Prakarana 3

Verse 41 (चौपाई)

कैकयसुता सुनत कटु बानी। कहि न सकइ कछु सहमि सुखानी।। तन पसेउ कदली जिमि काँपी। कुबरीं दसन जीभ तब चाँपी।। कहि कहि कोटिक कपट कहानी। धीरजु धरहु प्रबोधिसि रानी।। फिरा करमु प्रिय लागि कुचाली। बकिहि सराहइ मानि मराली।। सुनु मंथरा बात फुरि तोरी। दहिनि आँखि नित फरकइ मोरी।। दिन प्रति देखउँ राति कुसपने। कहउँ न तोहि मोह बस अपने।। काह करौ सखि सूध सुभाऊ। दाहिन बाम न जानउँ काऊ।।

Hearing the harsh words of Kaikeyi's daughter, she could say nothing, but stood stricken and withered. Her body trembled like a plantain tree shaken by the wind; her lips, teeth and tongue were parched. Again and again she spoke a million deceitful tales: "Queen, be patient; I shall reason with you." My actions have turned contrary, dear friend, and seem ill-omened; yet you praise me, accepting me as a swan. Listen, Manthara, and give up this thought; my right eye flutters unceasingly. Day after day I see evil dreams at night; but out of my own infatuation I did not tell you. What shall I do, my friend? My nature is guileless; I know not right from left in this matter.

Verse 42 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अपने चलत न आजु लगि अनभल काहुक कीन्ह। केहिं अघ एकहि बार मोहि दैअँ दुसह दुखु दीन्ह।।20।।

Until this day I have done no harm to anyone by my own doing. Yet for a single fault, someone has given me unbearable suffering.

Verse 43 (चौपाई)

नैहर जनमु भरब बरु जाइ। जिअत न करबि सवति सेवकाई।। अरि बस दैउ जिआवत जाही। मरनु नीक तेहि जीवन चाही।। दीन बचन कह बहुबिधि रानी। सुनि कुबरीं तियमाया ठानी।। अस कस कहहु मानि मन ऊना। सुखु सोहागु तुम्ह कहुँ दिन दूना।। जेहिं राउर अति अनभल ताका। सोइ पाइहि यहु फलु परिपाका।। जब तें कुमत सुना मैं स्वामिनि। भूख न बासर नींद न जामिनि।। पूँछेउ गुनिन्ह रेख तिन्ह खाँची। भरत भुआल होहिं यह साँची।। भामिनि करहु त कहौं उपाऊ। है तुम्हरीं सेवा बस राऊ।।

I shall go to my parents' home and end my life there; I shall not remain alive to serve as a rival's handmaid. Let me fall into the hands of my enemies and die; death is better than such a life. The queen spoke many humble words, but Kaikeyi took the lady's words as mere artifice. "Why speak in this manner, when your heart is not in it? Your happiness and good fortune are doubled day by day. He who was most dear to your lord shall receive this fruit when it ripens." Ever since I heard this evil counsel, O mistress, I have had no hunger, no sleep at night, no rest. I have consulted the astrologers and examined the lines; they say that Bharat shall be king, and this is true. O lady, if you will do so, I shall tell you a stratagem; for your lord is under the power of your service.

Verse 44 (दोहा/सोरठा)

परउँ कूप तुअ बचन पर सकउँ पूत पति त्यागि। कहसि मोर दुखु देखि बड़ कस न करब हित लागि।।21।।

I would fall into a well at your word, I would even abandon son and husband. Seeing my great suffering, why do you not act for my good?

