Prakarana 11

Verse 204 (चौपाई)

जासु बियोग बिकल पसु ऐसे। प्रजा मातु पितु जिइहहिं कैसें।। बरबस राम सुमंत्रु पठाए। सुरसरि तीर आपु तब आए।। मागी नाव न केवटु आना। कहइ तुम्हार मरमु मैं जाना।। चरन कमल रज कहुँ सबु कहई। मानुष करनि मूरि कछु अहई।। छुअत सिला भइ नारि सुहाई। पाहन तें न काठ कठिनाई।। तरनिउ मुनि घरिनि होइ जाई। बाट परइ मोरि नाव उड़ाई।। एहिं प्रतिपालउँ सबु परिवारू। नहिं जानउँ कछु अउर कबारू।। जौ प्रभु पार अवसि गा चहहू। मोहि पद पदुम पखारन कहहू।।

If at his separation the beast is so distraught, how shall the people, mother, and father live? Rama sent Sumantra back by force, and then he himself came to the bank of the Surasari. He asked for a boat, but no boatman appeared. One said, "I know your secret. All things are at the dust of your lotus feet; what folly is there in acting as a man? A stone, when touched, became a lovely woman; there is no hardness in wood compared to stone. The ferryboat became a woman and went to the sage's house; my boat has set out on the path. In this way I support my whole family; I know nothing else. If you, Lord, must cross over, command me to wash your lotus feet."

Verse 205 (छंद)

पद कमल धोइ चढ़ाइ नाव न नाथ उतराई चहौं। मोहि राम राउरि आन दसरथ सपथ सब साची कहौं।। बरु तीर मारहुँ लखनु पै जब लगि न पाय पखारिहौं। तब लगि न तुलसीदास नाथ कृपाल पारु उतारिहौं।।

I wash your lotus feet and ferry you across; O Lord, I do not wish to disembark. O Rama, I tell you truly, with Dasharatha as my witness, I swear it is so. But strike me on the shore, O Lakshmana, until I have washed his feet. Until then, O Lord, Tulsidas will not ferry you across, O merciful one.

Verse 206 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनि केबट के बैन प्रेम लपेटे अटपटे। बिहसे करुनाऐन चितइ जानकी लखन तन।।100।।

Hearing the boatman’s words, which were wrapped in love and most wonderful, Janaki smiled, her heart filled with compassion as she gazed upon Lakshmana’s body.

Verse 207 (चौपाई)

कृपासिंधु बोले मुसुकाई। सोइ करु जेंहि तव नाव न जाई।। वेगि आनु जल पाय पखारू। होत बिलंबु उतारहि पारू।। जासु नाम सुमरत एक बारा। उतरहिं नर भवसिंधु अपारा।। सोइ कृपालु केवटहि निहोरा। जेहिं जगु किय तिहु पगहु ते थोरा।। पद नख निरखि देवसरि हरषी। सुनि प्रभु बचन मोहँ मति करषी।। केवट राम रजायसु पावा। पानि कठवता भरि लेइ आवा।। अति आनंद उमगि अनुरागा। चरन सरोज पखारन लागा।। बरषि सुमन सुर सकल सिहाहीं। एहि सम पुन्यपुंज कोउ नाहीं।।

The Ocean of Compassion smiled and spoke: "Do as you wish, for your boat cannot cross. Bring water quickly and wash my feet; there will be delay, and then I shall ferry you across." He whose Name, if remembered but once, enables men to cross the boundless ocean of worldly existence, that Merciful One granted the boatman his request, He who made the world a trifle less than a straw. Gazing at his feet and nails, the goddess Ganga rejoiced; hearing the Lord’s words, she was filled with love. The boatman obtained Rama’s permission; filling a vessel with water, he brought it. Overwhelmed with supreme bliss and devotion, he began to wash the lotus feet. The gods rained down flowers and all rejoiced; there is no greater accumulation of merit than this.

