Dwelling at Panchavati and the Rama-Lakshmana Dialogue
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana make their dwelling at Panchavati. There Rama gives Lakshmana a profound teaching on knowledge, detachment, maya, and devotion.
Aranya Kand · Episode 8 / 18
Episode Text
जब ते राम कीन्ह तहँ बासा। सुखी भए मुनि बीती त्रासा॥ गिरि बन नदीं ताल छबि छाए। दिन दिन प्रति अति होहिं सुहाए॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaba te rāma kīnha tahaṃ bāsā। sukhī bhae muni bītī trāsā॥ giri bana nadīṃ tāla chabi chāe। dina dina prati ati hohiṃ suhāe॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
From the time Rama took up residence there, the sages became happy and their fear was gone. The mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes were filled with beauty, growing more and more delightful day by day.
खग मृग बृंद अनंदित रहहीं। मधुप मधुर गुंजत छबि लहहीं॥ सो बन बरनि न सक अहिराजा। जहाँ प्रगट रघुबीर बिराजा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
khaga mṛga bṛnda anandita rahahīṃ। madhupa madhura guñjata chabi lahahīṃ॥ so bana barani na saka ahirājā। jahāṃ pragaṭa raghubīra birājā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Birds and herds of animals remain joyful, and bees hum sweetly, adding to the splendor. Even Shesha, king of serpents, cannot describe the forest where Rama Himself is manifest and seated.
एक बार प्रभु सुख आसीना। लछिमन बचन कहे छलहीना॥ सुर नर मुनि सचराचर साईं। मैं पूछउँ निज प्रभु की नाईं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
eka bāra prabhu sukha āsīnā। lachimana bachana kahe chalahīnā॥ sura nara muni sacarācara sāīṃ। maiṃ pūchauṃ nija prabhu kī nāīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Once, Lord Rama was seated in comfort. At that time Lakshmana spoke sincere words: "O Lord of gods, men, sages, and all that moves and does not move, I ask you as I would ask my own master."
मोहि समुझाइ कहहु सोइ देवा। सब तजि करौं चरन रज सेवा॥ कहहु ग्यान बिराग अरु माया। कहहु सो भगति करहु जेहिं दाया॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mohi samujhāi kahahu soi devā। saba taji karauṃ carana raja sevā॥ kahahu gyāna birāga aru māyā। kahahu so bhagati karahu jehiṃ dāyā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, please explain it to me so that, abandoning all else, I may serve only the dust of Your feet. Speak of knowledge, detachment, and illusion; and tell me of that devotion through which You show mercy.
ईस्वर जीव भेद प्रभु सकल कहौ समुझाइ॥ जातें होइ चरन रति सोक मोह भ्रम जाइ॥ १४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
īsvara jīva bheda prabhu sakala kahau samujhāi॥ jāteṃ hoi carana rati soka moha bhrama jāi॥ 14 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, kindly explain in full the difference between God and the jiva, so that love for Your feet may arise in me and sorrow, delusion, and confusion may disappear.
थोरेहि महँ सब कहउँ बुझाई। सुनहु तात मति मन चित लाई॥ मैं अरु मोर तोर तैं माया। जेहिं बस कीन्हे जीव निकाया॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
thorehi mahaṃ saba kahauṃ bujhāī। sunahu tāta mati mana cita lāī॥ maiṃ aru mora tora taiṃ māyā। jehiṃ basa kīnhe jīva nikāyā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
I shall explain everything in a little. Listen, O dear one, with mind and attention fixed. "I" and "mine," "you" and "yours"—this is Maya, by whose power all beings have been brought under control.
गो गोचर जहँ लगि मन जाई। सो सब माया जानेहु भाई॥ तेहि कर भेद सुनहु तुम्ह सोऊ। बिद्या अपर अबिद्या दोऊ॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
go gocara jahaṃ lagi mana jāī। so saba māyā jānehu bhāī॥ tehi kara bheda sunahu tumha soū। biddyā apara abiddyā doū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Whatever the mind can reach, and all objects of the senses—know all of that as Maya, O brother. Hear now the two divisions of that also: one is knowledge, the other ignorance.
