Prakarana 15

Verse 286 (चौपाई)

राम संग सिय रहति सुखारी। पुर परिजन गृह सुरति बिसारी।। छिनु छिनु पिय बिधु बदनु निहारी। प्रमुदित मनहुँ चकोरकुमारी।। नाह नेहु नित बढ़त बिलोकी। हरषित रहति दिवस जिमि कोकी।। सिय मनु राम चरन अनुरागा। अवध सहस सम बनु प्रिय लागा।। परनकुटी प्रिय प्रियतम संगा। प्रिय परिवारु कुरंग बिहंगा।। सासु ससुर सम मुनितिय मुनिबर। असनु अमिअ सम कंद मूल फर।। नाथ साथ साँथरी सुहाई। मयन सयन सय सम सुखदाई।। लोकप होहिं बिलोकत जासू। तेहि कि मोहि सक बिषय बिलासू।।

Sita remains full of joy in the company of Rama, having forgotten the city, her kinsfolk, and her home. Moment by moment she gazes upon her beloved's moon-like face, her heart gladdened like a young chakora bird. Day by day their love grows before her eyes; she remains joyful like a kokila bird in the daytime. Sita's heart is devoted to the feet of Rama; the forest seems to her as dear as a thousand Ayodhyas. A leaf-hut is dear when one's beloved is near; a dear household is like deer and birds in the woods. Her mother-in-law and father-in-law are like a sage's wife and the best of sages; their food is like nectar, roots and fruits like heavenly fare. The Lord's presence makes even a bed of leaves delightful; a couch of grass, a fine bed, gives equal pleasure. Those who become Lokas gaze upon her; yet what worldly delight can bind me to her?

Verse 287 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-सुमिरत रामहि तजहिं जन तृन सम बिषय बिलासु। रामप्रिया जग जननि सिय कछु न आचरजु तासु।।140।।

Those who remember Rama cast aside worldly pleasures like straw; Sita, the mother of the world, is dear to Rama, and this is no wonder.

Verse 288 (चौपाई)

सीय लखन जेहि बिधि सुखु लहहीं। सोइ रघुनाथ करहि सोइ कहहीं।। कहहिं पुरातन कथा कहानी। सुनहिं लखनु सिय अति सुखु मानी। जब जब रामु अवध सुधि करहीं। तब तब बारि बिलोचन भरहीं।। सुमिरि मातु पितु परिजन भाई। भरत सनेहु सीलु सेवकाई।। कृपासिंधु प्रभु होहिं दुखारी। धीरजु धरहिं कुसमउ बिचारी।। लखि सिय लखनु बिकल होइ जाहीं। जिमि पुरुषहि अनुसर परिछाहीं।। प्रिया बंधु गति लखि रघुनंदनु। धीर कृपाल भगत उर चंदनु।। लगे कहन कछु कथा पुनीता। सुनि सुखु लहहिं लखनु अरु सीता।।

In whatever manner Sita and Lakshmana find happiness, the Lord of the Raghus does that very thing and speaks of it. They tell ancient tales and stories; Lakshmana listens, and Sita considers it the greatest joy. Whenever Rama thinks of Ayodhya, at that very moment his eyes fill with water. Remembering his mother, father, kinsfolk and brothers, the love of Bharata, his virtues, and his service. The Lord, an ocean of compassion, becomes sorrowful; yet he maintains patience, considering the proper occasion. Seeing Sita and Lakshmana distressed, he becomes troubled, just as a man is anxious for those who follow him. Seeing the condition of his beloved and his brother, the Delighter of the Raghus, patient and compassionate, becomes the moon that cools the hearts of devotees. He begins to tell some sacred story; hearing it, Lakshmana and Sita find happiness.

Verse 289 (दोहा/सोरठा)

रामु लखन सीता सहित सोहत परन निकेत। जिमि बासव बस अमरपुर सची जयंत समेत।।141।।

Rama, with Lakshmana and Sita, shone in his forest dwelling, even as Indra shines in the city of the gods, with Shachi and Jayanta at his side.

Verse 290 (चौपाई)

जोगवहिं प्रभु सिय लखनहिं कैसें। पलक बिलोचन गोलक जैसें।। सेवहिं लखनु सीय रघुबीरहि। जिमि अबिबेकी पुरुष सरीरहि।। एहि बिधि प्रभु बन बसहिं सुखारी। खग मृग सुर तापस हितकारी।। कहेउँ राम बन गवनु सुहावा। सुनहु सुमंत्र अवध जिमि आवा।। फिरेउ निषादु प्रभुहि पहुँचाई। सचिव सहित रथ देखेसि आई।। मंत्री बिकल बिलोकि निषादू। कहि न जाइ जस भयउ बिषादू।। राम राम सिय लखन पुकारी। परेउ धरनितल ब्याकुल भारी।। देखि दखिन दिसि हय हिहिनाहीं। जनु बिनु पंख बिहग अकुलाहीं।।