Verse 208 (दोहा/सोरठा)

पद पखारि जलु पान करि आपु सहित परिवार। पितर पारु करि प्रभुहि पुनि मुदित गयउ लेइ पार।।101।।

Having washed his feet and drunk the water, he ferried the Lord across, along with his entire family. Having thus ferried his ancestors across, the Lord then went on his way, rejoicing.

Verse 209 (चौपाई)

उतरि ठाड़ भए सुरसरि रेता। सीयराम गुह लखन समेता।। केवट उतरि दंडवत कीन्हा। प्रभुहि सकुच एहि नहिं कछु दीन्हा।। पिय हिय की सिय जाननिहारी। मनि मुदरी मन मुदित उतारी।। कहेउ कृपाल लेहि उतराई। केवट चरन गहे अकुलाई।। नाथ आजु मैं काह न पावा। मिटे दोष दुख दारिद दावा।। बहुत काल मैं कीन्हि मजूरी। आजु दीन्ह बिधि बनि भलि भूरी।। अब कछु नाथ न चाहिअ मोरें। दीनदयाल अनुग्रह तोरें।। फिरती बार मोहि जे देबा। सो प्रसादु मैं सिर धरि लेबा।।

Having crossed, they stood upon the sands of the divine river; Sita, Rama, Guha, and Lakshmana were all together. The boatman crossed and made obeisance; the Lord felt no shame in this, nor did he refuse him anything. Sita, who knew her beloved’s heart, took off her jewel ring and gave it with a joyful mind. The Merciful One said, "Take your fare." The boatman clasped his feet in distress. "O Lord, what have I not gained today? My sins, sorrows, and poverty are all wiped away. For a long time I have labored; today, by God’s grace, I have received abundant good fortune. Now, O Lord, I desire nothing more; O Friend of the humble, your grace is upon me. Whatever you give me when I return, that gift I shall receive upon my head."

Verse 210 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बहुत कीन्ह प्रभु लखन सियँ नहिं कछु केवटु लेइ। बिदा कीन्ह करुनायतन भगति बिमल बरु देइ।।102।।

The Lord, Lakshmana and Sita bestowed many gifts, but the boatman accepted nothing. The Lord of compassion granted him leave, bestowing upon him the boon of spotless devotion.

Verse 211 (चौपाई)

तब मज्जनु करि रघुकुलनाथा। पूजि पारथिव नायउ माथा।। सियँ सुरसरिहि कहेउ कर जोरी। मातु मनोरथ पुरउबि मोरी।। पति देवर संग कुसल बहोरी। आइ करौं जेहिं पूजा तोरी।। सुनि सिय बिनय प्रेम रस सानी। भइ तब बिमल बारि बर बानी।। सुनु रघुबीर प्रिया बैदेही। तव प्रभाउ जग बिदित न केही।। लोकप होहिं बिलोकत तोरें। तोहि सेवहिं सब सिधि कर जोरें।। तुम्ह जो हमहि बड़ि बिनय सुनाई। कृपा कीन्हि मोहि दीन्हि बड़ाई।। तदपि देबि मैं देबि असीसा। सफल होपन हित निज बागीसा।।

Then the Lord of the Raghus performed his ablutions and, having worshipped the Earth, placed it upon his head. With folded hands he said to Sita, the daughter of Janaka: "I shall fulfill your heart's desire. With my husband and brother-in-law, I shall return safely and then perform your worship." Hearing Sita's humble entreaty, filled with the essence of love, the river became clear, its waters pure and its speech gracious. "Listen, O hero of the Raghus, O beloved daughter of Videha: your glory is known throughout the world, beyond all telling. The gods themselves gaze upon you; all the siddhas serve you with folded hands. You have shown me such great humility; you have shown me mercy and given me honor. Yet, O goddess, I shall give you a blessing: may your own heart's desire be fulfilled."

