Prakarana 7

Verse 123 (चौपाई)

बन हित कोल किरात किसोरी। रचीं बिरंचि बिषय सुख भोरी।। पाइन कृमि जिमि कठिन सुभाऊ। तिन्हहि कलेसु न कानन काऊ।। कै तापस तिय कानन जोगू। जिन्ह तप हेतु तजा सब भोगू।। सिय बन बसिहि तात केहि भाँती। चित्रलिखित कपि देखि डेराती।। सुरसर सुभग बनज बन चारी। डाबर जोगु कि हंसकुमारी।। अस बिचारि जस आयसु होई। मैं सिख देउँ जानकिहि सोई।। जौं सिय भवन रहै कह अंबा। मोहि कहँ होइ बहुत अवलंबा।। सुनि रघुबीर मातु प्रिय बानी। सील सनेह सुधाँ जनु सानी।।

The forest is inhabited by Kol and Kirat women, created by Brahma with very little pleasure in worldly joys. Their nature is as hard as that of worms; they have no suffering, nor does the forest cause them any distress. Or there are ascetic women in the forest, who for the sake of penance have abandoned all enjoyments. In what manner will Sita dwell in the forest? The very thought makes my heart tremble with fear. The forest is beautiful with lotus-filled lakes and groves; is it fit for a princess, like a young swan? Thinking thus, if permission is granted, I shall instruct Janaka in this matter. If Sita remains at home, O mother, I shall have great support. Hearing his mother's loving words, the hero of the Ragus felt them to be like nectar mixed with virtue and affection.

Verse 124 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कहि प्रिय बचन बिबेकमय कीन्हि मातु परितोष। लगे प्रबोधन जानकिहि प्रगटि बिपिन गुन दोष।।60।।

Speaking words both loving and full of wisdom, he satisfied his mother; then he began to instruct Sita, openly setting forth the merits and faults of the forest.

Verse 125 (चौपाई)

मातु समीप कहत सकुचाहीं। बोले समउ समुझि मन माहीं।। राजकुमारि सिखावन सुनहू। आन भाँति जियँ जनि कछु गुनहू।। आपन मोर नीक जौं चहहू। बचनु हमार मानि गृह रहहू।। आयसु मोर सासु सेवकाई। सब बिधि भामिनि भवन भलाई।। एहि ते अधिक धरमु नहिं दूजा। सादर सासु ससुर पद पूजा।। जब जब मातु करिहि सुधि मोरी। होइहि प्रेम बिकल मति भोरी।। तब तब तुम्ह कहि कथा पुरानी। सुंदरि समुझाएहु मृदु बानी।। कहउँ सुभायँ सपथ सत मोही। सुमुखि मातु हित राखउँ तोही।।

I feel shy speaking in my mother’s presence; but at this moment I speak, having understood within my heart. O princess, hear my counsel: do not harbor any other thought in your heart. If you desire your own good and mine, accept my words and remain at home. Serve your mother-in-law as my envoy; in all ways, O fair one, there is welfare in that house. Beyond this there is no higher duty: to worship with reverence the feet of your mother-in-law and father-in-law. Whenever my mother remembers me, she becomes overwhelmed with love and her mind is lost. Then, O fair one, you should gently explain to her with soft words and relate ancient tales. I speak this by my very nature, and I swear by all that is true; O mother, I ever keep your welfare at heart.

Verse 126 (दोहा/सोरठा)

गुर श्रुति संमत धरम फलु पाइअ बिनहिं कलेस। हठ बस सब संकट सहे गालव नहुष नरेस।।61।।

By following the path approved by the guru and the Vedas, one attains the fruit of righteousness without suffering. By stubbornness, King Nahusha and Galava endured every affliction.

Verse 127 (चौपाई)

मैं पुनि करि प्रवान पितु बानी। बेगि फिरब सुनु सुमुखि सयानी।। दिवस जात नहिं लागिहि बारा। सुंदरि सिखवनु सुनहु हमारा।। जौ हठ करहु प्रेम बस बामा। तौ तुम्ह दुखु पाउब परिनामा।। काननु कठिन भयंकरु भारी। घोर घामु हिम बारि बयारी।। कुस कंटक मग काँकर नाना। चलब पयादेहिं बिनु पदत्राना।। चरन कमल मुदु मंजु तुम्हारे। मारग अगम भूमिधर भारे।। कंदर खोह नदीं नद नारे। अगम अगाध न जाहिं निहारे।। भालु बाघ बृक केहरि नागा। करहिं नाद सुनि धीरजु भागा।।

But having made my father’s word true, I shall return quickly; hear me, O wise one with a lovely face. Not many days will pass; O fair one, hear my counsel. If out of love you persist stubbornly, O lady, then you will suffer sorrow as the result. The forest is difficult, terrible and heavy; fierce sun, frost, rain and wind. Kusa grass, thorns, paths strewn with many pebbles; you will walk barefoot, without shoes. Your lotus feet are soft and delicate; the road is impassable, the earth is hard. Caves, ravines, rivers and streams; impassable and fathomless, not to be gazed upon. Bears, tigers, wolves, lions and serpents will make such sounds that courage will flee at hearing them.

