Prakarana 9

Verse 164 (चौपाई)

निकसि बसिष्ठ द्वार भए ठाढ़े। देखे लोग बिरह दव दाढ़े।। कहि प्रिय बचन सकल समुझाए। बिप्र बृंद रघुबीर बोलाए।। गुर सन कहि बरषासन दीन्हे। आदर दान बिनय बस कीन्हे।। जाचक दान मान संतोषे। मीत पुनीत प्रेम परितोषे।। दासीं दास बोलाइ बहोरी। गुरहि सौंपि बोले कर जोरी।। सब कै सार सँभार गोसाईं। करबि जनक जननी की नाई।। बारहिं बार जोरि जुग पानी। कहत रामु सब सन मृदु बानी।। सोइ सब भाँति मोर हितकारी। जेहि तें रहै भुआल सुखारी।।

Coming forth, they stood at Vashishtha's gate; the people saw them, their hearts burning with the fire of separation. Speaking loving words, he counseled them all, and called the band of brahmins and Raghuvira. He spoke to his guru and gave him the royal throne; with reverence, gifts, and entreaty, he won him over. The recipient was satisfied with the gift and the honor; the friend was pleased with the pure love. He called the maidservants and servants again, and placing his hands together, he spoke to his guru. "O Master, take charge of all that is essential; care for my mother as a mother should." Again and again he joined his palms and bowed, and Rama spoke gentle words to all. "Do all that is for my good in every way, so that the household may remain happy."

Verse 165 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मातु सकल मोरे बिरहँ जेहिं न होहिं दुख दीन। सोइ उपाउ तुम्ह करेहु सब पुर जन परम प्रबीन।।80।।

Mother, all are in my separation distressed; there is none who is not afflicted with sorrow. Therefore, devise such a means that the people of the city may become supremely skillful.

Verse 166 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि राम सबहि समुझावा। गुर पद पदुम हरषि सिरु नावा। गनपती गौरि गिरीसु मनाई। चले असीस पाइ रघुराई।। राम चलत अति भयउ बिषादू। सुनि न जाइ पुर आरत नादू।। कुसगुन लंक अवध अति सोकू। हहरष बिषाद बिबस सुरलोकू।। गइ मुरुछा तब भूपति जागे। बोलि सुमंत्रु कहन अस लागे।। रामु चले बन प्रान न जाहीं। केहि सुख लागि रहत तन माहीं। एहि तें कवन ब्यथा बलवाना। जो दुखु पाइ तजहिं तनु प्राना।। पुनि धरि धीर कहइ नरनाहू। लै रथु संग सखा तुम्ह जाहू।।

In this manner Rama instructed everyone, and with joy bowed his head at the lotus feet of his guru. He took leave of Ganapati, Gauri, and Girisha, and having received blessings, the Lord of the Raghus set forth. As Rama departed, a great despondency arose; the lamentations of the city cannot be heard. Ill omens appeared in Lanka and Ayodhya, causing great sorrow; the gods were overcome with grief and dismay. When the king regained consciousness from his swoon, he called Sumitra and began to speak thus: "Rama has gone to the forest, yet my life does not depart; for what happiness does this body remain within me? Therefore, what is this powerful affliction, that having obtained such sorrow, one abandons the body and life itself?" Then the lord of men composed himself and said, "Take the chariot and go, my friend, with him."

Verse 167 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-सुठि सुकुमार कुमार दोउ जनकसुता सुकुमारि। रथ चढ़ाइ देखराइ बनु फिरेहु गएँ दिन चारि।।81।।

The two delicate princes and Janaka's delicate daughter, having mounted the chariot, will behold the forest and return after four days have passed.

Verse 168 (चौपाई)

जौ नहिं फिरहिं धीर दोउ भाई। सत्यसंध दृढ़ब्रत रघुराई।। तौ तुम्ह बिनय करेहु कर जोरी। फेरिअ प्रभु मिथिलेसकिसोरी।। जब सिय कानन देखि डेराई। कहेहु मोरि सिख अवसरु पाई।। सासु ससुर अस कहेउ सँदेसू। पुत्रि फिरिअ बन बहुत कलेसू।। पितृगृह कबहुँ कबहुँ ससुरारी। रहेहु जहाँ रुचि होइ तुम्हारी।। एहि बिधि करेहु उपाय कदंबा। फिरइ त होइ प्रान अवलंबा।। नाहिं त मोर मरनु परिनामा। कछु न बसाइ भएँ बिधि बामा।। अस कहि मुरुछि परा महि राऊ। रामु लखनु सिय आनि देखाऊ।।

"If the two brothers, firm in truth and steadfast in resolve, the Lords of the Raghus, do not return then you shall join your hands in supplication and say, 'Turn back, O Lord, O daughter of the King of Mithila.' When Sita, beholding the forest, becomes afraid, speak to her when the right moment arrives. Say that your mother-in-law and father-in-law sent this message: 'Return, O daughter; the forest brings great suffering.' Sometimes stay at your father's house, sometimes at your father-in-law's; remain wherever it pleases you.' In this way you shall devise a stratagem; if she returns, my life shall find support. Otherwise, my death shall be the result; I have not been able to accomplish anything, for fate has been unkind to me." Having spoken thus, the king fell in a swoon upon the ground; Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita came and showed themselves to him.

