Prakarana 13

Verse 245 (चौपाई)

जौं ए कंद मूल फल खाहीं। बादि सुधादि असन जग माहीं।। एक कहहिं ए सहज सुहाए। आपु प्रगट भए बिधि न बनाए।। जहँ लगि बेद कही बिधि करनी। श्रवन नयन मन गोचर बरनी।। देखहु खोजि भुअन दस चारी। कहँ अस पुरुष कहाँ असि नारी।। इन्हहि देखि बिधि मनु अनुरागा। पटतर जोग बनावै लागा।। कीन्ह बहुत श्रम ऐक न आए। तेहिं इरिषा बन आनि दुराए।। एक कहहिं हम बहुत न जानहिं। आपुहि परम धन्य करि मानहिं।। ते पुनि पुन्यपुंज हम लेखे। जे देखहिं देखिहहिं जिन्ह देखे।।

If they eat roots, tubers, and fruits, then let there be other foods like nectar in the world. Some say that these are naturally delightful; they have appeared of themselves, not made by any art. So far as the Vedas declare the means, describable to ear, eye, and mind. Look and search the fourteen worlds; where is such a man, where such a woman? Seeing them, Brahma's heart was drawn to them; he set himself to make them fit for marriage. He strove much, but succeeded in nothing; then he brought them to the forest of Isha and kept them hidden. Some say, "We do not know much; we consider ourselves most blessed." They, in turn, count us as a heap of merit, those who see, will see, or have seen them.

Verse 246 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एहि बिधि कहि कहि बचन प्रिय लेहिं नयन भरि नीर। किमि चलिहहि मारग अगम सुठि सुकुमार सरीर।।120।।

Thus speaking and speaking words they lovingly accept, their eyes filled with tears. How shall they travel the impassable path with such tender bodies?

Verse 247 (चौपाई)

नारि सनेह बिकल बस होहीं। चकई साँझ समय जनु सोहीं।। मृदु पद कमल कठिन मगु जानी। गहबरि हृदयँ कहहिं बर बानी।। परसत मृदुल चरन अरुनारे। सकुचति महि जिमि हृदय हमारे।। जौं जगदीस इन्हहि बनु दीन्हा। कस न सुमनमय मारगु कीन्हा।। जौं मागा पाइअ बिधि पाहीं। ए रखिअहिं सखि आँखिन्ह माहीं।। जे नर नारि न अवसर आए। तिन्ह सिय रामु न देखन पाए।। सुनि सुरुप बूझहिं अकुलाई। अब लगि गए कहाँ लगि भाई।। समरथ धाइ बिलोकहिं जाई। प्रमुदित फिरहिं जनमफलु पाई।।

Women, overcome by love, are under its sway; they shine like chakoras at evening time. Knowing the path to be hard for their tender lotus feet, they speak choice words with anxious hearts. When their soft red feet touch the ground, the earth shrinks as if our hearts were touched. If the Lord of the world gave them this forest, why did he not make a path strewn with flowers? If a path is to be obtained from Brahma, let these be kept within our eyes. Those men and women who did not arrive in time could not obtain sight of Sita and Rama. Hearing of their beauty, they feel distress; "Until now they have gone, but how far, brother?" They run with all their might and go to see them; they return rejoicing, having attained the fruit of their birth.

Verse 248 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अबला बालक बृद्ध जन कर मीजहिं पछिताहिं।। होहिं प्रेमबस लोग इमि रामु जहाँ जहँ जाहिं।।121।।

Helpless women, children, and old folk beat their breasts and repent. Thus, overcome by love, the people follow wherever Rama goes.

Verse 249 (चौपाई)

गाँव गाँव अस होइ अनंदू। देखि भानुकुल कैरव चंदू।। जे कछु समाचार सुनि पावहिं। ते नृप रानिहि दोसु लगावहिं।। कहहिं एक अति भल नरनाहू। दीन्ह हमहि जोइ लोचन लाहू।। कहहिं परस्पर लोग लोगाईं। बातें सरल सनेह सुहाईं।। ते पितु मातु धन्य जिन्ह जाए। धन्य सो नगरु जहाँ तें आए।। धन्य सो देसु सैलु बन गाऊँ। जहँ जहँ जाहिं धन्य सोइ ठाऊँ।। सुख पायउ बिरंचि रचि तेही। ए जेहि के सब भाँति सनेही।। राम लखन पथि कथा सुहाई। रही सकल मग कानन छाई।।

In every village there is such joy at seeing the moon of the Solar race and the lotus of the Raghus. Whatever news they hear, they lay the blame upon the king and queen. Some say, "He is a most excellent king who has given us the red lacquer of our eyes." People speak among themselves, simple words filled with love. Blessed are those parents from whom he came; blessed is that city from which he departed. Blessed is that country, mountain, forest, and village; wherever he goes, that place is blessed. Brahma, having created him, obtained joy; he is in every way the beloved of all. The beautiful story of Rama and Lakshmana on the road remained spread over all the path and forest.

