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Ramcharitmanas · Rama

Chapter 3

अरण्यकाण्ड

Aranya Kand

Verses

  1. Verse 1

    caupāī pura nara bharata prīti maiṃ gāī| mati anurūpa anūpa suhāī|| aba prabhu carita sunahu ati pāvana| karata je bana sura nara muni bhāvana|| eka bāra cuni kusuma suhāe| nija kara bhūṣana rāma banāe|| sītahi pahirāe prabhu sādara| baiṭhe phaṭika silā para suṃdara|| surapati suta dhari bāyasa beṣā| saṭha cāhata raghupati bala dekhā|| jimi pipīlikā sāgara thāhā| mahā maṃdamati pāvana cāhā|| sītā carana cauṃca hati bhāgā| mūṛha maṃdamati kārana kāgā|| calā rudhira raghunāyaka jānā| sīṃka dhanuṣa sāyaka saṃdhānā|| dohā/soraṭhā ati kṛpāla raghunāyaka sadā dīna para neha| tā sana āi kīnha chalu mūrakha avaguna geha||1||

    Meaning

    I have sung, according to my own poor wit, the matchless and lovely love that the people of the city and Bharata bore for Rama. Now hear the most purifying deeds the Lord performed in the forest — deeds that delight gods, men and sages. Once, gathering beautiful flowers, Rama fashioned ornaments with his own hands and reverently adorned Sita with them; then the Lord sat upon a fair crystal rock. The son of Indra, taking the form of a crow, the fool, wished to test the might of the Lord of the Raghus — as an ant, most dull of mind, might think to sound the depths of the ocean. Pecking at Sita's foot with its beak, the crow fled; the deluded, dull-witted fellow had made himself a crow for this very mischief. When blood flowed and Raghunatha understood, he fitted a reed-arrow to his bow. Ever most merciful is the Lord of the Raghus, ever loving towards the lowly; yet against him this fool, that house of vices, came and played his deceit.

  2. Verse 2

    caupāī prerita maṃtra brahmasara dhāvā| calā bhāji bāyasa bhaya pāvā|| dhari nija rupa gayau pitu pāhīṃ| rāma bimukha rākhā tehi nāhīṃ|| bhā nirāsa upajī mana trāsā| jathā cakra bhaya riṣi durbāsā|| brahmadhāma sivapura saba lokā| phirā śramita byākula bhaya sokā|| kāhū~ baiṭhana kahā na ohī| rākhi ko sakai rāma kara drohī|| mātu mṛtyu pitu samana samānā| sudhā hoi biṣa sunu harijānā|| mitra karai sata ripu kai karanī| tā kaha~ bibudhanadī baitaranī|| saba jagu tāhi analahu te tātā| jo raghubīra bimukha sunu bhrātā|| nārada dekhā bikala jayaṃtā| lāgi dayā komala cita saṃtā|| paṭhavā turata rāma pahiṃ tāhī| kahesi pukāri pranata hita pāhī|| ātura sabhaya gahesi pada jāī| trāhi trāhi dayāla raghurāī|| atulita bala atulita prabhutāī| maiṃ matimaṃda jāni nahiṃ pāī|| nija kṛta karma janita phala pāyau~| aba prabhu pāhi sarana taki āyau~|| suni kṛpāla ati ārata bānī| ekanayana kari tajā bhavānī|| dohā/soraṭhā kīnha moha basa droha jadyapi tehi kara badha ucita| prabhu chāṛeu kari choha ko kṛpāla raghubīra sama||2||

    Meaning

    Sped on by the sacred spell, the arrow of Brahma flew after him; the crow, struck with terror, fled. Resuming his own form, he went to his father, but even he would not shelter one set against Rama. Despairing, dread arose in his heart — like the fear of the discus that pursued the sage Durvasa. To the abode of Brahma, to Shiva's city, through all the worlds he roamed, weary and distraught with fear and grief, yet nowhere did anyone bid him sit. Who can shelter a foe of Rama? To one who turns his back on the Lord of the Raghus — listen, Garuda — a mother becomes like death, a father like the lord of death, nectar turns to poison, a friend acts the part of a hundred enemies, the heavenly river Ganga becomes the river of hell, and the whole world grows hotter to him than fire. Narada saw Jayanta in distress; pity stirred in the saint's tender heart, and at once he sent him to Rama, telling him to cry aloud, 'Protector of the suppliant, save me!' Frightened and in haste, Jayanta went and clasped the Lord's feet: 'Save me, save me, merciful Lord of the Raghus! Your strength is beyond measure, your majesty beyond measure — dull of wit, I could not know it. I have reaped the fruit born of my own deeds; now protect me, Lord, for I have come seeking your refuge.' Hearing his most piteous plea, the Merciful One — says Shiva, O Bhavani — spared his life, taking from him but one eye. Though in his delusion he had done wrong, and his death was deserved, the Lord, taking pity, let him go: who is so merciful as the hero of the Raghus?

  3. Verse 3

    caupāī raghupati citrakūṭa basi nānā| carita kie śruti sudhā samānā|| bahuri rāma asa mana anumānā| hoihi bhīra sabahiṃ mohi jānā|| sakala muninha sana bidā karāī| sītā sahita cale dvau bhāī|| atri ke āśrama jaba prabhu gayaū| sunata mahāmuni haraṣita bhayaū|| pulakita gāta atri uṭhi dhāe| dekhi rāmu ātura cali āe|| karata daṃḍavata muni ura lāe| prema bāri dvau jana anhavāe|| dekhi rāma chabi nayana juṛāne| sādara nija āśrama taba āne|| kari pūjā kahi bacana suhāe| die mūla phala prabhu mana bhāe|| dohā/soraṭhā prabhu āsana āsīna bhari locana sobhā nirakhi| munibara parama prabīna jori pāni astuti karata||3||

    Meaning

    Dwelling at Chitrakut, the Lord of the Raghus performed many deeds, sweet as the nectar of the Vedas. Then Rama reflected in his mind: 'A crowd will gather, for everyone now knows me.' Taking leave of all the sages, the two brothers, with Sita, set forth. When the Lord came to the hermitage of Atri, the great sage was overjoyed to hear of it. With body thrilling, Atri rose and ran out; seeing Rama, he came hastening on. As the sage was making prostration, Rama clasped him to his breast, and both bathed each other in the waters of love. Beholding Rama's beauty, the sage's eyes were soothed, and he reverently brought him into his hermitage. With worship and gracious words he offered roots and fruits that pleased the Lord's heart. The Lord took his seat, and the most accomplished of sages, his eyes filled with the Lord's splendour, joined his palms and began to sing his praise.

  4. Verse 4

    chaṃda namāmi bhakta vatsalaṃ| kṛpālu śīla komalaṃ|| bhajāmi te padāṃbujaṃ| akāmināṃ svadhāmadaṃ|| nikāma śyāma suṃdaraṃ| bhavāmbunātha maṃdaraṃ|| praphulla kaṃja locanaṃ| madādi doṣa mocanaṃ|| pralaṃba bāhu vikramaṃ| prabho'prameya vaibhavaṃ|| niṣaṃga cāpa sāyakaṃ| dharaṃ triloka nāyakaṃ|| dineśa vaṃśa maṃḍanaṃ| maheśa cāpa khaṃḍanaṃ|| munīṃdra saṃta raṃjanaṃ| surāri vṛṃda bhaṃjanaṃ|| manoja vairi vaṃditaṃ| ajādi deva sevitaṃ|| viśuddha bodha vigrahaṃ| samasta dūṣaṇāpahaṃ|| namāmi iṃdirā patiṃ| sukhākaraṃ satāṃ gatiṃ|| bhaje saśakti sānujaṃ| śacī patiṃ priyānujaṃ|| tvadaṃghri mūla ye narāḥ| bhajaṃti hīna matsarā|| pataṃti no bhavārṇave| vitarka vīci saṃkule|| vivikta vāsinaḥ sadā| bhajaṃti muktaye mudā|| nirasya iṃdriyādikaṃ| prayāṃti te gatiṃ svakaṃ|| tamekamabhdutaṃ prabhuṃ| nirīhamīśvaraṃ vibhuṃ|| jagadguruṃ ca śāśvataṃ| turīyameva kevalaṃ|| bhajāmi bhāva vallabhaṃ| kuyogināṃ sudurlabhaṃ|| svabhakta kalpa pādapaṃ| samaṃ susevyamanvahaṃ|| anūpa rūpa bhūpatiṃ| nato'hamurvijā patiṃ|| prasīda me namāmi te| padābja bhakti dehi me|| paṭhaṃti ye stavaṃ idaṃ| narādareṇa te padaṃ|| vrajaṃti nātra saṃśayaṃ| tvadīya bhakti saṃyutā||

    Meaning

    I bow to you, lover of your devotees, merciful and tender of disposition; I worship your lotus feet, which grant their own abode to those free of desire. Most beautiful and dark of hue, the Churning Mountain to the ocean of worldly existence; with eyes like the full-blown lotus, freer from the faults of pride and the rest; with long arms and great valour, O Lord of immeasurable glory; bearing quiver, bow and arrow, the leader of the three worlds; the ornament of the Sun's line, the breaker of the great Lord's bow; the delight of chief sages and saints, the crusher of the hosts of the gods' enemies; adored by the foe of the god of love (Shiva), served by the gods beginning with the unborn Brahma; whose form is pure consciousness, remover of every blemish — I bow to the lord of Indira (Lakshmi), the mine of bliss, the goal of the good. I worship him together with his Power (Sita) and his younger brother (Lakshmana) — the dear younger brother of the lord of Shachi (Indra). Those men who worship the soles of your feet, free of envy, do not fall into the ocean of existence, churned by waves of doubt. Dwelling apart in solitude, ever joyfully they worship for the sake of liberation; subduing the senses and the rest, they attain to their own state. That one, the wondrous Lord, desireless, the all-pervading God and master, teacher of the world and eternal, the very Fourth state, the absolute alone — I worship him, beloved through devotion, most hard for false ascetics to win, the wish-granting tree to his own devotees, impartial and easy to serve at all times. Of matchless beauty, king of kings, lord of the Earth-born (Sita) — to him I bow. Be gracious to me; I bow to you; grant me devotion to your lotus feet. Those men who recite this hymn with reverence go to your abode, beyond doubt, endowed with devotion to you.

  5. Verse 5

    caupāī anusuiyā ke pada gahi sītā| milī bahori susīla binītā|| riṣipatinī mana sukha adhikāī| āsiṣa dei nikaṭa baiṭhāī|| dibya basana bhūṣana pahirāe| je nita nūtana amala suhāe|| kaha riṣibadhū sarasa mṛdu bānī| nāridharma kachu byāja bakhānī|| mātu pitā bhrātā hitakārī| mitaprada saba sunu rājakumārī|| amita dāni bhartā bayadehī| adhama so nāri jo seva na tehī|| dhīraja dharma mitra aru nārī| āpada kāla parikhiahiṃ cārī|| bṛddha rogabasa jaṛa dhanahīnā| adhaṃ badhira krodhī ati dīnā|| aisehu pati kara kie~ apamānā| nāri pāva jamapura dukha nānā|| ekai dharma eka brata nemā| kāya~ bacana mana pati pada premā|| jaga pati bratā cāri bidhi ahahiṃ| beda purāna saṃta saba kahahiṃ|| uttama ke asa basa mana māhīṃ| sapanehu~ āna puruṣa jaga nāhīṃ|| madhyama parapati dekhai kaiseṃ| bhrātā pitā putra nija jaiṃseṃ|| dharma bicāri samujhi kula rahaī| so nikiṣṭa triya śruti asa kahaī|| binu avasara bhaya teṃ raha joī| jānehu adhama nāri jaga soī|| pati baṃcaka parapati rati karaī| raurava naraka kalpa sata paraī|| chana sukha lāgi janama sata koṭi| dukha na samujha tehi sama ko khoṭī|| binu śrama nāri parama gati lahaī| patibrata dharma chāṛi chala gahaī|| pati pratikula janama jaha~ jāī| bidhavā hoī pāī tarunāī|| dohā/soraṭhā sahaja apāvani nāri pati sevata subha gati lahai| jasu gāvata śruti cāri ajahu tulasikā harihi priya||5(ka)|| sunu sītā tava nāma sumira nāri patibrata karahi| tohi prānapriya rāma kahiu~ kathā saṃsāra hita||5(kha)||

    Meaning

    Sita then clasped Anasuya's feet and met her, modest and well-mannered. The sage's wife was filled with great joy in her heart; giving her blessing, she seated Sita beside her. She clothed her in divine garments and ornaments — ever new, spotless and lovely. In sweet, tender words the sage's wife, on this pretext, expounded something of the duties of a woman: 'Mother, father, brother — all are kindly, O princess, but each bestows only a limited good; the husband alone, O Vaidehi, is the giver of boundless good, and base is the woman who does not serve him. Patience, righteousness, a friend, and a wife — these four are tested in the time of adversity. A husband may be old, sick, dull, poor, blind, deaf, ill-tempered or utterly wretched, yet by dishonouring even such a husband a woman suffers manifold torments in the city of Yama. There is but one duty, one vow and rule for her — love for her husband's feet in body, word and mind. There are four kinds of devoted wives in the world, as the Vedas, Puranas and saints all declare. In the heart of the highest it is so fixed that not even in dream is there another man in the world for her. The middling looks upon another's husband as she would on her own brother, father or son. She who, considering duty and minding her family's honour, keeps her vow is reckoned the lowest, so the Vedas say; and she who refrains only from fear or for want of opportunity — know her, O princess, to be the basest woman in the world. The woman who deceives her husband and takes pleasure in another's husband falls into the hell Raurava for a hundred ages. For the sake of a moment's pleasure she heeds not a hundred million births of sorrow — who is so corrupt as she? A woman wins the highest state without toil if, forsaking deceit, she holds fast to the dharma of devotion to her husband; but she who is hostile to her husband, wherever she is born, is widowed on reaching her youth. By nature impure though woman be, by serving her husband she attains a blessed state; the four Vedas sing her fame, and to this day the tulsi plant is dear to Hari. Listen, Sita: remembering your name, women will keep their vow of devotion to their husbands. Rama is dear to you as your own life; I have told this tale for the good of the world.'