एक दुष्ट अतिसय दुखरूपा। जा बस जीव परा भवकूपा॥ एक रचइ जग गुन बस जाकें। प्रभु प्रेरित नहिं निज बल ताकें॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
eka duṣṭa atisaya dukharūpā। jā basa jīva parā bhavakūpā॥ eka racai jaga guna basa jākeṃ। prabhu prerita nahiṃ nija bala tākeṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
One, ignorance, is wicked and full of suffering; under its power the jiva falls into the well of worldly existence. The other, knowledge, creates the world and is governed by virtue; it is moved only by the Lord, and has no strength of its own.
ग्यान मान जहँ एकउ नाहीं। देख ब्रह्म समान सब माहीं॥ कहिअ तात सो परम बिरागी। तृन सम सिद्धि तीनि गुन त्यागी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gyāna māna jahaṃ ekau nāhīṃ। dekha brahma samāna saba māhīṃ॥ kahiya tāta so parama birāgī। tṛna sama siddhi tīni guna tyāgī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Knowledge is that in which not even a trace of pride remains, and which sees Brahman equally in all. O dear one, the supreme renunciant is he who has abandoned all siddhis and the three qualities as though they were straw.
माया ईस न आपु कहुँ जान कहिअ सो जीव। बंध मोच्छ प्रद सर्बपर माया प्रेरक सीव॥ १५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
māyā īsa na āpu kahuṃ jāna kahiya so jīva। bandha moccha prada sarbapara māyā preraka sīva॥ 15 ॥
Meaning:
One who does not know Maya, Ishvara, or his own self is called a jiva. He who grants bondage and liberation, who is beyond all, and who is the mover of Maya is Shiva.
धर्म तें बिरति जोग तें ग्याना। ग्यान मोच्छप्रद बेद बखाना॥ जातें बेगि द्रवउँ मैं भाई। सो मम भगति भगत सुखदाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dharma teṃ birati joga teṃ gyānā। gyāna mocchaprada beda bakhānā॥ jāteṃ begi dravauṃ maiṃ bhāī। so mama bhagati bhagata sukhadāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Through dharma comes detachment, and through yoga comes knowledge; and knowledge, the Vedas declare, grants liberation. And, O brother, that which quickly wins My grace is bhakti, which brings joy to devotees.
सो सुतंत्र अवलंब न आना। तेहि आधीन ग्यान बिग्याना॥ भगति तात अनुपम सुखमूला। मिलइ जो संत होइँ अनुकूला॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so sutaṃtra avalaṃba na ānā। tehi ādhīna gyāna bigyānā॥ bhagati tāta anupama sukhamūlā। milai jo saṃta hoiṃ anukūlā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
That bhakti is independent; it needs no support from any other means. Knowledge and higher discernment are subject to it. O friend, bhakti is incomparable and the root of all joy; it is obtained only when the saints are favorably disposed.
भगति कि साधन कहउँ बखानी। सुगम पंथ मोहि पावहिं प्रानी॥ प्रथमहिं बिप्र चरन अति प्रीती। निज निज कर्म निरत श्रुति रीती॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhagati ki sādhana kahauṃ bakhānī। sugama paṃtha mohi pāvahiṃ prānī॥ prathamahiṃ bipra carana ati prītī। nija nija karma nirata śruti rītī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Now I will describe the means of bhakti in detail: it is an easy path by which living beings can readily attain Me. First, there should be deep affection for the feet of the Brahmins, and one should remain engaged in one’s own duties according to the Vedic way.
एहि कर फल पुनि बिषय बिरागा। तब मम धर्म उपज अनुरागा॥ श्रवनादिक नव भक्ति दृढ़ाहीं। मम लीला रति अति मन माहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi kara phala puni biṣaya birāgā। taba mama dharma upaja anurāgā॥ śravanādika nava bhakti dṛḍhāhīṃ। mama līlā rati ati mana māhīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Its fruit is detachment from the objects of the senses. Then devotion to My dharma arises. The nine forms of devotion become firm, and deep love for My pastimes fills the mind.
