Life at Chitrakoot and Service of the Kol and Bhil People
Rama settles at Chitrakoot. The Kol and Bhil people serve him with heartfelt devotion and regard their lives as sanctified.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 22 / 49
Episode Text
रघुबर कहेउ लखन भल घाटू। करहु कतहुँ अब ठाहर ठाटू॥ लखन दीख पय उतर करारा। चहुँ दिसि फिरेउ धनुष जिमि नारा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
raghubara kaheu lakhan bhal ghāṭū। karahu katahūṁ aba ṭhāhara ṭhāṭū॥ lakhan dīkh paya utara karārā। cahūṁ disi phireu dhanuṣa jimi nārā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Rama said, “Lakshmana, this is a very good landing place. Make arrangements to stay here somewhere now.” Then Lakshmana saw the high northern bank of the Payasvini River and said, “A ditch runs all around it like a bow.”
नदी पनच सर सम दम दाना। सकल कलुष कलि साउज नाना॥ चित्रकूट जनु अचल अहेरी। चुकइ न घात मार मुठभेरी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nadī panaca sara sama dama dānā। sakala kaluṣa kali sāuja nānā॥ citrakūṭa janu acala aherī। cukai na ghāta māra muṭhabherī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The river (Mandakini) is like the bowstring, and restraint, self-control, and charity are the arrows. All the sins of Kali Yuga are its many wild beasts and targets. Chitrakoot is as if an immovable hunter, whose aim never misses and who strikes face to face.
अस कहि लखन ठाउँ देखरावा। थलु बिलोकि रघुबर सुखु पावा॥ रमेउ राम मनु देवन्ह जाना। चले सहित सुर थपति प्रधाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asa kahi lakhan ṭhāũ dekharāvā। thalu biloki raghubar sukhu pāvā॥ rameu rāma manu devanha jānā। cale sahita sura thapati pradhānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Saying this, Lakshmana showed the place. Seeing it, Rama felt delighted. When the gods knew that Rama’s mind had become pleased here, they departed with their chief architect, Vishvakarma.
कोल किरात बेष सब आए। रचे परन तृन सदन सुहाए॥ बरनि न जाहिं मंजु दुइ साला। एक ललित लघु एक बिसाला॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kola kirāta beṣa saba āe। rache parana tṛna sadana suhāe॥ barani na jāhĩ manju dui sālā। eka lalita laghu eka bisālā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
All the gods came in the guise of Kol and Kirat tribesmen and made lovely houses of leaves and grass. They built two beautiful cottages beyond description—one charmingly small and the other spacious.
लखन जानकी सहित प्रभु राजत रुचिर निकेत। सोह मदनु मुनि बेष जनु रति रितुराज समेत॥ १३३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lakhan jānakī sahita prabhu rājata rucira niketa। soha madanu muni beṣa janu rati riturāja sameta॥ 133 ॥
Meaning:
Rama, together with Lakshmana and Janaki, shines in the lovely leaf-hut. It is as if Cupid, taking the form of a sage, is adorned together with Rati and the spring season.
अमर नाग किंनर दिसिपाला। चित्रकूट आए तेहि काला॥ राम प्रनामु कीन्ह सब काहू। मुदित देव लहि लोचन लाहू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
amara nāga kinnara disipālā। citrakūṭa āe tehi kālā॥ rāma pranāmu kīnha saba kāhū। mudita deva lahi locana lāhū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
At that time the gods, serpents, Kinnaras, and guardians of the directions came to Chitrakoot, and Rama bowed to everyone. The gods were delighted to have the reward of seeing him.
बरषि सुमन कह देव समाजू। नाथ सनाथ भए हम आजू॥ करि बिनती दुख दुसह सुनाए। हरषित निज निज सदन सिधाए॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
baraṣi sumana kaha deva samājū। nātha sanātha bhae hama ājū॥ kari binatī dukha dusaha sunāe। haraṣita nija nija sadana sidhāe॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Raining flowers, the assembly of gods said, “O Lord, today, having seen You, we have become blessed with a protector.” After making their humble request and telling of their unbearable sorrows, they went back to their own abodes, filled with joy.
