Prakarana 4

Verse 62 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मै पुनि निज गुर सन सुनी कथा सो सूकरखेत। समुझी नहि तसि बालपन तब अति रहेउँ अचेत।।30(क)।। श्रोता बकता ग्याननिधि कथा राम कै गूढ़। किमि समुझौं मै जीव जड़ कलि मल ग्रसित बिमूढ़।।30(ख)।।

maiṁ puni nija gur sana sunī kathā so sūkara-kheta | samujhī nahi tasi bālapana taba ati raheũṁ acet ||30(k)|| śrotā bakatā gyāna-nidhi kathā rāma kai gūṛha | kimi samujhauṁ maiṁ jīva jaṛa kali mala grasita bimūṛha ||30(kh)||

Again I heard that very कथा (sacred tale) from my own Guru, there at Sūkar-khet. But in my childish days I could not comprehend it; thus I remained utterly unawakened. Both listener and speaker were veritable treasuries of wisdom, and the subject—the story of Śrī Rāma—is unfathomably deep. How could I, a dull and bound soul, bewildered and gripped by the grime of Kali-yuga, ever understand it?

Verse 63 (चौपाई)

तदपि कही गुर बारहिं बारा। समुझि परी कछु मति अनुसारा।। भाषाबद्ध करबि मैं सोई। मोरें मन प्रबोध जेहिं होई।। जस कछु बुधि बिबेक बल मेरें। तस कहिहउँ हियँ हरि के प्रेरें।। निज संदेह मोह भ्रम हरनी। करउँ कथा भव सरिता तरनी।। बुध बिश्राम सकल जन रंजनि। रामकथा कलि कलुष बिभंजनि।। रामकथा कलि पंनग भरनी। पुनि बिबेक पावक कहुँ अरनी।। रामकथा कलि कामद गाई। सुजन सजीवनि मूरि सुहाई।। सोइ बसुधातल सुधा तरंगिनि। भय भंजनि भ्रम भेक भुअंगिनि।। असुर सेन सम नरक निकंदिनि। साधु बिबुध कुल हित गिरिनंदिनि।। संत समाज पयोधि रमा सी। बिस्व भार भर अचल छमा सी।। जम गन मुहँ मसि जग जमुना सी। जीवन मुकुति हेतु जनु कासी।। रामहि प्रिय पावनि तुलसी सी। तुलसिदास हित हियँ हुलसी सी।। सिवप्रय मेकल सैल सुता सी। सकल सिद्धि सुख संपति रासी।। सदगुन सुरगन अंब अदिति सी। रघुबर भगति प्रेम परमिति सी।।

tadapi kahī gur bārahiṃ bāra | samujhi parī kachu mati anusārā || bhāṣā-baddha karabi maiṃ soī | moreṃ mana prabodha jehiṃ hoī || jasa kachu budhi bibeka bala mereṃ | tasa kahihauṃ hiyaṃ hari ke prerēṃ || nija saṃdeha moha bhrama haranī | karauṃ kathā bhava saritā taranī || budha bisrāma sakala jana raṃjanī | rāmakathā kali kaluṣa bibhaṃjanī || rāmakathā kali paṃnaga bharanī | puni bibeka pāvaka kahuṃ aranī || rāmakathā kali kāmada gāī | sujana sajīvanī mūri suhāī || soi basudhātala sudhā taraṃginī | bhaya bhaṃjanī bhrama bheka bhuaṃginī || asura sena sama naraka nikaṃdinī | sādhu bibudha kula hita girinaṃdinī || saṃta samāja payodhi ramā sī | bisva bhāra bhara acala chamā sī || jama gana muhaṃ masi jaga jamunā sī | jīvana mukuti hetu janu kāsī || rāmahi priya pāvani tulasī sī | tulasīdāsa hita hiyaṃ hulasī sī || sivapraya mekala saila sutā sī | sakala siddhi sukha saṃpati rāsī || sadaguna suragana aṃba aditi sī | raghubara bhagati prema paramiti sī ||