  6. Verse 6

    caupāī suni jānakīṃ parama sukhu pāvā| sādara tāsu carana siru nāvā|| taba muni sana kaha kṛpānidhānā| āyasu hoi jāu~ bana ānā|| saṃtata mo para kṛpā karehū| sevaka jāni tajehu jani nehū|| dharma dhuraṃdhara prabhu kai bānī| suni saprema bole muni gyānī|| jāsu kṛpā aja siva sanakādī| cahata sakala paramāratha bādī|| te tumha rāma akāma piāre| dīna baṃdhu mṛdu bacana ucāre|| aba jānī maiṃ śrī caturāī| bhajī tumhahi saba deva bihāī|| jehi samāna atisaya nahiṃ koī| tā kara sīla kasa na asa hoī|| kehi bidhi kahauṃ jāhu aba svāmī| kahahu nātha tumha aṃtarajāmī|| asa kahi prabhu biloki muni dhīrā| locana jala baha pulaka sarīrā|| chaṃda tana pulaka nirbhara prema purana nayana mukha paṃkaja die| mana gyāna guna gotīta prabhu maiṃ dīkha japa tapa kā kie|| japa joga dharma samūha teṃ nara bhagati anupama pāvaī| radhubīra carita punīta nisi dina dāsa tulasī gāvaī|| dohā/soraṭhā kalimala samana damana mana rāma sujasa sukhamūla| sādara sunahi je tinha para rāma rahahiṃ anukūla||6(ka)|| kaṭhina kāla mala kosa dharma na gyāna na joga japa| parihari sakala bharosa rāmahi bhajahiṃ te catura nara||6(kha)||

    Meaning

    Hearing this, Janaki was filled with the deepest joy and reverently bowed her head at Anasuya's feet. Then the Treasury of Mercy said to the sage: 'With your leave, let me go to another forest. Show me your grace forever; knowing me your servant, do not give up your love.' Hearing the words of the Lord, that upholder of righteousness, the wise sage spoke with deep affection: 'You whose grace the unborn Brahma, Shiva, Sanaka and the rest, all who debate the supreme truth, long for — you, O Rama, beloved of the desireless, friend of the lowly, have uttered these gentle words! Now I have come to know the wisdom of Lakshmi, who chose you, forsaking all the other gods. For one to whom none is in any way equal — how should such tenderness not be his? In what way can I say to you, "Go now, master"? Tell me yourself, Lord, for you are the knower of all hearts.' So saying, gazing upon the Lord, the serene sage's eyes brimmed with tears and his body thrilled. With body thrilling, filled to the full with love, the sage fixed his eyes upon the Lord's lotus face: 'The Lord, beyond mind, knowledge, qualities and the senses, I have beheld — and what austerity or prayer had I performed to deserve it? Through all the host of prayer, yoga and righteous deeds a man wins matchless devotion; Tulsidas, his servant, sings night and day the holy deeds of the hero of the Raghus.' The fair fame of Rama, which destroys the impurities of the Kali age and subdues the mind, is the root of bliss; upon those who reverently hear it Rama remains gracious. This harsh age is a storehouse of impurity, where there is no righteousness, no knowledge, no yoga, no austerity; wise are those men who, casting off every other reliance, worship Rama alone.

  7. Verse 7

    caupāī muni pada kamala nāi kari sīsā| cale banahi sura nara muni īsā|| āge rāma anuja puni pācheṃ| muni bara beṣa bane ati kācheṃ|| umaya bīca śrī sohai kaisī| brahma jīva bica māyā jaisī|| saritā bana giri avaghaṭa ghāṭā| pati pahicānī dehiṃ bara bāṭā|| jaha~ jaha~ jāhi deva raghurāyā| karahiṃ medha taha~ taha~ nabha chāyā|| milā asura birādha maga jātā| āvatahīṃ raghuvīra nipātā|| turatahiṃ rucira rūpa tehiṃ pāvā| dekhi dukhī nija dhāma paṭhāvā|| puni āe jaha~ muni sarabhaṃgā| suṃdara anuja jānakī saṃgā|| dohā/soraṭhā dekhī rāma mukha paṃkaja munibara locana bhṛṃga| sādara pāna karata ati dhanya janma sarabhaṃga||7||

    Meaning

    Bowing his head at the sage's lotus feet, the Lord of gods, men and sages went on towards the forest. Rama in front, his younger brother behind, both arrayed most handsomely in sage's garb; and how fair shone Lakshmi (Sita) between the two — like Maya between Brahman and the individual soul. Rivers, woods, hills and rugged passes, recognizing their Lord, gave him good passage. Wherever the divine Lord of the Raghus went, there the clouds spread shade across the sky. On the way the demon Viradha met them, and the hero of the Raghus struck him down the moment he came. At once the demon won a beautiful form; seeing him distressed, the Lord sent him to his own abode. Then, with his comely brother and Janaki, he came to where the sage Sharabhanga was. Beholding Rama's lotus face, the eyes of that best of sages, like bees, reverently drank in its beauty: blessed indeed was the birth of Sharabhanga.

  8. Verse 8

    caupāī kaha muni sunu raghubīra kṛpālā| saṃkara mānasa rājamarālā|| jāta raheu~ biraṃci ke dhāmā| suneu~ śravana bana aihahiṃ rāmā|| citavata paṃtha raheu~ dina rātī| aba prabhu dekhi juṛānī chātī|| nātha sakala sādhana maiṃ hīnā| kīnhī kṛpā jāni jana dīnā|| so kachu deva na mohi nihorā| nija pana rākheu jana mana corā|| taba lagi rahahu dīna hita lāgī| jaba lagi milauṃ tumhahi tanu tyāgī|| joga jagya japa tapa brata kīnhā| prabhu kaha~ dei bhagati bara līnhā|| ehi bidhi sara raci muni sarabhaṃgā| baiṭhe hṛdaya~ chāṛi saba saṃgā|| dohā/soraṭhā sītā anuja sameta prabhu nīla jalada tanu syāma| mama hiya~ basahu niraṃtara sagunarupa śrīrāma||8||

    Meaning

    The sage said: 'Listen, merciful hero of the Raghus, royal swan upon the Manasa-lake of Shankara's mind: I was on my way to Brahma's abode when I heard with my ears that Rama would come to the forest. So day and night I waited, watching the road, and now, beholding the Lord, my breast is soothed. Lord, I am destitute of all means; yet you have shown me grace, knowing me your lowly servant. In that, O Lord, you have laid me under no obligation; you have but kept your own vow, O stealer of your devotees' hearts. Stay only so long, for the sake of this lowly one, until I cast off my body and come to meet you.' Whatever yoga, sacrifice, prayer, austerity and vows he had performed, he gave them all to the Lord and took in return the boon of devotion. In this manner the sage Sharabhanga, building a pyre, sat upon it, casting off all attachment in his heart: 'Dark of body as a blue rain-cloud, with Sita and your younger brother, dwell forever in my heart, O Rama in your form with attributes.'

  9. Verse 9

    caupāī asa kahi joga agini tanu jārā| rāma kṛpā~ baikuṃṭha sidhārā|| tāte muni hari līna na bhayaū| prathamahiṃ bheda bhagati bara layaū|| riṣi nikāya munibara gati dekhi| sukhī bhae nija hṛdaya~ biseṣī|| astuti karahiṃ sakala muni bṛṃdā| jayati pranata hita karunā kaṃdā|| puni raghunātha cale bana āge| munibara bṛṃda bipula sa~ga lāge|| asthi samūha dekhi raghurāyā| pūchī muninha lāgi ati dāyā|| jānatahu~ pūchia kasa svāmī| sabadarasī tumha aṃtarajāmī|| nisicara nikara sakala muni khāe| suni raghubīra nayana jala chāe|| dohā/soraṭhā nisicara hīna karau~ mahi bhuja uṭhāi pana kīnha| sakala muninha ke āśramanhi jāi jāi sukha dīnha||9||

    Meaning

    Saying this, the sage consumed his body in the fire of yoga and, by Rama's grace, passed to Vaikuntha. Yet he did not merge wholly into Hari, for at the outset he had asked the boon of devotion-with-difference; so he kept that distinction between worshipper and worshipped. Seeing the goal attained by that best of sages, the whole company of rishis rejoiced exceedingly in their hearts, and all the bands of munis offered praise, crying, 'Glory to the one who is the well-wisher of the humble, the very root of compassion!' Then Raghunatha went on ahead into the forest, with a great throng of the foremost sages following along. The Lord of the Raghus saw a heap of bones and, filled with deep pity, asked the sages about it. They said, 'O Master, why do you ask when you already know? You behold all things and are the inner knower of every heart. Hordes of demons have devoured all the sages here.' Hearing this, tears welled in the eyes of the hero of the Raghus. Raising his arm, he made a vow: 'I will rid the earth of demons.' Then, going from one to the next of all the sages' hermitages, he brought them joy.

  10. Verse 10

    caupāī muni agasti kara siṣya sujānā| nāma sutīchana rati bhagavānā|| mana krama bacana rāma pada sevaka| sapanehu~ āna bharosa na devaka|| prabhu āgavanu śravana suni pāvā| karata manoratha ātura dhāvā|| he bidhi dīnabaṃdhu raghurāyā| mo se saṭha para karihahiṃ dāyā|| sahita anuja mohi rāma gosāī| milihahiṃ nija sevaka kī nāī|| more jiya~ bharosa dṛṛha nāhīṃ| bhagati birati na gyāna mana māhīṃ|| nahiṃ satasaṃga joga japa jāgā| nahiṃ dṛṛha carana kamala anurāgā|| eka bāni karunānidhāna kī| so priya jākeṃ gati na āna kī|| hoihaiṃ suphala āju mama locana| dekhi badana paṃkaja bhava mocana|| nirbhara prema magana muni gyānī| kahi na jāi so dasā bhavānī|| disi aru bidisi paṃtha nahiṃ sūjhā| ko maiṃ caleu~ kahā~ nahiṃ būjhā|| kabahu~ka phiri pācheṃ puni jāī| kabahu~ka nṛtya karai guna gāī|| abirala prema bhagati muni pāī| prabhu dekhaiṃ taru oṭa lukāī|| atisaya prīti dekhi raghubīrā| pragaṭe hṛdaya~ harana bhava bhīrā|| muni maga mājha acala hoi baisā| pulaka sarīra panasa phala jaisā|| taba raghunātha nikaṭa cali āe| dekhi dasā nija jana mana bhāe|| munihi rāma bahu bhā~ti jagāvā| jāga na dhyānajanita sukha pāvā|| bhūpa rūpa taba rāma durāvā| hṛdaya~ caturbhuja rūpa dekhāvā|| muni akulāi uṭhā taba kaiseṃ| bikala hīna mani phani bara jaiseṃ|| āgeṃ dekhi rāma tana syāmā| sītā anuja sahita sukha dhāmā|| pareu lakuṭa iva carananhi lāgī| prema magana munibara baṛabhāgī|| bhuja bisāla gahi lie uṭhāī| parama prīti rākhe ura lāī|| munihi milata asa soha kṛpālā| kanaka taruhi janu bheṃṭa tamālā|| rāma badanu biloka muni ṭhāṛhā| mānahu~ citra mājha likhi kāṛhā|| dohā/soraṭhā taba muni hṛdaya~ dhīra dhīra gahi pada bārahiṃ bāra| nija āśrama prabhu āni kari pūjā bibidha prakāra||10||

    Meaning

    The sage Agastya had a wise disciple named Suteekshna, devoted to the Lord. In thought, word, and deed he was a servant of Rama's feet, and even in dreams he relied on no other god. When his ears caught word that the Lord was coming, he ran in eager longing, weaving fond hopes: 'O Creator! Will the Lord of the Raghus, the friend of the humble, show mercy upon a fool like me? Will Rama, my Master, together with his younger brother, meet me as he would his own servant? My heart holds no firm faith; there is in my mind neither devotion, nor detachment, nor knowledge; no company of the holy, no yoga, no repetition of the Name, no sacrifice, no steadfast love for his lotus feet. Yet there is one trait of the All-merciful: he is dear to one who has no other refuge. This day my eyes shall bear their fruit, beholding that lotus face which frees from rebirth.' Drowned in boundless love, the wise sage reached a state, O Bhavani, that cannot be described. He could make out no direction nor any path; he could not tell who he was or where he was going. Now he would turn and walk back again; now he would dance and sing the Lord's praises. The sage attained an unbroken stream of loving devotion. The Lord watched him, hidden behind a tree. Seeing his surpassing love, the hero of the Raghus, the dispeller of the fear of birth and death, appeared in his heart; and the sage sat motionless in the middle of the path, his body bristling with joy like a jackfruit. Then Raghunatha came near, and seeing the state of his own devotee, was glad at heart. Rama tried in many ways to rouse him, but he would not wake, lost in the bliss born of his meditation. Then Rama hid his kingly form and showed in the sage's heart his four-armed shape. At that the sage started up in agitation — how? — distraught as the best of serpents bereft of its gem. Looking before him, he saw the dark-hued body of Rama, the abode of bliss, with Sita and his younger brother. He fell at his feet like a staff, that great and fortunate sage, drowned in love. With his long arms Rama lifted and raised him, and with utmost affection held him to his breast. Embracing the sage, the gracious Lord shone as though a tamala tree had met a tree of gold. Beholding Rama's face, the sage stood still, as if drawn and painted within a picture. Then, slowly steadying his heart, the sage clasped his feet again and again, brought the Lord to his own hermitage, and worshipped him in many ways.