चित्रकूट रघुनंदनु छाए। समाचार सुनि सुनि मुनि आए॥ आवत देखि मुदित मुनिबृंदा। कीन्ह दंडवत रघुकुल चंदा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
citrakūṭa raghunandanu chāe। samācāra suni suni muni āe॥ āvata dekhi mudita munibṛndā। kīnha daṇḍavata raghukula candā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing again and again that Raghunandan had come to Chitrakoot, many sages arrived. Seeing the joyful host of sages approaching, the moon of Raghu’s line, Rama, bowed down fully.
मुनि रघुबरहि लाइ उर लेहीं। सुफल होन हित आसिष देहीं॥ सिय सौमित्रि राम छबि देखहिं। साधन सकल सफल करि लेखहिं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
muni raghubarahi lāi ura lehīṁ। suphala hona hita āsiṣa dehīṁ॥ siya saumitri rāma chabi dekahĩ। sādhana sakala saphala kari lekhahĩ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The sages embrace Rama to their hearts and give blessings for all to become fruitful. Seeing the beauty of Sita, Lakshmana, and Rama, they count all their spiritual practices as fulfilled.
जथाजोग सनमानि प्रभु बिदा किए मुनिबृंद। करहिं जोग जप जाग तप निज आश्रमन्हि सुछंद॥ १३४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jathājoga sanāni prabhu bidā kie munibṛnda। karahiṁ joga japa jāga tapa nija āśramanhi succhanda॥ 134 ॥
Meaning:
Honoring them appropriately, Lord Rama bade farewell to the sages. [With Rama’s arrival,] they all were now able to practice yoga, japa, sacrifice, and austerity freely in their own hermitages.
यह सुधि कोल किरातन्ह पाई। हरषे जनु नव निधि घर आई॥ कंद मूल फल भरि भरि दोना। चले रंक जनु लूटन सोना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
yaha sudhi kola kirātanha pāī। haraṣe janu nava nidhi ghara āī॥ kanda mūla phala bhari bhari donā। cale raṅka janu lūṭana sonā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
When the Kol and Kirat tribes heard this news of Rama’s arrival, they rejoiced as if the nine treasures had come to their own homes. Filling their baskets with roots, bulbs, and fruits, they set out like poor men going to loot gold.
तिन्ह महँ जिन्ह देखे दोउ भ्राता। अपर तिन्हहि पूँछहिं मगु जाता॥ कहत सुनत रघुबीर निकाई। आइ सबन्हि देखे रघुराई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tinha mahañ jinha dekhe dou bhrātā। apara tinhahi pūnchahiṁ magu jātā॥ kahata sunata raghubīra nikāī। āi sabanhi dekhe raghurāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Those among them who had already seen the two brothers were asked about the way by the others. Thus, hearing and speaking of Rama’s beauty, all came and beheld Lord Raghunath.
करहिं जोहारु भेंट धरि आगे। प्रभुहि बिलोकहिं अति अनुरागे॥ चित्र लिखे जनु जहँ तहँ ठाढ़े। पुलक सरीर नयन जल बाढ़े॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
karahiṁ johāru bheṭa dhari āge। prabhuhi bilokahiṁ ati anurāge॥ chitra likhe janu jahaṁ tahaṁ ṭhāṛhe। pulaka sarīra nayana jala bāṛhe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Placing their offerings before Him, they bow in respect and gaze upon the Lord with deep love. They stand where they are, as if painted in place. Their bodies thrill with joy, and floods of tears rise in their eyes.
राम सनेह मगन सब जाने। कहि प्रिय बचन सकल सनमाने॥ प्रभुहि जोहारि बहोरि बहोरी। बचन बिनीत कहहिं कर जोरी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma saneha magana saba jāne। kahi priya bacana sakala sanamāne॥ prabhuhi johāri bahori bahorī। bacana binīta kahahiṁ kara jorī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Rama understood them all to be immersed in love, and He honored everyone by speaking kindly. Again and again they bowed to Lord Rama, and with folded hands spoke humble words.