Verse 45 (चौपाई)

कुबरीं करि कबुली कैकेई। कपट छुरी उर पाहन टेई।। लखइ न रानि निकट दुखु कैंसे। चरइ हरित तिन बलिपसु जैसें।। सुनत बात मृदु अंत कठोरी। देति मनहुँ मधु माहुर घोरी।। कहइ चेरि सुधि अहइ कि नाही। स्वामिनि कहिहु कथा मोहि पाहीं।। दुइ बरदान भूप सन थाती। मागहु आजु जुड़ावहु छाती।। सुतहि राजु रामहि बनवासू। देहु लेहु सब सवति हुलासु।। भूपति राम सपथ जब करई। तब मागेहु जेहिं बचनु न टरई।। होइ अकाजु आजु निसि बीतें। बचनु मोर प्रिय मानेहु जी तें।।

Having made Kaikeyi bow her head in submission, the dagger of deceit pierced the stone of her heart. The queen does not perceive the sorrow close at hand; she grazes like a sacrificial beast led to the slaughter. Hearing words soft at first but hard in the end, her mind seemed to be given honey that was in truth a deadly poison. The maidservant asks whether she has regained consciousness, saying, "Mistress, tell me what you desire." "Ask today for the two boons the king owes you, and bind him by his chest. "Let Bharata receive the kingdom and let Rama go into exile. Give and take, and let all your rivals rejoice. "When the king has sworn an oath by Rama, then ask for what cannot be refused. "Let the matter be settled this very night. Accept my words as dear to you, my life."

Verse 46 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बड़ कुघातु करि पातकिनि कहेसि कोपगृहँ जाहु। काजु सँवारेहु सजग सबु सहसा जनि पतिआहु।।22।।

Having worked great ruin, O sinner, you say, "Go to the chamber of wrath." Settle the affair with all speed; do not suddenly fall into disgrace.

Verse 47 (चौपाई)

कुबरिहि रानि प्रानप्रिय जानी। बार बार बड़ि बुद्धि बखानी।। तोहि सम हित न मोर संसारा। बहे जात कइ भइसि अधारा।। जौं बिधि पुरब मनोरथु काली। करौं तोहि चख पूतरि आली।। बहुबिधि चेरिहि आदरु देई। कोपभवन गवनि कैकेई।। बिपति बीजु बरषा रितु चेरी। भुइँ भइ कुमति कैकेई केरी।। पाइ कपट जलु अंकुर जामा। बर दोउ दल दुख फल परिनामा।। कोप समाजु साजि सबु सोई। राजु करत निज कुमति बिगोई।। राउर नगर कोलाहलु होई। यह कुचालि कछु जान न कोई।।

Knowing the queen to be dearer than life itself, Kaikeyi explained her cunning plan again and again. "There is none in all the world as devoted to you as I am. You have gone away, leaving me without support." "If fortune favors my desire, I shall make you the mother of a son who will rule the kingdom." In many ways the maidservant paid honor to Kaikeyi as she went to the chamber of wrath. The maidservant sowed the seed of calamity like rain in due season; Kaikeyi's mind became fertile ground for evil counsel. Receiving the water of deceit, the seed sprouted; the two boons brought forth the fruit of sorrow. She arranged all the trappings of wrath; the king, following her evil counsel, brought ruin upon himself. There was an uproar in your city, yet no one knew anything of this wicked design.

Verse 48 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्रमुदित पुर नर नारि। सब सजहिं सुमंगलचार। एक प्रबिसहिं एक निर्गमहिं भीर भूप दरबार।।23।।

The men and women of the city were filled with joy; all prepared the auspicious rites. Some entered, some went out; there was a great crowd at the king's court.