  11. Verse 11

    caupāī kaha muni prabhu sunu binatī morī| astuti karauṃ kavana bidhi torī|| mahimā amita mori mati thorī| rabi sanmukha khadyota a~jorī|| śyāma tāmarasa dāma śarīraṃ| jaṭā mukuṭa paridhana municīraṃ|| pāṇi cāpa śara kaṭi tūṇīraṃ| naumi niraṃtara śrīraghuvīraṃ|| moha vipina ghana dahana kṛśānuḥ| saṃta saroruha kānana bhānuḥ|| niśicara kari varūtha mṛgarājaḥ| trātu sadā no bhava khaga bājaḥ|| aruṇa nayana rājīva suveśaṃ| sītā nayana cakora niśeśaṃ|| hara hradi mānasa bāla marālaṃ| naumi rāma ura bāhu viśālaṃ|| saṃśaya sarpa grasana uragādaḥ| śamana sukarkaśa tarka viṣādaḥ|| bhava bhaṃjana raṃjana sura yūthaḥ| trātu sadā no kṛpā varūthaḥ|| nirguṇa saguṇa viṣama sama rūpaṃ| jñāna girā gotītamanūpaṃ|| amalamakhilamanavadyamapāraṃ| naumi rāma bhaṃjana mahi bhāraṃ|| bhakta kalpapādapa ārāmaḥ| tarjana krodha lobha mada kāmaḥ|| ati nāgara bhava sāgara setuḥ| trātu sadā dinakara kula ketuḥ|| atulita bhuja pratāpa bala dhāmaḥ| kali mala vipula vibhaṃjana nāmaḥ|| dharma varma narmada guṇa grāmaḥ| saṃtata śaṃ tanotu mama rāmaḥ|| jadapi biraja byāpaka abināsī| saba ke hṛdaya~ niraṃtara bāsī|| tadapi anuja śrī sahita kharārī| basatu manasi mama kānanacārī|| je jānahiṃ te jānahu~ svāmī| saguna aguna ura aṃtarajāmī|| jo kosala pati rājiva nayanā| karau so rāma hṛdaya mama ayanā| asa abhimāna jāi jani bhore| maiṃ sevaka raghupati pati more|| suni muni bacana rāma mana bhāe| bahuri haraṣi munibara ura lāe|| parama prasanna jānu muni mohī| jo bara māgahu deu so tohī|| muni kaha mai bara kabahu~ na jācā| samujhi na parai jhūṭha kā sācā|| tumhahi nīka lāgai raghurāī| so mohi dehu dāsa sukhadāī|| abirala bhagati birati bigyānā| hohu sakala guna gyāna nidhānā|| prabhu jo dīnha so baru maiṃ pāvā| aba so dehu mohi jo bhāvā|| dohā/soraṭhā anuja jānakī sahita prabhu cāpa bāna dhara rāma| mama hiya gagana iṃdu iva basahu sadā nihakāma||11||

    Meaning

    The sage said, 'Listen, Lord, to my prayer. In what way can I praise you? Your glory is boundless and my wit is small — like a firefly's gleam before the sun. I bow without ceasing to Sri Raghuvira, whose dark frame is like a wreath of blue lotuses, who wears a crown of matted locks and the bark-garb of an ascetic, with bow and arrow in hand and a quiver at his waist. He is the fire that burns down the dense forest of delusion, the sun for the lotus-grove of the saints, the lion to the herd of demon-elephants — may that hawk to the bird of worldly existence ever protect us. With red lotus-eyes and fair attire, the moon to the chakora-bird of Sita's eyes, the young swan upon the lake of Shiva's heart — I bow to Rama, broad of chest and arm. He is the eagle that devours the serpent of doubt, the queller of harsh arguments and despair, the destroyer of rebirth, the delight of the host of gods — may that armour of grace ever protect us. Unequalled, of forms both formless and with form, both rough and even, beyond knowledge, speech, and the senses, flawless, pure, entire, blameless, and limitless — I bow to Rama, who lifts the burden of the earth. He is the wish-granting tree, the very pleasure-garden, for his devotees; the chastiser of anger, greed, pride, and lust; the most clever one, the bridge across the ocean of existence — may that banner of the Sun's line ever protect us. The abode of immeasurable strength and the might of his arms, whose Name shatters the heaped impurities of the Kali age, the armour of righteousness, the giver of delight, the treasury of virtues — may my Rama ever spread my well-being. Though he is untainted, all-pervading, imperishable, and dwells unbroken within the hearts of all, yet may that foe of Khara, who roams the forest with his younger brother and Sri, dwell within my mind. Let those who know, know you, O Master — both with form and formless, the inner knower of every heart. May that Rama, the lotus-eyed Lord of Kosala, make my heart his dwelling. Let not this proud claim of mine slip away through forgetfulness: that I am the servant and Raghupati is my master.' Hearing the sage's words, Rama was pleased at heart, and once more, in gladness, clasped that best of sages to his breast. 'Know me to be supremely pleased with you, O sage; whatever boon you ask, I grant it to you.' The sage said, 'I have never begged a boon, for I cannot tell what is false and what is true. Whatever pleases you, O Lord of the Raghus, give that to me, for you delight your servants.' The Lord said, 'Be the treasury of all virtues and knowledge — unbroken devotion, detachment, and discernment.' The sage said, 'The boon the Lord has given, that boon I have received; now grant me what I long for: may Rama, bearer of bow and arrow, with his younger brother and Janaki, ever dwell desireless in the firmament of my heart like the moon.'

  12. Verse 12

    caupāī evamastu kari ramānivāsā| haraṣi cale kubhaṃja riṣi pāsā|| bahuta divasa gura darasana pāe~| bhae mohi ehiṃ āśrama āe~|| aba prabhu saṃga jāu~ gura pāhīṃ| tumha kaha~ nātha nihorā nāhīṃ|| dekhi kṛpānidhi muni caturāī| lie saṃga bihasai dvau bhāī|| paṃtha kahata nija bhagati anūpā| muni āśrama pahu~ce surabhūpā|| turata sutīchana gura pahiṃ gayaū| kari daṃḍavata kahata asa bhayaū|| nātha kausalādhīsa kumārā| āe milana jagata ādhārā|| rāma anuja sameta baidehī| nisi dinu deva japata hahu jehī|| sunata agasti turata uṭhi dhāe| hari biloki locana jala chāe|| muni pada kamala pare dvau bhāī| riṣi ati prīti lie ura lāī|| sādara kusala pūchi muni gyānī| āsana bara baiṭhāre ānī|| puni kari bahu prakāra prabhu pūjā| mohi sama bhāgyavaṃta nahiṃ dūjā|| jaha~ lagi rahe apara muni bṛṃdā| haraṣe saba biloki sukhakaṃdā|| dohā/soraṭhā muni samūha maha~ baiṭhe sanmukha saba kī ora| sarada iṃdu tana citavata mānahu~ nikara cakora||12||

    Meaning

    Saying 'So be it,' the abode of Rama (Lakshmi) — Rama himself — gladly set out towards the sage of the Pot-born line, Agastya. The sage Suteekshna said, 'It has been many days since I had sight of my guru, ever since I came to this hermitage. Now, with the Lord, let me go to my guru; for you, Master, there is no obligation in this.' Seeing the sage's cleverness, the treasury of grace took him along, and the two brothers smiled. Telling along the way of his own matchless devotion, the king of the gods reached the sage's hermitage. At once Suteekshna went to his guru, made obeisance, and said this: 'Master, the princes, sons of the lord of Kosala, the very support of the world, have come to meet you — Rama with his younger brother and Vaidehi, whom you, O divine one, repeat night and day.' Hearing this, Agastya at once rose and ran; beholding Hari, his eyes brimmed with tears. The two brothers fell at the sage's lotus feet, and the rishi, with great love, raised them and held them to his breast. The wise sage reverently asked after their welfare, brought them and seated them on a fine seat, and then, worshipping the Lord in many ways, said, 'There is none so fortunate as I.' And as far around as the other bands of sages remained, all rejoiced beholding the very root of bliss. Seated amid the throng of sages, facing all of them on every side, he seemed like an autumn moon gazed upon by a flock of chakora-birds.

  13. Verse 13

    caupāī taba raghubīra kahā muni pāhīṃ| tumha sana prabhu durāva kachu nāhī|| tumha jānahu jehi kārana āyau~| tāte tāta na kahi samujhāyau~|| aba so maṃtra dehu prabhu mohī| jehi prakāra mārauṃ munidrohī|| muni musakāne suni prabhu bānī| pūchehu nātha mohi kā jānī|| tumharei~ bhajana prabhāva aghārī| jānau~ mahimā kachuka tumhārī|| ūmari taru bisāla tava māyā| phala brahmāṃḍa aneka nikāyā|| jīva carācara jaṃtu samānā| bhītara basahi na jānahiṃ ānā|| te phala bhacchaka kaṭhina karālā| tava bhaya~ ḍarata sadā sou kālā|| te tumha sakala lokapati sāīṃ| pū~chehu mohi manuja kī nāīṃ|| yaha bara māgau~ kṛpāniketā| basahu hṛdaya~ śrī anuja sametā|| abirala bhagati birati satasaṃgā| carana saroruha prīti abhaṃgā|| jadyapi brahma akhaṃḍa anaṃtā| anubhava gamya bhajahiṃ jehi saṃtā|| asa tava rūpa bakhānau~ jānau~| phiri phiri saguna brahma rati mānau~|| saṃtata dāsanha dehu baṛāī| tāteṃ mohi pū~chehu raghurāī|| hai prabhu parama manohara ṭhāū~| pāvana paṃcabaṭī tehi nāū~|| daṃḍaka bana punīta prabhu karahū| ugra sāpa munibara kara harahū|| bāsa karahu taha~ raghukula rāyā| kīje sakala muninha para dāyā|| cale rāma muni āyasu pāī| turatahiṃ paṃcabaṭī niarāī|| dohā/soraṭhā gīdharāja saiṃ bhaiṃṭa bhai bahu bidhi prīti baṛhāi|| godāvarī nikaṭa prabhu rahe parana gṛha chāi||13||

    Meaning

    Then the hero of the Raghus said to the sage, 'From you, Lord, there is nothing concealed. You know the reason for which I have come; that is why, father, I have not told and explained it. Now give me that counsel, Lord, by which I may slay the foes of the sages.' Hearing the Lord's speech, the sage smiled. 'Master, taking me to be what, did you ask this? By the power of your worship alone, O destroyer of sin, do I know something of your greatness. Your Maya is like a vast cluster-fig tree; its fruits are the countless multitudes of universes. Living beings, moving and unmoving, like insects, dwell within them and know nothing else. The eater of those fruits is fierce and dreadful — yet even that Time itself ever trembles in fear of you. You are that very master and lord of all the worlds, and yet you ask me as though you were a man. I beg this boon, O home of grace: dwell in my heart with Sri and your younger brother — grant me unbroken devotion, detachment, holy company, and unbreakable love for your lotus feet. Though you are Brahma, undivided and infinite, known only through experience, whom the saints worship — even so I describe and know such a form of yours, and again and again I delight in Brahma-with-form. Ever do you bestow greatness upon your servants; that is why you have asked me, O Lord of the Raghus. There is, Lord, a most lovely place named the holy Panchavati. Make the Dandaka forest pure, O Lord; remove the fierce curse laid by the great sage. Dwell there, O king of the Raghu line, and show mercy upon all the sages.' Receiving the sage's leave, Rama set out, and at once drew near to Panchavati. A meeting took place with the king of vultures, Jatayu, and their affection grew in many ways; and the Lord stayed near the Godavari, having thatched a hut of leaves.

  14. Verse 14

    caupāī jaba te rāma kīnha taha~ bāsā| sukhī bhae muni bītī trāsā|| giri bana nadīṃ tāla chabi chāe| dina dina prati ati hauhiṃ suhāe|| khaga mṛga bṛṃda anaṃdita rahahīṃ| madhupa madhura gaṃjata chabi lahahīṃ|| so bana barani na saka ahirājā| jahā~ pragaṭa raghubīra birājā|| eka bāra prabhu sukha āsīnā| lachimana bacana kahe chalahīnā|| sura nara muni sacarācara sāīṃ| maiṃ pūchau~ nija prabhu kī nāī|| mohi samujhāi kahahu soi devā| saba taji karauṃ carana raja sevā|| kahahu gyāna birāga aru māyā| kahahu so bhagati karahu jehiṃ dāyā|| dohā/soraṭhā īsvara jīva bheda prabhu sakala kahau samujhāi|| jāteṃ hoi carana rati soka moha bhrama jāi||14||

    Meaning

    From the time Rama made his dwelling there, the sages grew happy and their terror departed. The hills, woods, rivers, and ponds, decked with beauty, grew more pleasing day by day. Flocks of birds and herds of deer remained joyful, and the bees hummed sweetly and took on loveliness. That forest, where the hero of the Raghus dwelt manifest in splendour, even the serpent-king Shesha cannot describe. One day, as the Lord sat at ease, Lakshmana spoke these guileless words: 'O Master of gods, men, sages, and all that moves and is unmoving, I ask you as one whose own Lord you are. Explain and tell me, O divine one, that very thing — leaving all else, let me serve the dust of your feet. Tell me of knowledge, of detachment, and of Maya; tell me too of that devotion through which you show mercy. Explain to me fully, Lord, the distinction between the Lord (Ishwara) and the soul (jiva), by which love for your feet may arise and sorrow, delusion, and error may depart.'

  15. Verse 15

    caupāī thorehi maha~ saba kahau~ bujhāī| sunahu tāta mati mana cita lāī|| maiṃ aru mora tora taiṃ māyā| jehiṃ basa kīnhe jīva nikāyā|| go gocara jaha~ lagi mana jāī| so saba māyā jānehu bhāī|| tehi kara bheda sunahu tumha soū| bidyā apara abidyā doū|| eka duṣṭa atisaya dukharūpā| jā basa jīva parā bhavakūpā|| eka racai jaga guna basa jākeṃ| prabhu prerita nahiṃ nija bala tākeṃ|| gyāna māna jaha~ ekau nāhīṃ| dekha brahma samāna saba māhī|| kahia tāta so parama birāgī| tṛna sama siddhi tīni guna tyāgī|| dohā/soraṭhā māyā īsa na āpu kahu~ jāna kahia so jīva| baṃdha moccha prada sarbapara māyā preraka sīva||15||

    Meaning

    'In brief I will explain it all; listen, dear one, with mind, intellect, and attention fixed. "I" and "mine," "you" and "yours" — this is Maya, by which all the multitude of living beings are held in thrall. As far as the senses reach and the mind goes — know all that, brother, to be Maya. Hear too its two divisions: knowledge (vidya) and ignorance (avidya). One is wicked and exceedingly full of sorrow — under its sway the soul has fallen into the pit of worldly existence. The other fashions the world, being subject to the gunas — yet it is impelled by the Lord and has no strength of its own. Where there is not even a trace of pride of knowledge, who sees Brahma equally present in all — call him, dear one, the supremely detached, who counts the perfections as worthless as a blade of grass and has renounced the three gunas. That which knows neither Maya, nor the Lord, nor even its own self — that, it is said, is the soul (jiva). But he who grants both bondage and liberation, who is supreme above all and the very impeller of Maya — that, it is declared, is the Lord (Ishwara).'

