Prakarana 10

Verse 184 (चौपाई)

उठे लखनु प्रभु सोवत जानी। कहि सचिवहि सोवन मृदु बानी।। कछुक दूर सजि बान सरासन। जागन लगे बैठि बीरासन।। गुँह बोलाइ पाहरू प्रतीती। ठावँ ठाँव राखे अति प्रीती।। आपु लखन पहिं बैठेउ जाई। कटि भाथी सर चाप चढ़ाई।। सोवत प्रभुहि निहारि निषादू। भयउ प्रेम बस ह्दयँ बिषादू।। तनु पुलकित जलु लोचन बहई। बचन सप्रेम लखन सन कहई।। भूपति भवन सुभायँ सुहावा। सुरपति सदनु न पटतर पावा।। मनिमय रचित चारु चौबारे। जनु रतिपति निज हाथ सँवारे।।

Lakshmana rose, knowing the Lord to be asleep, and spoke softly to the minister, bidding him rest. He took his bow and quiver and sat at a little distance, assuming a warrior’s seat, and began his watch. Guha called a boatman he trusted and had him stay at various places with great affection. Lakshmana himself went and sat nearby, with his quiver at his waist and his bow strung. Seeing the Lord asleep, the Nishada gazed upon him; his heart was pierced with love and dissolved in tenderness. His body thrilled with rapture, tears flowed from his eyes, and he spoke loving words to Lakshmana. "The king’s palace is fair by nature; even the abode of the King of the Gods cannot match it. Its charming balconies, wrought with jewels, look as though the Lord of Love himself fashioned them with his own hands."

Verse 185 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुचि सुबिचित्र सुभोगमय सुमन सुगंध सुबास। पलँग मंजु मनिदीप जहँ सब बिधि सकल सुपास।।90।।

Pure, most lovely, full of delights, with flowers fragrant and sweet-scented; a beautiful bed, charming lamps, where everything is wholly perfect.

Verse 186 (चौपाई)

बिबिध बसन उपधान तुराई। छीर फेन मृदु बिसद सुहाई।। तहँ सिय रामु सयन निसि करहीं। निज छबि रति मनोज मदु हरहीं।। ते सिय रामु साथरीं सोए। श्रमित बसन बिनु जाहिं न जोए।। मातु पिता परिजन पुरबासी। सखा सुसील दास अरु दासी।। जोगवहिं जिन्हहि प्रान की नाई। महि सोवत तेइ राम गोसाईं।। पिता जनक जग बिदित प्रभाऊ। ससुर सुरेस सखा रघुराऊ।। रामचंदु पति सो बैदेही। सोवत महि बिधि बाम न केही।। सिय रघुबीर कि कानन जोगू। करम प्रधान सत्य कह लोगू।।

Various garments and pillows were arranged; white foam like milk, soft and white, made it lovely. There Sita and Rama spent the night in rest; by their beauty they took away the intoxication of Love himself. Those two, Sita and Rama, slept upon the same bed; their garments were worn and rumpled, yet they sought no change. Mother, father, kinsmen, the city's folk; friends, the virtuous, servants and serving-women. Whom they held as dear as life itself, upon that ground slept the Lord Rama. Her father is Janaka, renowned in the world for his power; her father-in-law is the king of the gods, her friend is the Lord of the Raghus. Ramachandra is the husband of the daughter of Videha; as she lay sleeping upon the ground, no one was her equal. Whether Sita and the Hero of the Raghus are fit for the forest, people say: "Deeds are supreme, this is the truth."

Verse 187 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कैकयनंदिनि मंदमति कठिन कुटिलपनु कीन्ह। जेहीं रघुनंदन जानकिहि सुख अवसर दुखु दीन्ह।।91।।

The foolish daughter of Kaikeyi practiced harsh and crooked cunning; by which she gave sorrow in the very moment of happiness to the delight of the Raghus and Janaki.

Verse 188 (चौपाई)

भइ दिनकर कुल बिटप कुठारी। कुमति कीन्ह सब बिस्व दुखारी।। भयउ बिषादु निषादहि भारी। राम सीय महि सयन निहारी।। बोले लखन मधुर मृदु बानी। ग्यान बिराग भगति रस सानी।। काहु न कोउ सुख दुख कर दाता। निज कृत करम भोग सबु भ्राता।। जोग बियोग भोग भल मंदा। हित अनहित मध्यम भ्रम फंदा।। जनमु मरनु जहँ लगि जग जालू। संपती बिपति करमु अरु कालू।। धरनि धामु धनु पुर परिवारू। सरगु नरकु जहँ लगि ब्यवहारू।। देखिअ सुनिअ गुनिअ मन माहीं। मोह मूल परमारथु नाहीं।।