Verse 49 (चौपाई)

बाल सखा सुन हियँ हरषाहीं। मिलि दस पाँच राम पहिं जाहीं।। प्रभु आदरहिं प्रेमु पहिचानी। पूँछहिं कुसल खेम मृदु बानी।। फिरहिं भवन प्रिय आयसु पाई। करत परसपर राम बड़ाई।। को रघुबीर सरिस संसारा। सीलु सनेह निबाहनिहारा। जेंहि जेंहि जोनि करम बस भ्रमहीं। तहँ तहँ ईसु देउ यह हमहीं।। सेवक हम स्वामी सियनाहू। होउ नात यह ओर निबाहू।। अस अभिलाषु नगर सब काहू। कैकयसुता ह्दयँ अति दाहू।। को न कुसंगति पाइ नसाई। रहइ न नीच मतें चतुराई।।

Hearing the news, the boyhood friends rejoiced in their hearts; gathering in groups of ten or fifteen, they went to Rama. The Lord received them with love, recognizing their affection, and asked after their well-being in gentle words. They returned to their homes, having received a kind command, praising Rama to one another. "Who in the world is equal to the Lord of the Raghus in virtue, love, and noble conduct?" "In whatever birth we wander by the power of our deeds, may the Lord grant us this: that we remain his servants and he our master." "May we be bound in this relationship forever." Such was the longing in the hearts of all in the city, while Kaikeyi's daughter burned with anguish within. Who is not led astray by evil company? In the minds of the base, no wisdom remains.

Verse 50 (दोहा/सोरठा)

साँस समय सानंद नृपु गयउ कैकेई गेहँ। गवनु निठुरता निकट किय जनु धरि देह सनेहँ।।24।।

In the very breath of a moment, the king went in joy to Kaikeyi's house. His going was so swift that it seemed as if he had taken a body of love and made nearness itself cruel.

Verse 51 (चौपाई)

कोपभवन सुनि सकुचेउ राउ। भय बस अगहुड़ परइ न पाऊ।। सुरपति बसइ बाहँबल जाके। नरपति सकल रहहिं रुख ताकें।। सो सुनि तिय रिस गयउ सुखाई। देखहु काम प्रताप बड़ाई।। सूल कुलिस असि अँगवनिहारे। ते रतिनाथ सुमन सर मारे।। सभय नरेसु प्रिया पहिं गयऊ। देखि दसा दुखु दारुन भयऊ।। भूमि सयन पटु मोट पुराना। दिए डारि तन भूषण नाना।। कुमतिहि कसि कुबेषता फाबी। अन अहिवातु सूच जनु भाबी।। जाइ निकट नृपु कह मृदु बानी। प्रानप्रिया केहि हेतु रिसानी।।

Hearing of the House of Wrath, the king felt shame; overcome by fear, he could not take a step forward. The king of the gods dwells in his power and might; all earthly kings remain under his command. Hearing this, the woman's anger dried up; behold the great power and glory of love. Those who wield tridents, thunderbolts, and swords are struck down by the arrows of the flower-arrows of the god of love. The king went to his beloved in fear; seeing her condition, he was filled with dreadful sorrow. She lay on the ground on an old, coarse, worn-out cloth; she had cast aside her body and her many ornaments. She had bound her ill-natured heart with a cruel vow, as if she were practicing a fierce penance. The king went close to her and spoke gentle words: "My life's beloved, why are you angry?"

Verse 52 (छंद)

केहि हेतु रानि रिसानि परसत पानि पतिहि नेवारई। मानहुँ सरोष भुअंग भामिनि बिषम भाँति निहारई।। दोउ बासना रसना दसन बर मरम ठाहरु देखई। तुलसी नृपति भवतब्यता बस काम कौतुक लेखई।।

Why are you angry, O queen? You who bow to your husband with your hand upon his chest, as if in wrath you are looking at him in a terrible way, O beautiful one. Both your eyes, your lips, and your teeth reveal the secret state of your mind. Tulsidas observes that the king is under the sway of love's play, reading the signs of his beloved's mood.

Verse 53 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बार बार कह राउ सुमुखि सुलोचिनि पिकबचनि। कारन मोहि सुनाउ गजगामिनि निज कोप कर।।25।।

Again and again the king spoke to her, whose face was lovely and whose eyes were beautiful as a cuckoo's voice: "Tell me the reason for your anger, O elephant-gaited one, and reveal your own wrath to me."