Even so, I have spoken it again and again at my Guru’s bidding, and I have understood it according to the measure of my own intellect. That very tale I shall now bind into the vernacular, by which my heart may be awakened. As much as my reason, discernment, and strength allow, so shall I relate it—moved from within by Hari’s prompting. May I compose this कथा that destroys my own doubt, delusion, and error—this ferry across the river of worldly existence. It is rest for the wise and delight to all; the Story of Rama shatters the defilement of the Kali age. It is the serpent-slayer for Kali’s poison, and the fire-stick that kindles the flame of discrimination. It is the wish-fulfilling cow in Kali, the life-giving herb for the good, and a jewel of beauty. It flows upon the earth in waves of nectar; it breaks fear and dispels the frogs and serpents of भ्रम. It uproots hell like an enemy host; it is beneficent to saints and to the race of the gods, like the Mountain’s daughter. It is like the ocean-company of saints, like Lakshmi; like steadfast forbearance that bears the world’s weight. It is like the Jamuna that inks shut Yama’s hosts; like Kashi, it is a cause of life and liberation. It is purifying and dear to Rama like tulsi; it gladdens Tulsidas’ heart for his own good. Like Narmada—dear to Shiva, daughter of Mekal— it is a heap of all attainments, joys, and prosperity. Like Aditi, mother of the gods and virtues, it is the supreme measure of devotion and love for Raghuvar.

Verse 64 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम कथा मंदाकिनी चित्रकूट चित चारु। तुलसी सुभग सनेह बन सिय रघुबीर बिहारु।।31।।

rāma kathā mandākinī citrakūṭa cita cāru | tulasī subhaga saneha bana siya raghubīra bihāru ||31||

The कथा of Rāma is the Mandākinī, making the heart pure and lovely as Citrakūṭ itself. Tulsī says: blessed is that forest of tender प्रेम (devotional love) where Sītā and mighty Raghubīra delight and play.

Verse 65 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कुपथ कुतरक कुचालि कलि कपट दंभ पाषंड। दहन राम गुन ग्राम जिमि इंधन अनल प्रचंड।।32(क)।। रामचरित राकेस कर सरिस सुखद सब काहु। सज्जन कुमुद चकोर चित हित बिसेषि बड़ लाहु।।32(ख)।।

kupatha kutaraka kucāli kali kapaṭa daṁbha pāṣaṇḍa | dahana rāma guna grāma jimi indhana anala pracaṇḍa ||32(ka)|| rāmacarita rākesa kara sarisa sukhada saba kāhu | sajjana kumuda cakora cita hita bisēṣi baṛa lāhu ||32(kha)||

The evil way, crooked disputation, and wicked conduct—Kali’s own brood of deceit, ostentation, and heretical display— are burnt to ashes by the gathered excellences of Śrī Rāma, as fierce fire consumes its fuel. Rāma’s sacred story, like the moon, bestows joy upon all; yet for the hearts of the good—like the night-lotus and the cakora—it brings a special and surpassing grace.

Verse 66 (चौपाई)

कीन्हि प्रस्न जेहि भाँति भवानी। जेहि बिधि संकर कहा बखानी।। सो सब हेतु कहब मैं गाई। कथाप्रबंध बिचित्र बनाई।। जेहि यह कथा सुनी नहिं होई। जनि आचरजु करैं सुनि सोई।। कथा अलौकिक सुनहिं जे ग्यानी। नहिं आचरजु करहिं अस जानी।। रामकथा कै मिति जग नाहीं। असि प्रतीति तिन्ह के मन माहीं।। नाना भाँति राम अवतारा। रामायन सत कोटि अपारा।। कलपभेद हरिचरित सुहाए। भाँति अनेक मुनीसन्ह गाए।। करिअ न संसय अस उर आनी। सुनिअ कथा सारद रति मानी।।

kīnhi prasna jehi bhā̃ti bhavānī | jehi bidhi saṅkara kahā bakhānī || so saba hetu kahaba maĩ gāī | kathāprabandha bicitra banāī || jehi yaha kathā sunī nahĩ hoī | jani ācaraju karaĩ suni soī || kathā alaukika sunahĩ je gyānī | nahĩ ācaraju karahĩ asa jānī || rāmakathā kai miti jaga nāhī̃ | asi pratīti tinh ke mana māhī̃ || nānā bhā̃ti rāma avatārā | rāmāyana sata koṭi apārā || kalpabheda haricarita suhāe | bhā̃ti aneka munīsanha gāe || kari'a na saṃsaya asa ura ānī | suni'a kathā sārad rati mānī ||