She became the axe that felled the tree of the sun's dynasty; her evil counsel brought sorrow to all the world. Great grief fell upon the Nishada; he beheld Rama and Sita sleeping upon the ground. Lakshmana spoke in sweet and gentle words, matched with knowledge, dispassion, and the flavor of devotion. No one is the giver of happiness or sorrow to another; every brother, you yourself reap the fruit of your own deeds. Union, separation, enjoyment, good and evil; gain and loss are the snares of delusion. Birth and death, as long as the world's snare lasts; prosperity and adversity are fate and time. Earth, home, wealth, city and family; heaven and hell, as long as worldly dealings go on. Whatever is seen, heard or thought in the mind, there is no supreme good in the root of delusion.

Verse 189 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सपनें होइ भिखारि नृप रंकु नाकपति होइ। जागें लाभु न हानि कछु तिमि प्रपंच जियँ जोइ।।92।।

In a dream a king may become a beggar, and a beggar become a king; when he wakes, there is neither gain nor loss. Even so is this world-illusion that entangles the soul.

Verse 190 (चौपाई)

अस बिचारि नहिं कीजअ रोसू। काहुहि बादि न देइअ दोसू।। मोह निसाँ सबु सोवनिहारा। देखिअ सपन अनेक प्रकारा।। एहिं जग जामिनि जागहिं जोगी। परमारथी प्रपंच बियोगी।। जानिअ तबहिं जीव जग जागा। जब जब बिषय बिलास बिरागा।। होइ बिबेकु मोह भ्रम भागा। तब रघुनाथ चरन अनुरागा।। सखा परम परमारथु एहू। मन क्रम बचन राम पद नेहू।। राम ब्रह्म परमारथ रूपा। अबिगत अलख अनादि अनूपा।। सकल बिकार रहित गतभेदा। कहि नित नेति निरूपहिं बेदा।

Thinking thus, let there be no anger, and let no one be blamed in vain. All are sleepers in the night of delusion; they behold dreams of many kinds. In this world, the yogis alone are awake; the seekers of the highest truth are detached from worldly illusion. Know that the soul is awake in the world only when it turns away from sensual pleasures. When discrimination arises and the delusion of infatuation flees, then there is love for the feet of the Lord of the Raghus. Friend, this is the supreme good: to love the feet of Rama in heart, deed, and word. Rama is the Supreme Reality, the form of the highest good, the imperceptible, the unmanifest, the beginningless, the peerless. He is free from all impurities, beyond all distinctions; the Vedas ever describe Him as "Not this, not this."

Verse 191 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भगत भूमि भूसुर सुरभि सुर हित लागि कृपाल। करत चरित धरि मनुज तनु सुनत मिटहि जग जाल।।93।।

O Merciful One, for the good of devotees, the earth, the gods, and the cows, You perform Your divine play, taking on a human body; hearing it, the snares of the world are destroyed.

Verse 192 (चौपाई)

सखा समुझि अस परिहरि मोहु। सिय रघुबीर चरन रत होहू।। कहत राम गुन भा भिनुसारा। जागे जग मंगल सुखदारा।। सकल सोच करि राम नहावा। सुचि सुजान बट छीर मगावा।। अनुज सहित सिर जटा बनाए। देखि सुमंत्र नयन जल छाए।। हृदयँ दाहु अति बदन मलीना। कह कर जोरि बचन अति दीना।। नाथ कहेउ अस कोसलनाथा। लै रथु जाहु राम कें साथा।। बनु देखाइ सुरसरि अन्हवाई। आनेहु फेरि बेगि दोउ भाई।। लखनु रामु सिय आनेहु फेरी। संसय सकल सँकोच निबेरी।।

Friend, understanding this, cast aside delusion and become devoted to the feet of Sita and the Hero of the Raghus. As he spoke of Rama's virtues, the night passed; the world awoke, bringing joy and happiness. Having dismissed all cares, Rama bathed; the wise Sumantra had the banyan tree watered with milk. Together with his brother, he matted his hair; seeing this, Sumantra's eyes filled with tears. His heart burned with anguish, his face was pale; joining his hands, he spoke words of great humility. "Lord," he said, "O Lord of Kosala, take the chariot and go with Rama. Show him the forest and the banks of the Ganga; then bring back the two brothers without delay. Bring back Lakshmana, Rama, and Sita; resolve all doubts and remove every hesitation."

Verse 193 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नृप अस कहेउ गोसाईं जस कहइ करौं बलि सोइ। करि बिनती पायन्ह परेउ दीन्ह बाल जिमि रोइ।।94।।

The king spoke thus: "O Lord, whatever You say, that I shall do." He made his prayer and fell at His feet, weeping like a child.