अब हम नाथ सनाथ सब भए देखि प्रभु पाय। भाग हमारें आगमनु राउर कोसलराय॥ १३५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba hama nātha sanātha saba bhae dekhi prabhu pāya। bhāga hamāreṁ āgamanu rāura kosalarāya॥ 135 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, having seen Your feet, we have now all found a protector. O King of Kosala, by our good fortune You have graced us with Your arrival here.
धन्य भूमि बन पंथ पहारा। जहँ जहँ नाथ पाउ तुम्ह धारा॥ धन्य बिहग मृग काननचारी। सफल जनम भए तुम्हहि निहारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhanya bhūmi bana pantha pahārā। jahaṁ jahaṁ nātha pāu tumha dhārā॥ dhanya bihaga mṛga kānanacārī। saphala janama bhae tumhahi nihārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, blessed are the land, forest, path, and hills wherever You have placed Your feet. Blessed are the birds and beasts that roam the forest, who attained fulfillment by beholding You.
हम सब धन्य सहित परिवारा। दीख दरसु भरि नयन तुम्हारा॥ कीन्ह बासु भल ठाउँ बिचारी। इहाँ सकल रितु रहब सुखारी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hama saba dhanya sahita parivārā। dīkh darasu bhari nayana tumhārā॥ kīnha bāsu bhala ṭhāũ bicārī। ihāṁ sakala ritu rahaba sukhārī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
We, together with our families, are also blessed, for we have filled our eyes with Your sight. You have chosen a very good place to dwell. May You remain happy here in all seasons.
हम सब भाँति करब सेवकाई। करि केहरि अहि बाघ बराई॥ बन बेहड़ गिरि कंदर खोहा। सब हमार प्रभु पग पग जोहा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hama saba bhānti karaba sevakāī। kari kehari ahi bāgha barāī॥ bana behaṛa giri kandara khohā। saba hamāra prabhu paga paga johā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
We shall serve You in every way, protecting You from elephants, lions, serpents, and tigers. O Lord, the rugged forest, hills, caves, and passes here are all known to us step by step.
तहँ तहँ तुम्हहि अहेर खेलाउब। सर निरझर जलठाउँ देखाउब॥ हम सेवक परिवार समेता। नाथ न सकुचब आयसु देता॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tahaṁ tahaṁ tumhahi ahera khelāuba। sara nirajhara jalṭhāũ dekhāuba॥ hama sevaka parivāra sametā। nātha na sakucaba āyasu detā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
There, in those places, we shall arrange hunts for You and show You lakes, waterfalls, and other waters. We are Your servants, together with our families. O Lord, therefore do not hesitate to command us.
बेद बचन मुनि मन अगम ते प्रभु करुना ऐन। बचन किरातन्ह के सुनत जिमि पितु बालक बैन॥ १३६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
beda bacana muni mana agama te prabhu karunā aina। bacana kirātanha ke sunata jimi pitu bālaka bain॥ 136 ॥
Meaning:
The Lord, who is beyond even the words of the Vedas and the minds of sages, is listening to the words of the forest dwellers with compassion, just as a father listens to the speech of his children.
रामहि केवल प्रेमु पिआरा। जानि लेउ जो जाननिहारा॥ राम सकल बनचर तब तोषे। कहि मृदु बचन प्रेम परिपोषे॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmahi kevala premu piārā। jāni leu jo jānanihārā॥ rāma sakala banacara taba toṣe। kahi mṛdu bacana prema paripoṣe॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Rama loves only love. Let one who truly understands know this. Then, by speaking gentle words filled with affection, Rama satisfied all those who lived in the forest.
बिदा किए सिर नाइ सिधाए। प्रभु गुन कहत सुनत घर आए॥ एहि बिधि सिय समेत दोउ भाई। बसहिं बिपिन सुर मुनि सुखदाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bidā kie sira nāi sidhāe। prabhu guna kahata sunata ghara āe॥ ehi bidhi siya sameta dou bhāī। basahiṁ bipina sura muni sukhadāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then they were given leave. Bowing their heads, they departed, and as they spoke and heard of the Lord’s virtues, they returned home. In this way the two brothers, who bring joy to gods and sages, dwelt in the forest with Sita.