In the very manner in which Bhavānī questioned, and in the way Śaṅkara answered and expounded, all those reasons and grounds I shall now relate in song, shaping the narrative into a wondrous composition. Let none who has not heard this tale before be astonished on hearing it. Those who are wise, hearing this otherworldly account, do not marvel—knowing it to be so. The measure of Rāma’s story has no bound in the world; such is the settled conviction within their hearts. In manifold ways are Rāma’s descents; the Rāmāyaṇas are countless—hundreds of crores, without end. Across differing aeons, Hari’s deeds appear in varied forms; in many fashions the sages have sung them. Therefore, bringing this to heart, entertain no doubt: listen to the कथा, deeming it dear as Śāradā herself.

Verse 67 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम अनंत अनंत गुन अमित कथा बिस्तार। सुनि आचरजु न मानिहहिं जिन्ह कें बिमल बिचार।।33।।

rāma ananta ananta guna amita kathā bistāra | suni ācaraju na mānihahiṃ jinh keṃ bimala bicāra ||33||

Rāma is infinite, His virtues infinite, and the vastness of His sacred कथा beyond all measure. Hearing it, those whose discernment is stainless do not fall into bewilderment—for their thought abides in clear knowing.

Verse 68 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि सब संसय करि दूरी। सिर धरि गुर पद पंकज धूरी।। पुनि सबही बिनवउँ कर जोरी। करत कथा जेहिं लाग न खोरी।। सादर सिवहि नाइ अब माथा। बरनउँ बिसद राम गुन गाथा।। संबत सोरह सै एकतीसा। करउँ कथा हरि पद धरि सीसा।। नौमी भौम बार मधु मासा। अवधपुरीं यह चरित प्रकासा।। जेहि दिन राम जनम श्रुति गावहिं। तीरथ सकल तहाँ चलि आवहिं।। असुर नाग खग नर मुनि देवा। आइ करहिं रघुनायक सेवा।। जन्म महोत्सव रचहिं सुजाना। करहिं राम कल कीरति गाना।।

ehi bidhi saba saṁsaya kari dūrī | sira dhari guru pada paṅkaja dhūrī || puni sabahī binavaüṁ kara jorī | karata kathā jehiṁ lāga na khorī || sādara sivahi nāi aba māthā | barnaüṁ bisada rāma guna gāthā || saṁbata soraha sai ekatīsā | karaüṁ kathā hari pada dhari sīsā || naumī bhauma bāra madhu māsā | avadhapurīṁ yaha carita prakāsā || jehi dina rāma janama śruti gāvahiṁ | tīratha sakala tahāṁ cali āvahiṁ || asura nāga khaga nara muni devā | āi karahiṁ raghunāyaka sevā || janma mahotsava racahiṁ sujānā | karahiṁ rāma kala kīrati gānā ||

Thus have I put all doubt far away, and, setting upon my head the dust of my Guru’s lotus-feet, again I supplicate all with folded hands: may no flaw or loss touch those who engage in this holy tale. Now, reverently bowing my brow to Śiva, I shall set forth the clear and stainless story of Rāma’s virtues. In the year sixteen hundred and thirty-one (Samvat), placing Hari’s feet upon my head, I undertake this narration. On the ninth day, a Tuesday, in the month of Madhu, in Ayodhyā this sacred history was made manifest. On the day the Vedas sing of Rāma’s birth, all holy places come there in pilgrimage; demons, serpents, birds, men, sages, and gods arrive to serve the Lord of Raghu; the wise arrange the great festival of the Birth, and sing the stainless fame of Rāma.