Verse 54 (चौपाई)

अनहित तोर प्रिया केइँ कीन्हा। केहि दुइ सिर केहि जमु चह लीन्हा।। कहु केहि रंकहि करौ नरेसू। कहु केहि नृपहि निकासौं देसू।। सकउँ तोर अरि अमरउ मारी। काह कीट बपुरे नर नारी।। जानसि मोर सुभाउ बरोरू। मनु तव आनन चंद चकोरू।। प्रिया प्रान सुत सरबसु मोरें। परिजन प्रजा सकल बस तोरें।। जौं कछु कहौ कपटु करि तोही। भामिनि राम सपथ सत मोही।। बिहसि मागु मनभावति बाता। भूषन सजहि मनोहर गाता।। घरी कुघरी समुझि जियँ देखू। बेगि प्रिया परिहरहि कुबेषू।।

Who has done you harm, my beloved? Whose two heads should I take, or whose life should I seize? Tell me, whom shall I make a beggar? Tell me, whom shall I drive from the kingdom? I can slay your enemies, even if they are deathless; what are these petty men and women, like insects? You know my nature, O lovely one; my mind is a chakora bird to your moonlike face. My beloved, my life, my son, my all are yours; your family and your people are all in your power. If I speak anything falsely to you, O beautiful one, may Rama be my witness and the truth be my oath. Smiling, ask for whatever pleases your heart; adorn your beautiful body with ornaments. Consider this house a wretched place in your heart; quickly, my beloved, give up this cruel vow.

Verse 55 (दोहा/सोरठा)

यह सुनि मन गुनि सपथ बड़ि बिहसि उठी मतिमंद। भूषन सजति बिलोकि मृगु मनहुँ किरातिनि फंद।।26।।

Hearing this, the simple-minded Manthara, full of guile, swore a great oath and burst into laughter. Seeing the deer being adorned with ornaments, it was as if a huntress were setting her snare.

Verse 56 (चौपाई)

पुनि कह राउ सुह्रद जियँ जानी। प्रेम पुलकि मृदु मंजुल बानी।। भामिनि भयउ तोर मनभावा। घर घर नगर अनंद बधावा।। रामहि देउँ कालि जुबराजू। सजहि सुलोचनि मंगल साजू।। दलकि उठेउ सुनि ह्रदउ कठोरू। जनु छुइ गयउ पाक बरतोरू।। ऐसिउ पीर बिहसि तेहि गोई। चोर नारि जिमि प्रगटि न रोई।। लखहिं न भूप कपट चतुराई। कोटि कुटिल मनि गुरू पढ़ाई।। जद्यपि नीति निपुन नरनाहू। नारिचरित जलनिधि अवगाहू।। कपट सनेहु बढ़ाइ बहोरी। बोली बिहसि नयन मुहु मोरी।।

Then the king, knowing her to be a well-wisher at heart, spoke with tender and pleasing words, his love causing him to thrill with joy. "My lady, you have become dear to my heart; in every house of the city, joy has increased." "I shall give Rama the crown princehood tomorrow; adorn yourself with auspicious ornaments, O lovely-eyed one." Hearing this, Manthara started up, her heart grown hard, as if she had been touched by a raw wound. With such pain, she laughed before that cow; like a thieving woman who does not weep openly. The king could not perceive her deceitful cunning; though he had learned from millions of cunning men, he remained unversed in the ways of women. Though the king was skilled in statecraft, he was plunged into the ocean of women's ways. Increasing her feigned affection once more, she spoke with a smile, casting her eyes downward.

Verse 57 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मागु मागु पै कहहु पिय कबहुँ न देहु न लेहु। देन कहेहु बरदान दुइ तेउ पावत संदेहु।।27।।

"Ask, ask, my lord, and speak; never give, never take. If you say you will grant two boons, then doubt arises."