Verse 169 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-पाइ रजायसु नाइ सिरु रथु अति बेग बनाइ। गयउ जहाँ बाहेर नगर सीय सहित दोउ भाइ।।82।।

Having obtained permission, he bowed his head and drove the chariot with great speed; he went to where the two brothers were, with Sita, outside the city.

Verse 170 (चौपाई)

तब सुमंत्र नृप बचन सुनाए। करि बिनती रथ रामु चढ़ाए।। चढ़ि रथ सीय सहित दोउ भाई। चले हृदयँ अवधहि सिरु नाई।। चलत रामु लखि अवध अनाथा। बिकल लोग सब लागे साथा।। कृपासिंधु बहुबिधि समुझावहिं। फिरहिं प्रेम बस पुनि फिरि आवहिं।। लागति अवध भयावनि भारी। मानहुँ कालराति अँधिआरी।। घोर जंतु सम पुर नर नारी। डरपहिं एकहि एक निहारी।। घर मसान परिजन जनु भूता। सुत हित मीत मनहुँ जमदूता।। बागन्ह बिटप बेलि कुम्हिलाहीं। सरित सरोवर देखि न जाहीं।।

Then Sumantra announced the king's words and, making his obeisance, helped Rama mount the chariot. Mounting the chariot with Sita and his two brothers, they set forth, bowing their heads toward Ayodhya in their hearts. Seeing Rama depart, the people of Ayodhya, feeling orphaned, were overcome with distress and all began to follow him. The Ocean of Compassion reasoned with them in many ways, but they turned back only to come again, overcome by love. Ayodhya appeared most fearful, as if a dark night of death had fallen upon it. Men and women in the city were like terrified creatures, each one trembling at the sight of another. Homes seemed like cremation grounds, kinsfolk like ghosts; sons, for their fathers' sake, seemed like messengers of Yama. Gardens, trees, and creepers withered; rivers and lakes could no longer be recognized.

Verse 171 (दोहा/सोरठा)

हय गय कोटिन्ह केलिमृग पुरपसु चातक मोर। पिक रथांग सुक सारिका सारस हंस चकोर।।83।।

Horses, cows, deer by the crore, the city's animals, chatakas, peacocks, parrots, chariot-wheels, parakeets, mynas, cranes, swans, and chakoras.

Verse 172 (चौपाई)

राम बियोग बिकल सब ठाढ़े। जहँ तहँ मनहुँ चित्र लिखि काढ़े।। नगरु सफल बनु गहबर भारी। खग मृग बिपुल सकल नर नारी।। बिधि कैकेई किरातिनि कीन्ही। जेंहि दव दुसह दसहुँ दिसि दीन्ही।। सहि न सके रघुबर बिरहागी। चले लोग सब ब्याकुल भागी।। सबहिं बिचार कीन्ह मन माहीं। राम लखन सिय बिनु सुखु नाहीं।। जहाँ रामु तहँ सबुइ समाजू। बिनु रघुबीर अवध नहिं काजू।। चले साथ अस मंत्रु दृढ़ाई। सुर दुर्लभ सुख सदन बिहाई।। राम चरन पंकज प्रिय जिन्हही। बिषय भोग बस करहिं कि तिन्हही।।

All stood motionless in their distress at Rama's separation, as if painted images had been drawn and set up here and there. The city was filled with abundant birds, deer, men, and women, and the forest was dense and deep. Brahma made Kaikeyi like a huntress, who has given a poison that is unbearable and has spread it in all ten directions. The people could not endure the agony of separation from the Lord of the Raghus; they all set out, distracted and fleeing. All reflected in their hearts that without Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita there is no happiness. Where Rama is, there is all company; without the Lord of the Raghus, Ayodhya is nothing. They went together, firmly resolved in this thought, abandoning their homes, a joy that is rare even to the gods. Those to whom the lotus feet of Rama are dear, how can they remain under the sway of worldly pleasures?

Verse 173 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बालक बृद्ध बिहाइ गृँह लगे लोग सब साथ। तमसा तीर निवासु किय प्रथम दिवस रघुनाथ।।84।।

Children and the elderly left their homes, and all the people joined together. On the first day the Lord of the Raghus made his dwelling on the bank of the Tamasa.