Verse 194 (चौपाई)

तात कृपा करि कीजिअ सोई। जातें अवध अनाथ न होई।। मंत्रहि राम उठाइ प्रबोधा। तात धरम मतु तुम्ह सबु सोधा।। सिबि दधीचि हरिचंद नरेसा। सहे धरम हित कोटि कलेसा।। रंतिदेव बलि भूप सुजाना। धरमु धरेउ सहि संकट नाना।। धरमु न दूसर सत्य समाना। आगम निगम पुरान बखाना।। मैं सोइ धरमु सुलभ करि पावा। तजें तिहूँ पुर अपजसु छावा।। संभावित कहुँ अपजस लाहू। मरन कोटि सम दारुन दाहू।। तुम्ह सन तात बहुत का कहऊँ। दिएँ उतरु फिरि पातकु लहऊँ।।

"Father, show that mercy by which Ayodhya may not become orphaned. Having awakened Rama with these words, the king said: 'Father, you have examined all the duties of righteousness.' Shibi, Dadhichi, King Harishchandra endured millions of sufferings for the sake of righteousness. Rantideva, Bali, the wise king, upheld righteousness and bore many trials. There is no other righteousness equal to truth; this is declared in the scriptures, Vedas, and Puranas. I have attained that righteousness easily; if I abandon it, disgrace will overshadow the three worlds. Disgrace, where one was held in honor, is worse than death; it is a dread sorrow, a million times more terrible. What more shall I say to you, Father? If I accept your offer, I shall incur sin."

Verse 195 (दोहा/सोरठा)

पितु पद गहि कहि कोटि नति बिनय करब कर जोरि। चिंता कवनिहु बात कै तात करिअ जनि मोरि।।95।।

Clasping my father's feet, offering millions of obeisances, I make my supplication with joined palms. Do not be anxious about any matter, Father; do not cause me distress.

Verse 196 (चौपाई)

तुम्ह पुनि पितु सम अति हित मोरें। बिनती करउँ तात कर जोरें।। सब बिधि सोइ करतब्य तुम्हारें। दुख न पाव पितु सोच हमारें।। सुनि रघुनाथ सचिव संबादू। भयउ सपरिजन बिकल निषादू।। पुनि कछु लखन कही कटु बानी। प्रभु बरजे बड़ अनुचित जानी।। सकुचि राम निज सपथ देवाई। लखन सँदेसु कहिअ जनि जाई।। कह सुमंत्रु पुनि भूप सँदेसू। सहि न सकिहि सिय बिपिन कलेसू।। जेहि बिधि अवध आव फिरि सीया। सोइ रघुबरहि तुम्हहि करनीया।। नतरु निपट अवलंब बिहीना। मैं न जिअब जिमि जल बिनु मीना।।

You are like a father to me, exceedingly devoted to my welfare; with folded hands I make my entreaty, Father. In every way that is your duty, act so that my father does not suffer grief. Hearing the conversation between the Lord of the Raghus and his minister, the Nishada, with all his kin, became distraught. Then Lakshmana spoke some harsh words; the Lord restrained him, considering it highly improper. Rama, abashed, made him swear an oath: "Lakshmana, convey the message without going there yourself." Sumantra said again to the king: "Sita will not be able to bear the sorrow of the forest. In whatever manner Sita returns to Ayodhya, that you must do, O best of the Raghus. Otherwise I shall be utterly without support; I shall not live, even as a fish cannot live without water."

Verse 197 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मइकें ससरें सकल सुख जबहिं जहाँ मनु मान।। तँह तब रहिहि सुखेन सिय जब लगि बिपति बिहान।।96।।

In my mother's home and my father-in-law's home, all happiness abides wherever my heart finds contentment. There and then Sita will remain in happiness until this calamity has passed.

Verse 198 (चौपाई)

बिनती भूप कीन्ह जेहि भाँती। आरति प्रीति न सो कहि जाती।। पितु सँदेसु सुनि कृपानिधाना। सियहि दीन्ह सिख कोटि बिधाना।। सासु ससुर गुर प्रिय परिवारू। फिरतु त सब कर मिटै खभारू।। सुनि पति बचन कहति बैदेही। सुनहु प्रानपति परम सनेही।। प्रभु करुनामय परम बिबेकी। तनु तजि रहति छाँह किमि छेंकी।। प्रभा जाइ कहँ भानु बिहाई। कहँ चंद्रिका चंदु तजि जाई।। पतिहि प्रेममय बिनय सुनाई। कहति सचिव सन गिरा सुहाई।। तुम्ह पितु ससुर सरिस हितकारी। उतरु देउँ फिरि अनुचित भारी।।

The king made his entreaty in such a manner that his anguish and love cannot be described. Hearing his father's message, the Ocean of Compassion gave Sita instruction in countless ways. "If you return, the anxiety of mother, father-in-law, father, guru, and dear family will all be dispelled." Hearing her husband's words, the Daughter of Videha said: "Hear me, O Lord of my life, O supremely beloved. The Lord is compassionate and of supreme discernment; how can the shadow exist after the body is cast off? Where does the radiance go when the sun departs? Where does the moonlight go when the moon leaves? She spoke words of loving entreaty to her husband; she addressed the minister with gracious speech. "You are like my father and father-in-law, a well-wisher; I shall give my reply, though it is highly improper."

