Janaka Arrives and All Meet in Chitrakoot
King Janaka arrives at Chitrakoot, meets the forest communities, and joins a heartfelt gathering of all. Sages, royal families, and forest dwellers come together in shared sorrow, reverence, and spiritual understanding.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 42 / 49
Episode Text
दूतन्ह आइ भरत कइ करनी। जनक समाज जथामति बरनी॥ सुनि गुर परिजन सचिव महीपति। भे सब सोच सनेहँ बिकल अति॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dūtanha āi bharata kai karanī। janaka samāja jathāmati baranī॥ suni gura parijana saciva mahīpati। bhe saba soca sanehaṃ bikala ati॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The envoys came and, in King Janaka’s assembly, described Bharata’s conduct according to their own understanding. Hearing this, the guru, relatives, ministers, and the king all became अत्यन्त disturbed with चिंता and affection.
धरि धीरजु करि भरत बड़ाई। लिए सुभट साहनी बोलाई॥ घर पुर देस राखि रखवारे। हय गय रथ बहु जान सँवारे॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhari dhīraju kari bharata baṛāī। l ie subhaṭa sāhanī bolāī॥ ghara pura desa rāakhi rakhavāre। haya gaya ratha bahu jāna saṃvāre॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then Janaka, gathering courage and praising Bharata, summoned brave warriors and attendants. He stationed guards in the house, city, and country, and arranged many horses, elephants, chariots, and other conveyances.
दुघरी साधि चले ततकाला। किए बिश्रामु न मग महिपाला॥ भोरहिं आजु नहाइ प्रयागा। चले जमुन उतरन सबु लागा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dugharī sādhi chale tatakālā। kie bishrāmu na maga mahipālā॥ bhorahiṃ āju nahāi prayāgā। chale jamuna utarana sabu lāgā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
They set out at the auspicious two-ghari moment and departed at once. The king did not rest anywhere on the road. This morning, after bathing at Prayaga, they set out. Then everyone began to cross the Yamuna.
खबरि लेन हम पठए नाथा। तिन्ह कहि अस महि नायउ माथा॥ साथ किरात छ सातक दीन्हे। मुनिबर तुरत बिदा चर कीन्हे॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
khabari lena hama paṭhae nāthā। tinha kahi asa mahi nāyau māthā॥ sātha kirāta cha sātaka dīhne। munibara turata bidā cara kīnhē॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Then, O Lord, he sent us to gather news. Saying this, they bowed their heads to the ground. The great sage at once gave them six or seven Kiratas as companions and quickly sent the messengers off.
सुनत जनक आगवनु सबु हरषेउ अवध समाजु। रघुनंदनहि सकोचु बड़ सोच बिबस सुरराजु॥ २७२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunata janaka āgavanu sabu harṣeu avadha samāja। raghunandaṇahi sakochu baṛa soca bibasa surarāja॥ 272 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing that Janaka was arriving, the entire assembly of Ayodhya rejoiced. Raghunandan felt great modesty, and King Indra too was especially overcome with anxious thoughts.
गरइ गलानि कुटिल कैकेई। काहि कहै केहि दूषनु देई॥ अस मन आनि मुदित नर नारी। भयउ बहोरि रहब दिन चारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
garai galāni kuṭila kaikeī। kāhi kahai kehi dūṣanu deī॥ asa mana āni mudita nara nārī। bhayau bahori rahaba dina cārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The crooked Kaikeyi is consumed inwardly by remorse. Whom can she tell, and whom can she blame? The men and women, thinking thus in their hearts, were pleased that [because of Janaka’s arrival] they would get to stay four more days.
एहि प्रकार गत बासर सोऊ। प्रात नहान लाग सबु कोऊ॥ करि मज्जनु पूजहिं नर नारी। गनप गौरि तिपुरारि तमारी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi prakāra gata bāsara soū। prāta nahāna lāga sabu koū॥ kari majjanu pūjahiṃ nara nārī। ganapa gauri tipurāri tamārī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Thus that day also passed. In the morning everyone began bathing. After the bath, men and women worship Ganesh, Gauri, Tripurari, and the Sun God.
रमा रमन पद बंदि बहोरी। बिनवहिं अंजुलि अंचल जोरी॥ राजा रामु जानकी रानी। आनँद अवधि अवध रजधानी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ramā ramana pada bandi bahorī। binavahiṃ añjali añcala jorī॥ rājā rāmu jānakī rānī। ānanda avadhi avadha rājadhānī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Then, bowing at the feet of Lord Vishnu, the consort of Lakshmi, and joining their palms with their garments held together, they pray: may Rama be king, may Janaki be queen, and may Ayodhya’s capital be the limit of joy...