  16. Verse 16

    caupāī dharma teṃ birati joga teṃ gyānā| gyāna mocchaprada beda bakhānā|| jāteṃ begi dravau~ maiṃ bhāī| so mama bhagati bhagata sukhadāī|| so sutaṃtra avalaṃba na ānā| tehi ādhīna gyāna bigyānā|| bhagati tāta anupama sukhamūlā| milai jo saṃta hoi~ anukūlā|| bhagati ki sādhana kahau~ bakhānī| sugama paṃtha mohi pāvahiṃ prānī|| prathamahiṃ bipra carana ati prītī| nija nija karma nirata śruti rītī|| ehi kara phala puni biṣaya birāgā| taba mama dharma upaja anurāgā|| śravanādika nava bhakti dṛṛhāhīṃ| mama līlā rati ati mana māhīṃ|| saṃta carana paṃkaja ati premā| mana krama bacana bhajana dṛṛha nemā|| guru pitu mātu baṃdhu pati devā| saba mohi kaha~ jāne dṛṛha sevā|| mama guna gāvata pulaka sarīrā| gadagada girā nayana baha nīrā|| kāma ādi mada daṃbha na jākeṃ| tāta niraṃtara basa maiṃ tākeṃ|| dohā/soraṭhā bacana karma mana mori gati bhajanu karahiṃ niḥkāma|| tinha ke hṛdaya kamala mahu~ karau~ sadā biśrāma||16||

    Meaning

    'From righteousness comes detachment, from yoga comes knowledge, and knowledge bestows liberation — so the Vedas declare. But that by which I am swiftly moved to mercy, brother, is my devotion (bhakti), which gives joy to my devotees. That devotion is self-dependent and needs no other support; both knowledge (jnana) and realization (vijnana) are subject to it. Devotion, dear one, is matchless and the very root of bliss; it is gained when the saints become favourable. Let me explain in detail the means of devotion — an easy path, by which mortals attain me. First, deep love for the feet of the Brahmins, each engaged in his own duties according to the way of the scriptures. The fruit of this is detachment from sense-objects, and then love for my path (dharma) springs up. The nine forms of devotion — hearing and the rest — grow firm, and the mind takes intense delight in my sport. Deep love for the lotus feet of the saints, with steadfast vows of worship in thought, word, and deed; knowing guru, father, mother, kinsman, husband, and deity to be all one with me, and serving them steadfastly; singing my praises with body thrilling, voice faltering, and tears flowing from the eyes; in whom there is no lust and the rest, no pride or hypocrisy — in such a one, dear, I ever dwell. Those who, in word, deed, and thought, make me their sole goal and worship me without any desire — in the lotus of their hearts I ever take my rest.'

  17. Verse 17

    caupāī bhagati joga suni ati sukha pāvā| lachimana prabhu carananhi siru nāvā|| ehi bidhi gae kachuka dina bītī| kahata birāga gyāna guna nītī|| sūpanakhā rāvana kai bahinī| duṣṭa hṛdaya dāruna jasa ahinī|| paṃcabaṭī so gai eka bārā| dekhi bikala bhai jugala kumārā|| bhrātā pitā putra uragārī| puruṣa manohara nirakhata nārī|| hoi bikala saka manahi na rokī| jimi rabimani drava rabihi bilokī|| rucira rupa dhari prabhu pahiṃ jāī| bolī bacana bahuta musukāī|| tumha sama puruṣa na mo sama nārī| yaha sa~joga bidhi racā bicārī|| mama anurūpa puruṣa jaga māhīṃ| dekheu~ khoji loka tihu nāhīṃ|| tāte aba lagi rahiu~ kumārī| manu mānā kachu tumhahi nihārī|| sītahi citai kahī prabhu bātā| ahai kuāra mora laghu bhrātā|| gai lachimana ripu bhaginī jānī| prabhu biloki bole mṛdu bānī|| suṃdari sunu maiṃ unha kara dāsā| parādhīna nahiṃ tora supāsā|| prabhu samartha kosalapura rājā| jo kachu karahiṃ unahi saba chājā|| sevaka sukha caha māna bhikhārī| byasanī dhana subha gati bibhicārī|| lobhī jasu caha cāra gumānī| nabha duhi dūdha cahata e prānī|| puni phiri rāma nikaṭa so āī| prabhu lachimana pahiṃ bahuri paṭhāī|| lachimana kahā tohi so baraī| jo tṛna tori lāja pariharaī|| taba khisiāni rāma pahiṃ gaī| rūpa bhayaṃkara pragaṭata bhaī|| sītahi sabhaya dekhi raghurāī| kahā anuja sana sayana bujhāī|| dohā/soraṭhā lachimana ati lāghava~ so nāka kāna binu kīnhi| tāke kara rāvana kaha~ manau cunautī dīnhi||17||

    Meaning

    Hearing the teaching on devotion and yoga, Lakshmana was filled with delight and bowed his head at the Lord's feet. In this manner some days passed, spent in discourse on dispassion, knowledge, virtue and right conduct. Now Shurpanakha, Ravana's sister, cruel of heart and dreadful as a she-serpent, came one day to Panchavati; seeing the two princes she was overcome with desire. A woman who beholds an enchanting man cannot restrain her heart, says the poet, were he brother, father or son — even as the sun-stone melts at the mere sight of the sun. Assuming a lovely form she went up to the Lord and, smiling much, spoke: 'There is no man like you, nor any woman like me; the Creator has fashioned this match with care. In all the three worlds I have searched but found no man worthy of me; that is why I have remained unwed till now — yet looking on you my heart is somewhat pleased.' The Lord glanced at Sita and said, 'My younger brother is unmarried.' She went to Lakshmana, who, knowing her to be the enemy's sister, looked towards the Lord and spoke gently: 'Listen, fair one — I am his servant, dependent on him; you would have no ease with me. The Lord is mighty, the king of Kosala's city, and whatever he does befits him. A servant who craves comfort, a beggar after honour, a wastrel chasing wealth, a libertine hoping for a blessed end, a miser longing for fame, a proud man wanting the four ends of life — all these creatures are but milking the sky for milk.' She returned again to Rama, and the Lord once more sent her to Lakshmana. Lakshmana said, 'He will wed you who, plucking a blade of grass, casts off all shame.' Then, mortified, she went back to Rama and revealed her terrible form. Seeing Sita frightened, Raghunatha signaled to his brother, who with great deftness lopped off her nose and ears — as if by her hand he had flung down a challenge to Ravana himself.

  18. Verse 18

    caupāī nāka kāna binu bhai bikarārā| janu strava saila gairu kai dhārā|| khara dūṣana pahiṃ gai bilapātā| dhiga dhiga tava pauruṣa bala bhrātā|| tehi pūchā saba kahesi bujhāī| jātudhāna suni sena banāī|| dhāe nisicara nikara barūthā| janu sapaccha kajjala giri jūthā|| nānā bāhana nānākārā| nānāyudha dhara ghora apārā|| supanakhā āgeṃ kari līnī| asubha rūpa śruti nāsā hīnī|| asaguna amita hohiṃ bhayakārī| ganahiṃ na mṛtyu bibasa saba jhārī|| garjahi tarjahiṃ gagana uṛāhīṃ| dekhi kaṭaku bhaṭa ati haraṣāhīṃ|| kou kaha jiata dharahu dvau bhāī| dhari mārahu tiya lehu chaṛāī|| dhūri pūri nabha maṃḍala rahā| rāma bolāi anuja sana kahā|| lai jānakihi jāhu giri kaṃdara| āvā nisicara kaṭaku bhayaṃkara|| rahehu sajaga suni prabhu kai bānī| cale sahita śrī sara dhanu pānī|| dekhi rāma ripudala cali āvā| bihasi kaṭhina kodaṃḍa caṛhāvā||

    Meaning

    Without nose and ears she grew hideous, as though a mountain were streaming forth red ochre. Wailing, she went to Khara and Dushana: 'Shame, shame upon your manhood and might, brothers!' When they questioned her she told them all, and on hearing it the demons mustered an army. Hordes of night-roamers rushed out, like winged mountains of soot in throngs — riding manifold mounts, of manifold shapes, bearing manifold weapons, dreadful and beyond number. They set Shurpanakha in front, her ill-omened form shorn of ears and nose. Countless fearful evil omens appeared, but heedless of them, all the host, possessed by death, took no reckoning. They roared and thundered and flew up into the sky; seeing the army, the warriors rejoiced exceedingly. One cried, 'Seize the two brothers alive — bind and slay them, and carry off the woman!' Dust filled the whole vault of heaven. Rama called his brother and said, 'Take Janaki to a mountain cave, for a fearful demon army has come; stay alert.' Hearing the Lord's word, Lakshmana went with Sita, his arrows and bow in hand. Seeing the enemy host advancing, Rama smiled and strung his stiff bow.

  19. Verse 19

    caupāī prabhu biloki sara sakahiṃ na ḍārī| thakita bhaī rajanīcara dhārī|| saciva boli bole khara dūṣana| yaha kou nṛpabālaka nara bhūṣana|| nāga asura sura nara muni jete| dekhe jite hate hama kete|| hama bhari janma sunahu saba bhāī| dekhī nahiṃ asi suṃdaratāī|| jadyapi bhaginī kīnha kurūpā| badha lāyaka nahiṃ puruṣa anūpā|| dehu turata nija nāri durāī| jīata bhavana jāhu dvau bhāī|| mora kahā tumha tāhi sunāvahu| tāsu bacana suni ātura āvahu|| dūtanha kahā rāma sana jāī| sunata rāma bole musakāī|| hama chatrī mṛgayā bana karahīṃ| tumha se khala mṛga khaujata phirahīṃ|| ripu balavaṃta dekhi nahiṃ ḍarahīṃ| eka bāra kālahu sana larahīṃ|| jadyapi manuja danuja kula ghālaka| muni pālaka khala sālaka bālaka|| jauṃ na hoi bala ghara phiri jāhū| samara bimukha maiṃ hatau~ na kāhū|| rana caṛhi karia kapaṭa caturāī| ripu para kṛpā parama kadarāī|| dūtanha jāi turata saba kaheū| suni khara dūṣana ura ati daheū||

    Meaning

    Beholding the Lord, the night-rangers' host could not loose their arrows but stood transfixed. Khara and Dushana called their counsellors and said: 'This is some king's son, an ornament among men. Of serpents, demons, gods, men and sages, how many have we seen, conquered and slain — yet in all our lives, hear us, brothers, we have never seen such beauty. Though he has disfigured our sister, this peerless man is not fit to be killed. Surrender at once the woman you have hidden, and the two brothers may go home alive. Tell him my words, and bring back his answer swiftly.' The envoys went and spoke to Rama, and hearing them Rama said with a smile: 'We are Kshatriyas; we hunt game in the forest, and we roam in search of beasts like you, you wretches. We do not fear a mighty foe — once we would fight even with Death himself. Though we are but men, we are slayers of the demon race, we are protectors of sages, chastisers of the wicked, and yet but boys. If you have no strength, turn and go home; I do not strike anyone who flees the field. To set out to battle and then practise cunning trickery, to take pity on the enemy in war — these are utter cowardice.' The envoys went and reported all; hearing it, Khara and Dushana burned with rage in their hearts.

  20. Verse 20

    chaṃda taba cale jāna babāna karāla| phuṃkarata janu bahu byāla|| kopeu samara śrīrāma| cale bisikha nisita nikāma|| avaloki kharatara tīra| muri cale nisicara bīra|| bhae kruddha tīniu bhāi| jo bhāgi rana te jāi|| tehi badhaba hama nija pāni| phire marana mana mahu~ ṭhāni|| āyudha aneka prakāra| sanamukha te karahiṃ prahāra|| ripu parama kope jāni| prabhu dhanuṣa sara saṃdhāni|| chā~ṛe bipula nārāca| lage kaṭana bikaṭa pisāca|| ura sīsa bhuja kara carana| jaha~ taha~ lage mahi parana|| cikkarata lāgata bāna| dhara parata kudhara samāna|| bhaṭa kaṭata tana sata khaṃḍa| puni uṭhata kari pāṣaṃḍa|| nabha uṛata bahu bhuja muṃḍa| binu mauli dhāvata ruṃḍa|| khaga kaṃka kāka sṛgāla| kaṭakaṭahiṃ kaṭhina karāla|| kaṭakaṭahiṃ jaṃbuka bhūta preta pisāca kharpara saṃcahīṃ| betāla bīra kapāla tāla bajāi jogini naṃcahīṃ|| raghubīra bāna pracaṃḍa khaṃḍahiṃ bhaṭanha ke ura bhuja sirā| jaha~ taha~ parahiṃ uṭhi larahiṃ dhara dharu dharu karahiṃ bhayakara girā|| aṃtāvarīṃ gahi uṛata gīdha pisāca kara gahi dhāvahīṃ|| saṃgrāma pura bāsī manahu~ bahu bāla guṛī uṛāvahīṃ|| māre pachāre ura bidāre bipula bhaṭa kaha~rata pare| avaloki nija dala bikala bhaṭa tisirādi khara dūṣana phire|| sara sakti tomara parasu sūla kṛpāna ekahi bārahīṃ| kari kopa śrīraghubīra para aganita nisācara ḍārahīṃ|| prabhu nimiṣa mahu~ ripu sara nivāri pacāri ḍāre sāyakā| dasa dasa bisikha ura mājha māre sakala nisicara nāyakā|| mahi parata uṭhi bhaṭa bhirata marata na karata māyā ati ghanī| sura ḍarata caudaha sahasa preta biloki eka avadha dhanī|| sura muni sabhaya prabhu dekhi māyānātha ati kautuka kar yo| dekhahi parasapara rāma kari saṃgrāma ripudala lari mar yo||

    Meaning

    Then the demons advanced, dreadful as they came, hissing like a multitude of serpents. Shri Rama grew wroth in battle and loosed exceedingly sharp arrows. Seeing the fierce shafts, the night-roaming warriors turned and fled, whereupon the three brothers — Khara, Dushana and Trishira — flew into a fury: 'Whoever flees from the field we shall slay with our own hands.' So, resolving on death in their hearts, the demons turned back and, facing him, struck with weapons of every kind. Knowing his foes thoroughly enraged, the Lord fitted arrows to his bow and let fly a vast stream of iron shafts; the grim fiends began to be cut down. Their breasts, heads, arms, hands and feet fell scattered here and there upon the earth. Struck by the arrows they shrieked, their trunks crashing down like mountains. A warrior's body would be cut into a hundred pieces, yet rise again by sorcery. Many arms and heads flew up into the sky, and headless trunks ran about. Kites, crows and jackals snarled, harsh and dreadful. Jackals snarled; ghouls, ghosts and goblins gathered up the skulls; heroic vampires beat time on the skull-bowls while the yoginis danced. The mighty arrows of Raghubira shattered the warriors' breasts, arms and heads; falling here and there they rose to fight again, their trunks crying in terrible voices, 'Seize, seize!' Vultures snatched up the entrails and flew off, while goblins ran clutching at them — as though the city-dwellers of the battlefield were flying many a kite. Slain, dashed down, their breasts torn open, countless warriors lay groaning. Seeing their host in distress, Trishira, Khara, Dushana and the rest rallied and turned, and in their fury hurled at Shri Raghubira, all at once, arrows, lances, javelins, axes, spears and swords past counting. In a single instant the Lord warded off the foe's shafts, and challenging them loosed his own arrows, planting ten arrows apiece in the breasts of every demon chief. Falling to the ground the warriors rose and grappled and would not die, but wove ever denser illusions; the gods trembled to behold fourteen thousand spectres against the single lord of Avadh. Seeing the gods and sages afraid, the Lord of Maya wrought a great marvel: he made the demon host see one another as Rama, so that they fought and died, each slaying his fellow.