Verse 128 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भूमि सयन बलकल बसन असनु कंद फल मूल। ते कि सदा सब दिन मिलिहिं सबुइ समय अनुकूल।।62।।

A bed on the ground, garments of bark, food of roots and fruits; these will always be available every day, all in due season.

Verse 129 (चौपाई)

नर अहार रजनीचर चरहीं। कपट बेष बिधि कोटिक करहीं।। लागइ अति पहार कर पानी। बिपिन बिपति नहिं जाइ बखानी।। ब्याल कराल बिहग बन घोरा। निसिचर निकर नारि नर चोरा।। डरपहिं धीर गहन सुधि आएँ। मृगलोचनि तुम्ह भीरु सुभाएँ।। हंसगवनि तुम्ह नहिं बन जोगू। सुनि अपजसु मोहि देइहि लोगू।। मानस सलिल सुधाँ प्रतिपाली। जिअइ कि लवन पयोधि मराली।। नव रसाल बन बिहरनसीला। सोह कि कोकिल बिपिन करीला।। रहहु भवन अस हृदयँ बिचारी। चंदबदनि दुखु कानन भारी।।

Men and demons that eat human flesh roam there; they assume deceitful disguises and work countless wiles. The forest brings extreme hardship to body and soul; its perils cannot be described. Terrible snakes and birds haunt the dreadful forest; hosts of demons, women and men are stolen away. Even the brave would tremble if they remembered those wilds; you, O doe-eyed one, are by nature timid. You are not fit to dwell in the forest; hearing this, people will speak ill of me. Can a swan that is nurtured in the water of the mind-lake live in the salt ocean? Can a koel bird, delighting in new mango groves, befit a forest of thorns? Remain at home, thinking thus in your heart; O moon-faced one, the forest brings great sorrow.

Verse 130 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सहज सुह्द गुर स्वामि सिख जो न करइ सिर मानि।। सो पछिताइ अघाइ उर अवसि होइ हित हानि।।63।।

One who does not accept with bowed head the instruction of a guru, master, or friend, given out of natural affection, shall surely repent and suffer loss, for his heart will be burdened with sin, and what was for his good will turn to his harm.

Verse 131 (चौपाई)

सुनि मृदु बचन मनोहर पिय के। लोचन ललित भरे जल सिय के।। सीतल सिख दाहक भइ कैंसें। चकइहि सरद चंद निसि जैंसें।। उतरु न आव बिकल बैदेही। तजन चहत सुचि स्वामि सनेही।। बरबस रोकि बिलोचन बारी। धरि धीरजु उर अवनिकुमारी।। लागि सासु पग कह कर जोरी। छमबि देबि बड़ि अबिनय मोरी।। दीन्हि प्रानपति मोहि सिख सोई। जेहि बिधि मोर परम हित होई।। मैं पुनि समुझि दीखि मन माहीं। पिय बियोग सम दुखु जग नाहीं।।

Hearing her beloved's gentle and enchanting words, Sita's lovely eyes filled with tears. His words became a cooling salve to her burning heart; she was dazed like the autumn moon in the night. The daughter of Videha, overwhelmed, could not frame a reply; she wished to depart, though her heart clung to her Lord. With effort she restrained her flowing tears; the daughter of the earth steadied her heart with patience. She fell at her mother-in-law's feet and said with folded hands, 'Pardon me, I pray, my great lack of proper conduct.' 'My Lord has given me this counsel alone: that I should act in whatever way brings my highest good.' Then I, understanding this and seeing it in my heart, know that there is no sorrow in the world equal to separation from my beloved.'

Verse 132 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्राननाथ करुनायतन सुंदर सुखद सुजान। तुम्ह बिनु रघुकुल कुमुद बिधु सुरपुर नरक समान।।64।।

Lord of my life, abode of compassion, beautiful, giver of joy, wise one; without you, O moon of the lotus of Raghu's line, the city of the gods is like hell itself.