The Lord, Sita, and Lakshmana were yoked together, like the eyelids to the eyeball. Lakshmana served Sita and the Lord of the Raghus, even as the unreasoning body serves the soul within. In this manner the Lord dwelt happily in the forest, bringing good to birds, deer, gods, and ascetics. I have told of Rama’s journey to the forest, so pleasing to the heart. Now hear, Sumantra, how he came to Ayodhya. The Nishada returned after escorting the Lord, and came back with the chariot and the minister. The minister was distraught at seeing the Nishada; the grief that had befallen him cannot be told. Crying, "Rama, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana!" he fell to the ground, utterly overwhelmed. Seeing the horses looking toward the south, it was as if birds without wings were in great distress.

Verse 291 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नहिं तृन चरहिं पिअहिं जलु मोचहिं लोचन बारि। ब्याकुल भए निषाद सब रघुबर बाजि निहारि।।142।।

They do not graze on grass, they do not drink water, tears stream from their eyes. All the Nishadas grew anxious as they gazed at the horses of the Best of the Raghus.

Verse 292 (चौपाई)

धरि धीरज तब कहइ निषादू। अब सुमंत्र परिहरहु बिषादू।। तुम्ह पंडित परमारथ ग्याता। धरहु धीर लखि बिमुख बिधाता बिबिध कथा कहि कहि मृदु बानी। रथ बैठारेउ बरबस आनी।। सोक सिथिल रथ सकइ न हाँकी। रघुबर बिरह पीर उर बाँकी।। चरफराहिं मग चलहिं न घोरे। बन मृग मनहुँ आनि रथ जोरे।। अढ़ुकि परहिं फिरि हेरहिं पीछें। राम बियोगि बिकल दुख तीछें।। जो कह रामु लखनु बैदेही। हिंकरि हिंकरि हित हेरहिं तेही।। बाजि बिरह गति कहि किमि जाती। बिनु मनि फनिक बिकल जेहि भाँती।।

Then the Nishada took courage and spoke: "Now, Sumantra, put away your grief. You are a wise man, one who knows the highest good; take heart, knowing that the Creator is adverse to us. With many gentle words and stories, he somehow made him mount the chariot and brought him along. Weakened by sorrow, the chariot could hardly be driven; the pain of separation from the Best of the Raghus remained piercing in the heart. The horses trembled and would not move forward; it was as if the wild deer of the forest had been yoked to the chariot. They stumbled and fell, then turned to look behind; they were distraught with the sorrow of separation from Rama. Whenever anyone spoke the names of Rama, Lakshmana, or the Daughter of Videha, they would neigh and look in that direction for their beloved. Who can describe the state of the horses in their separation? They were like a serpent without its gem, utterly forlorn.

Verse 293 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भयउ निषाद बिषादबस देखत सचिव तुरंग। बोलि सुसेवक चारि तब दिए सारथी संग।।143।।

The Nishada, overcome with grief, watched the minister and the horses. Then he called four good servants and gave them to accompany the charioteer.

Verse 294 (चौपाई)

गुह सारथिहि फिरेउ पहुँचाई। बिरहु बिषादु बरनि नहिं जाई।। चले अवध लेइ रथहि निषादा। होहि छनहिं छन मगन बिषादा।। सोच सुमंत्र बिकल दुख दीना। धिग जीवन रघुबीर बिहीना।। रहिहि न अंतहुँ अधम सरीरू। जसु न लहेउ बिछुरत रघुबीरू।। भए अजस अघ भाजन प्राना। कवन हेतु नहिं करत पयाना।। अहह मंद मनु अवसर चूका। अजहुँ न हृदय होत दुइ टूका।। मीजि हाथ सिरु धुनि पछिताई। मनहँ कृपन धन रासि गवाँई।। बिरिद बाँधि बर बीरु कहाई। चलेउ समर जनु सुभट पराई।।

Guha sent the charioteer back after escorting him; the grief of separation cannot be described. The Nishadas took the chariot and set out for Ayodhya; every moment they were plunged in sorrow. Sumantra, filled with anxious thought and sorrow, cried: "Cursed be this life without the Lord of the Raghus! This vile body will not last to the end, for it did not attain glory when the Lord of the Raghus departed. My life has become a vessel of sin and infamy; for what reason does it not perish? Alas, my mind was slow and I missed the hour; even now my heart is not torn in two. Beating his head with his hand, he repented, and in his mind he lost the treasure he had hoarded. Bound by his vow, he was called a brave hero; he went forth as if to battle, like a warrior going to war.

