

Verse 543 (चौपाई)

देखी बिपुल बिकल बैदेही। निमिष बिहात कलप सम तेही।। तृषित बारि बिनु जो तनु त्यागा। मुएँ करइ का सुधा तड़ागा।। का बरषा सब कृषी सुखानें। समय चुकें पुनि का पछितानें।। अस जियँ जानि जानकी देखी। प्रभु पुलके लखि प्रीति बिसेषी।। गुरहि प्रनामु मनहि मन कीन्हा। अति लाघवँ उठाइ धनु लीन्हा।। दमकेउ दामिनि जिमि जब लयऊ। पुनि नभ धनु मंडल सम भयऊ।। लेत चढ़ावत खैंचत गाढ़ें। काहुँ न लखा देख सबु ठाढ़ें।। तेहि छन राम मध्य धनु तोरा। भरे भुवन धुनि घोर कठोरा।।

The daughter of Videha beheld him and was greatly overcome; a moment passed like an age for her. What use is a pool of nectar to one who has abandoned his body without water? Of what avail is rain when all the crops have withered? When the season is past, what is the use of repenting? Thus knowing her heart, Janaki beheld the Lord; seeing him thrilled with love, she knew his special affection. She bowed to her guru in her mind and heart; with great lightness she lifted the bow. As a flash of lightning gleams and then disappears, so the bow became like a circle in the sky. As he took it up, strung it, drew it, and bent it, no one saw him do it; all stood watching. In that moment Rama broke the bow in the middle; a terrible and harsh sound filled the worlds.

Verse 544 (छंद)

भरे भुवन घोर कठोर रव रबि बाजि तजि मारगु चले। चिक्करहिं दिग्गज डोल महि अहि कोल कूरुम कलमले।। सुर असुर मुनि कर कान दीन्हें सकल बिकल बिचारहीं। कोदंड खंडेउ राम तुलसी जयति बचन उचारही।।

A terrible and harsh roar filled the worlds; the sun and the horses abandoned the path and fled. The elephants of the quarters reeled, the earth trembled, the serpents, the Kol fish, and the tortoises were confounded. The gods, the demons, and the sages covered their ears; all were bewildered and pondered. Rama broke the bow; Tulsi proclaims his victory with these words.

Verse 545 (दोहा/सोरठा)

संकर चापु जहाजु सागरु रघुबर बाहुबलु। बूड़ सो सकल समाजु चढ़ा जो प्रथमहिं मोह बस।।261।।

Shiva's bow is the vessel, the ocean is the world, and the strength of the Lord of the Raghus' arms is the wind. All who were first under the sway of delusion have sunk; that company has embarked.

Verse 546 (चौपाई)

प्रभु दोउ चापखंड महि डारे। देखि लोग सब भए सुखारे।। कोसिकरुप पयोनिधि पावन। प्रेम बारि अवगाहु सुहावन।। रामरूप राकेसु निहारी। बढ़त बीचि पुलकावलि भारी।। बाजे नभ गहगहे निसाना। देवबधू नाचहिं करि गाना।। ब्रह्मादिक सुर सिद्ध मुनीसा। प्रभुहि प्रसंसहि देहिं असीसा।। बरिसहिं सुमन रंग बहु माला। गावहिं किंनर गीत रसाला।। रही भुवन भरि जय जय बानी। धनुषभंग धुनि जात न जानी।। मुदित कहहिं जहँ तहँ नर नारी। भंजेउ राम संभुधनु भारी।।

The Lord cast down both halves of the bow upon the ground, and seeing this, all the people were filled with joy. The ocean, bearing the form of a kos, became a place of pilgrimage; its waters of love were fair to behold, a lovely bathing-place. Gazing upon the moon in the form of Rama, the moon-god felt a great thrill of rapture rising within him. Instruments sounded in the sky, drums resounded, and the celestial nymphs danced and sang. Brahma and the other gods, the siddhas and the lords of sages praised the Lord and bestowed blessings upon him. Flowers rained down in profusion, and many garlands were cast; the kinnaras sang nectar-sweet songs. The cry of victory, victory filled all the worlds; the sound of the breaking of the bow knew no end. Men and women everywhere rejoiced and said that Rama had broken the mighty bow of Shiva.

Verse 547 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बंदी मागध सूतगन बिरुद बदहिं मतिधीर। करहिं निछावरि लोग सब हय गय धन मनि चीर।।262।।

The bards, the panegyrists, and the minstrels proclaim titles with unsteady minds. All the people make lavish gifts of horses, cows, wealth, jewels, and garments.