Verse 174 (चौपाई)

रघुपति प्रजा प्रेमबस देखी। सदय हृदयँ दुखु भयउ बिसेषी।। करुनामय रघुनाथ गोसाँई। बेगि पाइअहिं पीर पराई।। कहि सप्रेम मृदु बचन सुहाए। बहुबिधि राम लोग समुझाए।। किए धरम उपदेस घनेरे। लोग प्रेम बस फिरहिं न फेरे।। सीलु सनेहु छाड़ि नहिं जाई। असमंजस बस भे रघुराई।। लोग सोग श्रम बस गए सोई। कछुक देवमायाँ मति मोई।। जबहिं जाम जुग जामिनि बीती। राम सचिव सन कहेउ सप्रीती।। खोज मारि रथु हाँकहु ताता। आन उपायँ बनिहि नहिं बाता।।

The Lord of the Raghus saw the people overcome with love, and his tender heart was filled with special sorrow. The compassionate Lord of the Raghus, the Master, quickly feels the pain of others as his own. Speaking gentle and beautiful words with love, Rama reasoned with the people in many ways. He gave them much instruction in righteousness, but the people, under the sway of love, would not turn back. Goodness and affection could not be abandoned; thus the Lord of the Raghus was placed in a difficult situation. The people were overcome by grief and fatigue; this was somewhat the work of the gods' delusion. When the night had passed, Rama spoke affectionately to his counselor. "Search out a place and drive the chariot, my friend; there is no other way to manage this matter."

Verse 175 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम लखन सुय जान चढ़ि संभु चरन सिरु नाइ।। सचिवँ चलायउ तुरत रथु इत उत खोज दुराइ।।85।।

Knowing that Rama, Lakshmana and Sumantra had mounted the chariot and bowed their heads at Shambhu's feet, the minister immediately drove the chariot away, searching here and there to mislead them.

Verse 176 (चौपाई)

जागे सकल लोग भएँ भोरू। गे रघुनाथ भयउ अति सोरू।। रथ कर खोज कतहहुँ नहिं पावहिं। राम राम कहि चहु दिसि धावहिं।। मनहुँ बारिनिधि बूड़ जहाजू। भयउ बिकल बड़ बनिक समाजू।। एकहि एक देंहिं उपदेसू। तजे राम हम जानि कलेसू।। निंदहिं आपु सराहहिं मीना। धिग जीवनु रघुबीर बिहीना।। जौं पै प्रिय बियोगु बिधि कीन्हा। तौ कस मरनु न मागें दीन्हा।। एहि बिधि करत प्रलाप कलापा। आए अवध भरे परितापा।। बिषम बियोगु न जाइ बखाना। अवधि आस सब राखहिं प्राना।।

All the people awoke, and dawn broke; when the Lord of the Raghus had departed, there arose a great tumult. They searched for the chariot but found it nowhere; they ran in all four directions, crying, "Rama, Rama!" It was as if a ship had sunk in the ocean; the great assembly of citizens was beside itself with distress. One said to another, "We have abandoned Rama, knowing our own sorrow." They blamed themselves and praised Mina, crying, "Fie upon this life bereft of the Hero of the Raghus!" If God had ordained this painful separation from the Beloved, then why did He not grant us death instead? Thus they lamented and wailed, and the people of Ayodhya came, filled with anguish. The dread separation cannot be told; yet all keep their lives in the hope of seeing Him again.

Verse 177 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम दरस हित नेम ब्रत लगे करन नर नारि। मनहुँ कोक कोकी कमल दीन बिहीन तमारि।।86।।

Men and women, for the sake of beholding Rama, began to observe vows and fasts, like chakora birds that have lost the lotus and are stricken without the moon.

Verse 178 (चौपाई)

सीता सचिव सहित दोउ भाई। सृंगबेरपुर पहुँचे जाई।। उतरे राम देवसरि देखी। कीन्ह दंडवत हरषु बिसेषी।। लखन सचिवँ सियँ किए प्रनामा। सबहि सहित सुखु पायउ रामा।। गंग सकल मुद मंगल मूला। सब सुख करनि हरनि सब सूला।। कहि कहि कोटिक कथा प्रसंगा। रामु बिलोकहिं गंग तरंगा।। सचिवहि अनुजहि प्रियहि सुनाई। बिबुध नदी महिमा अधिकाई।। मज्जनु कीन्ह पंथ श्रम गयऊ। सुचि जलु पिअत मुदित मन भयऊ।। सुमिरत जाहि मिटइ श्रम भारू। तेहि श्रम यह लौकिक ब्यवहारू।।

With Sita and the minister, the two brothers reached Shringaverapura. Rama descended and beheld the divine river; he made obeisance with his whole body, and his joy was great. Lakshmana, the minister, and Sita paid homage; Rama was gladdened along with them all. The Ganga is the very root of all joy and auspiciousness, the bestower of all happiness and the remover of all sorrows. Relating countless stories and episodes, Rama gazed upon the waves of the Ganga. He recounted to the minister, his brother, and his beloved the surpassing glory of the celestial river. He bathed, and the weariness of the journey departed; drinking the pure water, his heart became glad. Remembrance of Him removes the burden of toil; this worldly act of bathing is but a symbol of that spiritual rest.