  21. Verse 21

    caupāī jaba raghunātha samara ripu jīte| sura nara muni saba ke bhaya bīte|| taba lachimana sītahi lai āe| prabhu pada parata haraṣi ura lāe| sītā citava syāma mṛdu gātā| parama prema locana na aghātā|| paṃcavaṭīṃ basi śrīraghunāyaka| karata carita sura muni sukhadāyaka|| dhuā~ dekhi kharadūṣana kerā| jāi supanakhā~ rāvana prerā|| boli bacana krodha kari bhārī| desa kosa kai surati bisārī|| karasi pāna sovasi dinu rātī| sudhi nahiṃ tava sira para ārātī|| rāja nīti binu dhana binu dharmā| harihi samarpe binu satakarmā|| bidyā binu bibeka upajāe~| śrama phala paṛhe kie~ aru pāe~|| saṃga te jatī kumaṃtra te rājā| māna te gyāna pāna teṃ lājā|| prīti pranaya binu mada te gunī| nāsahi begi nīti asa sunī|| dohā/soraṭhā ripu ruja pāvaka pāpa prabhu ahi gania na choṭa kari| asa kahi bibidha bilāpa kari lāgī rodana karana||21(ka)|| sabhā mājha pari byākula bahu prakāra kaha roi| tohi jiata dasakaṃdhara mori ki asi gati hoi||21(kha)||

    Meaning

    When Raghunatha had vanquished the foe in battle, the fears of gods, men and sages all departed. Then Lakshmana brought Sita back; as she fell at the Lord's feet, he joyfully clasped her to his breast. Sita gazed at his dark, tender limbs, and with utmost love her eyes could not be sated. Dwelling at Panchavati, the Lord of the Raghus performed deeds that delighted gods and sages. Seeing the smoke of Khara and Dushana's pyres, Shurpanakha went and goaded Ravana. Speaking in great wrath, she said: 'You have forgotten all care for realm and treasury. You drink and sleep day and night, with no heed that the enemy stands over your very head. Just as sovereignty without policy, wealth without dharma, good works not offered to Hari, learning without discernment cultivated — these make the toil of acquiring, doing, studying and earning fruitless; just as an ascetic is ruined by company, a king by evil counsel, knowledge by pride, modesty by drink, friendship by lack of love, the gifted by arrogance — so, I have heard, do all these swiftly perish through neglect of right conduct. An enemy, a disease, fire, sin and a serpent — these, my lord, should never be reckoned small.' Saying this and lamenting in many ways, she began to weep. Falling distraught in the midst of the assembly, she cried out in many ways: 'While you, the ten-headed one, live, should such a fate befall me?'

  22. Verse 22

    caupāī sunata sabhāsada uṭhe akulāī| samujhāī gahi bāha~ uṭhāī|| kaha laṃkesa kahasi nija bātā| keṃi~ tava nāsā kāna nipātā|| avadha nṛpati dasaratha ke jāe| puruṣa siṃgha bana khelana āe|| samujhi parī mohi unha kai karanī| rahita nisācara karihahiṃ dharanī|| jinha kara bhujabala pāi dasānana| abhaya bhae bicarata muni kānana|| dekhata bālaka kāla samānā| parama dhīra dhanvī guna nānā|| atulita bala pratāpa dvau bhrātā| khala badha rata sura muni sukhadātā|| sobhādhāma rāma asa nāmā| tinha ke saṃga nāri eka syāmā|| rupa rāsi bidhi nāri sa~vārī| rati sata koṭi tāsu balihārī|| tāsu anuja kāṭe śruti nāsā| suni tava bhagini karahiṃ parihāsā|| khara dūṣana suni lage pukārā| chana mahu~ sakala kaṭaka unha mārā|| khara dūṣana tisirā kara ghātā| suni dasasīsa jare saba gātā|| dohā/soraṭhā supanakhahi samujhāi kari bala bolesi bahu bhā~ti| gayau bhavana ati socabasa nīda parai nahiṃ rāti||22||

    Meaning

    Hearing her, the members of the court rose in alarm and, taking her by the arm, raised her up and consoled her. The lord of Lanka said, 'Tell me your tale — who has struck off your nose and ears?' She answered: 'The sons of Dasharatha, king of Avadh, lions among men, have come to hunt in the forest. Their doings have made one thing plain to me — they will rid the earth of demons. By the might of whose arms the sages now move fearless through the woods; though but boys to behold, they are like Death itself, exceedingly steadfast, masters of the bow, full of every virtue. The two brothers are of measureless strength and majesty, intent on slaying the wicked, givers of joy to gods and sages. The abode of beauty, one of them is named Rama, and with them is a dark-hued woman — a treasury of loveliness whom the Creator has fashioned as a woman, before whom a hundred million Ratis would offer themselves in sacrifice. His younger brother cut off my ears and nose; hearing of it, your sisters mock me.' When Khara and Dushana rose to cry out against them, in a moment Rama destroyed their whole host. Hearing of the slaughter of Khara, Dushana and Trishira, the ten-headed one's whole frame burned with rage. Consoling Shurpanakha and heartening her in many ways, he went to his apartments, sunk deep in anxious thought, and no sleep came to him all that night.

  23. Verse 23

    caupāī sura nara asura nāga khaga māhīṃ| more anucara kaha~ kou nāhīṃ|| khara dūṣana mohi sama balavaṃtā| tinhahi ko mārai binu bhagavaṃtā|| sura raṃjana bhaṃjana mahi bhārā| jauṃ bhagavaṃta līnha avatārā|| tau mai jāi bairu haṭhi karaū~| prabhu sara prāna tajeṃ bhava taraū~|| hoihi bhajanu na tāmasa dehā| mana krama bacana maṃtra dṛṛha ehā|| jauṃ nararupa bhūpasuta koū| harihau~ nāri jīti rana doū|| calā akela jāna caḍhi tahavā~| basa mārīca siṃdhu taṭa jahavā~|| ihā~ rāma jasi juguti banāī| sunahu umā so kathā suhāī|| dohā/soraṭhā lachimana gae banahiṃ jaba lena mūla phala kaṃda| janakasutā sana bole bihasi kṛpā sukha bṛṃda|| 23||

    Meaning

    'Among gods, men, demons, serpents and birds, there is none to match even my servant. Khara and Dushana were mighty as myself — who could slay them save the Lord himself? If, to gladden the gods and lift the earth's burden, the Lord has taken an incarnation, then I will go and stubbornly pick a quarrel with him: yielding up my life to the Lord's arrow, I shall cross the ocean of existence. From this demon body no true devotion can arise; in thought, word and deed this is my firm resolve. But if it be some king's son in human form, then I shall conquer the two in battle and carry off the woman.' Mounting his chariot he set off alone to where Maricha dwelt on the seashore. Meanwhile Rama devised a stratagem — hear, Uma, that lovely tale. When Lakshmana had gone into the forest to gather roots, fruits and bulbs, the Lord, fount of grace and joy, smiled and spoke to Janaka's daughter.

  24. Verse 24

    caupāī sunahu priyā brata rucira susīlā| maiṃ kachu karabi lalita naralīlā|| tumha pāvaka mahu~ karahu nivāsā| jau lagi karauṃ nisācara nāsā|| jabahiṃ rāma saba kahā bakhānī| prabhu pada dhari hiya~ anala samānī|| nija pratibiṃba rākhi taha~ sītā| taisai sīla rupa subinītā|| lachimanahū~ yaha maramu na jānā| jo kachu carita racā bhagavānā|| dasamukha gayau jahā~ mārīcā| nāi mātha svāratha rata nīcā|| navani nīca kai ati dukhadāī| jimi aṃkusa dhanu uraga bilāī|| bhayadāyaka khala kai priya bānī| jimi akāla ke kusuma bhavānī|| dohā/soraṭhā kari pūjā mārīca taba sādara pūchī bāta| kavana hetu mana byagra ati akasara āyahu tāta||24||

    Meaning

    'Listen, beloved, you of fair vows and gracious nature — I am about to enact a charming human sport. Take up your abode within the fire until I have made an end of the demons.' The moment Rama had told her all, she fixed the Lord's feet in her heart and entered into the fire. There he kept her shadow-image, exactly the same in disposition, form and modesty. Even Lakshmana did not know this secret — whatever play the Lord had devised. The ten-faced one came to where Maricha was and, base and bent on his own selfish ends, bowed his head. The bowing of a base man is most grievous, says the poet — like the bending of a goad, a bow, a serpent or a cat; and the sweet speech of a wicked man is a thing of dread, Bhavani, like flowers blooming out of season. Then Maricha did him honour and respectfully asked the matter: 'For what cause is your mind so distraught, that you have come alone, my son?'

  25. Verse 25

    caupāī dasamukha sakala kathā tehi āgeṃ| kahī sahita abhimāna abhāgeṃ|| hohu kapaṭa mṛga tumha chalakārī| jehi bidhi hari ānau nṛpanārī|| tehiṃ puni kahā sunahu dasasīsā| te nararupa carācara īsā|| tāsoṃ tāta bayaru nahiṃ kīje| māreṃ maria jiāe~ jījai|| muni makha rākhana gayau kumārā| binu phara sara raghupati mohi mārā|| sata jojana āyau~ chana māhīṃ| tinha sana bayaru kie~ bhala nāhīṃ|| bhai mama kīṭa bhṛṃga kī nāī| jaha~ taha~ maiṃ dekhau~ dou bhāī|| jauṃ nara tāta tadapi ati sūrā| tinhahi birodhi na āihi pūrā|| dohā/soraṭhā jehiṃ tāṛakā subāhu hati khaṃḍeu hara kodaṃḍa|| khara dūṣana tisirā badheu manuja ki asa baribaṃḍa||25||

    Meaning

    The ill-fated ten-headed one (Ravana) told Maricha the whole story, with arrogance: 'Become a deceiving illusory deer, that by such guile I may carry off the king's wife.' Then Maricha replied, 'Listen, ten-headed one — he in human form is the Lord of all moving and unmoving creation. With Him, dear one, do not pick a quarrel: at His killing one dies, at His sparing one lives. When the young prince came to guard the sage's sacrifice, Raghupati (Rama) struck me with a headless, pointless arrow that hurled me a hundred leagues in an instant. To make enmity with them is not good. I became like the cricket caught by the wasp — everywhere I look I see those two brothers. Even if they are men, dear one, they are exceedingly valiant; opposing them will not turn out well for you. He who slew Tadaka and Subahu and snapped Shiva's bow, who killed Khara, Dushana and Trishira — can a mere man be so mighty?'

  26. Verse 26

    caupāī jāhu bhavana kula kusala bicārī| sunata jarā dīnhisi bahu gārī|| guru jimi mūṛha karasi mama bodhā| kahu jaga mohi samāna ko jodhā|| taba mārīca hṛdaya~ anumānā| navahi birodheṃ nahiṃ kalyānā|| sastrī marmī prabhu saṭha dhanī| baida baṃdi kabi bhānasa gunī|| ubhaya bhā~ti dekhā nija maranā| taba tākisi raghunāyaka saranā|| utaru deta mohi badhaba abhāgeṃ| kasa na marauṃ raghupati sara lāgeṃ|| asa jiya~ jāni dasānana saṃgā| calā rāma pada prema abhaṃgā|| mana ati haraṣa janāva na tehī| āju dekhihau~ parama sanehī||

    Meaning

    'Considering the welfare of your house, go home,' said Maricha. Hearing this, Ravana flew into a rage and heaped abuse on him: 'Like a guru you presume to instruct me, fool! Tell me — who in the world is a warrior the equal of me?' Then Maricha reflected in his heart: opposing these nine brings no good. A man armed with a weapon, one who knows your secrets, a master, a fool, a wealthy man, a physician, a bard, a poet, a skilled cook — these are best not provoked. Seeing his death certain either way, he then sought refuge in the Lord of the Raghus (Rama): 'If I answer back, this wretch will kill me; why should I not rather die struck by Raghupati's arrow?' Resolving thus in his heart, he set off with the ten-headed one, his love for Rama's feet unbroken. His mind was filled with great joy, which he did not let Ravana see — 'Today I shall behold my dearest beloved.'

  27. Verse 27

    caupāī tehi bana nikaṭa dasānana gayaū| taba mārīca kapaṭamṛga bhayaū|| ati bicitra kachu barani na jāī| kanaka deha mani racita banāī|| sītā parama rucira mṛga dekhā| aṃga aṃga sumanohara beṣā|| sunahu deva raghubīra kṛpālā| ehi mṛga kara ati suṃdara chālā|| satyasaṃdha prabhu badhi kari ehī| ānahu carma kahati baidehī|| taba raghupati jānata saba kārana| uṭhe haraṣi sura kāju sa~vārana|| mṛga biloki kaṭi parikara bā~dhā| karatala cāpa rucira sara sā~dhā|| prabhu lachimanihi kahā samujhāī| phirata bipina nisicara bahu bhāī|| sītā keri karehu rakhavārī| budhi bibeka bala samaya bicārī|| prabhuhi biloki calā mṛga bhājī| dhāe rāmu sarāsana sājī|| nigama neti siva dhyāna na pāvā| māyāmṛga pācheṃ so dhāvā|| kabahu~ nikaṭa puni dūri parāī| kabahu~ka pragaṭai kabahu~ chapāī|| pragaṭata durata karata chala bhūrī| ehi bidhi prabhuhi gayau lai dūrī|| taba taki rāma kaṭhina sara mārā| dharani pareu kari ghora pukārā|| lachimana kara prathamahiṃ lai nāmā| pācheṃ sumiresi mana mahu~ rāmā|| prāna tajata pragaṭesi nija dehā| sumiresi rāmu sameta sanehā|| aṃtara prema tāsu pahicānā| muni durlabha gati dīnhi sujānā|| dohā/soraṭhā bipula sumana sura baraṣahiṃ gāvahiṃ prabhu guna gātha| nija pada dīnha asura kahu~ dīnabaṃdhu raghunātha||27||

    Meaning

    The ten-headed one went near that forest, and there Maricha became a deceiving deer — exceedingly wondrous, beyond all description, his body of gold and studded with gems. Sita saw the supremely lovely deer, each limb beautifully formed, and said, 'Listen, gracious Lord Raghubira — this deer has a most beautiful hide. True to your word, kill it, my Lord, and bring me its skin,' said Vaidehi. Then Raghupati, knowing all the cause behind it, rose joyfully to accomplish the gods' work. Spying the deer, he girded his loins, took the bow in hand and fitted a fair arrow. The Lord instructed Lakshmana carefully: 'Many demons roam this wood, brother; guard Sita, weighing the time with wisdom and discernment and strength.' Seeing the Lord, the deer turned and fled, and Rama, readying his bow, gave chase. He whom the Vedas call 'not this, not that,' whom Shiva cannot grasp in meditation — He ran after that illusory deer. Now near, now fleeing far, now showing itself, now hiding; appearing and vanishing and working much guile, in this way it led the Lord far off. Then Rama took aim and struck it with a cruel arrow; with a terrible cry it fell to the ground. First it called out Lakshmana's name aloud, then within its mind remembered Rama. As it gave up its life it revealed its own true form, and remembered Rama with love. Knowing the inward love within him, the all-wise Lord granted him a state hard for sages to attain. The gods rained down abundant flowers and sang the tale of the Lord's virtues, for Raghunatha, friend of the lowly, gave even the demon a place at his own feet.