Verse 548 (चौपाई)

झाँझि मृदंग संख सहनाई। भेरि ढोल दुंदुभी सुहाई।। बाजहिं बहु बाजने सुहाए। जहँ तहँ जुबतिन्ह मंगल गाए।। सखिन्ह सहित हरषी अति रानी। सूखत धान परा जनु पानी।। जनक लहेउ सुखु सोचु बिहाई। पैरत थकें थाह जनु पाई।। श्रीहत भए भूप धनु टूटे। जैसें दिवस दीप छबि छूटे।। सीय सुखहि बरनिअ केहि भाँती। जनु चातकी पाइ जलु स्वाती।। रामहि लखनु बिलोकत कैसें। ससिहि चकोर किसोरकु जैसें।। सतानंद तब आयसु दीन्हा। सीताँ गमनु राम पहिं कीन्हा।।

Cymbals, drums, conches, and trumpets sounded; kettle-drums, tabors, and great drums were played. Many fair instruments were played, and young women everywhere sang auspicious songs. The queen, with her companions, was filled with exceeding joy; she seemed like parched grain that has found water. Janaka found happiness and laid aside his sorrow; it was as if a weary traveler had reached his journey's end. The kings were left dispirited, their bows broken; it was as when the beauty of a lamp fades with the coming of day. How can one describe the joy of Sita? It was as if the chataka bird had found the water of the Swati star. Lakshmana gazed upon Rama as the chakora gazes upon the moon, or as a young one upon its mother. Then Shatananda gave his command, and Sita made her way toward Rama.

Verse 549 (दोहा/सोरठा)

संग सखीं सुदंर चतुर गावहिं मंगलचार। गवनी बाल मराल गति सुषमा अंग अपार।।263।।

Accompanied by her friends, fair and clever, she sings the auspicious hymn. Her gait is like that of a young swan, and her limbs possess surpassing beauty.

Verse 550 (चौपाई)

सखिन्ह मध्य सिय सोहति कैसे। छबिगन मध्य महाछबि जैसें।। कर सरोज जयमाल सुहाई। बिस्व बिजय सोभा जेहिं छाई।। तन सकोचु मन परम उछाहू। गूढ़ प्रेमु लखि परइ न काहू।। जाइ समीप राम छबि देखी। रहि जनु कुँअरि चित्र अवरेखी।। चतुर सखीं लखि कहा बुझाई। पहिरावहु जयमाल सुहाई।। सुनत जुगल कर माल उठाई। प्रेम बिबस पहिराइ न जाई।। सोहत जनु जुग जलज सनाला। ससिहि सभीत देत जयमाला।। गावहिं छबि अवलोकि सहेली। सियँ जयमाल राम उर मेली।।

Among her companions Sita shone as the supreme loveliness shines among all lovely forms. Her lotus hands were adorned with a beautiful garland of victory, whose splendor spread throughout the world in triumph. Her body showed modesty, her heart supreme joy; seeing her deep love, no one could fathom it. She went near Rama and beheld his beauty; the maiden remained as if painted in a picture. Her clever companions perceived this and spoke to her gently: "Put on this beautiful garland of victory." Hearing this, Sita lifted the garland with her hand; but overcome with love, she could not bring herself to place it on him. She stood like a lotus in the water, shy; and gave the garland to Rama as the moon gives its rays to the night. Her companions sang as they beheld her beauty; Sita joined the garland with Rama's heart.

Verse 551 (दोहा/सोरठा)

रघुबर उर जयमाल देखि देव बरिसहिं सुमन। सकुचे सकल भुआल जनु बिलोकि रबि कुमुदगन।।264।।

Seeing the garland of victory on the Lord of the Raghus' heart, the gods rained down flowers. All the world seemed to shy away as the lotuses do when they behold the sun.