Verse 58 (चौपाई)

जानेउँ मरमु राउ हँसि कहई। तुम्हहि कोहाब परम प्रिय अहई।। थाति राखि न मागिहु काऊ। बिसरि गयउ मोहि भोर सुभाऊ।। झूठेहुँ हमहि दोषु जनि देहू। दुइ कै चारि मागि मकु लेहू।। रघुकुल रीति सदा चलि आई। प्रान जाहुँ बरु बचनु न जाई।। नहिं असत्य सम पातक पुंजा। गिरि सम होहिं कि कोटिक गुंजा।। सत्यमूल सब सुकृत सुहाए। बेद पुरान बिदित मनु गाए।। तेहि पर राम सपथ करि आई। सुकृत सनेह अवधि रघुराई।। बात दृढ़ाइ कुमति हँसि बोली। कुमत कुबिहग कुलह जनु खोली।।

The king laughed and said, "I know your secret; you are most dear to me, my dear one." "I will not ask anyone to stand aside; I have forgotten my natural shyness." "Do not, even falsely, impute any fault to me; ask for two or four boons and take them." "The custom of the Raghu lineage has ever been this: let life depart, but let not a word be broken." "There is no heap of sin greater than falsehood; can millions of sesame seeds equal a mountain?" "All good deeds are rooted in truth; the Vedas and Puranas proclaim this, and the heart sings of it." Therefore Rama came having sworn an oath; such was the boundless love of the Lord of the Raghus for righteousness. Having confirmed the matter, Kaikeyi laughed and spoke; she revealed the nature of her wicked mind, as if opening the nest of a wicked bird.

Verse 59 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भूप मनोरथ सुभग बनु सुख सुबिहंग समाजु। भिल्लनि जिमि छाड़न चहति बचनु भयंकरु बाजु।।28।।

The king's desire was a lovely forest, a gathering of happy birds. But like a huntress, Kaikeyi wished to abandon his word, a terrible noise.

Verse 60 (चौपाई)

सुनहु प्रानप्रिय भावत जी का। देहु एक बर भरतहि टीका।। मागउँ दूसर बर कर जोरी। पुरवहु नाथ मनोरथ मोरी।। तापस बेष बिसेषि उदासी। चौदह बरिस रामु बनबासी।। सुनि मृदु बचन भूप हियँ सोकू। ससि कर छुअत बिकल जिमि कोकू।। गयउ सहमि नहिं कछु कहि आवा। जनु सचान बन झपटेउ लावा।। बिबरन भयउ निपट नरपालू। दामिनि हनेउ मनहुँ तरु तालू।। माथे हाथ मूदि दोउ लोचन। तनु धरि सोचु लाग जनु सोचन।। मोर मनोरथु सुरतरु फूला। फरत करिनि जिमि हतेउ समूला।। अवध उजारि कीन्हि कैकेईं। दीन्हसि अचल बिपति कै नेईं।।

Listen, my lord, to what is in my heart; grant one boon to Bharata as a mark of favor. I ask a second boon with folded hands; O lord, fulfill my desire. Let Rama dwell in the forest as an ascetic, specially detached, for fourteen years. Hearing these gentle words, the king felt sorrow in his heart, like a kokila bird distressed when the moon touches it. He went stricken, unable to speak, as if lightning had suddenly struck a forest of sala trees. The king became utterly pale, as if a thunderbolt had struck a tall palm tree. He placed his hand on his forehead, closed both eyes, and his body, weighed down with grief, seemed like a painting. My desire had blossomed like a heavenly tree, but now it wanders uprooted, like an elephant struck down. You have laid Ayodhya waste, O Kaikeyi, and cast me into the abyss of calamity.

Verse 61 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कवनें अवसर का भयउ गयउँ नारि बिस्वास। जोग सिद्धि फल समय जिमि जतिहि अबिद्या नास।।29।।

At what unseasonable hour has this come to pass? I have placed my trust in a woman. It is like the time when yoga, success, and fruit are lost, and ignorance destroys the ascetic.