Verse 69 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मज्जहि सज्जन बृंद बहु पावन सरजू नीर। जपहिं राम धरि ध्यान उर सुंदर स्याम सरीर।।34।।

majjahi sajjana bṛnda bahu pāvana sarajū nīra | japahiṃ rāma dhari dhyāna ura sundara syāma sarīra ||34||

Many assemblies of the virtuous plunge and bathe in the sanctifying waters of the Sarayū; and, fixing the heart in meditation, they repeat the Name of Rāma, contemplating His beautiful dark-hued form.

Verse 70 (चौपाई)

दरस परस मज्जन अरु पाना। हरइ पाप कह बेद पुराना।। नदी पुनीत अमित महिमा अति। कहि न सकइ सारद बिमलमति।। राम धामदा पुरी सुहावनि। लोक समस्त बिदित अति पावनि।। चारि खानि जग जीव अपारा। अवध तजे तनु नहि संसारा।। सब बिधि पुरी मनोहर जानी। सकल सिद्धिप्रद मंगल खानी।। बिमल कथा कर कीन्ह अरंभा। सुनत नसाहिं काम मद दंभा।। रामचरितमानस एहि नामा। सुनत श्रवन पाइअ बिश्रामा।। मन करि विषय अनल बन जरई। होइ सुखी जौ एहिं सर परई।। रामचरितमानस मुनि भावन। बिरचेउ संभु सुहावन पावन।। त्रिबिध दोष दुख दारिद दावन। कलि कुचालि कुलि कलुष नसावन।। रचि महेस निज मानस राखा। पाइ सुसमउ सिवा सन भाषा।। तातें रामचरितमानस बर। धरेउ नाम हियँ हेरि हरषि हर।। कहउँ कथा सोइ सुखद सुहाई। सादर सुनहु सुजन मन लाई।।

darasa parasa majjana aru pānā | harai pāpa kaha beda purānā || nadī punīta amita mahimā ati | kahi na sakai sārad bimalamati || rāma dhāmadā purī suhāvani | loka samasta bidita ati pāvani || cāri khāni jaga jīva apārā | avadha taje tanu nahiṁ saṁsārā || saba bidhi purī manohara jānī | sakala siddhiprada maṅgala khānī || bimala kathā kara kīnha araṁbhā | sunata nasāhiṁ kāma mada daṁbhā || rāmacaritamānasa ehi nāmā | sunata śravaṇa pāia biśrāmā || mana kari viṣaya anala bana jarī | hoi sukhī jau ehiṁ sara parī || rāmacaritamānasa muni bhāvana | biraceu saṁbhu suhāvana pāvana || tribidha doṣa dukha dārida dāvana | kali kucāli kuli kaluṣa nasāvana || raci mahesa nija mānasa rākhā | pāi susamau sivā sana bhāṣā || tāteṁ rāmacaritamānasa bara | dhareu nāma hiyaṁ heri haraṣi hara || kahauṁ kathā soi sukhada suhāī | sādara sunahu sujana mana lāī ||

To behold it, to touch it, to bathe in it, and to drink of it—so declare the Vedas and the Purāṇas—removes sin. A river most holy, of boundless glory: even Sarasvatī, though of stainless intellect, cannot fully tell its greatness. Fair is that city which bestows the abode of Rāma; famed through all worlds, exceedingly purifying. Countless creatures of the four kinds of birth—none who leaves Ayodhyā, quitting the body, returns again to the round of transmigration. In every way know that city to be enchanting, a mine of auspiciousness, bestower of all attainments. I have begun this spotless tale; in listening, lust, intoxication, and hypocrisy are destroyed. ‘Rāmacaritamānasa’ is its very name; hearing it with the ear, one finds repose. If the mind, burnt to a forest by the fire of sense-objects, but falls into this lake, it becomes happy. This ‘Rāmacaritamānasa’, dear to sages, was composed by Śambhu—beautiful and purifying. It quenches the forest-fire of the threefold faults, sorrows, and poverty; it destroys the foulness bred by Kali’s crooked ways. Mahesha, having composed it, kept it within his own Manas; finding a fitting time, he spoke it in a tongue suited to Śivā. Therefore he named it ‘Rāmacaritamānasa’, and Hari rejoiced in his heart upon beholding it. I speak that very tale—delightful and beneficent: listen with reverence, O good people, with your mind intent.

