Prakarana 5

Verse 82 (चौपाई)

सूखहिं अधर जरइ सबु अंगू। मनहुँ दीन मनिहीन भुअंगू।। सरुष समीप दीखि कैकेई। मानहुँ मीचु घरी गनि लेई।। करुनामय मृदु राम सुभाऊ। प्रथम दीख दुखु सुना न काऊ।। तदपि धीर धरि समउ बिचारी। पूँछी मधुर बचन महतारी।। मोहि कहु मातु तात दुख कारन। करिअ जतन जेहिं होइ निवारन।। सुनहु राम सबु कारन एहू। राजहि तुम पर बहुत सनेहू।। देन कहेन्हि मोहि दुइ बरदाना। मागेउँ जो कछु मोहि सोहाना। सो सुनि भयउ भूप उर सोचू। छाड़ि न सकहिं तुम्हार सँकोचू।।

His lips were parched, all his limbs burned; he was like a poor, jewel-less serpent. Seeing Kaikeyi near at hand, he counted her as death come to his very home. Rama's nature was compassionate and gentle; he had never before seen or heard of such sorrow. Yet he maintained his composure, considered the occasion, and questioned his mother with sweet words. Tell me, mother, the cause of father's grief; let efforts be made to remove it. Hear, Rama, this is the whole cause: the king has great affection for you. He promised to grant me two boons; I asked for what suited me. Hearing this, the king was filled with anxiety in his heart; he cannot set aside his regard for you.

Verse 83 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुत सनेह इत बचनु उत संकट परेउ नरेसु। सकहु न आयसु धरहु सिर मेटहु कठिन कलेसु।।40।।

On one side was love for his son, on the other the promise; the king fell into distress. He could not break his word, he bore it on his head, and could not dispel his terrible anguish.

Verse 84 (चौपाई)

निधरक बैठि कहइ कटु बानी। सुनत कठिनता अति अकुलानी।। जीभ कमान बचन सर नाना। मनहुँ महिप मृदु लच्छ समाना।। जनु कठोरपनु धरें सरीरू। सिखइ धनुषबिद्या बर बीरू।। सब प्रसंगु रघुपतिहि सुनाई। बैठि मनहुँ तनु धरि निठुराई।। मन मुसकाइ भानुकुल भानु। रामु सहज आनंद निधानू।। बोले बचन बिगत सब दूषन। मृदु मंजुल जनु बाग बिभूषन।। सुनु जननी सोइ सुतु बड़भागी। जो पितु मातु बचन अनुरागी।। तनय मातु पितु तोषनिहारा। दुर्लभ जननि सकल संसारा।।

She sat without fear and spoke harsh words; hearing her, he was exceedingly distressed. Her tongue was a bow, her words were many arrows, as if a warrior were shooting soft shafts at a king. As if she had taken hardness into her body, she instructed the best of heroes in the art of archery. She related the whole matter to the Lord of the Raghus, sitting as if she had assumed a body of cruelty. Smiling in his heart, the sun of the solar race, Rama, was ever an abode of natural joy. He spoke words free from all blemish, soft and lovely, like the adornment of a garden. Hear, mother: that son is most fortunate who is devoted to the words of his father and mother. A son who pleases his mother and father is rare in all the world, O mother.

Verse 85 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मुनिगन मिलनु बिसेषि बन सबहि भाँति हित मोर। तेहि महँ पितु आयसु बहुरि संमत जननी तोर।।41।।

The meeting of the sages in the forest is special, and in every way it is for my good. In that matter, my father's command comes first, and again your mother approves.

Verse 86 (चौपाई)

भरत प्रानप्रिय पावहिं राजू। बिधि सब बिधि मोहि सनमुख आजु। जों न जाउँ बन ऐसेहु काजा। प्रथम गनिअ मोहि मूढ़ समाजा।। सेवहिं अरँडु कलपतरु त्यागी। परिहरि अमृत लेहिं बिषु मागी।। तेउ न पाइ अस समउ चुकाहीं। देखु बिचारि मातु मन माहीं।। अंब एक दुखु मोहि बिसेषी। निपट बिकल नरनायकु देखी।। थोरिहिं बात पितहि दुख भारी। होति प्रतीति न मोहि महतारी।। राउ धीर गुन उदधि अगाधू। भा मोहि ते कछु बड़ अपराधू।। जातें मोहि न कहत कछु राऊ। मोरि सपथ तोहि कहु सतिभाऊ।।

Bharata, who is dear as life to me, shall receive the kingdom. Fate has brought all circumstances in my favor today. If I do not go to the forest for such a task, I would first be counted a fool by the world. They would serve the castor-oil plant and abandon the wish-fulfilling tree; they would reject nectar and beg for poison. Therefore, do not let such an opportunity slip away. Consider this in your heart, Mother. Mother, there is one special grief in me: seeing the Lord of men utterly bewildered. With but a few words my father suffers a heavy sorrow. My mother does not trust me. The king is patient, an ocean of virtues, unfathomable. Yet a great offense has been committed by me. The king says nothing to me as I leave. By my oath, I tell you truly.

