All who draw near and acknowledge that its shade relieves every sorrow, high or low, rich or poor, ask and obtain the fruit that they desire.
Now that I have seen the affection of my guru and my master, my anxiety is gone: my mind is freed from doubt. Now, O mine of compassion, do whatever will be for the good of your servant, without being a trouble to the soul of my lord. The servant who worries his master and seeks only his own advantage is a base-minded varlet. A servant’s gain is to do his master’s service, to get him every comfort, and not be greedy. If my lord returns to Ayodhya, every one will be a gainer; but obedience to orders will be a thousand times greater gain; it is the highest good in this world, and in the next it is the fruit of all well-doing and the ornament of beatitude. Listen, sire, to this my one
Dohâ 259
If my lord cheerfully and without reserve will only give each one of us his orders, they will be reverently obeyed, and all this trouble and perplexity will be at an end.”
On hearing Bharat’s guileless speech the gods were glad of heart and extolled his generosity and rained down flowers; the people of Avadh were overwhelmed with uncertainty, and the hermits and all the dwellers in the woods were greatly rejoiced. Raghunath maintained an anxious silence. Seeing his state, the whole assembly became disturbed. At that very moment arrived messengers from Janak. Saint Vasishtha on hearing of it sent for them at once. They made obeisance and looked towards Rama. At the sight of his attire they were exceedingly grieved. The great saint asked the embassy the news: “Tell me, is all well with the king of Videha?” At this question the noble heralds with a deprecating air bowed their heads to the ground and with clasped hands replied: “Your courteous enquiry, sire, makes all well;
Now that I have seen the affection of my guru and my master, my anxiety is gone: my mind is freed from doubt. Now, O mine of compassion, do whatever will be for the good of your servant, without being a trouble to the soul of my lord. The servant who worries his master and seeks only his own advantage is a base-minded varlet. A servant’s gain is to do his master’s service, to get him every comfort, and not be greedy. If my lord returns to Ayodhya, every one will be a gainer; but obedience to orders will be a thousand times greater gain; it is the highest good in this world, and in the next it is the fruit of all well-doing and the ornament of beatitude. Listen, sire, to this my one
Dohâ 259
If my lord cheerfully and without reserve will only give each one of us his orders, they will be reverently obeyed, and all this trouble and perplexity will be at an end.”
On hearing Bharat’s guileless speech the gods were glad of heart and extolled his generosity and rained down flowers; the people of Avadh were overwhelmed with uncertainty, and the hermits and all the dwellers in the woods were greatly rejoiced. Raghunath maintained an anxious silence. Seeing his state, the whole assembly became disturbed. At that very moment arrived messengers from Janak. Saint Vasishtha on hearing of it sent for them at once. They made obeisance and looked towards Rama. At the sight of his attire they were exceedingly grieved. The great saint asked the embassy the news: “Tell me, is all well with the king of Videha?” At this question the noble heralds with a deprecating air bowed their heads to the ground and with clasped hands replied: “Your courteous enquiry, sire, makes all well;
Dohâ 260
otherwise, my lord, welfare died with the king of Kosala; the whole world is in bereavement, but especially Mithila and Ayodh.
When Janak and his court heard of king Dasarath’s death every one was mad with excess of grief. All who at that time saw Videha thought that name a truly appropriate one. As he listened to the tale of the queen’s wickedness, the monarch became as helpless as a serpent without its head-jewel. Bharat king, and Rama in exile! Janak’s soul was sore distressed. He enquired of all his wise men and ministers, “Consider and tell me what ought now to be done.” Reflecting on the state of Avadh and the double difficulty, if he went or if he stayed, no one gave any answer. After reasoning with himself, the king resolved to send four clever spies to Avadh to discover whether Bharat meant well or ill, and return in haste without being seen.
Dohâ 261
The spies went to Avadh, ascertained Bharat’s movements and saw what he was doing, that he had started for Chitra-kut, and then went back to Tirhut.