Verse 250 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एहि बिधि रघुकुल कमल रबि मग लोगन्ह सुख देत। जाहिं चले देखत बिपिन सिय सौमित्रि समेत।।122।।

In this manner, the sun of the Raghu clan brought joy to the people along the road. He went on his way, with Sita and Sumitra's son beside him, gazing at the forest.

Verse 251 (चौपाई)

आगे रामु लखनु बने पाछें। तापस बेष बिराजत काछें।। उभय बीच सिय सोहति कैसे। ब्रह्म जीव बिच माया जैसे।। बहुरि कहउँ छबि जसि मन बसई। जनु मधु मदन मध्य रति लसई।। उपमा बहुरि कहउँ जियँ जोही। जनु बुध बिधु बिच रोहिनि सोही।। प्रभु पद रेख बीच बिच सीता। धरति चरन मग चलति सभीता।। सीय राम पद अंक बराएँ। लखन चलहिं मगु दाहिन लाएँ।। राम लखन सिय प्रीति सुहाई। बचन अगोचर किमि कहि जाई।। खग मृग मगन देखि छबि होहीं। लिए चोरि चित राम बटोहीं।।

Rama walked ahead, Lakshmana followed behind, and they shone in the guise of ascetics. Between the two, Sita appeared beautiful, like Maya between Brahma and the individual soul. Again I shall describe the splendor that dwells in my heart: it is as if Love himself were radiant in the midst of his retinue. Again I shall offer a simile that pleases my heart: it is as if Rohini shone between the moon and the planet Mercury. Sita walked in the track of the Lord's footprints, placing her feet upon the path with reverence. Sita marked the path with Rama's footprints, and Lakshmana walked keeping to the right. The love of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita is beautiful; how can it be told, being beyond words? Birds and deer, beholding their beauty, were entranced; and the travelers, Rama and his companions, stole their hearts away.

Verse 252 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जिन्ह जिन्ह देखे पथिक प्रिय सिय समेत दोउ भाइ। भव मगु अगमु अनंदु तेइ बिनु श्रम रहे सिराइ।।123।।

Those travelers who beheld the two brothers with beloved Sita found the impassable path of worldly existence become a path of bliss, and they remained refreshed without toil.

Verse 253 (चौपाई)

अजहुँ जासु उर सपनेहुँ काऊ। बसहुँ लखनु सिय रामु बटाऊ।। राम धाम पथ पाइहि सोई। जो पथ पाव कबहुँ मुनि कोई।। तब रघुबीर श्रमित सिय जानी। देखि निकट बटु सीतल पानी।। तहँ बसि कंद मूल फल खाई। प्रात नहाइ चले रघुराई।। देखत बन सर सैल सुहाए। बालमीकि आश्रम प्रभु आए।। राम दीख मुनि बासु सुहावन। सुंदर गिरि काननु जलु पावन।। सरनि सरोज बिटप बन फूले। गुंजत मंजु मधुप रस भूले।। खग मृग बिपुल कोलाहल करहीं। बिरहित बैर मुदित मन चरहीं।।

May Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, the forest wanderers, ever dwell in the heart of him in whose heart none else dwells, not even in a dream. He alone finds the path that leads to the abode of Rama, the path that some sage has found at some time. Then the Hero of the Raghus, seeing that Sita was weary, looked about and saw near at hand a banyan tree by cool water. There they rested and ate bulbs, roots and fruits; at dawn they bathed and set forth, the Lord of the Raghus and his company. Beholding the lovely forests, lakes and mountains, the Lord came to the ashrama of Valmiki. Rama saw the sage's dwelling, beautiful, with fair hills and woods and purifying waters. Lotuses bloomed in the lakes, trees in the forest; bees hummed sweetly, drunk with honey. Birds and beasts made a great clamor; free from enmity, they roamed with joyful hearts.

Verse 254 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुचि सुंदर आश्रमु निरखि हरषे राजिवनेन। सुनि रघुबर आगमनु मुनि आगें आयउ लेन।।124।।

Seeing the pure and beautiful ashrama, the lotus-eyed one rejoiced. Hearing of Rama's coming, the sage came forward to receive him.