Verse 71 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जस मानस जेहि बिधि भयउ जग प्रचार जेहि हेतु। अब सोइ कहउँ प्रसंग सब सुमिरि उमा बृषकेतु।।35।।

jasa mānasa jehi bidhi bhayu jaga pracāra jehi hetu | aba soi kahauṁ prasaṅga saba sumiri umā bṛṣaketu ||35||

How this Manas came into being, and for what cause it spread through the world—now I shall recount that very tale, remembering Uma and Vṛṣaketu (Śiva).

Verse 72 (चौपाई)

संभु प्रसाद सुमति हियँ हुलसी। रामचरितमानस कबि तुलसी।। करइ मनोहर मति अनुहारी। सुजन सुचित सुनि लेहु सुधारी।। सुमति भूमि थल हृदय अगाधू। बेद पुरान उदधि घन साधू।। बरषहिं राम सुजस बर बारी। मधुर मनोहर मंगलकारी।। लीला सगुन जो कहहिं बखानी। सोइ स्वच्छता करइ मल हानी।। प्रेम भगति जो बरनि न जाई। सोइ मधुरता सुसीतलताई।। सो जल सुकृत सालि हित होई। राम भगत जन जीवन सोई।। मेधा महि गत सो जल पावन। सकिलि श्रवन मग चलेउ सुहावन।। भरेउ सुमानस सुथल थिराना। सुखद सीत रुचि चारु चिराना।।

Śambhu prasāda sumati hiyaṁ hulasī. Rāmacaritamānasa kabi Tulasī.. Karai manohara mati anuhārī. Sujana sucita suni lehu sudhārī.. Sumati bhūmi thala hṛdaya agādhū. Beda purāna udadhi ghana sādhū.. Baraṣahiṁ Rāma sujasa bara bārī. Madhura manohara maṅgalakārī.. Līlā saguṇa jo kahahiṁ bakhānī. Soi svacchatā karai mala-hānī.. Prema bhagati jo barani na jāī. Soi madhuratā su-sītalatāī.. So jala sukṛta sāli hita hoī. Rāma bhagata jana jīvana soī.. Medhā mahi-gata so jala pāvana. Sakili śravaṇa maga caleu suhāvana.. Bhareu su-mānasa su-thala thirānā. Sukhada sīta ruci cāru cirānā..

By Śambhu’s grace my heart’s good sense has blossomed; thus Tulsidas, the poet, fashions the Lake of Rāma’s deeds. Let the pure-minded and noble hear it and amend themselves aright. Good counsel is its deep and boundless ground; the Vedas and Purāṇas are its ocean, and holy men its rain-clouds. They pour down the excellent waters of Rāma’s fair renown—sweet, enchanting, and auspicious. The narrations of His manifest play bring clarity and wash away defilement. That love-filled devotion, beyond all full description, bestows sweetness and a cooling peace. That water becomes merit’s rice-crop; it is the very life of Rāma’s devoted servants. Sinking into the soil of understanding, that holy water makes every path of hearing a lovely way; and the good ‘Manas’ is filled and made firm—a pleasing, cool, and ever-delightful charm.

Verse 73 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुठि सुंदर संबाद बर बिरचे बुद्धि बिचारि। तेइ एहि पावन सुभग सर घाट मनोहर चारि।।36।।

suṭhi sundara saṃbāda bara birace buddhi bicāri | tei ehi pāvana subhaga sara ghāṭa manohara cāri ||36||

With discerning intellect I have shaped dialogues most fair and excellent; therefore, upon this holy and auspicious lake I have set four charming ghāṭs (landing-places).

Verse 74 (दोहा/सोरठा)

पुलक बाटिका बाग बन सुख सुबिहंग बिहारु। माली सुमन सनेह जल सींचत लोचन चारु।।37।।

pulaka bāṭikā bāga bana sukha su-bihaṅga bihāru | mālī sumana saneha jala sīñcata locana cāru ||37||

Thrilled with gladness, garden, grove, and forest became a realm of delight, where lovely birds roamed in sportive ease. As though a gardener, Love watered the blossoms with the fair moisture of the eyes.