Verse 87 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सहज सरल रघुबर बचन कुमति कुटिल करि जान। चलइ जोंक जल बक्रगति जद्यपि सलिलु समान।।42।।

The simple, straightforward words of the Lord of the Raghus are taken as crooked by foolish and cunning minds. They flow as they will, like water, though the water itself remains the same.

Verse 88 (चौपाई)

रहसी रानि राम रुख पाई। बोली कपट सनेहु जनाई।। सपथ तुम्हार भरत कै आना। हेतु न दूसर मै कछु जाना।। तुम्ह अपराध जोगु नहिं ताता। जननी जनक बंधु सुखदाता।। राम सत्य सबु जो कछु कहहू। तुम्ह पितु मातु बचन रत अहहू।। पितहि बुझाइ कहहु बलि सोई। चौथेंपन जेहिं अजसु न होई।। तुम्ह सम सुअन सुकृत जेहिं दीन्हे। उचित न तासु निरादरु कीन्हे।। लागहिं कुमुख बचन सुभ कैसे। मगहँ गयादिक तीरथ जैसे।। रामहि मातु बचन सब भाए। जिमि सुरसरि गत सलिल सुहाए।।

The queen, having found Rama alone, spoke with feigned affection. "By your oath and Bharata's return, I know no other reason. You are not at fault, my son; your mother and father are givers of joy. Rama, all that you say is true. You are devoted to the words of your father and mother. Explain to your father and say only that which brings no dishonor to the fourth. To one who has been given a son like you, virtuous and good, it is not right to show him disrespect. How can harsh words sound good? It is like going to Gaya and other pilgrimage sites. All the mother's words pleased Rama, like the beautiful flowing waters of the Ganges."

Verse 89 (दोहा/सोरठा)

गइ मुरुछा रामहि सुमिरि नृप फिरि करवट लीन्ह। सचिव राम आगमन कहि बिनय समय सम कीन्ह।।43।।

The king, having lost consciousness, remembered Rama and then turned on his side. The minister, announcing Rama's arrival, made humble entreaty at the proper time.

Verse 90 (चौपाई)

अवनिप अकनि रामु पगु धारे। धरि धीरजु तब नयन उघारे।। सचिवँ सँभारि राउ बैठारे। चरन परत नृप रामु निहारे।। लिए सनेह बिकल उर लाई। गै मनि मनहुँ फनिक फिरि पाई।। रामहि चितइ रहेउ नरनाहू। चला बिलोचन बारि प्रबाहू।। सोक बिबस कछु कहै न पारा। हृदयँ लगावत बारहिं बारा।। बिधिहि मनाव राउ मन माहीं। जेहिं रघुनाथ न कानन जाहीं।। सुमिरि महेसहि कहइ निहोरी। बिनती सुनहु सदासिव मोरी।। आसुतोष तुम्ह अवढर दानी। आरति हरहु दीन जनु जानी।।

The king held Rama’s foot to his eye, and having steadied himself, opened his eyes. Then, composing his ministers, the king took his seat; Rama looked on as the monarch fell at his feet. He took him in his arms and clasped him to his heart; it was as if he had regained a lost jewel, a serpent finding its jewel again. The king’s thoughts remained fixed on Rama; tears streamed from his eyes like a flood. Overcome with grief, he could not speak at all; again and again he pressed him to his heart. In his mind the king sought to persuade the Lord of the Raghus not to go to the forest. Remembering Shiva, he made a supplication: “Hear my prayer, O Eternal Shiva. You are easily pleased and the giver of boons; relieve my distress, knowing me as your humble servant.”

Verse 91 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तुम्ह प्रेरक सब के हृदयँ सो मति रामहि देहु। बचनु मोर तजि रहहि घर परिहरि सीलु सनेहु।।44।।

You are the inspirer of all hearts; give me such wisdom that I may give my heart to Rama. Abandoning my word, let me remain at home, renouncing modesty and affection.