जब तें आइ रहे रघुनायकु। तब तें भयउ बनु मंगलदायकु॥ फूलहिं फलहिं बिटप बिधि नाना। मंजु बलित बर बेलि बिताना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaba teṁ āi rahe raghunāyaku। taba teṁ bhayau banu maṅgaladāyaku॥ phūlahĩ phalahiṁ biṭapa bidhi nānā। maṃju balita bara beli bitānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Since Lord Raghunath came to dwell in the forest, the forest has become auspicious. Trees of many kinds blossom and bear fruit, and lovely creepers spread out like canopies upon them.
सुरतरु सरिस सुभायँ सुहाए। मनहुँ बिबुध बन परिहरि आए॥ गुंज मंजुतर मधुकर श्रेनी। त्रिबिध बयारि बहइ सुख देनी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
surataru sarisa subhāyaṁ suhāe। manahuṁ bibudha bana parihari āe॥ guñja mañjutara madhukara śrenī। tribidha bayāri bahai sukha denī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
They are naturally beautiful like wish-fulfilling trees, as if they had come after leaving the gods’ own forest. The rows of bees hum most sweetly, and a gentle, cool, fragrant breeze keeps bringing delight.
नीलकंठ कलकंठ सुक चातक चक्क चकोर। भाँति भाँति बोलहिं बिहग श्रवन सुखद चित चोर॥ १३७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nīlakaṇṭha kalakaṇṭha suka cātaka cakka cakora। bhānti bhānti bolahiṁ bihaga śravana sukhada cita cora॥ 137 ॥
Meaning:
The blue jay, cuckoo, parrot, chatak, chakwa, and chakor birds speak in many different voices that delight the ears and steal the heart.
करि केहरि कपि कोल कुरंगा। बिगतबैर बिचरहिं सब संगा॥ फिरत अहेर राम छबि देखी। होहिं मुदित मृगबृंद बिसेषी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kari kehari kapi kola kuraṅgā। bigatabaira bicarahiṃ saba saṃgā॥ phirata ahera rāma chabi dekhī। hohiṃ mudita mṛgabṛnda viseṣī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Elephants, lions, monkeys, boars, and deer—all roam together, having abandoned enmity. While out hunting, when they see the beauty of Rama, the herds of animals become especially delighted.
बिबुध बिपिन जहँ लगि जग माहीं। देखि रामबनु सकल सिहाहीं॥ सुरसरि सरसइ दिनकर कन्या। मेकलसुता गोदावरि धन्या॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bibudha bipina jahaṃ lagi jaga māhīṃ। dekhi rāma-banu sakala sihāhīṃ॥ surasari sarasai dinakara kanyā। mekalasutā godāvari dhanyā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
All the divine groves in the world look with envy at Rama’s forest. Ganga, Saraswati, Yamuna the sun’s daughter, Narmada the daughter of the Mekala hills, Godavari, and other sacred rivers are blessed indeed.
सब सर सिंधु नदीं नद नाना। मंदाकिनि कर करहिं बखाना॥ उदय अस्त गिरि अरु कैलासू। मंदर मेरु सकल सुरबासू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saba sara sindhu nadīṃ nada nānā। mandākini kara karahiṃ bakhānā॥ udaya asta giri aru kailāsū। mandara meru sakala surabāsū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
All lakes, seas, rivers, and countless streams praise Mandakini. The Udaya and Asta mountains, Kailasa, Mandara, Meru, and all the abodes of the gods are included among them.
सैल हिमाचल आदिक जेते। चित्रकूट जसु गावहिं तेते॥ बिंधि मुदित मन सुखु न समाई। श्रम बिनु बिपुल बड़ाई पाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saila himācala ādika jete। citrakūṭa jasa gāvahiṃ tete॥ biṃdhi mudita mana sukhu na samāī। śrama binu bipula baṛāī pāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
And all the mountains, including Himalaya, sing the glory of Chitrakut. Vindhya is greatly delighted; his heart cannot contain its joy, for he has gained great renown without effort.