Verse 75 (चौपाई)

जे गावहिं यह चरित सँभारे। तेइ एहि ताल चतुर रखवारे।। सदा सुनहिं सादर नर नारी। तेइ सुरबर मानस अधिकारी।। अति खल जे बिषई बग कागा। एहिं सर निकट न जाहिं अभागा।। संबुक भेक सेवार समाना। इहाँ न बिषय कथा रस नाना।। तेहि कारन आवत हियँ हारे। कामी काक बलाक बिचारे।। आवत एहिं सर अति कठिनाई। राम कृपा बिनु आइ न जाई।। कठिन कुसंग कुपंथ कराला। तिन्ह के बचन बाघ हरि ब्याला।। गृह कारज नाना जंजाला। ते अति दुर्गम सैल बिसाला।। बन बहु बिषम मोह मद माना। नदीं कुतर्क भयंकर नाना।।

je gāvahiṃ yaha carita saṁbhāre | tei ehi tāla catura rakhavāre || sadā sunahiṃ sādara nara nārī | tei surabara mānasa adhikārī || ati khala je biṣaī baga kāgā | ehiṃ sara nikaṭa na jāhiṃ abhāgā || saṃbuka bheka sevāra samānā | ihāṁ na biṣaya kathā rasa nānā || tehi kārana āvata hiyaṁ hāre | kāmī kāka balāka bicāre || āvata ehiṃ sara ati kaṭhināī | rāma kṛpā binu āi na jāī || kaṭhina kusaṅga kupantha karālā | tinh ke bacana bāgha hari byālā || gṛha kāraja nānā jañjālā | te ati durgama saila bisālā || bana bahu biṣama moha mada mānā | nadīṃ kutarka bhayaṅkara nānā ||

They who sing this sacred tale with due care—those are the four wise guardians of this lake. Men and women who ever listen with reverent attention—those alone are fit to claim the lake of Manas. But the utterly base, enslaved to sense-pleasures—heron-like hypocrites and crow-like scavengers—unlucky wretches, they do not draw near this pool. Snails, frogs, and paltry water-worms find no various relish here of worldly talk and sensual stories. Therefore lust-driven creatures—crow and crane by nature—come weary of heart, and turn away. To reach this lake is exceedingly hard; without Rama’s grace none may come, none may enter. Dire is evil company, dreadful the crooked path; their words are tigers, lions, and venomous serpents. Household tasks are many, a mesh of entanglements—like vast, inaccessible mountains. Forests of delusion are perilous in many ways—pride and intoxication within; and rivers of fearful sophistry in countless forms.

Verse 76 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जे श्रद्धा संबल रहित नहि संतन्ह कर साथ। तिन्ह कहुँ मानस अगम अति जिन्हहि न प्रिय रघुनाथ।।38।।

je śraddhā sambala rahita nahiṁ santanha kara sātha | tinha kahuṁ mānasa agama ati jinhahi na priya raghunātha ||38||

They who are bereft of the support of faith and keep not the company of saints—for such the Manas is exceedingly hard of access, even if Raghunātha is not dear to them.

Verse 77 (चौपाई)

जौं करि कष्ट जाइ पुनि कोई। जातहिं नींद जुड़ाई होई।। जड़ता जाड़ बिषम उर लागा। गएहुँ न मज्जन पाव अभागा।। करि न जाइ सर मज्जन पाना। फिरि आवइ समेत अभिमाना।। जौं बहोरि कोउ पूछन आवा। सर निंदा करि ताहि बुझावा।। सकल बिघ्न ब्यापहि नहिं तेही। राम सुकृपाँ बिलोकहिं जेही।। सोइ सादर सर मज्जनु करई। महा घोर त्रयताप न जरई।। ते नर यह सर तजहिं न काऊ। जिन्ह के राम चरन भल भाऊ।। जो नहाइ चह एहिं सर भाई। सो सतसंग करउ मन लाई।। अस मानस मानस चख चाही। भइ कबि बुद्धि बिमल अवगाही।। भयउ हृदयँ आनंद उछाहू। उमगेउ प्रेम प्रमोद प्रबाहू।। चली सुभग कबिता सरिता सो। राम बिमल जस जल भरिता सो।। सरजू नाम सुमंगल मूला। लोक बेद मत मंजुल कूला।। नदी पुनीत सुमानस नंदिनि। कलिमल तृन तरु मूल निकंदिनि।।