Verse 255 (चौपाई)

मुनि कहुँ राम दंडवत कीन्हा। आसिरबादु बिप्रबर दीन्हा।। देखि राम छबि नयन जुड़ाने। करि सनमानु आश्रमहिं आने।। मुनिबर अतिथि प्रानप्रिय पाए। कंद मूल फल मधुर मगाए।। सिय सौमित्रि राम फल खाए। तब मुनि आश्रम दिए सुहाए।। बालमीकि मन आनँदु भारी। मंगल मूरति नयन निहारी।। तब कर कमल जोरि रघुराई। बोले बचन श्रवन सुखदाई।। तुम्ह त्रिकाल दरसी मुनिनाथा। बिस्व बदर जिमि तुम्हरें हाथा।। अस कहि प्रभु सब कथा बखानी। जेहि जेहि भाँति दीन्ह बनु रानी।।

Rama made obeisance to the sage, and the best of brahmins gave him his blessing. Seeing Rama’s beauty, his eyes were filled with rapture; he showed him honor and brought him into the hermitage. The great sage found a guest most dear to his heart, and sent for sweet roots, fruits, and honey. Sita, Lakshmana, and Rama ate the fruit; then the sage gave them a beautiful hermitage. Valmiki’s heart was filled with great joy as he gazed upon Rama, the embodiment of auspiciousness. Then the Lord of the Raghus joined his lotus hands and spoke words that gladdened the ear. "You, O lord of sages, are a seer of the three times; the whole world is in your hands like a badari fruit." So saying, the Lord recounted the whole story, in every manner that the forest queen had been given.

Verse 256 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तात बचन पुनि मातु हित भाइ भरत अस राउ। मो कहुँ दरस तुम्हार प्रभु सबु मम पुन्य प्रभाउ।।125।।

For my father’s words, again for my mother’s welfare, and for my brother Bharata’s sake, O Lord, the sight of you is all the fruit of my merit and power.

Verse 257 (चौपाई)

देखि पाय मुनिराय तुम्हारे। भए सुकृत सब सुफल हमारे।। अब जहँ राउर आयसु होई। मुनि उदबेगु न पावै कोई।। मुनि तापस जिन्ह तें दुखु लहहीं। ते नरेस बिनु पावक दहहीं।। मंगल मूल बिप्र परितोषू। दहइ कोटि कुल भूसुर रोषू।। अस जियँ जानि कहिअ सोइ ठाऊँ। सिय सौमित्रि सहित जहँ जाऊँ।। तहँ रचि रुचिर परन तृन साला। बासु करौ कछु काल कृपाला।। सहज सरल सुनि रघुबर बानी। साधु साधु बोले मुनि ग्यानी।। कस न कहहु अस रघुकुलकेतू। तुम्ह पालक संतत श्रुति सेतू।।

Seeing your feet, O lord of sages, all our meritorious deeds have borne fruit. Now wherever your command may be, let no sage feel any anxiety. Those ascetic sages from whom sorrow is received, they burn the king without fire. The root of auspiciousness and the satisfaction of brahmins, the wrath of a brahmin burns up millions of families. Knowing this in your heart, tell me the place where I may go with Sita and Lakshmana. There I shall build a beautiful leaf-hut and dwell for some time, O merciful one. Hearing the simple and gentle words of the best of the Raghus, the wise sage said, "Good, good." How could you not speak thus, O banner of the Raghu race? You are the protector of the eternal bridge of the Vedas.

Verse 258 (छंद)

श्रुति सेतु पालक राम तुम्ह जगदीस माया जानकी। जो सृजति जगु पालति हरति रूख पाइ कृपानिधान की।। जो सहससीसु अहीसु महिधरु लखनु सचराचर धनी। सुर काज धरि नरराज तनु चले दलन खल निसिचर अनी।।

O Rama, protector of the bridge of the Vedas, you are the Lord of the world, and Janaki is your Maya. Who creates the world, sustains it, and destroys it, taking refuge in the treasure of compassion. Who has a thousand heads, is the serpent, is the mountain, is Lakshmana, and is the master of all that moves and moves not. Assuming a human body for the sake of the gods, you have set out to destroy the wicked and the night-wandering demons.

Verse 259 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम सरुप तुम्हार बचन अगोचर बुद्धिपर। अबिगत अकथ अपार नेति नित निगम कह।।126।।

Your form, O Rama, is beyond words and beyond the mind; it is unmanifest, ineffable, infinite, and the Vedas ever proclaim it as "not this, not this."

Verse 260 (चौपाई)

जगु पेखन तुम्ह देखनिहारे। बिधि हरि संभु नचावनिहारे।। तेउ न जानहिं मरमु तुम्हारा। औरु तुम्हहि को जाननिहारा।। सोइ जानइ जेहि देहु जनाई। जानत तुम्हहि तुम्हइ होइ जाई।। तुम्हरिहि कृपाँ तुम्हहि रघुनंदन। जानहिं भगत भगत उर चंदन।। चिदानंदमय देह तुम्हारी। बिगत बिकार जान अधिकारी।। नर तनु धरेहु संत सुर काजा। कहहु करहु जस प्राकृत राजा।। राम देखि सुनि चरित तुम्हारे। जड़ मोहहिं बुध होहिं सुखारे।। तुम्ह जो कहहु करहु सबु साँचा। जस काछिअ तस चाहिअ नाचा।।