चित्रकूट के बिहग मृग बेलि बिटप तृन जाति। पुन्य पुंज सब धन्य अस कहहिं देव दिन राति॥ १३८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
citrakūṭa ke bihaga mṛga beli biṭapa tṛna jāti। punya puṃja saba dhanya asa kahahiṃ deva dina rāti॥ 138 ॥
Meaning:
The birds, deer, vines, trees, grasses, and every kind of living thing in Chitrakut are a mass of merit and blessed indeed—so the gods declare day and night.
नयनवंत रघुबरहि बिलोकी। पाइ जनम फल होहिं बिसोकी॥ परसि चरन रज अचर सुखारी। भए परम पद के अधिकारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nayanavanta raghubarahi bilokī। pāi janama phala hohiṃ bisokī॥ parasi carana raja acara sukhārī। bhae parama pada ke adhikārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Those who have eyes gain the fruit of life by beholding Raghubar and become free from sorrow. Even the immobile beings—mountains, trees, earth, rivers, and the like—become joyful by touching the dust of His feet. Thus all become worthy of the supreme state.
सो बनु सैलु सुभायँ सुहावन। मंगलमय अति पावन पावन॥ महिमा कहिअ कवनि बिधि तासू। सुखसागर जहँ कीन्ह निवासू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so banu sailu subhāyaṃ suhāvana। maṃgalamaya ati pāvana pāvana॥ mahimā kahia kavani bidhi tāsū। sukhasāgara jahaṃ kīnha nivāsū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
That forest and mountain are beautiful by their very nature, full of auspiciousness and supremely pure. How can its glory be described, where the ocean of bliss has made His abode?
पय पयोधि तजि अवध बिहाई। जहँ सिय लखनु रामु रहे आई॥ कहि न सकहिं सुषमा जसि कानन। जौं सत सहस होहिं सहसानन॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
paya payodhi taji avadha bihāī। jahaṃ siya lakhanu rāmu rahe āī॥ kahi na sakahiṃ suṣamā jasi kānana। jauṃ sata sahasa hohiṃ sahasānana॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Leaving the Milk Ocean and abandoning Ayodhya, the forest where Sita, Lakshmana, and Rama came to dwell has a beauty beyond description. Even if there were a thousand-faced Shesha, he could not fully describe it.
सो मैं बरनि कहौं बिधि केहीं। डाबर कमठ कि मंदर लेहीं॥ सेवहिं लखनु करम मन बानी। जाइ न सीलु सनेहु बखानी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so maiṃ barani kahauṃ bidhi kehīṃ। ḍābara kamaṭha ki mandara lehīṃ॥ sevahiṃ lakhanu karama mana bānī। jāi na sīlu sanehu bakhānī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
How, indeed, can I possibly describe it? Can a tiny pond-tortoise ever lift Mount Mandara? Lakshmana serves Rama in thought, word, and deed. His nobility and affection cannot be fully described.
छिनु छिनु लखि सिय राम पद जानि आपु पर नेहु। करत न सपनेहुँ लखनु चितु बंधु मातु पितु गेहु॥ १३९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
chinu chinu lakhi siya rāma pada jāni āpu para nehu। karata na sapanehuṃ lakhanu citu bandhu mātu pitu gehu॥ 139 ॥
Meaning:
Moment by moment, seeing the feet of Sita and Rama and knowing their affection for him, Lakshmana does not even in dreams remember brothers, mother, father, or home.
राम संग सिय रहति सुखारी। पुर परिजन गृह सुरति बिसारी॥ छिनु छिनु पिय बिधु बदनु निहारी। प्रमुदित मनहुँ चकोरकुमारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma saṃga siya rahati sukhārī। pura parijana gṛha surati bisārī॥ chinu chinu piya bidhu badanu nihārī। pramudita manahuṃ cakorakumārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
With Rama, Sita lives in happiness, forgetting Ayodhya, her relatives, and her home. Moment by moment she gazes at her husband’s moon-like face and is filled with delight, like a female chakor rejoicing at the moon.