Verse 179 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुध्द सचिदानंदमय कंद भानुकुल केतु। चरित करत नर अनुहरत संसृति सागर सेतु।।87।।

He who is pure, the embodiment of being, consciousness and bliss, the delight of his devotees, the banner of the solar race, performs his deeds, and men follow him; he is the bridge across the ocean of worldly existence.

Verse 180 (चौपाई)

यह सुधि गुहँ निषाद जब पाई। मुदित लिए प्रिय बंधु बोलाई।। लिए फल मूल भेंट भरि भारा। मिलन चलेउ हिंयँ हरषु अपारा।। करि दंडवत भेंट धरि आगें। प्रभुहि बिलोकत अति अनुरागें।। सहज सनेह बिबस रघुराई। पूँछी कुसल निकट बैठाई।। नाथ कुसल पद पंकज देखें। भयउँ भागभाजन जन लेखें।। देव धरनि धनु धामु तुम्हारा। मैं जनु नीचु सहित परिवारा।। कृपा करिअ पुर धारिअ पाऊ। थापिय जनु सबु लोगु सिहाऊ।। कहेहु सत्य सबु सखा सुजाना। मोहि दीन्ह पितु आयसु आना।।

When Guha the Nishada received this news, he rejoiced and called his dear kinsmen to him. He took fruits and roots, loaded his gifts in full measure, and set out to meet them, his heart filled with boundless joy. He made obeisance with prostrations, placed his offerings before them, and gazed at the Lord with deep love. Overcome by natural affection, the Lord of the Raghus asked after his welfare and seated him close by. "Lord, seeing your lotus feet in health, I count myself most fortunate among men. The gods, the earth, and all are your home; I am a lowly one with all my family. Show mercy and dwell in the city; install me as your servant and gladden all the people." Tell me truly, my wise friend, what command my father has sent me to bear."

Verse 181 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बरष चारिदस बासु बन मुनि ब्रत बेषु अहारु। ग्राम बासु नहिं उचित सुनि गुहहि भयउ दुखु भारु।।88।।

For fourteen years you shall dwell in the forest in the guise of an ascetic, with roots and fruits for food. To dwell in a village is not fitting; hearing this, Guha was burdened with sorrow.

Verse 182 (चौपाई)

राम लखन सिय रूप निहारी। कहहिं सप्रेम ग्राम नर नारी।। ते पितु मातु कहहु सखि कैसे। जिन्ह पठए बन बालक ऐसे।। एक कहहिं भल भूपति कीन्हा। लोयन लाहु हमहि बिधि दीन्हा।। तब निषादपति उर अनुमाना। तरु सिंसुपा मनोहर जाना।। लै रघुनाथहि ठाउँ देखावा। कहेउ राम सब भाँति सुहावा।। पुरजन करि जोहारु घर आए। रघुबर संध्या करन सिधाए।। गुहँ सँवारि साँथरी डसाई। कुस किसलयमय मृदुल सुहाई।। सुचि फल मूल मधुर मृदु जानी। दोना भरि भरि राखेसि पानी।।

Seeing the beauty of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, the men and women of the village spoke with love. "Tell us, friend, what manner of father and mother are they who send such youths to the forest?" Some said, "The king has done well; we have gained a blessing for our eyes, such has been our fortune." Then the lord of the Nishadas thought within his heart and knew a shisham tree to be most lovely. He took the Lord of the Raghus and showed him the spot; Rama found it pleasing in every way. Having bowed to the townsfolk, they went home; the Best of the Raghus went to perform the evening rites. Guha prepared a fine bed, spreading it with kusha grass and soft, pleasing leaves. Knowing pure fruits and roots to be sweet and tender, he filled bowls with water again and again.

Verse 183 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सिय सुमंत्र भ्राता सहित कंद मूल फल खाइ। सयन कीन्ह रघुबंसमनि पाय पलोटत भाइ।।89।।

Sita, Sumant, and his brother ate bulbs, roots, and fruits; the Jewel of the Raghu line made his bed, resting his limbs upon the ground.