jauṁ kari kasṭa jāi puni koī | jātahiṁ nīṁda juṛāī hoī || jaṛatā jāṛa biṣama ura lāgā | gaehuṁ na majjana pāva abhāgā || kari na jāi sara majjanu pānā | phiri āvai sameta abhimānā || jauṁ bahori kou pūchana āvā | sara niṁdā kari tāhi bujhāvā || sakala bighna byāpahi nahiṁ tehī | rāma su-kṛpā̃ bilokahiṁ jehī || soi sādara sara majjanu karaī | mahā ghora traya-tāpa na jaraī || tē nara yaha sara tajahiṁ na kāū | jinha ke rāma carana bhala bhāū || jo nahāi caha ehiṁ sara bhāī | so sat-saṅga karau mana lāī || asa mānasa mānasa cakha cāhī | bhai kavi buddhi bimala avagāhī || bhayau hṛdayaṁ ānaṁda ucchāhū | umageu prema pramoda prabāhū || calī subhaga kabitā saritā so | rāma bimala jasa jala bharitā so || sarajū nāma sumaṅgala mūlā | loka beda mata maṁjula kūlā || nadī punīta su-mānasa naṁdinī | kali-mala tṛna taru mūla nikaṁdinī ||

If someone goes there with hardship, the moment he arrives, sleep and cool relief come upon him. Yet if dullness and bitter cold oppress the heart, the unlucky one gains no benefit even after going—he cannot take the bath. Unable to obtain the lake’s immersion, he returns, pride still in tow. And if he comes again to ask, he is instructed by blaming the lake itself. But obstacles do not touch the one upon whom Rama, in His gracious mercy, casts His glance. He reverently bathes in that lake; even the fiercest threefold affliction cannot burn him. No man who bears true love for Rama’s feet ever abandons this lake. Whoever wishes to bathe in it, brother, let him set his mind to holy company. Such is the Manas that the mind longs to taste; the poet’s intellect found a clear, deep plunge within. In the heart arose joy and ardor; streams of love and delight surged forth. Then flowed the fortunate river of poetry, filled with the pure waters of Rama’s stainless fame. Its name is Sarju—the root of auspiciousness—whose lovely banks are the ways of the world, the Veda, and right doctrine. A holy river, daughter of the fair Manas, that uproots at the very root the weeds and trees of Kali’s defilement.

Verse 78 (दोहा/सोरठा)

श्रोता त्रिबिध समाज पुर ग्राम नगर दुहुँ कूल। संतसभा अनुपम अवध सकल सुमंगल मूल।।39।।

śrotā tribidha samāja pura grāma nagara duhum̐ kūla | sant-sabhā anupama avadha sakala su-maṅgala mūla ||39||

The listeners were a threefold assembly—folk of city and village, of town and countryside, of both lineages alike. And the saints’ congregation in peerless Avadh was the very fountainhead of all auspiciousness.

Verse 79 (चौपाई)

रामभगति सुरसरितहि जाई। मिली सुकीरति सरजु सुहाई।। सानुज राम समर जसु पावन। मिलेउ महानदु सोन सुहावन।। जुग बिच भगति देवधुनि धारा। सोहति सहित सुबिरति बिचारा।। त्रिबिध ताप त्रासक तिमुहानी। राम सरुप सिंधु समुहानी।। मानस मूल मिली सुरसरिही। सुनत सुजन मन पावन करिही।। बिच बिच कथा बिचित्र बिभागा। जनु सरि तीर तीर बन बागा।। उमा महेस बिबाह बराती। ते जलचर अगनित बहुभाँती।। रघुबर जनम अनंद बधाई। भवँर तरंग मनोहरताई।।

rāma-bhagati sura-saritahi jāī | milī su-kīrati sarajū suhāī || s-anuja rāma samara jasu pāvana | mileu mahā-nadu sona suhāvana || juga bica bhagati deva-dhunī dhārā | sohati sahita su-birati bicārā || tri-bidha tāpa trāsaka timu-hānī | rāma-sarūpa sindhu sumuhānī || mānasa mūla milī sura-sarihī | sunata su-jana mana pāvana karihī || bica bica kathā bicitra bibhāgā | janu sari tīra tīra bana bāgā || umā mahesa bibāha barātī | te jalacara aganita bahu-bhā̃tī || raghubara janama anaṃda badhāī | bhavãra taraṅga manoharatāī ||