नाह नेहु नित बढ़त बिलोकी। हरषित रहति दिवस जिमि कोकी॥ सिय मनु राम चरन अनुरागा। अवध सहस सम बनु प्रिय लागा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nāha nehu nita baṛhata bilokī। haraṣita rahati divasa jimi kokī॥ siya manu rāma carana anurāgā। avadha sahasa sama banu priya lāgā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing her lord’s love continually increase, Sita remains joyful like a chakai bird in daylight. Her mind is attached to Rama’s feet; because of this, the forest seems to her as dear as thousands of Ayodhyas.
परनकुटी प्रिय प्रियतम संगा। प्रिय परिवारु कुरंग बिहंगा॥ सासु ससुर सम मुनितिय मुनिबर। असनु अमिअ सम कंद मूल फर॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
parana-kuṭī priya priyatama saṃgā। priya parivāru kuraṅga bihangā॥ sāsu sasura sama munitiya munibara। asanu amia sama kanda mūla phara॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The leaf-hut is dear when the beloved Lord is there. Deer and birds seem like dear relatives. The women of the sages seem like mothers-in-law, the great sages like fathers-in-law, and roots, bulbs, and fruits taste like nectar to her.
नाथ साथ साँथरी सुहाई। मयन सयन सय सम सुखदाई॥ लोकप होहिं बिलोकत जासू। तेहि कि मोहि सक बिषय बिलासू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nātha sātha sāṃtharī suhāī। mayana sayana saya sama sukhadāī॥ lokapa hohiṃ bilokata jāsū। tehi ki mohi saka biṣaya bilāsū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
A pleasant bed of grass and leaves beside the Lord is as सुखदायी as hundreds of beds of Cupid. Those whose mere glance can elevate beings to the rank of guardians of the world—how could sensual pleasures ever enchant them?
सुमिरत रामहि तजहिं जन तृन सम बिषय बिलासु। रामप्रिया जग जननि सिय कछु न आचरजु तासु॥ १४० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sumirata rāmahi tajahiṃ jana tṛna sama biṣaya bilāsu। rāmapiyā jaga janani siya kachu na ācaraju tāsu॥ 140 ॥
Meaning:
By remembering Rama, devotees abandon all sensual enjoyments as if they were straw. For Rama’s beloved, the mother of the world, Sita, this is no wonder at all.
सीय लखन जेहि बिधि सुखु लहहीं। सोइ रघुनाथ करहिं सोइ कहहीं॥ कहहिं पुरातन कथा कहानी। सुनहिं लखनु सिय अति सुखु मानी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sīya lakhana jehi bidhi sukhu lahahīṃ। soi raghunātha karahiṃ soi kahahīṃ॥ kahahiṃ purātana kathā kahānī। sunahiṃ lakhanu siya ati sukhu mānī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Whatever brings happiness to Sita and Lakshmana, Raghunath does and says exactly that. He tells ancient stories and tales, and Lakshmana and Sita listen with great joy.
जब जब रामु अवध सुधि करहीं। तब तब बारि बिलोचन भरहीं॥ सुमिरि मातु पितु परिजन भाई। भरत सनेहु सीलु सेवकाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaba jaba rāmu avadha sudhi karahīṃ। taba taba bāri bilocana bharahīṃ॥ sumiri mātu pitu parijana bhāī। bharata sanehu sīlu sevakāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Whenever Rama remembers Ayodhya, his eyes fill with tears. Remembering his mother and father, relatives and brothers, and Bharata’s love, nobility, and service—
कृपासिंधु प्रभु होहिं दुखारी। धीरजु धरहिं कुसमउ बिचारी॥ लखि सिय लखनु बिकल होइ जाहीं। जिमि पुरुषहि अनुसर परिछाहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kṛpāsiṃdhu prabhu hohiṃ dukhārī। dhīraju dharahiṃ kusamau bicārī॥ lakhi siya lakhanu bikal hoi jāhīṃ। jimi puruṣahi anusara parichāhīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The Lord, ocean of compassion, becomes sorrowful, but then, understanding the unfavorable time, He regains His composure. Seeing Rama grieved, Sita and Lakshmana too become distressed, just as a shadow follows the movements of a person.