Verse 295 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बिप्र बिबेकी बेदबिद संमत साधु सुजाति। जिमि धोखें मदपान कर सचिव सोच तेहि भाँति।।144।।

A Brahmin, wise and learned in the Vedas, approved by the good and of noble birth, when he drinks wine in secret, becomes a counselor filled with anxiety in that manner.

Verse 296 (चौपाई)

जिमि कुलीन तिय साधु सयानी। पतिदेवता करम मन बानी।। रहै करम बस परिहरि नाहू। सचिव हृदयँ तिमि दारुन दाहु।। लोचन सजल डीठि भइ थोरी। सुनइ न श्रवन बिकल मति भोरी।। सूखहिं अधर लागि मुहँ लाटी। जिउ न जाइ उर अवधि कपाटी।। बिबरन भयउ न जाइ निहारी। मारेसि मनहुँ पिता महतारी।। हानि गलानि बिपुल मन ब्यापी। जमपुर पंथ सोच जिमि पापी।। बचनु न आव हृदयँ पछिताई। अवध काह मैं देखब जाई।। राम रहित रथ देखिहि जोई। सकुचिहि मोहि बिलोकत सोई।।

Just as a high-born woman, virtuous and wise, who regards her husband as a god in thought, word, and deed, remains under the sway of her husband's will, shunning all else, so in the counselor's heart burned a dreadful anguish. His eyes grew moist, his gaze became unsteady; his ears heard nothing, his bewildered mind was dazed. His lips withered, his mouth became dry; his life would not leave him, the doors of his heart were barred. He grew pale beyond recognition; it seemed as if his father and mother had died. Loss and shame overwhelmed his heart in abundance, like a sinner who thinks upon the road to the city of Yama. No words would come, though his heart was filled with remorse; to Ayodhya, why shall I go and show my face? Whoever sees the chariot without Rama will feel shame when he looks upon me.

Verse 297 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-धाइ पूँछिहहिं मोहि जब बिकल नगर नर नारि। उतरु देब मैं सबहि तब हृदयँ बज्रु बैठारि।।145।।

When the distressed men and women of the city come running and question me, I shall give them all an answer, having seated a thunderbolt in my heart.

Verse 298 (चौपाई)

पुछिहहिं दीन दुखित सब माता। कहब काह मैं तिन्हहि बिधाता।। पूछिहि जबहिं लखन महतारी। कहिहउँ कवन सँदेस सुखारी।। राम जननि जब आइहि धाई। सुमिरि बच्छु जिमि धेनु लवाई।। पूँछत उतरु देब मैं तेही। गे बनु राम लखनु बैदेही।। जोइ पूँछिहि तेहि ऊतरु देबा।जाइ अवध अब यहु सुखु लेबा।। पूँछिहि जबहिं राउ दुख दीना। जिवनु जासु रघुनाथ अधीना।। देहउँ उतरु कौनु मुहु लाई। आयउँ कुसल कुअँर पहुँचाई।। सुनत लखन सिय राम सँदेसू। तृन जिमि तनु परिहरिहि नरेसू।।

All the mothers will question me, poor and sorrowful; what shall I say to them, O Creator? When Lakshmana's mother questions me, what message of comfort shall I give? When Rama's mother comes running to me, like a cow remembering her calf and lowing I shall give her this answer: Rama, Lakshmana, and the daughter of Videha have gone to the forest. To whoever asks, I shall give an answer; now I shall go to Ayodhya and take this solace. When the king, sorrowful and distressed, questions me, he whose life is devoted to the Lord of the Raghus What answer shall I give, with what face shall I appear? I have come having escorted the princes safely. Hearing the message of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, the king will abandon his body as a man casts off a blade of grass.

Verse 299 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-ह्रदउ न बिदरेउ पंक जिमि बिछुरत प्रीतमु नीरु।। जानत हौं मोहि दीन्ह बिधि यहु जातना सरीरु।।146।।

My heart did not burst, just as mud does not split when water separates from it. I know that Brahma has given me this body to endure such torment.

Verse 300 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि करत पंथ पछितावा। तमसा तीर तुरत रथु आवा।। बिदा किए करि बिनय निषादा। फिरे पायँ परि बिकल बिषादा।। पैठत नगर सचिव सकुचाई। जनु मारेसि गुर बाँभन गाई।। बैठि बिटप तर दिवसु गवाँवा। साँझ समय तब अवसरु पावा।। अवध प्रबेसु कीन्ह अँधिआरें। पैठ भवन रथु राखि दुआरें।। जिन्ह जिन्ह समाचार सुनि पाए। भूप द्वार रथु देखन आए।। रथु पहिचानि बिकल लखि घोरे। गरहिं गात जिमि आतप ओरे।। नगर नारि नर ब्याकुल कैंसें। निघटत नीर मीनगन जैंसें।।

While he was thus making his way in remorse, the chariot quickly reached the bank of the Tamasa. Having taken leave, the Nishada made entreaties; then, falling at their feet and overcome with sorrow, he turned back. The minister entered the city in shame, as if he had killed a cow, a Brahmin, or a guru. He sat beneath a tree and let the day pass; then at evening time he found his opportunity. He entered Ayodhya when it was dark; he went into his house and kept the chariot at the door. Whichever kings heard the news and came to the door to see the chariot they recognized the chariot and were stricken with dread; they cursed their bodies as if they were garments scorched by the sun. The men and women of the city were distraught, like fish darting about when the water dries up.