Verse 552 (चौपाई)

पुर अरु ब्योम बाजने बाजे। खल भए मलिन साधु सब राजे।। सुर किंनर नर नाग मुनीसा। जय जय जय कहि देहिं असीसा।। नाचहिं गावहिं बिबुध बधूटीं। बार बार कुसुमांजलि छूटीं।। जहँ तहँ बिप्र बेदधुनि करहीं। बंदी बिरदावलि उच्चरहीं।। महि पाताल नाक जसु ब्यापा। राम बरी सिय भंजेउ चापा।। करहिं आरती पुर नर नारी। देहिं निछावरि बित्त बिसारी।। सोहति सीय राम कै जौरी। छबि सिंगारु मनहुँ एक ठोरी।। सखीं कहहिं प्रभुपद गहु सीता। करति न चरन परस अति भीता।।

In the city and in the sky instruments resounded; the wicked were put to shame, and all the good rejoiced. Gods, Kinnaras, men, Nagas, and sages cried "Victory, victory, victory!" and gave their blessings. The gods and celestial musicians danced and sang; again and again showers of flowers fell. Here and there Brahmins chanted the Vedas; they recited hymns of praise. His glory filled the earth, the netherworld, and heaven; Rama broke the bow for Sita. Men and women of the city performed the arati; they gave offerings, forgetting all thought of wealth. Sita and Rama shone together; their beauty and adornment seemed of one accord. Her companions said: "Take hold of the Lord's feet, Sita." But she was too shy to touch his feet with her hands.

Verse 553 (दोहा/सोरठा)

गौतम तिय गति सुरति करि नहिं परसति पग पानि। मन बिहसे रघुबंसमनि प्रीति अलौकिक जानि।।265।।

Remembering the fate of Gautama's wife, she did not touch his foot or hand. In his heart the Jewel of the Raghu dynasty smiled, knowing her love to be otherworldly.

Verse 554 (चौपाई)

तब सिय देखि भूप अभिलाषे। कूर कपूत मूढ़ मन माखे।। उठि उठि पहिरि सनाह अभागे। जहँ तहँ गाल बजावन लागे।। लेहु छड़ाइ सीय कह कोऊ। धरि बाँधहु नृप बालक दोऊ।। तोरें धनुषु चाड़ नहिं सरई। जीवत हमहि कुअँरि को बरई।। जौं बिदेहु कछु करै सहाई। जीतहु समर सहित दोउ भाई।। साधु भूप बोले सुनि बानी। राजसमाजहि लाज लजानी।। बलु प्रतापु बीरता बड़ाई। नाक पिनाकहि संग सिधाई।। सोइ सूरता कि अब कहुँ पाई। असि बुधि तौ बिधि मुहँ मसि लाई।।

Then seeing Sita, the king felt desire; the foolish wretch, like a base crow, harbored evil thoughts in his heart. He rose and put on his armor, the accursed one, and went about beating his drum everywhere. "Someone go and free Sita," he said; "Bind the two princes, O king." "Your bow was not strung, nor was it drawn; yet we are alive, and the maiden has chosen her husband." "If you wish to do something, then help; you will win the battle along with your two brothers." The righteous king spoke, hearing these words; he put the royal assembly to shame. His strength, glory, valor, and greatness went forth with Pinaka to meet him. Such was his valor, but where is it now? Such is the wisdom of fate, who has smeared ink on her mouth.

Verse 555 (दोहा/सोरठा)

देखहु रामहि नयन भरि तजि इरिषा मदु कोहु। लखन रोषु पावकु प्रबल जानि सलभ जनि होहु।।266।।

Look upon Rama with eyes full of love, casting aside envy, pride, and wrath. Know Lakshmana's wrath to be a mighty fire, and be not like the moth.

Verse 556 (चौपाई)

बैनतेय बलि जिमि चह कागू। जिमि ससु चहै नाग अरि भागू।। जिमि चह कुसल अकारन कोही। सब संपदा चहै सिवद्रोही।। लोभी लोलुप कल कीरति चहई। अकलंकता कि कामी लहई।। हरि पद बिमुख परम गति चाहा। तस तुम्हार लालचु नरनाहा।। कोलाहलु सुनि सीय सकानी। सखीं लवाइ गईं जहँ रानी।। रामु सुभायँ चले गुरु पाहीं। सिय सनेहु बरनत मन माहीं।। रानिन्ह सहित सोचबस सीया। अब धौं बिधिहि काह करनीया।। भूप बचन सुनि इत उत तकहीं। लखनु राम डर बोलि न सकहीं।।

Even as Vena's son Bali desired what was unfit, and as the hare desired the elephant's share, even so the wicked desire wealth without cause; all prosperity is desired by the enemy of Shiva. The greedy and lustful seek only infamy; can the lustful ever attain spotlessness? Averse to the feet of Hari, they yet desire the highest goal; therefore, O King of men, your greed is in vain. Hearing the uproar, Sita, the daughter of Janaka, was troubled; her friends led her to where the queens were. Rama went of his own accord to his preceptor; in his heart he described Sita's love. Sita, together with the queens, was overcome with sorrow; now what was to be done by fate? Hearing the king's words, they looked here and there; Lakshmana, out of fear of Rama, could not speak.