सुबस बसउ फिरि सहित समाजा। भरतहि रामु करहुँ जुबराजा॥ एहि सुख सुधाँ सींचि सब काहू। देव देहु जग जीवन लाहू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
subasa basau phiri sahita samājā। bharatahi rāmu karahuṃ jubarājā॥ ehi sukha sudhāṃ sīṃci saba kāhū। deva dehu jaga jīvana lāhū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Then let them dwell happily together with the whole assembly, and may Rama make Bharata the crown prince. O Lord, watering all with this nectar of bliss, grant everyone the blessing of living in this world.
गुर समाज भाइन्ह सहित राम राजु पुर होउ। अछत राम राजा अवध मरिअ माग सबु कोउ॥ २७३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gura samāja bhāinha sahita rāma rāju pura hou। achata rāma rājā avadha mari'a māga sabu koū॥ 273 ॥
Meaning:
May Rama’s rule prevail in Ayodhya, together with the guru, the assembly, and the brothers. May we all die in Ayodhya while Rama is still king. Everyone asks for just this.
सुनि सनेहमय पुरजन बानी। निंदहिं जोग बिरति मुनि ग्यानी॥ एहि बिधि नित्यकरम करि पुरजन। रामहि करहिं प्रनाम पुलकि तन॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni sanehamaya purajana bānī। nindahiṃ joga birati muni gyānī॥ ehi bidhi nityakarma kari purajana। rāmahi karahiṃ pranāma pulaki tana॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the loving speech of the people of the city, even the wise sages find themselves praising devotion more than yoga and renunciation. In this way, after performing their daily duties, the townspeople bow to Rama with bodies thrilled in devotion.
ऊँच नीच मध्यम नर नारी। लहहिं दरसु निज निज अनुहारी॥ सावधान सबही सनमानहिं। सकल सराहत कृपानिधानहिं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ūnca nīca madhyama nara nārī। lahahiṃ darasu nija nija anuhārī॥ sāvdhāna sabahī sanamānahiṃ। sakala sarāhata kṛpānidhānahiṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Men and women of all ranks—high, low, and middle—receive Rama’s darshan according to their own capacity and disposition. Rama treats everyone respectfully and with care, and all praise the gracious Lord.
लरिकाइहि तें रघुबर बानी। पालत नीति प्रीति पहिचानी॥ सील सकोच सिंधु रघुराऊ। सुमुख सुलोचन सरल सुभाऊ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
larikāihi teṃ raghubara bānī। pālata nīti prīti pahicānī॥ sīla sakocha sindhu raghurāū। sumukha sulocana sarala subhāū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
From childhood, Rama has had this nature: he recognizes love and follows righteousness. Lord Raghunath is an ocean of gentleness and modesty. He is of beautiful countenance, lovely-eyed, and simple in nature.
कहत राम गुन गन अनुरागे। सब निज भाग सराहन लागे॥ हम सम पुन्य पुंज जग थोरे। जिन्हहि रामु जानत करि मोरे॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahata rāma guna gana anurāge। saba nija bhāga sarāhana lāge॥ hama sama punya puñja jaga thore। jinhahi rāmu jānata kari more॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
As they spoke again and again of Rama’s countless virtues, everyone became filled with love and began praising their own fortune: how few in the world possess such a store of merit as we do, for whom Rama knows as his own.
प्रेम मगन तेहि समय सब सुनि आवत मिथिलेसु। सहित सभा संभ्रम उठेउ रबिकुल कमल दिनेसु॥ २७४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prema magana tehi samaya saba suni āvata mithilesu। sahita sabhā saṃbhrama uṭheu ravikula kamala dinesu॥ 274 ॥
Meaning:
At that moment everyone was absorbed in love. Then, hearing that the Lord of Mithila, Janaka, was approaching, Rama—the sun of the lotus of the solar race—rose quickly and respectfully with the entire assembly.
भाइ सचिव गुर पुरजन साथा। आगें गवनु कीन्ह रघुनाथा॥ गिरिबरु दीख जनकपति जबहीं। करि प्रनामु रथ त्यागेउ तबहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhāi saciva gura purajana sāthā। āgeṃ gavanu kīhna raghunāthā॥ giribaru dīkha janakapati jabahīṃ। kari pranāmu ratha tyāgeu tabahīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Taking along his brothers, ministers, guru, and the people of the city, Lord Raghunath moved ahead. As soon as King Janaka saw the great mountain, he bowed and at once left his chariot.
राम दरस लालसा उछाहू। पथ श्रम लेसु कलेसु न काहू॥ मन तहँ जहँ रघुबर बैदेही। बिनु मन तन दुख सुख सुधि केही॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma darasa lālasā uchāhū। patha śrama lesu kaleṣu na kāhū॥ mana tahaṃ jahaṃ raghubara baidehī। binu mana tana dukha sukha sudhi kehī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Because of their longing and eagerness to see Rama, no one feels the fatigue or hardship of the road. The heart is where Raghubar and Vaidehi are. Without the mind, who can even know the body’s joy or sorrow?