  28. Verse 28

    caupāī khala badhi turata phire raghubīrā| soha cāpa kara kaṭi tūnīrā|| ārata girā sunī jaba sītā| kaha lachimana sana parama sabhītā|| jāhu begi saṃkaṭa ati bhrātā| lachimana bihasi kahā sunu mātā|| bhṛkuṭi bilāsa sṛṣṭi laya hoī| sapanehu~ saṃkaṭa parai ki soī|| marama bacana jaba sītā bolā| hari prerita lachimana mana ḍolā|| bana disi deva sauṃpi saba kāhū| cale jahā~ rāvana sasi rāhū|| sūna bīca dasakaṃdhara dekhā| āvā nikaṭa jatī keṃ beṣā|| jākeṃ ḍara sura asura ḍerāhīṃ| nisi na nīda dina anna na khāhīṃ|| so dasasīsa svāna kī nāī| ita uta citai calā bhaṛihāī|| imi kupaṃtha paga deta khagesā| raha na teja budhi bala lesā|| nānā bidhi kari kathā suhāī| rājanīti bhaya prīti dekhāī|| kaha sītā sunu jatī gosāīṃ| bolehu bacana duṣṭa kī nāīṃ|| taba rāvana nija rūpa dekhāvā| bhaī sabhaya jaba nāma sunāvā|| kaha sītā dhari dhīraju gāṛhā| āi gayau prabhu rahu khala ṭhāṛhā|| jimi haribadhuhi chudra sasa cāhā| bhaesi kālabasa nisicara nāhā|| sunata bacana dasasīsa risānā| mana mahu~ carana baṃdi sukha mānā|| dohā/soraṭhā krodhavaṃta taba rāvana līnhisi ratha baiṭhāi| calā gaganapatha ātura bhaya~ ratha hā~ki na jāi||28||

    Meaning

    Having slain the wretch, Raghubira at once turned back, the bow graceful in his hand and the quiver at his waist. When Sita heard the cry of distress, in great terror she said to Lakshmana, 'Go quickly, brother — he is in great peril!' Lakshmana smiled and said, 'Listen, Mother: at the mere play of his eyebrows creation dissolves; can calamity ever, even in a dream, befall Him?' But when Sita spoke piercing words, Lakshmana's mind, impelled by Hari, was shaken. Entrusting Sita to the deities of the forest and the directions and to all beings, he set off to where Ravana was — like Rahu to the moon. The ten-headed one saw the hermitage empty and came near in the guise of an ascetic. He at whose terror gods and demons tremble and sleep not by night nor eat food by day — that ten-headed one, like a dog, glanced this way and that and slunk forward like a thief. Thus, O lord of birds (Garuda), when one sets foot on an evil path, not a trace of his splendour, wisdom, or strength remains. Telling many a pleasing tale, he displayed statecraft, fear, and love. Sita said, 'Listen, ascetic master — you speak words like a villain.' Then Ravana showed his own form, and when he made his name known she grew afraid. Yet Sita, gathering firm courage, said, 'Stand still, wretch — my Lord has come! As a petty hare might covet a lioness, so, O lord of the demons, you have fallen into the grip of death.' Hearing her words Ravana was enraged, yet inwardly he bowed to her feet and felt joy. Wrathful, Ravana then seated her in his chariot and set off through the sky; in his haste and fear he could scarcely drive the chariot.

  29. Verse 29

    caupāī hā jaga eka bīra raghurāyā| kehiṃ aparādha bisārehu dāyā|| ārati harana sarana sukhadāyaka| hā raghukula saroja dinanāyaka|| hā lachimana tumhāra nahiṃ dosā| so phalu pāyau~ kīnheu~ rosā|| bibidha bilāpa karati baidehī| bhūri kṛpā prabhu dūri sanehī|| bipati mori ko prabhuhi sunāvā| puroḍāsa caha rāsabha khāvā|| sītā kai bilāpa suni bhārī| bhae carācara jīva dukhārī|| gīdharāja suni ārata bānī| raghukulatilaka nāri pahicānī|| adhama nisācara līnhe jāī| jimi malecha basa kapilā gāī|| sīte putri karasi jani trāsā| karihau~ jātudhāna kara nāsā|| dhāvā krodhavaṃta khaga kaiseṃ| chūṭai pabi parabata kahu~ jaise|| re re duṣṭa ṭhāṛha kina hohī| nirbhaya calesi na jānehi mohī|| āvata dekhi kṛtāṃta samānā| phiri dasakaṃdhara kara anumānā|| kī maināka ki khagapati hoī| mama bala jāna sahita pati soī|| jānā jaraṭha jaṭāyū ehā| mama kara tīratha chā~ṛihi dehā|| sunata gīdha krodhātura dhāvā| kaha sunu rāvana mora sikhāvā|| taji jānakihi kusala gṛha jāhū| nāhiṃ ta asa hoihi bahubāhū|| rāma roṣa pāvaka ati ghorā| hoihi sakala salabha kula torā|| utaru na deta dasānana jodhā| tabahiṃ gīdha dhāvā kari krodhā|| dhari kaca biratha kīnha mahi girā| sītahi rākhi gīdha puni phirā|| caucanha māri bidāresi dehī| daṃḍa eka bhai muruchā tehī|| taba sakrodha nisicara khisiānā| kāṛhesi parama karāla kṛpānā|| kāṭesi paṃkha parā khaga dharanī| sumiri rāma kari adabhuta karanī|| sītahi jāni caṛhāi bahorī| calā utāila trāsa na thorī|| karati bilāpa jāti nabha sītā| byādha bibasa janu mṛgī sabhītā|| giri para baiṭhe kapinha nihārī| kahi hari nāma dīnha paṭa ḍārī|| ehi bidhi sītahi so lai gayaū| bana asoka maha~ rākhata bhayaū|| dohā/soraṭhā hāri parā khala bahu bidhi bhaya aru prīti dekhāi| taba asoka pādapa tara rākhisi jatana karāi||29(ka)|| jehi bidhi kapaṭa kuraṃga sa~ga dhāi cale śrīrāma| so chabi sītā rākhi ura raṭati rahati harināma||29(kha)||

    Meaning

    'Alas, sole hero of the world, Raghuraya! For what offence have you forgotten your mercy? Reliever of affliction, refuge, giver of joy — alas, sun to the lotus of the Raghu line! Alas Lakshmana, the fault is not yours; this is the fruit I reaped for showing anger at you.' So Vaidehi lamented in many ways — 'My Lord is full of boundless grace and love, yet far away. Who will tell the Lord of my distress? The donkey would devour the sacred oblation!' Hearing Sita's loud lament, all beings, moving and unmoving, grew sorrowful. The king of vultures (Jatayu), hearing the anguished voice, recognized the wife of the jewel of the Raghu line: 'A vile demon is carrying her off, as a barbarian seizes a Kapila cow! Sita, daughter, fear not — I shall destroy this demon.' He flew at him in wrath, like a thunderbolt loosed against a mountain. 'Ho, ho, villain! Why not stand and face me? You went off fearless — did you not know me?' Seeing him coming like Death himself, the ten-headed one wondered: 'Is this Mainaka, or the king of birds (Garuda)? — but he knows my strength, along with his master.' Then he knew it was old Jatayu: 'He will leave his body in my hands as at a place of pilgrimage.' Hearing this, the vulture, blazing with wrath, charged: 'Listen, Ravana, to my counsel — leave Janaki and go home in safety, or else, O many-armed one, it will be thus: the fire of Rama's wrath is most terrible, and your whole clan will become moths in it.' The warrior ten-headed one gave no answer; then the vulture fell upon him in fury. Seizing him by the hair, he flung him chariotless to the ground, set Sita down, and turned again. With his beak he tore and rent Ravana's body, who lay senseless for a while. Then the demon, enraged and humiliated, drew out a most fearful sword and cut off the vulture's wings; the bird fell to earth, remembering Rama and having done a wondrous deed. Then, lifting Sita up again onto the chariot, Ravana set off in haste, in no small terror. Sita went lamenting through the sky, like a frightened doe in the power of a hunter. Spying monkeys seated on a hill, she uttered Hari's name and dropped down her garment. In this way he carried Sita off and lodged her in the Ashoka grove. The wretch, beaten in every way and having shown both threat and love, then by careful contrivance kept her beneath an Ashoka tree. The very vision of how Shri Rama ran after the false deer Sita kept enshrined in her heart, and ceaselessly repeated the name of Hari.

  30. Verse 30

    caupāī raghupati anujahi āvata dekhī| bāhija ciṃtā kīnhi biseṣī|| janakasutā pariharihu akelī| āyahu tāta bacana mama pelī|| nisicara nikara phirahiṃ bana māhīṃ| mama mana sītā āśrama nāhīṃ|| gahi pada kamala anuja kara jorī| kaheu nātha kachu mohi na khorī|| anuja sameta gae prabhu tahavā~| godāvari taṭa āśrama jahavā~|| āśrama dekhi jānakī hīnā| bhae bikala jasa prākṛta dīnā|| hā guna khāni jānakī sītā| rūpa sīla brata nema punītā|| lachimana samujhāe bahu bhā~tī| pūchata cale latā taru pā~tī|| he khaga mṛga he madhukara śrenī| tumha dekhī sītā mṛganainī|| khaṃjana suka kapota mṛga mīnā| madhupa nikara kokilā prabīnā|| kuṃda kalī dāṛima dāminī| kamala sarada sasi ahibhāminī|| baruna pāsa manoja dhanu haṃsā| gaja kehari nija sunata prasaṃsā|| śrīphala kanaka kadali haraṣāhīṃ| neku na saṃka sakuca mana māhīṃ|| sunu jānakī tohi binu ājū| haraṣe sakala pāi janu rājū|| kimi sahi jāta anakha tohi pāhīṃ | priyā begi pragaṭasi kasa nāhīṃ|| ehi bidhi khaujata bilapata svāmī| manahu~ mahā birahī ati kāmī|| pūranakāma rāma sukha rāsī| manuja carita kara aja abināsī|| āge parā gīdhapati dekhā| sumirata rāma carana jinha rekhā|| dohā/soraṭhā kara saroja sira paraseu kṛpāsiṃdhu radhubīra|| nirakhi rāma chabi dhāma mukha bigata bhaī saba pīra||30||

    Meaning

    Seeing his younger brother coming, Raghupati made a great show of outward concern: 'You have left Janaka's daughter alone and come, brother, disregarding my words. Hordes of demons roam this wood; my heart misgives me that Sita is not at the hermitage.' Clasping the lotus feet and folding his hands, the younger brother said, 'Master, no fault is mine.' Then with his brother the Lord went there, to the hermitage on the bank of the Godavari. Seeing it bereft of Janaki, he grew distraught like an ordinary, helpless man: 'Alas, mine of virtues, Janaki, Sita — of beauty, character, vows and pure observances!' Lakshmana consoled him in many ways. He went on asking the rows of creepers and trees: 'O birds and beasts, O swarm of bees, have you seen the fawn-eyed Sita? O wagtail, parrot, dove, deer, fish, hosts of bees, skilled cuckoo, jasmine bud, pomegranate, lightning, lotus, autumn moon, O serpent-haired beauty, noose of Varuna, bow of Kama (Love), swans, elephants, lions — you who delight to hear your own praise, golden bel-fruit and plantain that rejoice — without the slightest fear or shame in your minds, hear, Janaki: today, without you, all of them have grown joyful as though they had gained a kingdom! How is this resentment to be borne by you? Beloved, why do you not appear at once?' Thus the Lord searched and lamented, like a great love-stricken man parted from his beloved — though Rama is one whose every desire is fulfilled, a mass of bliss, unborn and imperishable, only playing the part of a man. Then he saw lying ahead the king of vultures, recalling the feet of Rama that bear the auspicious marks. The merciful Raghubira touched his head with his lotus hand; gazing on the abode of beauty that is Rama's face, all his pain departed.

  31. Verse 31

    caupāī taba kaha gīdha bacana dhari dhīrā | sunahu rāma bhaṃjana bhava bhīrā|| nātha dasānana yaha gati kīnhī| tehi khala janakasutā hari līnhī|| lai dacchina disi gayau gosāī| bilapati ati kurarī kī nāī|| darasa lāgī prabhu rākheṃu~ prānā| calana cahata aba kṛpānidhānā|| rāma kahā tanu rākhahu tātā| mukha musakāi kahī tehiṃ bātā|| jā kara nāma marata mukha āvā| adhamau mukuta hoī śruti gāvā|| so mama locana gocara āgeṃ| rākhauṃ deha nātha kehi khā~geṃ|| jala bhari nayana kahahiṃ raghurāī| tāta karma nija te gatiṃ pāī|| parahita basa jinha ke mana māhīṃ| tinha kahu~ jaga durlabha kachu nāhīṃ|| tanu taji tāta jāhu mama dhāmā| deu~ kāha tumha pūranakāmā|| dohā/soraṭhā sītā harana tāta jani kahahu pitā sana jāi|| jauṃ maiṃ rāma ta kula sahita kahihi dasānana āi||31||

    Meaning

    Then the vulture, summoning courage, spoke: 'Listen, Rama, breaker of the fear of worldly existence. Master, the ten-headed one did this deed; that wretch carried off Janaka's daughter. He went to the southern quarter, my Lord, while she wailed piteously like an osprey. For the sake of seeing you I had held on to my life; now, O ocean of mercy, it wishes to depart.' Rama said, 'Keep your body, dear one.' Smiling, Jatayu replied, 'He at whose name, coming to the lips of the dying, even the most degraded is liberated — so the scriptures sing — that very One is here before my eyes; for what lack, my Lord, should I keep this body?' His eyes filling with tears, the Lord of the Raghus said, 'Dear one, by your own deeds you have won your destiny. For those in whose hearts dwells the good of others, nothing in the world is hard to attain. Leave your body, dear one, and go to my abode — what can I give you, who are yourself fulfilled in every desire? But do not, dear one, go and tell my father of Sita's abduction; for if I am truly Rama, the ten-headed one shall come and tell it himself, together with his clan.'