Verse 212 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्राननाथ देवर सहित कुसल कोसला आइ। पूजहि सब मनकामना सुजसु रहिहि जग छाइ।।103।।

May you return to Kosala with your lord and brother-in-law, safe and sound. May you worship me, and may your fair fame abide throughout the world.

Verse 213 (चौपाई)

गंग बचन सुनि मंगल मूला। मुदित सीय सुरसरि अनुकुला।। तब प्रभु गुहहि कहेउ घर जाहू। सुनत सूख मुखु भा उर दाहू।। दीन बचन गुह कह कर जोरी। बिनय सुनहु रघुकुलमनि मोरी।। नाथ साथ रहि पंथु देखाई। करि दिन चारि चरन सेवकाई।। जेहिं बन जाइ रहब रघुराई। परनकुटी मैं करबि सुहाई।। तब मोहि कहँ जसि देब रजाई। सोइ करिहउँ रघुबीर दोहाई।। सहज सनेह राम लखि तासु। संग लीन्ह गुह हृदय हुलासू।। पुनि गुहँ ग्याति बोलि सब लीन्हे। करि परितोषु बिदा तब कीन्हे।।

Hearing the words of the Ganga, which were the root of all auspiciousness, Sita rejoiced, and the river became favorable. Then the Lord said to Guha: "Go to your home." Hearing this, Guha's face was downcast, though his heart burned within him. With folded hands Guha spoke humble words: "Listen to my entreaty, O jewel of the Raghu line. O Lord, remain with me and show me the path; let me serve your feet for four days. In whatever forest you, the Lord of the Raghus, shall dwell, I shall make a beautiful hut there. Then I shall do whatever you command me; I swear by the hero of the Raghus. Seeing Guha's natural affection, Rama took him into his company, and Guha's heart was filled with joy. Then Guha called his kinsmen and took them all; having satisfied them, he took his leave and departed.

Verse 214 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तब गनपति सिव सुमिरि प्रभु नाइ सुरसरिहि माथ। सखा अनुज सिया सहित बन गवनु कीन्ह रधुनाथ।।104।।

Then the Lord of the Raghus, remembering Shiva and bowing his head to the river, set forth for the forest with his friend, his brother, and Sita.

Verse 215 (चौपाई)

तेहि दिन भयउ बिटप तर बासू। लखन सखाँ सब कीन्ह सुपासू।। प्रात प्रातकृत करि रधुसाई। तीरथराजु दीख प्रभु जाई।। सचिव सत्य श्रध्दा प्रिय नारी। माधव सरिस मीतु हितकारी।। चारि पदारथ भरा भँडारु। पुन्य प्रदेस देस अति चारु।। छेत्र अगम गढ़ु गाढ़ सुहावा। सपनेहुँ नहिं प्रतिपच्छिन्ह पावा।। सेन सकल तीरथ बर बीरा। कलुष अनीक दलन रनधीरा।। संगमु सिंहासनु सुठि सोहा। छत्रु अखयबटु मुनि मनु मोहा।। चवँर जमुन अरु गंग तरंगा। देखि होहिं दुख दारिद भंगा।।

On that day they took shelter under trees and shrubs; Lakshmana prepared suitable leaf-huts for all his companions. At dawn, having performed his morning rites, the Lord of the Raghus went and beheld the King of Tirthas. His counselors were Truth and Faith, his beloved consort was like Madhava himself, a friend devoted to his welfare. His treasury was filled with the four aims of life; his realm was a holy land, exceedingly beautiful. His domain was an impregnable fortress, strongly fortified and lovely; even in a dream no enemy could set foot there. His army consisted of all the best of tirthas, heroes who crushed hosts of sins, steadfast in battle. The confluence was his throne, which shone most splendidly; the imperishable banyan was his royal umbrella, captivating the hearts of sages. The Yamuna and the Ganga with their waves were his fly-whisks; beholding them, sorrow and poverty are destroyed.