Verse 133 (चौपाई)

मातु पिता भगिनी प्रिय भाई। प्रिय परिवारु सुह्रद समुदाई।। सासु ससुर गुर सजन सहाई। सुत सुंदर सुसील सुखदाई।। जहँ लगि नाथ नेह अरु नाते। पिय बिनु तियहि तरनिहु ते ताते।। तनु धनु धामु धरनि पुर राजू। पति बिहीन सबु सोक समाजू।। भोग रोगसम भूषन भारू। जम जातना सरिस संसारू।। प्राननाथ तुम्ह बिनु जग माहीं। मो कहुँ सुखद कतहुँ कछु नाहीं।। जिय बिनु देह नदी बिनु बारी। तैसिअ नाथ पुरुष बिनु नारी।। नाथ सकल सुख साथ तुम्हारें। सरद बिमल बिधु बदनु निहारें।।

Mother, father, sister, dear brother, dear family, and all my friends assembled together. Mother-in-law, father-in-law, guru, good friends and helpers, my beautiful, virtuous, joy-giving son. So long as there is love and kinship with you, my Lord, without my husband I am utterly bereft even of these, O Father. Body, wealth, home, land, royal power: all these, without a husband, are a gathering of sorrows. Pleasures are like disease, ornaments are a burden, and the world is like the torments of Yama's realm. O Lord of my life, without you there is nothing whatsoever in all the world that gives me any joy. A woman without her husband is like a body without life, a river without water; such, O Lord, is a woman without her man. My Lord, all my happiness is in your company; I gaze upon your face, pure as the autumn moon.'

Verse 134 (दोहा/सोरठा)

खग मृग परिजन नगरु बनु बलकल बिमल दुकूल। नाथ साथ सुरसदन सम परनसाल सुख मूल।।65।।

Birds and deer are my kin, the forest is my city; bark garments are my shining raiment. Lord, with you, a leafy shelter is the abode of bliss, equal to the heavenly realm of the gods.

Verse 135 (चौपाई)

बनदेवीं बनदेव उदारा। करिहहिं सासु ससुर सम सारा।। कुस किसलय साथरी सुहाई। प्रभु सँग मंजु मनोज तुराई।। कंद मूल फल अमिअ अहारू। अवध सौध सत सरिस पहारू।। छिनु छिनु प्रभु पद कमल बिलोकि। रहिहउँ मुदित दिवस जिमि कोकी।। बन दुख नाथ कहे बहुतेरे। भय बिषाद परिताप घनेरे।। प्रभु बियोग लवलेस समाना। सब मिलि होहिं न कृपानिधाना।। अस जियँ जानि सुजान सिरोमनि। लेइअ संग मोहि छाड़िअ जनि।। बिनती बहुत करौं का स्वामी। करुनामय उर अंतरजामी।।

The noble forest gods and goddesses will treat me as their own daughter, with the same love as a mother and father. With soft leaves I shall make a beautiful bed, and with my Lord beside me, the journey will be most delightful. Bulbs, roots and fruits shall be my nectar-like food; the palace of Ayodhya is no more to me than a mountain of stone. Moment by moment, gazing at my Lord's lotus feet, I shall remain joyful as a kokila bird throughout the day. The sorrows of the forest, O Lord, are many, you say; there are fears, griefs and troubles in abundance. But separation from the Lord is like death itself; all these sorrows together are nothing, O Ocean of mercy. Knowing this in my heart, O crest-jewel of the wise, take me with you; do not leave me behind. What need is there for many prayers, O Master? You are compassion itself, the Inner Ruler of the heart.

Verse 136 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राखिअ अवध जो अवधि लगि रहत न जनिअहिं प्रान। दीनबंधु संदर सुखद सील सनेह निधान।।66।।

Keep me in Ayodhya, if you will, but I shall not live even for a moment without you; you are the Friend of the humble, the delight of the eyes, the abode of virtue and love.

Verse 137 (चौपाई)

मोहि मग चलत न होइहि हारी। छिनु छिनु चरन सरोज निहारी।। सबहि भाँति पिय सेवा करिहौं। मारग जनित सकल श्रम हरिहौं।। पाय पखारी बैठि तरु छाहीं। करिहउँ बाउ मुदित मन माहीं।। श्रम कन सहित स्याम तनु देखें। कहँ दुख समउ प्रानपति पेखें।। सम महि तृन तरुपल्लव डासी। पाग पलोटिहि सब निसि दासी।। बारबार मृदु मूरति जोही। लागहि तात बयारि न मोही। को प्रभु सँग मोहि चितवनिहारा। सिंघबधुहि जिमि ससक सिआरा।। मैं सुकुमारि नाथ बन जोगू। तुम्हहि उचित तप मो कहुँ भोगू।।

Walking with me, you will not be wearied; you will gaze upon my lotus feet moment by moment. In every way I shall serve my beloved, and I shall remove all the fatigue that comes from the journey. I shall wash your feet, sit in the shade of a tree, and fan you with joy in my heart. Seeing your dark body moist with sweat, when will the Lord of my life ever behold such a sight of distress? The earth, grass and tree-leaves are my attendants; all night long I shall press your feet. Again and again I shall gaze upon your gentle form; the cool breeze will blow, but it will not touch me. Who will look at me in the company of the Lord? Like a lioness among jackals, I shall be fearless. I am a tender maiden, O Lord, fit only for the forest; but you are worthy of austerity, and I shall be your companion in it.