On their arrival, they announced in Janak’s court to the best of their ability all Bharat’s doings. The guru, the citizens, the ministers and the king were all agitated with grief and love at the report. Restraining his emotion and glorifying Bharat, he summoned his warriors and captains, and having stationed guards for the palace, city and realm, and made ready horses, elephants, chariots and conveyances of every description, all in less than an hour, the king set out and halted nowhere on the road, but this morning at day-break bathed at Prayag. The host has begun to cross the Jamuna, and we, my lord, have been sent on ahead for news.” So saying, they bowed the head to the ground. The saint at once gave them an escort of six or seven Kirats and allowed them to take leave.
otherwise, my lord, welfare died with the king of Kosala; the whole world is in bereavement, but especially Mithila and Ayodh.
When Janak and his court heard of king Dasarath’s death every one was mad with excess of grief. All who at that time saw Videha thought that name a truly appropriate one. As he listened to the tale of the queen’s wickedness, the monarch became as helpless as a serpent without its head-jewel. Bharat king, and Rama in exile! Janak’s soul was sore distressed. He enquired of all his wise men and ministers, “Consider and tell me what ought now to be done.” Reflecting on the state of Avadh and the double difficulty, if he went or if he stayed, no one gave any answer. After reasoning with himself, the king resolved to send four clever spies to Avadh to discover whether Bharat meant well or ill, and return in haste without being seen.
Dohâ 261
The spies went to Avadh, ascertained Bharat’s movements and saw what he was doing, that he had started for Chitra-kut, and then went back to Tirhut.
On their arrival, they announced in Janak’s court to the best of their ability all Bharat’s doings. The guru, the citizens, the ministers and the king were all agitated with grief and love at the report. Restraining his emotion and glorifying Bharat, he summoned his warriors and captains, and having stationed guards for the palace, city and realm, and made ready horses, elephants, chariots and conveyances of every description, all in less than an hour, the king set out and halted nowhere on the road, but this morning at day-break bathed at Prayag. The host has begun to cross the Jamuna, and we, my lord, have been sent on ahead for news.” So saying, they bowed the head to the ground. The saint at once gave them an escort of six or seven Kirats and allowed them to take leave.
Dohâ 262
The people of Avadh were all delighted to hear of Janak’s arrival; but Raghunandan was greatly disquieted and Indra overwhelmed with alarm:
the wicked Kaikeyi was sinking with remorse, “To whom shall I be able to speak, or whom can I blame?” while the people were delighted with the thought that now they had got another day or two to stay. In this manner the day was spent. On the morrow all bathed and after their ablutions worshipped Gauri, Siva and the Sun; then reverenced the feet of Lakshman's lord and offered up their prayers, the men raising their joined hands, the women holding out the skirt of their dresses: “With Rama our king and Janaki our queen may Avadh, our capital, the centre of all delights, be gloriously re-peopled, court and all, and Rama install Bharat as heir-apparent. Revive us all, O lord, with this ambrosial bliss and grant the world its life's desire.
Dohâ 263.
May Rama sway the state, assisted by his guru, the council and his brothers; and may we die with Rama still Avadh's king.” This was the universal prayer.
Chaupâi
When they heard the citizens' loving words, the wisest saints thought little of their own penance and austerities. When the people had in this manner performed their daily devotions, with much joy they went and saluted Rama. High and low and of middle estate, men and women, all looked up to him as their own special patron, and he discreetly received them all with due honour. Every one extolled his inexhaustible generosity: “From a child it was said of Raghubar that he cherishes all in whom he recognizes sincerity and affection; with his bright face, bright eyes and guileless ways, he is a very ocean of amiability and gentleness.” Thus affectionately telling Rama's good qualities, all began to magnify their own good fortune. “There are few people in the world who can have been so meritorious as we, whom Rama has thus accepted for his own.”
The people of Avadh were all delighted to hear of Janak’s arrival; but Raghunandan was greatly disquieted and Indra overwhelmed with alarm:
the wicked Kaikeyi was sinking with remorse, “To whom shall I be able to speak, or whom can I blame?” while the people were delighted with the thought that now they had got another day or two to stay. In this manner the day was spent. On the morrow all bathed and after their ablutions worshipped Gauri, Siva and the Sun; then reverenced the feet of Lakshman's lord and offered up their prayers, the men raising their joined hands, the women holding out the skirt of their dresses: “With Rama our king and Janaki our queen may Avadh, our capital, the centre of all delights, be gloriously re-peopled, court and all, and Rama install Bharat as heir-apparent. Revive us all, O lord, with this ambrosial bliss and grant the world its life's desire.
Dohâ 263.