Verse 199 (दोहा/सोरठा)

आरति बस सनमुख भइउँ बिलगु न मानब तात। आरजसुत पद कमल बिनु बादि जहाँ लगि नात।।97।।

Overcome by anguish, I have come before you; do not turn me away, Father. Without the lotus feet of the Son of Dasharatha, I shall not survive, even to the last breath.

Verse 200 (चौपाई)

पितु बैभव बिलास मैं डीठा। नृप मनि मुकुट मिलित पद पीठा।। सुखनिधान अस पितु गृह मोरें। पिय बिहीन मन भाव न भोरें।। ससुर चक्कवइ कोसलराऊ। भुवन चारिदस प्रगट प्रभाऊ।। आगें होइ जेहि सुरपति लेई। अरध सिंघासन आसनु देई।। ससुरु एतादृस अवध निवासू। प्रिय परिवारु मातु सम सासू।। बिनु रघुपति पद पदुम परागा। मोहि केउ सपनेहुँ सुखद न लागा।। अगम पंथ बनभूमि पहारा। करि केहरि सर सरित अपारा।। कोल किरात कुरंग बिहंगा। मोहि सब सुखद प्रानपति संगा।।

I have seen my father's wealth and splendor, and his feet rested on a seat studded with gems and pearls. Such is my father's home, a very treasure-house of happiness; but now, without my beloved, my heart finds no delight in it. My father-in-law is the king of Kosala, whose glory shines throughout the fourteen worlds. He whom the Lord of the gods once led forward and seated upon half the throne. Such is my father-in-law, dwelling in Ayodhya, with a loving family and a mother-in-law like my own mother. Without the pollen of the lotus feet of the Lord of the Raghus, nothing has given me joy, even in a dream. The path to the forest is impassable, with mountains, elephants, lions, lakes, and boundless rivers. Kolas, Kiratas, deer, and birds; all these bring me happiness when the Lord of my life is with me.

Verse 201 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सासु ससुर सन मोरि हुँति बिनय करबि परि पायँ।। मोर सोचु जनि करिअ कछु मैं बन सुखी सुभायँ।।98।।

I shall humble myself and clasp the feet of my mother-in-law and father-in-law in entreaty. Do not grieve for me at all; I shall be happy in the forest by my natural disposition.

Verse 202 (चौपाई)

प्राननाथ प्रिय देवर साथा। बीर धुरीन धरें धनु भाथा।। नहिं मग श्रमु भ्रमु दुख मन मोरें। मोहि लगि सोचु करिअ जनि भोरें।। सुनि सुमंत्रु सिय सीतलि बानी। भयउ बिकल जनु फनि मनि हानी।। नयन सूझ नहिं सुनइ न काना। कहि न सकइ कछु अति अकुलाना।। राम प्रबोधु कीन्ह बहु भाँति। तदपि होति नहिं सीतलि छाती।। जतन अनेक साथ हित कीन्हे। उचित उतर रघुनंदन दीन्हे।। मेटि जाइ नहिं राम रजाई। कठिन करम गति कछु न बसाई।। राम लखन सिय पद सिरु नाई। फिरेउ बनिक जिमि मूर गवाँई।।

My Lord of my life, my beloved brother-in-law is my companion, a brave hero who bears his bow in his hand. There will be no fatigue, no wandering, no sorrow in my heart; do not grieve for me even a little. Hearing Sita's soothing words, Sumantra was distressed, as if the serpent-gem had been lost. His eyes could not see, his ears could not hear, and he could say nothing, being utterly overwhelmed. He tried in many ways to console Rama, yet his heart found no relief. He made many efforts and gave good counsel, and the Son of the Raghus gave a fitting reply. But Rama's resolve could not be shaken; his course was hard and unalterable. Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita bowed their heads at his feet, and he turned back like a merchant who has lost his capital.

Verse 203 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-रथ हाँकेउ हय राम तन हेरि हेरि हिहिनाहिं। देखि निषाद बिषादबस धुनहिं सीस पछिताहिं।।99।।

Rama drove the chariot, looking again and again at Sumantra, who was weeping. Seeing the Nishada overcome with grief, they beat their heads in remorse.