संत चरन पंकज अति प्रेमा। मन क्रम बचन भजन दृढ़ नेमा॥ गुरु पितु मातु बंधु पति देवा। सब मोहि कहँ जानै दृढ़ सेवा॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saṃta carana paṃkaja ati premā। mana krama bacana bhajana dṛḍha nemā॥ guru pitu mātu baṃdhu pati devā। saba mohi kahaṃ jānai dṛḍha sevā॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
One who has deep love for the lotus feet of the saints; who keeps a firm vow of devotion in mind, speech, and action; and who knows Me alone as guru, father, mother, brother, husband, and god, and remains steadfast in service.
मम गुन गावत पुलक सरीरा। गदगद गिरा नयन बह नीरा॥ काम आदि मद दंभ न जाकें। तात निरंतर बस मैं ताकें॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mama guna gāvata pulaka sarīrā। gadgada girā nayana baha nīrā॥ kāma ādi mada daṃbha na jākeṃ। tāta niraṃtara basa maiṃ tākeṃ॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
When singing My glories, his body trembles with joy, his voice chokes with emotion, and tears flow from his eyes; and in one in whom lust, pride, and deceit are absent, O friend, I always remain under that person's control.
बचन कर्म मन मोरि गति भजनु करहिं निःकाम। तिन्ह के हृदय कमल महुँ करउँ सदा बिश्राम॥ १६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bacana karma mana mori gati bhajanu karahiṃ niḥkāma। tinha ke hṛdaya kamala mahuṃ karauṃ sadā biśrāma॥ 16 ॥
Meaning:
Those whose action, speech, and mind are devoted to Me, and who worship Me without desire for reward—within their lotus hearts I ever abide in peace.
भगति जोग सुनि अति सुख पावा। लछिमन प्रभु चरनन्हि सिरु नावा॥ एहि बिधि गए कछुक दिन बीती। कहत बिराग ग्यान गुन नीती॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhagati joga suni ati sukha pāvā। lachimana prabhu carananhi siru nāvā॥ ehi bidhi gae kachuka dina bītī। kahata birāga gyāna guna nītī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing of bhakti-yoga, Lakshmana was greatly pleased and bowed his head at the feet of Lord Rama. In this way, some days passed, with talk of renunciation, knowledge, qualities, and ethics.
सूपनखा रावन कै बहिनी। दुष्ट हृदय दारुन जस अहिनी॥ पंचबटी सो गइ एक बारा। देखि बिकल भइ जुगल कुमारा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sūpanakhā rāvana kai bahinī। duṣṭa hṛdaya dāruna jasa ahinī॥ pañcabatī so gai eka bārā। dekhi bikala bhai jugala kumārā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Shurpanakha, Ravana’s sister, had a cruel heart and was as fearsome as a serpent. One day she went to Panchavati and, seeing the two princes, became agitated with desire.
भ्राता पिता पुत्र उरगारी। पुरुष मनोहर निरखत नारी॥ होइ बिकल सक मनहि न रोकी। जिमि रबिमनि द्रव रबिहि बिलोकी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhrātā pitā putra uragārī। puruṣa manohara nirakhata nārī॥ hoi bikala saka manahi na rokī। jimi rabimani drava rabihi bilokī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O Garuda, says Kakabhushundi, a woman like Shurpanakha—devoid of religious understanding and blinded by desire—becomes restless on seeing a handsome man, whether he be brother, father, or son, and cannot restrain her mind, just as the sun-stone melts at the sight of the sun.
रुचिर रूप धरि प्रभु पहिं जाई। बोली बचन बहुत मुसुकाई॥ तुम्ह सम पुरुष न मो सम नारी। यह सँजोग बिधि रचा बिचारी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rucira rūpa dhari prabhu pahiṃ jāī। bolī bacana bahuta musukāī॥ tumha sama puruṣa na mo sama nārī। yaha sañjoga bidhi racā bicārī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Assuming a lovely form, she went to the Lord and spoke with a smile: 'There is no man like you, and no woman like me. The Creator has thoughtfully fashioned this union.'