May Rama sway the state, assisted by his guru, the council and his brothers; and may we die with Rama still Avadh's king.” This was the universal prayer.
Chaupâi
When they heard the citizens' loving words, the wisest saints thought little of their own penance and austerities. When the people had in this manner performed their daily devotions, with much joy they went and saluted Rama. High and low and of middle estate, men and women, all looked up to him as their own special patron, and he discreetly received them all with due honour. Every one extolled his inexhaustible generosity: “From a child it was said of Raghubar that he cherishes all in whom he recognizes sincerity and affection; with his bright face, bright eyes and guileless ways, he is a very ocean of amiability and gentleness.” Thus affectionately telling Rama's good qualities, all began to magnify their own good fortune. “There are few people in the world who can have been so meritorious as we, whom Rama has thus accepted for his own.”
Dohâ 264.
At the time when all were thus absorbed in love, they heard of the approach of the king of Mithili; the Sun of the lotuses of the solar race rose in haste, he and the whole assembly.
Chaupâi
Raghunath led the way, accompanied by his brothers, the guru, the minister and the people. As soon as king Janak saw the holy hill, he dismounted from his chariot and saluted it. In their eagerness and excitement to see Rama, no one felt the slightest fatigue from the toilsome journey, for their soul was with Rama and Sita; and who without a soul can be conscious of bodily pain or pleasure? In this manner Janak and his host advanced, drunken with the drunkenness of love. When they came near and in sight, they lovingly and reverentially began mutual salutations. Janak kissed the feet of the hermits, and Rama with his brothers, having first reverenced the king's spiritual advisers, embraced him, and led the way for him and his army.
Dohâ 265.
Rama conducted the host to the hermitage, as it were a river of pitifulness flowing into an ocean full of the pure water of tranquillity;
Chaupâi
flooding the banks of wisdom and asceticism; with sorrowful speeches for its tributary streams and torrents; with sighs and lamentations for the wind and waves that break the stout trees of Resolution on its bank; with grievous anguish for its rapid current, and terror and delusion for its many eddies and whirlpools; with sages for ferrymen and wisdom for the huge boat, which can no how be got across; while the poor Kols and Kirats of the woods are the forlorn travellers wearied with waiting. When it reached the hermitage, it was as though ocean had been agitated with a sudden rush of waters. The two royal hosts were so overcome with grief that they had no sense, courage or shame left. Extolling king Dasarath's majesty, virtue and amiability, they sorrowed like men drowned in a sea of sorrow.
At the time when all were thus absorbed in love, they heard of the approach of the king of Mithili; the Sun of the lotuses of the solar race rose in haste, he and the whole assembly.
Chaupâi
Raghunath led the way, accompanied by his brothers, the guru, the minister and the people. As soon as king Janak saw the holy hill, he dismounted from his chariot and saluted it. In their eagerness and excitement to see Rama, no one felt the slightest fatigue from the toilsome journey, for their soul was with Rama and Sita; and who without a soul can be conscious of bodily pain or pleasure? In this manner Janak and his host advanced, drunken with the drunkenness of love. When they came near and in sight, they lovingly and reverentially began mutual salutations. Janak kissed the feet of the hermits, and Rama with his brothers, having first reverenced the king's spiritual advisers, embraced him, and led the way for him and his army.
Dohâ 265.
Rama conducted the host to the hermitage, as it were a river of pitifulness flowing into an ocean full of the pure water of tranquillity;
Chaupâi
flooding the banks of wisdom and asceticism; with sorrowful speeches for its tributary streams and torrents; with sighs and lamentations for the wind and waves that break the stout trees of Resolution on its bank; with grievous anguish for its rapid current, and terror and delusion for its many eddies and whirlpools; with sages for ferrymen and wisdom for the huge boat, which can no how be got across; while the poor Kols and Kirats of the woods are the forlorn travellers wearied with waiting. When it reached the hermitage, it was as though ocean had been agitated with a sudden rush of waters. The two royal hosts were so overcome with grief that they had no sense, courage or shame left. Extolling king Dasarath's majesty, virtue and amiability, they sorrowed like men drowned in a sea of sorrow.
Chhand 11.
Drowned in a sea of sorrow, they sorrowed, men and women alike, in utter bewilderment, all angrily and reproachfully exclaiming, “What is this that cruel fate has done?” Gods, saints, anchorites, ascetics and sages witnessed Janak's condition, but his love—says Tulsi—was like a broad river that no one could get over.