Verse 301 (दोहा/सोरठा)

-सचिव आगमनु सुनत सबु बिकल भयउ रनिवासु। भवन भयंकरु लाग तेहि मानहुँ प्रेत निवासु।।147।।

When all heard of the minister's coming, the palace was filled with anguish. The house seemed terrible to them, as if it were a dwelling of ghosts.

Verse 302 (चौपाई)

अति आरति सब पूँछहिं रानी। उतरु न आव बिकल भइ बानी।। सुनइ न श्रवन नयन नहिं सूझा। कहहु कहाँ नृप तेहि तेहि बूझा।। दासिन्ह दीख सचिव बिकलाई। कौसल्या गृहँ गईं लवाई।। जाइ सुमंत्र दीख कस राजा। अमिअ रहित जनु चंदु बिराजा।। आसन सयन बिभूषन हीना। परेउ भूमितल निपट मलीना।। लेइ उसासु सोच एहि भाँती। सुरपुर तें जनु खँसेउ जजाती।। लेत सोच भरि छिनु छिनु छाती। जनु जरि पंख परेउ संपाती।। राम राम कह राम सनेही। पुनि कह राम लखन बैदेही।।

In great distress the queens all made inquiries, but no answer came, for their voices were choked. Their ears could not hear, their eyes could not see; they asked, "Tell us, where is the king?" and each one questioned him. When the maidservants saw the minister so distraught, they led him to Kaushalya's house. Sumantra went and saw how the king was, like the moon without its nectar, bereft of radiance. Stripped of seat, bed, and ornaments, he lay upon the ground, utterly defiled. He drew sigh after sigh, thinking in this manner, as if he had been cast down from heaven itself. He took thought, his heart filled with anguish moment by moment, as if a bird with singed wings had fallen to the ground. He said, "Rama, Rama, O beloved Rama," and then again, "Rama, Lakshmana, Vaidehi."

Verse 303 (दोहा/सोरठा)

देखि सचिवँ जय जीव कहि कीन्हेउ दंड प्रनामु। सुनत उठेउ ब्याकुल नृपति कहु सुमंत्र कहँ रामु।।148।।

Seeing the minister, he cried, "Victory, may you live!" and made obeisance with bowed head. Hearing him, the king rose in distress and said, "Tell me, Sumantra, where is Rama?"

Verse 304 (चौपाई)

भूप सुमंत्रु लीन्ह उर लाई। बूड़त कछु अधार जनु पाई।। सहित सनेह निकट बैठारी। पूँछत राउ नयन भरि बारी।। राम कुसल कहु सखा सनेही। कहँ रघुनाथु लखनु बैदेही।। आने फेरि कि बनहि सिधाए। सुनत सचिव लोचन जल छाए।। सोक बिकल पुनि पूँछ नरेसू। कहु सिय राम लखन संदेसू।। राम रूप गुन सील सुभाऊ। सुमिरि सुमिरि उर सोचत राऊ।। राउ सुनाइ दीन्ह बनबासू। सुनि मन भयउ न हरषु हराँसू।। सो सुत बिछुरत गए न प्राना। को पापी बड़ मोहि समाना।।

The king drew Sumantra to his heart, as a drowning man finds some support. He seated him close with love and asked him, his eyes filled with tears. "Tell me of Rama's welfare, my beloved friend; where is the Lord of the Raghus, Lakshmana, Vaidehi?" "Have they turned back, or have they gone on to the forest?" Hearing this, the minister's eyes were clouded with tears. Overcome with grief, the king asked again, "Tell me, what message is there from Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana?" Thinking again and again of Rama's form, his virtues, his character, his nature, the king's heart was filled with sorrow. The king heard of the exile to the forest; hearing it, his heart felt neither joy nor sorrow. When such sons were parted from him, his life did not depart; what great sinner is like me?

Verse 305 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सखा रामु सिय लखनु जहँ तहाँ मोहि पहुँचाउ। नाहिं त चाहत चलन अब प्रान कहउँ सतिभाउ।।149।।

My friend, wherever Rama, Sita and Lakshmana may be, take me there. If you do not do this, then know that I have no desire to live; I speak the truth with all my heart.