मम अनुरूप पुरुष जग माहीं। देखेउँ खोजि लोक तिहु नाहीं॥ तातें अब लगि रहिउँ कुमारी। मनु माना कछु तुम्हहि निहारी॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mama anurūpa puruṣa jaga māhīṃ। dekheuṃ khoji loka tihu nāhīṃ॥ tāteṃ aba lagi rahiuṃ kumārī। manu mānā kachu tumhahi nihārī॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
There is no man suited to me anywhere in the world; I have searched the three worlds. Therefore I have remained unmarried until now. But after seeing you, my mind has become somewhat satisfied.
सीतहि चितइ कही प्रभु बाता। अहइ कुआर मोर लघु भ्राता॥ गइ लछिमन रिपु भगिनी जानी। प्रभु बिलोकि बोले मृदु बानी॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sītahi citai kahī prabhu bātā। ahai kuāra mora laghu bhrātā॥ gai lachimana ripu bhaginī jānī। prabhu biloki bole mṛdu bānī॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
Looking toward Sita, the Lord said, 'My younger brother is still unmarried.' Then she went to Lakshmana, who, seeing her as the enemy's sister and looking toward the Lord, spoke gently.
सुंदरि सुनु मैं उन्ह कर दासा। पराधीन नहिं तोर सुपासा॥ प्रभु समर्थ कोसलपुर राजा। जो कछु करहिं उनहि सब छाजा॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sundari sunu maiṃ unha kara dāsā। parādhīna nahiṃ tora supāsā॥ prabhu samartha kosalapura rājā। jo kachu karahiṃ unahi saba chājā॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
O fair lady, listen: I am their servant. I am not independent, so you will gain no advantage with me. The Lord is all-powerful, the king of Kosala; whatever He does is fitting.
सेवक सुख चह मान भिखारी। ब्यसनी धन सुभ गति बिभिचारी॥ लोभी जसु चह चार गुमानी। नभ दुहि दूध चहत ए प्रानी॥ ८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sevaka sukha caha māna bhikhārī। byasanī dhana subha gati bibhicārī॥ lobhī jasa caha cāra gumānī। nabha duhi dūdha cahata e prānī॥ 8 ॥
Meaning:
A servant seeks comfort, a beggar seeks honor, an addict seeks wealth, and an adulterer seeks a good destiny; the greedy seek fame, and the proud desire all four aims of life. Such people are trying to milk the sky and get milk from it—that is, they pursue the impossible.
पुनि फिरि राम निकट सो आई। प्रभु लछिमन पहिं बहुरि पठाई॥ लछिमन कहा तोहि सो बरई। जो तृन तोरि लाज परिहरई॥ ९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
puni phiri rāma nikaṭa so āī। prabhu lachimana pahiṃ bahuri paṭhāī॥ lachimana kahā tohi so barī। jo tṛna tori lāja pariharī॥ 9 ॥
Meaning:
She returned again to Rama, and the Lord sent her back once more to Lakshmana. Lakshmana said, 'Only one who throws away shame like a blade of grass will take you.'
तब खिसिआनि राम पहिं गई। रूप भयंकर प्रगटत भई॥ सीतहि सभय देखि रघुराई। कहा अनुज सन सयन बुझाई॥ १० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
taba khisiyāni rāma pahiṃ gaī। rūpa bhayaṃkara pragaṭata bhaī॥ sītahi sabhaya dekhi raghurāī। kahā anuja sana sayana bujhāī॥ 10 ॥
Meaning:
Then, in anger, she went to Rama and revealed her terrifying form. Seeing Sita frightened, Lord Raghunatha signaled Lakshmana and said...
लछिमन अति लाघवँ सो नाक कान बिनु कीन्हि। ताके कर रावन कहँ मनौ चुनौती दीन्हि॥ १७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lachimana ati lāghavaṃ so nāka kāna binu kīnhi। tāke kara rāvana kahaṃ manau chunautī dīnhi॥ 17 ॥
Meaning:
With great speed, Lakshmana disfigured her by cutting off her nose and ears. It was as if, through that act, he had sent a challenge to Ravana.