Verse 557 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अरुन नयन भृकुटी कुटिल चितवत नृपन्ह सकोप। मनहुँ मत्त गजगन निरखि सिंघकिसोरहि चोप।।267।।

With red eyes and knitted brows, he cast angry glances at the kings, as if a young lion were rebuking a herd of maddened elephants.

Verse 558 (चौपाई)

खरभरु देखि बिकल पुर नारीं। सब मिलि देहिं महीपन्ह गारीं।। तेहिं अवसर सुनि सिव धनु भंगा। आयसु भृगुकुल कमल पतंगा।। देखि महीप सकल सकुचाने। बाज झपट जनु लवा लुकाने।। गौरि सरीर भूति भल भ्राजा। भाल बिसाल त्रिपुंड बिराजा।। सीस जटा ससिबदनु सुहावा। रिसबस कछुक अरुन होइ आवा।। भृकुटी कुटिल नयन रिस राते। सहजहुँ चितवत मनहुँ रिसाते।। बृषभ कंध उर बाहु बिसाला। चारु जनेउ माल मृगछाला।। कटि मुनि बसन तून दुइ बाँधें। धनु सर कर कुठारु कल काँधें।।

Seeing the tumult, the women of the city were distraught; all together they heaped curses upon the kings. At that very moment, hearing that Shiva's bow was broken, the command came, O sun of the Bhrigu race. Seeing all the kings ashamed, they hid themselves like quails at the swoop of a hawk. His body shone with the ash of Gauri's form; on his broad brow the three lines of ash gleamed. On his head were matted locks, his face was fair as the moon; through anger he became somewhat red. His brows were knit, his eyes were red with rage; even naturally he looked as if he were angry. His shoulders were like a bull's, his chest and arms were massive; he wore a sacred thread of fine bark and a garland, and was clad in a deer-skin. At his waist was the garment of a sage, bound with two cords; in his hand he carried a bow and arrow, and on his shoulder an axe.

Verse 559 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सांत बेषु करनी कठिन बरनि न जाइ सरुप। धरि मुनितनु जनु बीर रसु आयउ जहँ सब भूप।।268।।

His appearance was calm, but his deeds were terrible; his form cannot be described. Assuming the body of a sage, he seemed to bring the heroic mood to where all the kings were.

Verse 560 (चौपाई)

देखत भृगुपति बेषु कराला। उठे सकल भय बिकल भुआला।। पितु समेत कहि कहि निज नामा। लगे करन सब दंड प्रनामा।। जेहि सुभायँ चितवहिं हितु जानी। सो जानइ जनु आइ खुटानी।। जनक बहोरि आइ सिरु नावा। सीय बोलाइ प्रनामु करावा।। आसिष दीन्हि सखीं हरषानीं। निज समाज लै गई सयानीं।। बिस्वामित्रु मिले पुनि आई। पद सरोज मेले दोउ भाई।। रामु लखनु दसरथ के ढोटा। दीन्हि असीस देखि भल जोटा।। रामहि चितइ रहे थकि लोचन। रूप अपार मार मद मोचन।।

Seeing the terrible form of the Lord of Bhrigu, all the kings rose in fear, their minds bewildered. Each one announced his own name and his father’s name, and all began to bow down in obeisance with joined palms. Whatever affection they had shown in glancing upon him, knowing it to be for their good, he now understood as if it had been mere pretense. Janaka again came and bowed his head; he called Sita and made her offer obeisance. He gave his blessings, and the wise ladies, rejoicing, took Sita to their own quarters. Vishvamitra met them again as they came, and the two brothers joined their lotus feet in obeisance. Rama and Lakshmana, the sons of Dasharatha, received his blessings, for he saw they were well matched. Their eyes remained fixed upon Rama, for his boundless beauty was the deliverer from the bondage of worldly infatuation.

Verse 561 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बहुरि बिलोकि बिदेह सन कहहु काह अति भीर।। पूछत जानि अजान जिमि ब्यापेउ कोपु सरीर।।269।।

Again he looked at the king of Videha and said, “Why are you so exceedingly afraid? You ask as one who knows, yet act as if unknowing, while anger has overwhelmed your very body.”