Sorathâ 10.
When all the people and the great sages had exhausted every topic of consolation, Vashishtha thus addressed Videha: “King of men, be comforted.
Chaupâi
By the sun of your wisdom the darkness of the world is dispelled, and in the light of your speech saints expand like the lotus; how then can the power of delusion affect you? This is the marvellous result of love for Sita and Rama.
Dohâ 266.
At day-break the royal son of Nimi and the royal son of Raghu, having bathed with all their retinue, went and sat under the bar tree, sad at heart and wasted in body.
Chaupâi
The Brâhmans from Ayodhyâ, as also those from the capital of the king of Mithilâ: Vasishta, the guru of the solar race, and Satânand, Janak’s family priest, who while on earth had explored the path of heaven, began long exhortations full of religion, morality, asceticism and philosophy. Then Visvamitra eloquently admonished the assembly with many a reference to ancient legend; till Raghunâth suggested to him: “Sire, every one since yesterday has gone without water.” Said the saint: “Râma has spoken in season; two and a half watches of the day are now spent.” Understanding the saint’s pleasure the king of Tirhut replied: “It is not good for us to eat bread here.” The king’s word pleased every one, and having obtained his permission, they went to bathe.
Drowned in a sea of sorrow, they sorrowed, men and women alike, in utter bewilderment, all angrily and reproachfully exclaiming, “What is this that cruel fate has done?” Gods, saints, anchorites, ascetics and sages witnessed Janak's condition, but his love—says Tulsi—was like a broad river that no one could get over.
Sorathâ 10.
When all the people and the great sages had exhausted every topic of consolation, Vashishtha thus addressed Videha: “King of men, be comforted.
Chaupâi
By the sun of your wisdom the darkness of the world is dispelled, and in the light of your speech saints expand like the lotus; how then can the power of delusion affect you? This is the marvellous result of love for Sita and Rama.
Dohâ 266.
At day-break the royal son of Nimi and the royal son of Raghu, having bathed with all their retinue, went and sat under the bar tree, sad at heart and wasted in body.
Chaupâi
The Brâhmans from Ayodhyâ, as also those from the capital of the king of Mithilâ: Vasishta, the guru of the solar race, and Satânand, Janak’s family priest, who while on earth had explored the path of heaven, began long exhortations full of religion, morality, asceticism and philosophy. Then Visvamitra eloquently admonished the assembly with many a reference to ancient legend; till Raghunâth suggested to him: “Sire, every one since yesterday has gone without water.” Said the saint: “Râma has spoken in season; two and a half watches of the day are now spent.” Understanding the saint’s pleasure the king of Tirhut replied: “It is not good for us to eat bread here.” The king’s word pleased every one, and having obtained his permission, they went to bathe.
Dohâ 267.
At that very moment arrived the people of the woods, bringing large baskets, laden with fruits, flowers, leaves and roots of every description.
Chaupâi
By Râma’s favour the mountain had become a granter of desires; merely to look at it removed sorrow. The ponds, streams and glades were bursting as it were with joy and love; all the creepers and trees broke out into blossom and fruit; the birds and beasts made a most melodious concert. In short, the gladsomeness of the forest was surpassing; the air, soft, cool and fragrant, was delightful to every one; and the beauty of the scene was beyond description, as though Earth herself had prepared Janak’s reception. When each and all of the people had finished bathing and had received permission from Râma, Janak and the saint, they gazed with rapture on the magnificent trees and threw themselves down here and there; while leaves and fruits, flowers and roots of every kind, fresh and fair, and sweet as nectar,
Dohâ 268.
were courteously sent to all, in baskets full, by Râma’s guru; on which they made their repast, after reverencing their ancestors, the gods, their guests and the guru.
Chaupâi
In this manner four days were spent, in which the people saw Râma and were happy. In both camps there was this desire at heart: “It is not good for us to return without Sîtâ and Râma. Life in the woods in their society is a thousand times better than heaven. If any one, in his longing for home, would desert Lakshman, Râma and Sîtâ, his fate is an unlucky one: it is the height of good fortune for us all to dwell in the forest near Râma, bathing three times a day in the Mandâkinî, seeing Râma, which will be a constant delight, rambling about on the sacred hill and among the hermitages in the wood, and feeding on sweet herbs and roots and fruits, so contentedly that the fourteen years will pass like a minute, without our knowing how they go.