आवत जनकु चले एहि भाँती। सहित समाज प्रेम मति माती॥ आए निकट देखि अनुरागे। सादर मिलन परसपर लागे॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āvata janaku chale ehi bhāṃtī। sahita samāja prema mati mātī॥ āe nikaṭa dekhi anurāge। sādara milana paraspara lāge॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Janaka came forward in this manner, his mind intoxicated with love along with the whole assembly. Seeing one another up close, they were all filled with affection and began respectfully greeting each other.
लगे जनक मुनिजन पद बंदन। रिषिन्ह प्रनामु कीन्ह रघुनंदन॥ भाइन्ह सहित रामु मिलि राजहि। चले लवाइ समेत समाजहि॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lage janaka munijana pada bandana। riṣinha pranāmu kīhna raghunandana॥ bhāinha sahita rāmu mili rājahi। cale lavāi sameta samājahi॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Janaka began to worship the feet of the sages, and Raghunandan Rama bowed to the seers. Then Rama, together with his brothers, met King Janaka and led him away along with the assembly.
आश्रम सागर सांत रस पूरन पावन पाथु। सेन मनहुँ करुना सरित लिएँ जाहिं रघुनाथु॥ २७५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āśrama sāgara sānta rasa pūrana pāvana pāthu। sena manahuṃ karuṇā sarita lieṃ jāhiṃ raghunāthu॥ 275 ॥
Meaning:
Rama’s hermitage is like a pure ocean filled with the rasa of peace. Janaka’s army and retinue are like a river of compassion, which Lord Raghunath is leading there to merge into that ocean of serenity.
बोरति ग्यान बिराग करारे। बचन ससोक मिलत नद नारे॥ सोच उसास समीर तंरगा। धीरज तट तरुबर कर भंगा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
borati gyāna birāga karāre। bacana sasoka milata nadi nāre॥ socha usāsa samīra taraṅgā। dhīraja taṭa tarubara kara bhaṅgā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
This river of compassion has swelled so much that it submerges the banks of knowledge and dispassion. Words filled with sorrow are like streams and rivulets flowing into it; and sighs of grief are the waves stirred by gusts of wind, breaking the noble trees on the banks of patience.
बिषम बिषाद तोरावति धारा। भय भ्रम भवँर अबर्त अपारा॥ केवट बुध बिद्या बड़ि नावा। सकहिं न खेइ ऐक नहिं आवा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
biṣama biṣāda torāvati dhārā। bhaya bhrama bhavaṃra abarta apārā॥ kevaṭa budha bidyā baṛi nāvā। sakaḥi na khei aika nahiṃ āvā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Terrible despair is the river’s swift current. Fear and delusion are its countless whirlpools and eddies. The learned are the boatmen, and knowledge is the great boat; yet they cannot row it, nor can anyone make sense of it.
बनचर कोल किरात बिचारे। थके बिलोकि पथिक हियँ हारे॥ आश्रम उदधि मिली जब जाई। मनहुँ उठेउ अंबुधि अकुलाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
banacara kola kirāta bicāre। thake biloki pathika hiyaṃ hāre॥ āśrama udadhi milī jaba jāī। manahuṃ uṭheu aṃbudhi akāulāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The poor forest-dwellers, the Kol and Kirat, are the travelers who, upon seeing it, grow weary and lose heart. When this river of compassion met the ocean of the hermitage, it seemed as if the ocean itself surged up in agitation.
सोक बिकल दोउ राज समाजा। रहा न ग्यानु न धीरजु लाजा॥ भूप रूप गुन सील सराही। रोवहिं सोक सिंधु अवगाही॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soka bikala dou rāja samājā। rahā na gyānu na dhīraju lājā॥ bhūpa rūpa guna sīla sarāhī। rovahiṃ soka sindhu avagāhī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Both royal assemblies were overwhelmed with grief. No one retained knowledge, patience, or even shame. Praising King Dasharatha’s beauty, virtues, and gentle conduct, all were weeping and plunging into the ocean of sorrow.
अवगाहि सोक समुद्र सोचहिं नारि नर ब्याकुल महा। दै दोष सकल सरोष बोलहिं बाम बिधि कीन्हो कहा॥ सुर सिद्ध तापस जोगिजन मुनि देखि दसा बिदेह की। तुलसी न समरथु कोउ जो तरि सकै सरित सनेह की॥
Transliteration (IAST)
avagāhi soka samudra socahiṃ nāri nara byākula mahā। dai doṣa sakala saroṣa bolahiṃ bāma bidhi kīnho kahā॥ sura siddha tāpasa jogijana muni dekhi dasā bideha kī। tulasī na samarthu kou jo tari sakai sarita saneha kī॥
Meaning:
Plunging into the ocean of sorrow, all men and women were greatly distressed and lost in grief. Blaming fate, they angrily said, “What has this adverse destiny done?” Tulsidas says that even gods, perfected beings, ascetics, yogis, and sages were not capable of crossing the river of love upon seeing the state of Videha (King Janaka).