Verse 92 (चौपाई)

अजसु होउ जग सुजसु नसाऊ। नरक परौ बरु सुरपुरु जाऊ।। सब दुख दुसह सहावहु मोही। लोचन ओट रामु जनि होंही।। अस मन गुनइ राउ नहिं बोला। पीपर पात सरिस मनु डोला।। रघुपति पितहि प्रेमबस जानी। पुनि कछु कहिहि मातु अनुमानी।। देस काल अवसर अनुसारी। बोले बचन बिनीत बिचारी।। तात कहउँ कछु करउँ ढिठाई। अनुचितु छमब जानि लरिकाई।। अति लघु बात लागि दुखु पावा। काहुँ न मोहि कहि प्रथम जनावा।। देखि गोसाइँहि पूँछिउँ माता। सुनि प्रसंगु भए सीतल गाता।।

Let me be blamed and my fair fame destroyed; let me fall into hell, even if I go to heaven. Let me endure all unbearable sorrows; only let not Rama become the shelter of my eyes. Thus the king pondered in his mind but did not speak; his heart wavered like a poplar leaf. Knowing that the Lord of the Raghus was overcome by love for his father, his mother surmised that he would say something. Considering the place, time, and occasion, he spoke words that were humble and measured. “Father, I say this and take a bold step; forgive what is unseemly, knowing me as a child. For a very small matter you have taken great grief; no one told me of it beforehand. Seeing the Lord’s intention, I asked Mother; hearing the matter, my body grew cool.”

Verse 93 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मंगल समय सनेह बस सोच परिहरिअ तात। आयसु देइअ हरषि हियँ कहि पुलके प्रभु गात।।45।।

This is a blessed moment; out of love, cast aside all anxiety, Father. Give me your command with joy in your heart, and let your body thrill with delight, O Lord.

Verse 94 (चौपाई)

धन्य जनमु जगतीतल तासू। पितहि प्रमोदु चरित सुनि जासू।। चारि पदारथ करतल ताकें। प्रिय पितु मातु प्रान सम जाकें।। आयसु पालि जनम फलु पाई। ऐहउँ बेगिहिं होउ रजाई।। बिदा मातु सन आवउँ मागी। चलिहउँ बनहि बहुरि पग लागी।। अस कहि राम गवनु तब कीन्हा। भूप सोक बसु उतरु न दीन्हा।। नगर ब्यापि गइ बात सुतीछी। छुअत चढ़ी जनु सब तन बीछी।। सुनि भए बिकल सकल नर नारी। बेलि बिटप जिमि देखि दवारी।। जो जहँ सुनइ धुनइ सिरु सोई। बड़ बिषादु नहिं धीरजु होई।।

Blessed is the birth of him in this world whose father rejoices to hear of his conduct. The four aims of life are in his hand; his dear father and mother are as his own life. Having received your command, I have obtained the fruit of my birth; now let me depart at once, as you desire. I will take leave of Mother and go to the forest, falling at her feet again. Thus speaking, Rama then made ready to go; the king, overcome by grief, could not reply. The news spread through the city; it was as if a poison had entered every body. Hearing it, all men and women were distressed; they were like vines and trees seeing the season of drought. Whoever heard it, there he beat his head; there was great sorrow and no patience.

Verse 95 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मुख सुखाहिं लोचन स्त्रवहि सोकु न हृदयँ समाइ। मनहुँ करुन रस कटकई उतरी अवध बजाइ।।46।।

Their mouths are parched, their eyes stream with tears, and sorrow finds no place in their hearts. It is as if a shower of the nectar of compassion has rained down upon Avadh.

Verse 96 (चौपाई)

मिलेहि माझ बिधि बात बेगारी। जहँ तहँ देहिं कैकेइहि गारी।। एहि पापिनिहि बूझि का परेऊ। छाइ भवन पर पावकु धरेऊ।। निज कर नयन काढ़ि चह दीखा। डारि सुधा बिषु चाहत चीखा।। कुटिल कठोर कुबुद्धि अभागी। भइ रघुबंस बेनु बन आगी।। पालव बैठि पेड़ु एहिं काटा। सुख महुँ सोक ठाटु धरि ठाटा।। सदा रामु एहि प्रान समाना। कारन कवन कुटिलपनु ठाना।। सत्य कहहिं कबि नारि सुभाऊ। सब बिधि अगहु अगाध दुराऊ।। निज प्रतिबिंबु बरुकु गहि जाई। जानि न जाइ नारि गति भाई।।

In the midst of this, Vidhi met with words of idle import; here and there they heaped abuse upon Kaikeyi. Why should one wonder at this sinful woman? It was as though a fire had been set upon her dwelling. She wished to gouge out her own eyes with her own hands; casting aside nectar, she sought to drink poison. Treacherous, harsh, ill-minded and luckless, she became a forest fire to the bamboo grove of the Raghu line. Sitting beneath a bough, she cut down the tree; in the midst of joy she brought sorrow, and set up a great show. Rama was ever one with her very life; what cause had she to practice such treachery? Poets speak the truth: a woman's nature is in every way fathomless and hard to cross. She holds her own reflection as it were in her grasp; the ways of a woman, brother, cannot be known.