Verse 138 (दोहा/सोरठा)

ऐसेउ बचन कठोर सुनि जौं न ह्रदउ बिलगान। तौ प्रभु बिषम बियोग दुख सहिहहिं पावँर प्रान।।67।।

If, hearing such harsh words, my heart does not falter, then these tender limbs of mine will bear the dreadful sorrow of separation from the Lord.

Verse 139 (चौपाई)

अस कहि सीय बिकल भइ भारी। बचन बियोगु न सकी सँभारी।। देखि दसा रघुपति जियँ जाना। हठि राखें नहिं राखिहि प्राना।। कहेउ कृपाल भानुकुलनाथा। परिहरि सोचु चलहु बन साथा।। नहिं बिषाद कर अवसरु आजू। बेगि करहु बन गवन समाजू।। कहि प्रिय बचन प्रिया समुझाई। लगे मातु पद आसिष पाई।। बेगि प्रजा दुख मेटब आई। जननी निठुर बिसरि जनि जाई।। फिरहि दसा बिधि बहुरि कि मोरी। देखिहउँ नयन मनोहर जोरी।। सुदिन सुघरी तात कब होइहि। जननी जिअत बदन बिधु जोइहि।।

Speaking thus, Sita became deeply distressed; she could not bear the words of separation. Seeing her condition, the Lord of the Raghus knew in his heart that if he tried to keep her behind, she would not keep her life. The merciful Lord, the master of the Solar race, spoke: 'Cast aside your sorrow and come with me to the forest. This is no time for grief; make haste and prepare for the journey to the forest.' Speaking loving words and reassuring his beloved, he went to receive his mother's blessing at her feet. He went quickly to dispel the people's sorrow, but his mother was pitiless, having forgotten that he was her son. What will become of me now? When shall I see again with my own eyes that enchanting form? When will that blessed day dawn, O father? When will my mother, while yet alive, see the moon of my face again?

Verse 140 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बहुरि बच्छ कहि लालु कहि रघुपति रघुबर तात। कबहिं बोलाइ लगाइ हियँ हरषि निरखिहउँ गात।।68।।

Again Vashishtha said, "O child, O Lord of the Raghus, O best of the Raghus, O father; when will you call me and, rejoicing in your heart, let me behold your form?"

Verse 141 (चौपाई)

लखि सनेह कातरि महतारी। बचनु न आव बिकल भइ भारी।। राम प्रबोधु कीन्ह बिधि नाना। समउ सनेहु न जाइ बखाना।। तब जानकी सासु पग लागी। सुनिअ माय मैं परम अभागी।। सेवा समय दैअँ बनु दीन्हा। मोर मनोरथु सफल न कीन्हा।। तजब छोभु जनि छाड़िअ छोहू। करमु कठिन कछु दोसु न मोहू।। सुनि सिय बचन सासु अकुलानी। दसा कवनि बिधि कहौं बखानी।। बारहि बार लाइ उर लीन्ही। धरि धीरजु सिख आसिष दीन्ही।। अचल होउ अहिवातु तुम्हारा। जब लगि गंग जमुन जल धारा।।

Seeing the mother's love-stricken state, she could not speak; she was utterly overcome. Rama instructed her in many ways; but that season of love cannot be described. Then Janaki fell at her mother-in-law's feet: "Hear me, mother; I am most unfortunate." "You gave me the forest as the time for service; but you have not fulfilled my heart's desire." "Cast aside all shame, and do not forsake me; my fate is hard, but there is no fault in me." Hearing Sita's words, her mother-in-law was distressed; what words can describe her condition? She clasped her to her breast again and again; then, composing herself, she gave her counsel and blessings. "May your love remain steadfast until the waters of Ganga and Yamuna flow on."

Verse 142 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सीतहि सासु असीस सिख दीन्हि अनेक प्रकार। चली नाइ पद पदुम सिरु अति हित बारहिं बार।।69।।

The mother-in-law gave Sita many counsels and blessings of many kinds. Bowing her head to the lotus feet, she departed, most lovingly, again and again.