  32. Verse 32

    caupāī gīdha deha taji dhari hari rupā| bhūṣana bahu paṭa pīta anūpā|| syāma gāta bisāla bhuja cārī| astuti karata nayana bhari bārī||

    Meaning

    Casting off his vulture body, Jatayu took on the form of Hari — adorned with many ornaments and matchless yellow raiment, a dark-hued body and four mighty arms — and offered praise with his eyes brimming with tears.

  33. Verse 33

    caupāī komala cita ati dīnadayālā| kārana binu raghunātha kṛpālā|| gīdha adhama khaga āmiṣa bhogī| gati dīnhi jo jācata jogī|| sunahu umā te loga abhāgī| hari taji hohiṃ biṣaya anurāgī|| puni sītahi khojata dvau bhāī| cale bilokata bana bahutāī|| saṃkula latā biṭapa ghana kānana| bahu khaga mṛga taha~ gaja paṃcānana|| āvata paṃtha kabaṃdha nipātā| tehiṃ saba kahī sāpa kai bātā|| durabāsā mohi dīnhī sāpā| prabhu pada pekhi miṭā so pāpā|| sunu gaṃdharba kahau~ mai tohī| mohi na sohāi brahmakula drohī|| dohā/soraṭhā mana krama bacana kapaṭa taji jo kara bhūsura seva| mohi sameta biraṃci siva basa tākeṃ saba deva||33||

    Meaning

    Tender-hearted and supremely compassionate to the lowly is Raghunatha, gracious without cause: to a vulture — base flesh-eating bird though he was — he gave that state which yogis seek in vain. 'Hear, Uma,' says Shiva, 'those people are wretched who forsake Hari and grow attached to the things of sense.' Then the two brothers went on seeking Sita, gazing over the great forest — thick with creepers and trees, a dense wild full of birds and deer, elephants and lions. On the way Rama had slain the demon Kabandha, who told them all the tale of his curse: 'Durvasa laid a curse upon me; beholding the Lord's feet, that sin is wiped away.' Then said Rama, 'Hear, Gandharva, I tell you — one who is an enemy of the Brahmin race is never pleasing to me. Whoever, having renounced deceit, serves the Brahmins in thought, word, and deed — to him are subject all the gods, Brahma and Shiva, and I myself along with them.'

  34. Verse 34

    caupāī sāpata tāṛata paruṣa kahaṃtā| bipra pūjya asa gāvahiṃ saṃtā|| pūjia bipra sīla guna hīnā| sūdra na guna gana gyāna prabīnā|| kahi nija dharma tāhi samujhāvā| nija pada prīti dekhi mana bhāvā|| raghupati carana kamala siru nāī| gayau gagana āpani gati pāī|| tāhi dei gati rāma udārā| sabarī keṃ āśrama pagu dhārā|| sabarī dekhi rāma gṛha~ āe| muni ke bacana samujhi jiya~ bhāe|| sarasija locana bāhu bisālā| jaṭā mukuṭa sira ura banamālā|| syāma gaura suṃdara dou bhāī| sabarī parī carana lapaṭāī|| prema magana mukha bacana na āvā| puni puni pada saroja sira nāvā|| sādara jala lai carana pakhāre| puni suṃdara āsana baiṭhāre|| dohā/soraṭhā kaṃda mūla phala surasa ati die rāma kahu~ āni| prema sahita prabhu khāe bāraṃbāra bakhāni||34||

    Meaning

    'Though he curses, strikes, and speaks harshly, a Brahmin is to be honoured — so the saints declare. A Brahmin, even devoid of virtue and good conduct, is to be worshipped; but not a Shudra, however rich in virtues and skilled in knowledge.' Thus declaring his own dharma, Rama instructed him, and was pleased at heart to see his love for his feet. Bowing his head at the lotus feet of Raghunatha, Kabandha regained his own form and ascended to the heavens. Having granted him that state, the generous Rama set foot in Shabari's hermitage. When Shabari saw that Rama had come to her dwelling, recalling her teacher's words she rejoiced at heart — those lotus-petal eyes, the mighty arms, the matted locks crowning the head, the garland of wild flowers on the breast; the two fair brothers, the one dark and the other fair. Shabari fell and clasped their feet; lost in love, no word came to her lips, and again and again she bowed her head at their lotus feet. Reverently she brought water and washed their feet, then seated them on a fair seat. She brought bulbs, roots and fruits of exceeding sweetness and offered them to Rama, and the Lord ate them with love, praising them again and again.

  35. Verse 35

    caupāī pāni jori āgeṃ bhai ṭhāṛhī| prabhuhi biloki prīti ati bāṛhī|| kehi bidhi astuti karau tumhārī| adhama jāti maiṃ jaṛamati bhārī|| adhama te adhama adhama ati nārī| tinha maha~ maiṃ matimaṃda aghārī|| kaha raghupati sunu bhāmini bātā| mānau~ eka bhagati kara nātā|| jāti pā~ti kula dharma baṛāī| dhana bala parijana guna caturāī|| bhagati hīna nara sohai kaisā| binu jala bārida dekhia jaisā|| navadhā bhagati kahau~ tohi pāhīṃ| sāvadhāna sunu dharu mana māhīṃ|| prathama bhagati saṃtanha kara saṃgā| dūsari rati mama kathā prasaṃgā|| dohā/soraṭhā gura pada paṃkaja sevā tīsari bhagati amāna| cauthi bhagati mama guna gana karai kapaṭa taji gāna||35||

    Meaning

    Joining her palms she stood before him, and beholding the Lord her love welled up: 'How shall I sing your praise? I am of base birth and exceedingly dull of wit. The lowest of the low, and lowest of all is a woman — and among them, O destroyer of sins, I am the most dull-witted.' Said Raghunatha, 'Hear my word, good lady: I acknowledge but one bond — that of devotion. Caste, lineage, family, dharma, high renown, wealth, strength, kinsfolk, virtue and cleverness — a man without devotion, how does he show? Like a cloud seen empty of water. I tell you the ninefold devotion; listen attentively and hold it in your mind. The first devotion is the company of the saints; the second, delight in discourse upon my story. The service of the lotus feet of the guru without pride is the third devotion; the fourth devotion is to sing the multitude of my virtues, free of all guile.'

  36. Verse 36

    caupāī maṃtra jāpa mama dṛṛha bisvāsā| paṃcama bhajana so beda prakāsā|| chaṭha dama sīla birati bahu karamā| nirata niraṃtara sajjana dharamā|| sātava~ sama mohi maya jaga dekhā| moteṃ saṃta adhika kari lekhā|| āṭhava~ jathālābha saṃtoṣā| sapanehu~ nahiṃ dekhai paradoṣā|| navama sarala saba sana chalahīnā| mama bharosa hiya~ haraṣa na dīnā|| nava mahu~ ekau jinha ke hoī| nāri puruṣa sacarācara koī|| soi atisaya priya bhāmini more| sakala prakāra bhagati dṛṛha toreṃ|| jogi bṛṃda duralabha gati joī| to kahu~ āju sulabha bhai soī|| mama darasana phala parama anūpā| jīva pāva nija sahaja sarūpā|| janakasutā kai sudhi bhāminī| jānahi kahu karibaragāminī|| paṃpā sarahi jāhu raghurāī| taha~ hoihi sugrīva mitāī|| so saba kahihi deva raghubīrā| jānatahū~ pūchahu matidhīrā|| bāra bāra prabhu pada siru nāī| prema sahita saba kathā sunāī||

    Meaning

    'The fifth devotion, revealed by the Vedas, is the repetition of my mantra with firm faith. The sixth is restraint of the senses, good conduct, detachment, the constant practice of many duties, and unceasing engagement in the righteous ways of the good. The seventh is to see the whole world filled with me, and to reckon the saints as greater even than myself. The eighth is to be content with whatever is gained, and never, even in dreams, to look upon others' faults. The ninth is to be guileless and simple, free of deceit towards all, with trust in me in the heart, neither elated nor dejected. Whoever has even one of these nine — be it woman or man, any creature moving or still — that one, good lady, is exceedingly dear to me; and in you devotion of every kind is firmly fixed. That state which the hosts of yogis find hard to win has this day become easy for you. The fruit of beholding me is supreme and beyond compare — the soul attains its own natural form. Now, good lady — for you walk with the gait of a noble elephant — tell me what you know of Janaka's daughter.' 'Go, O Lord of the Raghus, to the lake called Pampa; there friendship with Sugriva will arise, and he, O Raghubira, will tell you all. Knowing it already, you ask of me, O steadfast of mind.' Again and again she bowed her head at the Lord's feet and lovingly told him the whole story.

  37. Verse 37

    caupāī cale rāma tyāgā bana soū| atulita bala nara kehari doū|| birahī iva prabhu karata biṣādā| kahata kathā aneka saṃbādā|| lachimana dekhu bipina kai sobhā| dekhata kehi kara mana nahiṃ chobhā|| nāri sahita saba khaga mṛga bṛṃdā| mānahu~ mori karata hahiṃ niṃdā|| hamahi dekhi mṛga nikara parāhīṃ| mṛgīṃ kahahiṃ tumha kaha~ bhaya nāhīṃ|| tumha ānaṃda karahu mṛga jāe| kaṃcana mṛga khojana e āe|| saṃga lāi karinīṃ kari lehīṃ| mānahu~ mohi sikhāvanu dehīṃ|| sāstra suciṃtita puni puni dekhia| bhūpa susevita basa nahiṃ lekhia|| rākhia nāri jadapi ura māhīṃ| jubatī sāstra nṛpati basa nāhīṃ|| dekhahu tāta basaṃta suhāvā| priyā hīna mohi bhaya upajāvā|| dohā/soraṭhā biraha bikala balahīna mohi jānesi nipaṭa akela| sahita bipina madhukara khaga madana kīnha bagamela||37(ka)|| dekhi gayau bhrātā sahita tāsu dūta suni bāta| ḍerā kīnheu manahu~ taba kaṭaku haṭaki manajāta||37(kha)||

    Meaning

    Rama set out, having left that forest too — the two of them, of immeasurable strength, lions among men. Like one parted from his beloved the Lord lamented, telling many a tale and discourse: 'Lakshmana, behold the beauty of the woods — seeing it, whose mind is not stirred? All the flocks of birds and herds of deer, together with their mates, seem to be reproaching me. Seeing me the herds of deer flee, and the does say, "You have nothing to fear; rejoice, O deer-born — these have come to seek the golden deer." The bull elephants take their cows along with them — as if giving me a lesson: the well-pondered scripture should be studied again and again; the king who is well served must not be reckoned subdued; the woman, though kept in the heart, is yet to be guarded — for young women, scripture, and kings are not held in one's power. Behold, brother, the lovely spring — to me, bereft of my beloved, it stirs up dread.' 'Finding me forlorn in separation, weak, and utterly alone, Love has charged upon me in array with the forest, its bees and birds. Seeing me with my brother, that scout reported the matter, and it is as though Love's army, checked, then pitched its camp.'

  38. Verse 38

    caupāī biṭapa bisāla latā arujhānī| bibidha bitāna die janu tānī|| kadali tāla bara dhujā patākā| daikhi na moha dhīra mana jākā|| bibidha bhā~ti phūle taru nānā| janu bānaita bane bahu bānā|| kahu~ kahu~ sundara biṭapa suhāe| janu bhaṭa bilaga bilaga hoi chāe|| kūjata pika mānahu~ gaja māte| ḍheka mahokha ū~ṭa bisarāte|| mora cakora kīra bara bājī| pārāvata marāla saba tājī|| tītira lāvaka padacara jūthā| barani na jāi manoja baruthā|| ratha giri silā duṃdubhī jharanā| cātaka baṃdī guna gana baranā|| madhukara mukhara bheri sahanāī| tribidha bayāri basīṭhīṃ āī|| caturaṃginī sena sa~ga līnheṃ| bicarata sabahi cunautī dīnheṃ|| lachimana dekhata kāma anīkā| rahahiṃ dhīra tinha kai jaga līkā|| ehi keṃ eka parama bala nārī| tehi teṃ ubara subhaṭa soi bhārī|| dohā/soraṭhā tāta tīni ati prabala khala kāma krodha aru lobha| muni bigyāna dhāma mana karahiṃ nimiṣa mahu~ chobha||38(ka)|| lobha keṃ icchā daṃbha bala kāma keṃ kevala nāri| krodha ke paruṣa bacana bala munibara kahahiṃ bicāri||38(kha)||

    Meaning

    'Great trees with creepers entwined seemed like manifold awnings stretched out; plantains and palms were like banners and fair flags — seeing which the man of steady mind is not deluded. Trees of many kinds blossomed in various ways, like warriors arrayed in their many uniforms. Here and there fair lovely trees gave shade, as champions stand spread apart. The cooing cuckoos seemed like rutting elephants, the herons and other fowl like camels and bulls; peacocks, chakoras, parrots — fine steeds; pigeons and swans — all chargers; partridges and quails — bands of foot-soldiers; Love's host cannot be described. The crags and boulders were chariots, the waterfalls kettledrums; the chataka-birds, bards reciting strings of praises. The humming bees were trumpets and shawms; the breeze of three kinds came as envoys. With its fourfold army gathered round, Love roamed about, challenging all. Lakshmana, those who, beholding Love's array, remain steadfast — theirs is the mark of renown in the world. Love's one supreme strength is woman; he who is saved from her is the truly great warrior.' 'Brother, three are exceedingly mighty and wicked — lust, anger, and greed; in an instant they disturb the mind even of sages who are the abode of wisdom. Greed's strength lies in desire and hypocrisy; lust's, in woman alone; anger's, in harsh speech — so the great sages declare after due reflection.'