Rāma’s devotion flows on to the celestial river; there it meets the bright Sarayū of stainless fame. With Rāma and His younger brother comes the holy glory of righteous battle, joining the fair Son, a mighty stream. Between the ages runs the divine current of bhakti, adorned with true dispassion and thoughtful discernment. At the triple ford that banishes the threefold terrors, all these waters gather into the ocean of Rāma’s very being. At the fountainhead of the Manas they unite with the heavenly river; to hear it is to cleanse the minds of the good. Here and there lie wondrous divisions of the tale, like groves and gardens upon either bank of a stream. Umā and Maheśa’s wedding procession—countless creatures of the waters in many forms—moves within it; and the birth of the Lord of Raghu brings festive joy, with whirlpools and waves of enchanting beauty.

Verse 80 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बालचरित चहु बंधु के बनज बिपुल बहुरंग। नृप रानी परिजन सुकृत मधुकर बारिबिहंग।।40।।

bālacarita cahu bandhu ke banaja bipula bahuraṅga | nṛpa rānī parijana sukṛta madhukara bāribihiṅga ||40||

The childhood sports of the four brothers are a vast lotus of many hues. The king, the queens, and all the royal household—by the merit of their former good deeds—are like bees and water-birds, drinking and sporting in that nectar-lake of delight.

Verse 81 (चौपाई)

सीय स्वयंबर कथा सुहाई। सरित सुहावनि सो छबि छाई।। नदी नाव पटु प्रस्न अनेका। केवट कुसल उतर सबिबेका।। सुनि अनुकथन परस्पर होई। पथिक समाज सोह सरि सोई।। घोर धार भृगुनाथ रिसानी। घाट सुबद्ध राम बर बानी।। सानुज राम बिबाह उछाहू। सो सुभ उमग सुखद सब काहू।। कहत सुनत हरषहिं पुलकाहीं। ते सुकृती मन मुदित नहाहीं।। राम तिलक हित मंगल साजा। परब जोग जनु जुरे समाजा।। काई कुमति केकई केरी। परी जासु फल बिपति घनेरी।।

sīya svayaṃbara kathā suhāī | sarita suhāvani so chabi chāī || nadī nāva paṭu prasna anekā | kevaṭa kusala utara saba bibekā || suni anukathana paraspara hoī | pathika samāja soha sari soī || ghora dhāra bhṛgunātha risānī | ghāṭa subaddha rāma bara bānī || sānuj rāma bibāha uchāhū | so subha umaga sukhada saba kāhū || kahata sunata haraṣahiṃ pulakāhīṃ | te sukṛtī mana mudita nahāhīṃ || rāma tilaka hita maṅgala sājā | paraba joga janu jure samājā || kāī kumati kekai केरī | parī jāsu phala bipati ghanerī ||

Fair was the tale of Sita’s svayaṃvara; like a lovely river, that beauty spread and overspread all about. By the river the skilled boatman faced many a question, and with discerning good sense gave answer to them all. Hearing and recounting the story among themselves, the company of travellers looked comely there upon that very stream. Though the fierce current of Paraśurāma’s wrath had risen, Rama’s noble speech made the landing well-secured. Rama, with his younger brother, went on in bridal gladness—an auspicious surge of joy, bringing delight to everyone. As they spoke and listened they rejoiced and thrilled; those meritorious souls bathed their minds in gladness. For Rama’s tilak, auspicious rites were being arrayed; it seemed as though a whole assembly had gathered fit for a festival. Alas, what crooked counsel was Kaikeyī’s—whose fruit proved a dense and grievous calamity.