At that very moment arrived the people of the woods, bringing large baskets, laden with fruits, flowers, leaves and roots of every description.
Chaupâi
By Râma’s favour the mountain had become a granter of desires; merely to look at it removed sorrow. The ponds, streams and glades were bursting as it were with joy and love; all the creepers and trees broke out into blossom and fruit; the birds and beasts made a most melodious concert. In short, the gladsomeness of the forest was surpassing; the air, soft, cool and fragrant, was delightful to every one; and the beauty of the scene was beyond description, as though Earth herself had prepared Janak’s reception. When each and all of the people had finished bathing and had received permission from Râma, Janak and the saint, they gazed with rapture on the magnificent trees and threw themselves down here and there; while leaves and fruits, flowers and roots of every kind, fresh and fair, and sweet as nectar,
Dohâ 268.
were courteously sent to all, in baskets full, by Râma’s guru; on which they made their repast, after reverencing their ancestors, the gods, their guests and the guru.
Chaupâi
In this manner four days were spent, in which the people saw Râma and were happy. In both camps there was this desire at heart: “It is not good for us to return without Sîtâ and Râma. Life in the woods in their society is a thousand times better than heaven. If any one, in his longing for home, would desert Lakshman, Râma and Sîtâ, his fate is an unlucky one: it is the height of good fortune for us all to dwell in the forest near Râma, bathing three times a day in the Mandâkinî, seeing Râma, which will be a constant delight, rambling about on the sacred hill and among the hermitages in the wood, and feeding on sweet herbs and roots and fruits, so contentedly that the fourteen years will pass like a minute, without our knowing how they go.
Dohâ 269.
“We are not worthy of so great happiness,” they all exclaimed. “What luck can be like it?” Such was the spontaneous devotion to Râma’s feet in both camps.
Chaupâi
In this manner as all were expressing their hearts’ desire in affectionate words, which it ravished the soul to hear, Sîtâ’s mother sent a handmaid, who ascertained that it was a convenient time and returned. On learning that Sîtâ’s mothers-in-law were at leisure, Janak’s queen and her attendants came to visit them. Kausalyâ received them with due honour and gave them such seats as circumstances allowed. On both sides there was such love and tenderness, that the most rigid thunderbolt would have melted, could it have seen and heard. Their body quivering and unnerved, their eyes full of tears, and all lost in grief, they drew lines with their toes on the ground, each a separate incarnation of love to Sîtâ and Râma, or as it were tearful Sympathy repeated in many forms. Said Sîtâ’s mother: “God’s judgment has gone astray, using the thunderbolt for a chisel to break up foam!
Dohâ 270.
We hear of ambrosia, but see only venom; all his doings are hard; crows, owls and cranes are everywhere, but swans only in the inaccessible Mânas lake.”
Sita could not bear to see her father and mother so overcome by affection, but calling to mind both the time and her own duty, Earth’s daughter summoned up courage.
“We are not worthy of so great happiness,” they all exclaimed. “What luck can be like it?” Such was the spontaneous devotion to Râma’s feet in both camps.
Chaupâi
In this manner as all were expressing their hearts’ desire in affectionate words, which it ravished the soul to hear, Sîtâ’s mother sent a handmaid, who ascertained that it was a convenient time and returned. On learning that Sîtâ’s mothers-in-law were at leisure, Janak’s queen and her attendants came to visit them. Kausalyâ received them with due honour and gave them such seats as circumstances allowed. On both sides there was such love and tenderness, that the most rigid thunderbolt would have melted, could it have seen and heard. Their body quivering and unnerved, their eyes full of tears, and all lost in grief, they drew lines with their toes on the ground, each a separate incarnation of love to Sîtâ and Râma, or as it were tearful Sympathy repeated in many forms. Said Sîtâ’s mother: “God’s judgment has gone astray, using the thunderbolt for a chisel to break up foam!
Dohâ 270.
We hear of ambrosia, but see only venom; all his doings are hard; crows, owls and cranes are everywhere, but swans only in the inaccessible Mânas lake.”
Sita could not bear to see her father and mother so overcome by affection, but calling to mind both the time and her own duty, Earth’s daughter summoned up courage.