Verse 97 (दोहा/सोरठा)

काह न पावकु जारि सक का न समुद्र समाइ। का न करै अबला प्रबल केहि जग कालु न खाइ।।47।।

What fire cannot burn, what the ocean cannot swallow, what a weak woman cannot accomplish when she grows strong, what in this world is not consumed by Time?

Verse 98 (चौपाई)

का सुनाइ बिधि काह सुनावा। का देखाइ चह काह देखावा।। एक कहहिं भल भूप न कीन्हा। बरु बिचारि नहिं कुमतिहि दीन्हा।। जो हठि भयउ सकल दुख भाजनु। अबला बिबस ग्यानु गुनु गा जनु।। एक धरम परमिति पहिचाने। नृपहि दोसु नहिं देहिं सयाने।। सिबि दधीचि हरिचंद कहानी। एक एक सन कहहिं बखानी।। एक भरत कर संमत कहहीं। एक उदास भायँ सुनि रहहीं।। कान मूदि कर रद गहि जीहा। एक कहहिं यह बात अलीहा।। सुकृत जाहिं अस कहत तुम्हारे। रामु भरत कहुँ प्रानपिआरे।।

What could Vidhi make her hear, and to whom could he speak? What could he show her, and to whom could he display it? Some say the king did not do well; but upon reflection, he gave no place to evil counsel. What came to pass was a vessel of all sorrow; a helpless woman, as if bereft of wisdom and virtue. Some, wise in righteousness, recognize this alone: they lay no blame upon the king. They tell the stories of Shibi and Dadhichi, each one recounting them in full. Some declare that Bharata gave his consent; others remain silent, listening with downcast hearts. Some, closing their ears and clenching their teeth and tongues, say: "This talk is false." The virtuous say to them: "Rama is as dear as life to Bharata."

Verse 99 (दोहा/सोरठा)

चंदु चवै बरु अनल कन सुधा होइ बिषतूल। सपनेहुँ कबहुँ न करहिं किछु भरतु राम प्रतिकूल।।48।।

Though the moon may be scorched by fire, though nectar may turn to poison, yet never, even in a dream, would Bharata do anything contrary to Rama.

Verse 100 (चौपाई)

एक बिधातहिं दूषनु देंहीं। सुधा देखाइ दीन्ह बिषु जेहीं।। खरभरु नगर सोचु सब काहू। दुसह दाहु उर मिटा उछाहू।। बिप्रबधू कुलमान्य जठेरी। जे प्रिय परम कैकेई केरी।। लगीं देन सिख सीलु सराही। बचन बानसम लागहिं ताही।। भरतु न मोहि प्रिय राम समाना। सदा कहहु यहु सबु जगु जाना।। करहु राम पर सहज सनेहू। केहिं अपराध आजु बनु देहू।। कबहुँ न कियहु सवति आरेसू। प्रीति प्रतीति जान सबु देसू।। कौसल्याँ अब काह बिगारा। तुम्ह जेहि लागि बज्र पुर पारा।।

They alone can find fault with the Creator, who showed nectar and then gave poison. The city was in turmoil; all were filled with anxiety, and an unbearable burning in their hearts quenched all joy. The brahmin women, honored matrons of noble families, who were exceedingly dear to Kaikeyi Began to give counsel, praising her virtue; their words were like arrows from a bow. "Bharata is not dearer to me than Rama; let all the world know this forever. Bear natural affection for Rama; for what offense do you now send him to the forest? Never have you regarded me as a rival wife; all the world knows your love and trust. O Kaushalya, what harm is there now? You, for whose sake the thunderbolt crossed the city."

Verse 101 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सीय कि पिय सँगु परिहरिहि लखनु कि रहिहहिं धाम। राजु कि भूँजब भरत पुर नृपु कि जिइहि बिनु राम।।49।।

Will Sita abandon her beloved, or will Lakshmana remain at home? Will Bharata enjoy the kingdom, or will the king live without Rama?