Verse 216 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सेवहिं सुकृति साधु सुचि पावहिं सब मनकाम। बंदी बेद पुरान गन कहहिं बिमल गुन ग्राम।।105।।

The virtuous and the pure serve him and obtain all the desires of their hearts. The Vedas, the Puranas, and the sages sing his spotless virtues in abundance.

Verse 217 (चौपाई)

को कहि सकइ प्रयाग प्रभाऊ। कलुष पुंज कुंजर मृगराऊ।। अस तीरथपति देखि सुहावा। सुख सागर रघुबर सुखु पावा।। कहि सिय लखनहि सखहि सुनाई। श्रीमुख तीरथराज बड़ाई।। करि प्रनामु देखत बन बागा। कहत महातम अति अनुरागा।। एहि बिधि आइ बिलोकी बेनी। सुमिरत सकल सुमंगल देनी।। मुदित नहाइ कीन्हि सिव सेवा। पुजि जथाबिधि तीरथ देवा।। तब प्रभु भरद्वाज पहिं आए। करत दंडवत मुनि उर लाए।। मुनि मन मोद न कछु कहि जाइ। ब्रह्मानंद रासि जनु पाई।।

Who can describe the glory of Prayaga, which is a lion to the elephant of the heap of sins? Beholding such a lovely Lord of Tirthas, the Lord of the Raghus, who is an ocean of bliss, obtained joy. He spoke to Sita and Lakshmana, recounting to his companions the greatness of the King of Tirthas as told by the Lord himself. Making obeisance and gazing at the lovely gardens of the forest, he spoke of its greatness with deep love. In this manner he came and beheld the confluence, the giver of all auspiciousness to those who remember it. Joyfully he bathed and performed the worship of Shiva, adoring the deity of the tirtha according to the prescribed rites. Then the Lord came to Bharadvaja; making obeisance with his body prostrate, the sage embraced him to his heart. The joy in the sage's heart cannot be put into words; it was as if he had obtained the very abode of Brahmananda.

Verse 218 (दोहा/सोरठा)

दीन्हि असीस मुनीस उर अति अनंदु अस जानि। लोचन गोचर सुकृत फल मनहुँ किए बिधि आनि।।106।।

The lord of sages gave his blessing, his heart filled with exceeding joy, knowing that the fruit of his merit had been brought before his eyes, as it were, by Brahma himself.

Verse 219 (चौपाई)

कुसल प्रस्न करि आसन दीन्हे। पूजि प्रेम परिपूरन कीन्हे।। कंद मूल फल अंकुर नीके। दिए आनि मुनि मनहुँ अमी के।। सीय लखन जन सहित सुहाए। अति रुचि राम मूल फल खाए।। भए बिगतश्रम रामु सुखारे। भरव्दाज मृदु बचन उचारे।। आजु सुफल तपु तीरथ त्यागू। आजु सुफल जप जोग बिरागू।। सफल सकल सुभ साधन साजू। राम तुम्हहि अवलोकत आजू।। लाभ अवधि सुख अवधि न दूजी। तुम्हारें दरस आस सब पूजी।। अब करि कृपा देहु बर एहू। निज पद सरसिज सहज सनेहू।।

He inquired after their welfare and offered them seats; he worshipped them with love and made them fully content. He brought roots, fruits, and fine shoots and gave them, food that seemed like nectar to the sage's heart. Sita, Lakshmana, and his companions were delighted; Rama ate the roots and fruits with great relish. Rama became free from fatigue and refreshed; Bharadvaja spoke gentle words. Today my austerity bears fruit, today my pilgrimage bears fruit; today my meditation, my yoga, and my renunciation bear fruit. All my auspicious endeavors are fulfilled today, for I behold you, Rama. There is no other gain or happiness beyond this; in your sight all my hopes are fulfilled. Now show your mercy and grant me this one boon: that I may lovingly behold your lotus feet.