  39. Verse 39

    caupāī gunātīta sacarācara svāmī| rāma umā saba aṃtarajāmī|| kāminha kai dīnatā dekhāī| dhīranha keṃ mana birati dṛṛhāī|| krodha manoja lobha mada māyā| chūṭahiṃ sakala rāma kīṃ dāyā|| so nara iṃdrajāla nahiṃ bhūlā| jā para hoi so naṭa anukūlā|| umā kahau~ maiṃ anubhava apanā| sata hari bhajanu jagata saba sapanā|| puni prabhu gae sarobara tīrā| paṃpā nāma subhaga gaṃbhīrā|| saṃta hṛdaya jasa nirmala bārī| bā~dhe ghāṭa manohara cārī|| jaha~ taha~ piahiṃ bibidha mṛga nīrā| janu udāra gṛha jācaka bhīrā|| dohā/soraṭhā puraini sabana oṭa jala begi na pāia marma| māyāchanna na dekhiai jaise nirguna brahma||39(ka)|| sukhi mīna saba ekarasa ati agādha jala māhiṃ| jathā dharmasīlanha ke dina sukha saṃjuta jāhiṃ||39(kha)||

    Meaning

    'Rama is beyond the gunas, lord of all things moving and unmoving,' says Shiva, 'Uma, the inner knower of all. He showed the helplessness of the lustful and strengthened detachment in the minds of the steadfast. Anger, lust, greed, pride, and Maya — all are loosed by Rama's grace. That man is not deluded by the magic-show on whom the conjuror himself is favourable. Uma, I tell you my own experience: real is the worship of Hari; the whole world is but a dream.' Then the Lord came to the bank of a lake, named Pampa, lovely and deep, its water clear as the heart of a saint, with four enchanting bathing-ghats fashioned upon it. Here and there sundry deer drank the water, like a throng of beggars at the house of a generous man. The lotus-leaves screened the water from sight, so its secret was not readily found — as the formless Brahman, veiled by Maya, is not seen. In the unfathomable water all the fish, content, lived in one even joy — as the days of the righteous pass joined with happiness.

  40. Verse 40

    caupāī bikase sarasija nānā raṃgā| madhura mukhara guṃjata bahu bhṛṃgā|| bolata jalakukkuṭa kalahaṃsā| prabhu biloki janu karata prasaṃsā|| cakravāka baka khaga samudāī| dekhata banai barani nahiṃ jāī|| sundara khaga gana girā suhāī| jāta pathika janu leta bolāī|| tāla samīpa muninha gṛha chāe| cahu disi kānana biṭapa suhāe|| caṃpaka bakula kadaṃba tamālā| pāṭala panasa parāsa rasālā|| nava pallava kusumita taru nānā| caṃcarīka paṭalī kara gānā|| sītala maṃda sugaṃdha subhāū| saṃtata bahai manohara bāū|| kuhū kuhū kokila dhuni karahīṃ| suni rava sarasa dhyāna muni ṭarahīṃ|| dohā/soraṭhā phala bhārana nami biṭapa saba rahe bhūmi niarāi| para upakārī puruṣa jimi navahiṃ susaṃpati pāi||40||

    Meaning

    Lotuses of many hues had blossomed, and many sweet-murmuring bees hummed among them. The water-fowl and royal swans called out, as if praising the Lord at the sight of him. The chakravakas, herons, and throngs of birds — they were a sight to behold, beyond all telling. The fair flocks of birds, their voices charming, seemed to call the passing traveller to stay. Near the lake the sages had built their dwellings; on all four sides lovely forest trees stood — champak, bakula, kadamba, tamala, patala, jackfruit, palasha, and mango. Trees of many kinds stood with fresh leaves and in full blossom, while flights of bees made their music. Cool, gentle, and fragrant by its very nature, an enchanting breeze blew continually. The cuckoos uttered their notes, 'kuhu, kuhu,' and hearing those tender sounds even the sages were shaken from their meditation. Bowed down with their burden of fruit, all the trees stood bending towards the ground — as a benevolent man humbles himself on attaining great prosperity.

  41. Verse 41

    caupāī dekhi rāma ati rucira talāvā| majjanu kīnha parama sukha pāvā|| dekhī suṃdara tarubara chāyā| baiṭhe anuja sahita raghurāyā|| taha~ puni sakala deva muni āe| astuti kari nija dhāma sidhāe|| baiṭhe parama prasanna kṛpālā| kahata anuja sana kathā rasālā|| birahavaṃta bhagavaṃtahi dekhī| nārada mana bhā soca biseṣī|| mora sāpa kari aṃgīkārā| sahata rāma nānā dukha bhārā|| aise prabhuhi bilokau~ jāī| puni na banihi asa avasaru āī|| yaha bicāri nārada kara bīnā| gae jahā~ prabhu sukha āsīnā|| gāvata rāma carita mṛdu bānī| prema sahita bahu bhā~ti bakhānī|| karata daṃḍavata lie uṭhāī| rākhe bahuta bāra ura lāī|| svāgata pū~chi nikaṭa baiṭhāre| lachimana sādara carana pakhāre|| dohā/soraṭhā nānā bidhi binatī kari prabhu prasanna jiya~ jāni| nārada bole bacana taba jori saroruha pāni||41||

    Meaning

    Seeing a most lovely pool, Rama bathed and found the highest delight. Spying the fair shade of a noble tree, the Lord of the Raghus sat down with his younger brother. Then all the gods and sages came thither, sang his praises, and departed to their own abodes. The gracious Lord sat in great contentment, telling delightful tales to his brother. Beholding the Lord in the guise of one parted from his beloved, Narada's mind grew greatly troubled: 'Honouring my curse, Rama bears the heavy load of many sorrows. Let me go and behold such a Lord, for such an occasion may not come again.' Reflecting thus, Narada took his lute and went to where the Lord sat at ease, and sang the deeds of Rama in soft voice, expounding them lovingly in many ways. As he made obeisance, Rama raised him up and held him long to his breast. Asking his welfare, he seated him close by, and Lakshmana reverently washed his feet. Having made entreaty in many ways and knowing the Lord pleased at heart, Narada then spoke these words with lotus hands joined.

  42. Verse 42

    caupāī sunahu udāra sahaja raghunāyaka| suṃdara agama sugama bara dāyaka|| dehu eka bara māgau~ svāmī| jadyapi jānata aṃtarajāmī|| jānahu muni tumha mora subhāū| jana sana kabahu~ ki karau~ durāū|| kavana bastu asi priya mohi lāgī| jo munibara na sakahu tumha māgī|| jana kahu~ kachu adeya nahiṃ moreṃ| asa bisvāsa tajahu jani bhoreṃ|| taba nārada bole haraṣāī | asa bara māgau~ karau~ ḍhiṭhāī|| jadyapi prabhu ke nāma anekā| śruti kaha adhika eka teṃ ekā|| rāma sakala nāmanha te adhikā| hou nātha agha khaga gana badhikā|| dohā/soraṭhā rākā rajanī bhagati tava rāma nāma soi soma| apara nāma uḍagana bimala basuhu~ bhagata ura byoma||42(ka)|| evamastu muni sana kaheu kṛpāsiṃdhu raghunātha| taba nārada mana haraṣa ati prabhu pada nāyau mātha||42(kha)||

    Meaning

    'Hear me, Lord of the Raghus, generous by very nature, granter of fair boons, beautiful, hard to reach yet easy of access. Grant me one boon I ask, O master, though you know all hearts.' 'You know my nature, sage — do I ever conceal anything from my servant? What thing is so dear to me that you, best of sages, may not ask it of me? To my devotee nothing of mine is unbestowable — do not by mistake abandon that faith.' Then Narada spoke with joy: 'I ask such a boon and make so bold. Though the Lord has many names, and the Vedas say each is greater than the next, let the name Rama be greater than all the names, O Lord — a fowler that slays the flock of sins. Your devotion, O Rama, is the full-moon night, and the name Rama is the moon itself; the other names are the bright stars, and the devotee's heart the cloudless sky in which they dwell.' 'So be it,' said the ocean of mercy, the Lord of the Raghus, to the sage. Then, with great joy in his heart, Narada bowed his head at the Lord's feet.

  43. Verse 43

    caupāī ati prasanna raghunāthahi jānī| puni nārada bole mṛdu bānī|| rāma jabahiṃ prereu nija māyā| mohehu mohi sunahu raghurāyā|| taba bibāha maiṃ cāhau~ kīnhā| prabhu kehi kārana karai na dīnhā|| sunu muni tohi kahau~ saharosā| bhajahiṃ je mohi taji sakala bharosā|| karau~ sadā tinha kai rakhavārī| jimi bālaka rākhai mahatārī|| gaha sisu baccha anala ahi dhāī| taha~ rākhai jananī aragāī|| prauṛha bhae~ tehi suta para mātā| prīti karai nahiṃ pāchili bātā|| more prauṛha tanaya sama gyānī| bālaka suta sama dāsa amānī|| janahi mora bala nija bala tāhī| duhu kaha~ kāma krodha ripu āhī|| yaha bicāri paṃḍita mohi bhajahīṃ| pāehu~ gyāna bhagati nahiṃ tajahīṃ|| dohā/soraṭhā kāma krodha lobhādi mada prabala moha kai dhāri| tinha maha~ ati dāruna dukhada māyārūpī nāri||43||

    Meaning

    Knowing the Lord of the Raghus greatly pleased, Narada again spoke in soft voice: 'O Rama, when once you stirred your Maya and deluded me — hear me, Lord of the Raghus — at that time I wished to marry; why did you, my Lord, not let it be done?' 'Hear, sage; I tell you with great affection: those who, abandoning every other reliance, worship me — I ever guard them, as a mother guards her child. When her infant runs to seize fire or a snake, the mother holds him back and keeps him safe; but when that son is grown, she shows him love yet not as before. To me, the man of knowledge is like a grown son, while the humble servant is like a child-son. The devotee has my strength, but the knower his own; and for both, lust and wrath are the foes. Considering this, the wise worship me, and even having gained knowledge they do not forsake devotion — for of lust, wrath, greed, pride and the rest, this mighty current of delusion, the most terrible and grievous is woman in the form of Maya.'

  44. Verse 44

    caupāī suni muni kaha purāna śruti saṃtā| moha bipina kahu~ nāri basaṃtā|| japa tapa nema jalāśraya jhārī| hoi grīṣama soṣai saba nārī|| kāma krodha mada matsara bhekā| inhahi haraṣaprada baraṣā ekā|| durbāsanā kumuda samudāī| tinha kaha~ sarada sadā sukhadāī|| dharma sakala sarasīruha bṛṃdā| hoi hima tinhahi dahai sukha maṃdā|| puni mamatā javāsa bahutāī| paluhai nāri sisira ritu pāī|| pāpa ulūka nikara sukhakārī| nāri nibiṛa rajanī a~dhiārī|| budhi bala sīla satya saba mīnā| banasī sama triya kahahiṃ prabīnā|| dohā/soraṭhā avaguna mūla sūlaprada pramadā saba dukha khāni| tāte kīnha nivārana muni maiṃ yaha jiya~ jāni||44||

    Meaning

    'Hear, sage — the Puranas, the Vedas and the saints declare woman to be a spring to the forest of delusion. Japa, austerity and vows are the pools of water, and woman is the summer-heat that dries them all away. Lust, wrath, pride and envy are the frogs, and woman alone is the gladdening rains to them. Evil desires are the cluster of lilies, and to them woman is the ever-delightful autumn. All the duties of religion are the multitude of lotuses, and woman is the frost that scorches them and yields scant joy. Then attachment is the abundant javasa-shrub, which sprouts afresh in woman, who comes as the winter season. The host of sins are the owls to whom woman gives ease, the thick darkness of night. Wisdom, strength, virtue and truth are all the fish, and woman, the experts say, is like the angling-hook. Woman, the root of every fault, the giver of anguish, is the mine of all sorrow; therefore, sage, knowing this in my heart, I forbade your marrying.'

  45. Verse 45

    caupāī suni raghupati ke bacana suhāe| muni tana pulaka nayana bhari āe|| kahahu kavana prabhu kai asi rītī| sevaka para mamatā aru prītī|| je na bhajahiṃ asa prabhu bhrama tyāgī| gyāna raṃka nara maṃda abhāgī|| puni sādara bole muni nārada| sunahu rāma bigyāna bisārada|| saṃtanha ke lacchana raghubīrā| kahahu nātha bhava bhaṃjana bhīrā|| sunu muni saṃtanha ke guna kahaū~| jinha te maiṃ unha keṃ basa rahaū~|| ṣaṭa bikāra jita anagha akāmā| acala akiṃcana suci sukhadhāmā|| amitabodha anīha mitabhogī| satyasāra kabi kobida jogī|| sāvadhāna mānada madahīnā| dhīra dharma gati parama prabīnā|| dohā/soraṭhā gunāgāra saṃsāra dukha rahita bigata saṃdeha|| taji mama carana saroja priya tinha kahu~ deha na geha||45||

    Meaning

    Hearing the pleasing words of the Lord of the Raghus, the sage thrilled in body and his eyes filled with tears. 'Tell me, who else has such a way as my Lord — such tenderness and love towards his servant? Those who, casting off delusion, do not worship such a Lord are beggars of knowledge, dull men and wretched.' Then Narada spoke again reverently: 'Hear, O Rama, skilled in the highest wisdom — tell me, O master, breaker of the world's fears, the marks of the saints.' 'Hear, sage, I tell the virtues of the saints, by which I abide under their sway. They have conquered the six passions, are sinless and desireless, steadfast, possessing nothing, pure, abodes of joy. Of boundless understanding, free of craving, of measured enjoyment, holding truth as their essence — poets, sages, men of yoga. Heedful, giving honour to others, void of pride, patient, supremely skilled in the path of righteousness. They are storehouses of virtue, free of the world's sorrows, and free of all doubt. Setting aside my lotus feet, which alone are dear to them, they hold neither their own body nor home dear.'

  46. Verse 46

    caupāī nija guna śravana sunata sakucāhīṃ| para guna sunata adhika haraṣāhīṃ|| sama sītala nahiṃ tyāgahiṃ nītī| sarala subhāu sabahiṃ sana prītī|| japa tapa brata dama saṃjama nemā| guru gobiṃda bipra pada premā|| śraddhā chamā mayatrī dāyā| muditā mama pada prīti amāyā|| birati bibeka binaya bigyānā| bodha jathāratha beda purānā|| daṃbha māna mada karahiṃ na kāū| bhūli na dehiṃ kumāraga pāū|| gāvahiṃ sunahiṃ sadā mama līlā| hetu rahita parahita rata sīlā|| muni sunu sādhunha ke guna jete| kahi na sakahiṃ sārada śruti tete||

    Meaning

    'They shrink to hear their own virtues praised, but rejoice the more to hear another's. Even-minded and cool, they never forsake right conduct; of simple nature, they love all alike. Japa, austerity, vows, restraint of the senses, self-control, observances, and love for the feet of guru, Govinda and the Brahmins; faith, forgiveness, friendliness, compassion, gladness, and unfeigned love for my feet. Dispassion, discernment, humility, deep wisdom, and a right understanding of the Vedas and Puranas — they have these. Hypocrisy, pride and arrogance they never practise, nor by mistake set foot on the evil path. They ever sing and hear my sport, kindly and devoted to others' good without motive. Hear, sage — so many are the virtues of the holy that neither Sharada nor the Vedas can tell them all.'

Chapters