The world beholds you as the Seer; Brahma, Vishnu and Shambhu cause you to dance. Yet they do not know your mystery; and who else is there that can know you? He alone knows whom you cause to know; knowing you, one becomes one with you. By your grace alone, O Raghunandana, do devotees know you; you are the sandal-paste in the heart of devotees. Your body is made of consciousness and bliss; it is free from all impurity; know that you are the supreme Lord. You assume a human form for the sake of saints and gods; speak and act as an ordinary king. Seeing Rama and hearing your deeds, the ignorant are enchanted and the wise rejoice. Whatever you say and do is all true; as one would have it, so must one dance.

Verse 261 (दोहा/सोरठा)

पूँछेहु मोहि कि रहौं कहँ मैं पूँछत सकुचाउँ। जहँ न होहु तहँ देहु कहि तुम्हहि देखावौं ठाउँ।।127।।

You ask me where I should stay; I ask you in return, feeling shy. Tell me the place where you will not be, and there I shall show you my dwelling.

Verse 262 (चौपाई)

सुनि मुनि बचन प्रेम रस साने। सकुचि राम मन महुँ मुसुकाने।। बालमीकि हँसि कहहिं बहोरी। बानी मधुर अमिअ रस बोरी।। सुनहु राम अब कहउँ निकेता। जहाँ बसहु सिय लखन समेता।। जिन्ह के श्रवन समुद्र समाना। कथा तुम्हारि सुभग सरि नाना।। भरहिं निरंतर होहिं न पूरे। तिन्ह के हिय तुम्ह कहुँ गृह रूरे।। लोचन चातक जिन्ह करि राखे। रहहिं दरस जलधर अभिलाषे।। निदरहिं सरित सिंधु सर भारी। रूप बिंदु जल होहिं सुखारी।। तिन्ह के हृदय सदन सुखदायक। बसहु बंधु सिय सह रघुनायक।।

Hearing the sage’s words, steeped in the nectar of love, Rama smiled in his heart with bashfulness. Valmiki laughed and spoke again; his speech was sweet, filled with nectar. Hear, O Rama, I shall now tell you a dwelling-place where you may abide with Sita and Lakshmana. Those whose ears are like oceans, and your beautiful story is like many rivers, fill them constantly yet are never filled; in their hearts is your lovely home. Those whom you have made chataka birds of their eyes remain in the desire of beholding you like clouds. They despise rivers, oceans and great lakes; a drop of your beauty’s water makes them happy. In their hearts is a mansion that gives joy; dwell there, O brother, with Sita, O Raghunayaka.

Verse 263 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जसु तुम्हार मानस बिमल हंसिनि जीहा जासु। मुकुताहल गुन गन चुनइ राम बसहु हियँ तासु।।128।।

Your fame is a spotless swan that selects the pearls of virtues from the lake of the mind; O Rama, dwell in the heart of that one.

Verse 264 (चौपाई)

प्रभु प्रसाद सुचि सुभग सुबासा। सादर जासु लहइ नित नासा।। तुम्हहि निबेदित भोजन करहीं। प्रभु प्रसाद पट भूषन धरहीं।। सीस नवहिं सुर गुरु द्विज देखी। प्रीति सहित करि बिनय बिसेषी।। कर नित करहिं राम पद पूजा। राम भरोस हृदयँ नहि दूजा।। चरन राम तीरथ चलि जाहीं। राम बसहु तिन्ह के मन माहीं।। मंत्रराजु नित जपहिं तुम्हारा। पूजहिं तुम्हहि सहित परिवारा।। तरपन होम करहिं बिधि नाना। बिप्र जेवाँइ देहिं बहु दाना।। तुम्ह तें अधिक गुरहि जियँ जानी। सकल भायँ सेवहिं सनमानी।।

With the Lord’s prasad, pure, beautiful and fragrant, they respectfully accept it daily with their nose. They offer food to you and then eat; they wear the Lord’s prasad as garments and ornaments. They bow their heads when they see gods, teachers and brahmins; they make entreaties with special love. They constantly worship Rama’s feet with their hands; in their hearts they have no other trust but Rama. They go on pilgrimage to Rama’s feet; O Rama, dwell in their minds. They constantly recite your royal mantra; they worship you along with your family. They perform various rituals like tarpana and homa; they give many gifts when feeding brahmins. They regard their teacher as greater than you; they serve him in all ways with honor.

Verse 265 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सबु करि मागहिं एक फलु राम चरन रति होउ। तिन्ह कें मन मंदिर बसहु सिय रघुनंदन दोउ।।129।।

Having done all, they ask for one fruit alone: let there be devotion to the feet of Rama. In their hearts' temple may you both abide, Sita and the Son of the Raghu.