Verse 220 (दोहा/सोरठा)

करम बचन मन छाड़ि छलु जब लगि जनु न तुम्हार। तब लगि सुखु सपनेहुँ नहीं किएँ कोटि उपचार।।

So long as you do not renounce deceit in deed, word and mind and become truly Mine, you shall not find happiness even in your dreams, though you try a million remedies.

Verse 221 (चौपाई)

सुनि मुनि बचन रामु सकुचाने। भाव भगति आनंद अघाने।। तब रघुबर मुनि सुजसु सुहावा। कोटि भाँति कहि सबहि सुनावा।। सो बड सो सब गुन गन गेहू। जेहि मुनीस तुम्ह आदर देहू।। मुनि रघुबीर परसपर नवहीं। बचन अगोचर सुखु अनुभवहीं।। यह सुधि पाइ प्रयाग निवासी। बटु तापस मुनि सिद्ध उदासी।। भरद्वाज आश्रम सब आए। देखन दसरथ सुअन सुहाए।। राम प्रनाम कीन्ह सब काहू। मुदित भए लहि लोयन लाहू।। देहिं असीस परम सुखु पाई। फिरे सराहत सुंदरताई।।

Hearing the sage's words, Rama felt modest, yet his heart was filled with love, devotion and bliss. Then the Lord of the Raghus, whose fair fame shone bright, related the whole story to the sage in a million ways. "That is great indeed, and all virtues dwell in your house; for you, O sage, show such honor to all." The sage and the Lord of the Raghus bowed to each other; they experienced a joy beyond all words. When the residents of Prayaga, the ascetics, sages and recluses, learned of this, they all came to Bharadvaja's hermitage to behold the beautiful sons of Dasharatha. Rama offered obeisance to all; they rejoiced, their eyes drinking in the sight of him. They gave their blessings and obtained supreme joy; then they returned, praising his beauty.

Verse 222 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम कीन्ह बिश्राम निसि प्रात प्रयाग नहाइ। चले सहित सिय लखन जन मुददित मुनिहि सिरु नाइ।।108।।

Rama rested for the night; at dawn he bathed at Prayaga, and then set forth with Sita and Lakshmana, his heart gladdened, bowing his head to the sage.

Verse 223 (चौपाई)

राम सप्रेम कहेउ मुनि पाहीं। नाथ कहिअ हम केहि मग जाहीं।। मुनि मन बिहसि राम सन कहहीं। सुगम सकल मग तुम्ह कहुँ अहहीं।। साथ लागि मुनि सिष्य बोलाए। सुनि मन मुदित पचासक आए।। सबन्हि राम पर प्रेम अपारा। सकल कहहि मगु दीख हमारा।। मुनि बटु चारि संग तब दीन्हे। जिन्ह बहु जनम सुकृत सब कीन्हे।। करि प्रनामु रिषि आयसु पाई। प्रमुदित हृदयँ चले रघुराई।। ग्राम निकट जब निकसहि जाई। देखहि दरसु नारि नर धाई।। होहि सनाथ जनम फलु पाई। फिरहि दुखित मनु संग पठाई।।

Rama asked the sage with love: "O Lord, tell us by which path we should go." The sage smiled in his heart and said to Rama: "All paths are easy for you." The sage called his disciples; hearing him, fifty came, their hearts gladdened. They all bore boundless love for Rama, and each said: "Look, this is our path." The sage then gave four banyan trees to accompany them, trees that had performed many good deeds over many births. Having made obeisance and received the sage's leave, the Lord of the Raghus set forth, his heart filled with joy. When they came near the village and went forth, men and women ran to behold his sight. They were blessed, having attained the fruit of birth; but they returned sorrowful at heart when he sent them back.

Verse 224 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बिदा किए बटु बिनय करि फिरे पाइ मन काम। उतरि नहाए जमुन जल जो सरीर सम स्याम।।109।।

Having taken leave of the banyan trees with humble prayers, they returned, their hearts' desire fulfilled; they crossed the Yamuna, bathed in its waters, and their bodies became dark as the river itself.