प्रिया बंधु गति लखि रघुनंदनु। धीर कृपाल भगत उर चंदनु॥ लगे कहन कछु कथा पुनीता। सुनि सुखु लहहिं लखनु अरु सीता॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
priyā bandhu gati lakhi raghunandanu। dhīra kṛpāla bhagata ura candanu॥ lage kahana kachu kathā punītā। suni sukhu lahahiṃ lakhanu aru sītā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Then Raghunandan, who is patient, compassionate, and like sandalwood to the hearts of devotees, seeing the condition of His dear wife and brother Lakshmana, begins to speak some sacred stories, hearing which Lakshmana and Sita find joy.
रामु लखन सीता सहित सोहत परन निकेत। जिमि बासव बस अमरपुर सची जयंत समेत॥ १४१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmu lakhana sītā sahita sohata parana niketa। jimi bāsava basa amarapura sacī jayaṃta sameta॥ 141 ॥
Meaning:
Rama, with Lakshmana and Sita, shines in the leaf-hut just as Indra dwells in Amaravati with his wife Sachi and son Jayanta.
जोगवहिं प्रभु सिय लखनहि कैसें। पलक बिलोचन गोलक जैसें॥ सेवहिं लखनु सीय रघुबीरहि। जिमि अबिबेकी पुरुष सरीरहि॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jogavahiṃ prabhu siya lakhanahi kaiseṃ। palaka bilocana golaka jaiseṃ॥ sevahiṃ lakhanu sīya raghubīrahi। jimi abibekī puruṣa sarīrahi॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Just as the eyelids guard the eyeballs, the Lord carefully protects Sita and Lakshmana. And Lakshmana serves Sita and Raghubir just as an unwise person tends to his own body.
एहि बिधि प्रभु बन बसहिं सुखारी। खग मृग सुर तापस हितकारी॥ कहेउँ राम बन गवनु सुहावा। सुनहु सुमंत्र अवध जिमि आवा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi bidhi prabhu bana basahiṃ sukhārī। khaga mṛga sura tāpasa hitakārī॥ kaheuṃ rāma bana gavanu suhāvā। sunahu sumantra avadha jimi āvā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The Lord, who is the benefactor of birds, deer, gods, and ascetics, dwells in the forest in this happy way. Tulsidas says: I have told of Rama’s graceful departure to the forest. Now listen to how Sumantra returned to Ayodhya.
फिरेउ निषादु प्रभुहि पहुँचाई। सचिव सहित रथ देखेसि आई॥ मंत्री बिकल बिलोकि निषादू। कहि न जाइ जस भयउ बिषादू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
phireu niṣādu prabhuhi pahuṃcāī। saciva sahita ratha dekhesi āī॥ maṃtrī bikal biloki niṣādū। kahi na jāi jasa bhayau biṣādū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
After escorting the Lord to His destination, when Nishadraj returned, he came and saw the chariot with the minister Sumantra in it. Seeing the minister distressed, the sorrow Nishad felt cannot be described.
राम राम सिय लखन पुकारी। परेउ धरनितल ब्याकुल भारी॥ देखि दखिन दिसि हय हिहिनाहीं। जनु बिनु पंख बिहग अकुलाहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma rāma siya lakhana pukārī। pareu dharanitala byākula bhārī॥ dekhi dakhina disi haya hihināhīṃ। janu bina pankha bihaga akulāhīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
[Seeing Nishad return alone], Sumantra cried, “Rama! Rama! Sita! Lakshmana!” and, overwhelmed with grief, fell to the ground. The horses keep neighing toward the south, where Rama has gone, as if they were birds distraught without wings.
नहिं तृन चरहिं न पिअहिं जलु मोचहिं लोचन बारि। ब्याकुल भए निषाद सब रघुबर बाजि निहारि॥ १४२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nahiṃ tṛna carahiṃ na piahim̐ jalu mocahiṃ locana bāri। byākula bhae niṣāda saba raghubara bāji nihāri॥ 142 ॥
Meaning:
They neither graze on grass nor drink water. They only shed tears from their eyes. Seeing Rama’s horses in this state, all the Nishads were overcome with distress.