किए अमित उपदेस जहँ तहँ लोगन्ह मुनिबरन्ह। धीरजु धरिअ नरेस कहेउ बसिष्ठ बिदेह सन॥ २७६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kie amita upadesa jahaṃ tahaṃ loganha munibaranha। dhīraju dharia naresa kaheu basiṣṭha bideha sana॥ 276 ॥
Meaning:
The best of sages gave countless teachings everywhere, and Vasistha said to Videha (King Janaka), “O King, please hold fast to patience.”
जासु ग्यानु रबि भव निसि नासा। बचन किरन मुनि कमल बिकासा॥ तेहि कि मोह ममता निअराई। यह सिय राम सनेह बड़ाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāsu gyānu rabi bhava nisi nāsā। bacana kirana muni kamala bikāsā॥ tehi ki moha mamatā niarāī। yaha siya rāma saneha baṛāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
For whom the sun of knowledge destroys the night of worldly existence, and whose words, like rays of light, cause the lotus-like sages to blossom—can delusion or attachment even come near such a one? This is the greatness of the love of Sita and Rama! [That is, King Janaka’s state arose from the divine love of Sita and Rama, not from worldly attachment. Even those who have risen beyond worldly attachment are not left untouched by the power of Sita and Rama’s love.]
बिषई साधक सिद्ध सयाने। त्रिबिध जीव जग बेद बखाने॥ राम सनेह सरस मन जासू। साधु सभाँ बड़ आदर तासू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
biṣaī sādhaka siddha sayāne। tribidha jīva jaga beda bakhāne॥ rāma saneha sarasa mana jāsū। sādhu sabhāṃ baḍa ādara tāsū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The Vedas describe three kinds of beings in the world: the sensual, the spiritual aspirant, and the accomplished sage. Among these, the one whose mind is made tender and full by love for Rama is greatly honored in the company of saints.
सोह न राम पेम बिनु ग्यानू। करनधार बिनु जिमि जलजानू॥ मुनि बहुबिधि बिदेहु समुझाए। राम घाट सब लोग नहाए॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soha na rāma pema binu gyānū। karanadhāra binu jimi jalajānū॥ muni bahubidhi bidehu samujhāe। rāma ghāṭa saba loga nahāe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Knowledge without love for Rama is not beautiful, just as a boat without a helmsman is useless. The sage instructed King Videha (Janaka) in many ways. Thereafter, all the people bathed at Rama’s ghat.
सकल सोक संकुल नर नारी। सो बासरु बीतेउ बिनु बारी॥ पसु खग मृगन्ह न कीन्ह अहारू। प्रिय परिजन कर कौन बिचारू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sakala soka saṅkula nara nārī। so bāsaru bīteu binu bārī॥ pasu khaga mṛganha na kīnha ahārū। priya parijana kara kauna bicārū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Men and women alike were filled with sorrow. The day passed without even water, let alone food. Even animals, birds, and deer took no food. What then can be said of the dear ones and family members?
दोउ समाज निमिराजु रघुराजु नहाने प्रात। बैठे सब बट बिटप तर मन मलीन कृस गात॥ २७७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dou samāja nimirāju raghurāju nahāne prāta। baiṭhe saba baṭa biṭapa tara mana malīna kṛsa gāta॥ 277 ॥
Meaning:
King Nimi and King Raghu’s people bathed in the morning, and then all sat down beneath the great banyan trees. Their minds were sad and their bodies thin and weary.
जे महिसुर दसरथ पुर बासी। जे मिथिलापति नगर निवासी॥ हंस बंस गुर जनक पुरोधा। जिन्ह जग मगु परमारथु सोधा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
je mahisura dasaratha pura bāsī। je mithilāpati nagara nivāsī॥ haṃsa baṃsa guru janaka purodhā। jinha jaga magu paramārathu sodhā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
There were the Brahmins residing in Dasharatha’s city, Ayodhya, and those living in the city of Mithila under King Janaka. There were also Vasistha, the guru of the Hansa line, and Shatananda, Janaka’s family priest, who had thoroughly examined the path of worldly welfare and the path of the supreme spiritual good.
लगे कहन उपदेस अनेका। सहित धरम नय बिरति बिबेका॥ कौसिक कहि कहि कथा पुरानीं। समुझाई सब सभा सुबानीं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lage kahana upadesa anekā। sahita dharama naya birati bibekā॥ kausika kahi kahi kathā purānīṃ। samujhāī saba sabhā subānīṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
They began to give many teachings, full of dharma, policy, renunciation, and discrimination. Visvamitra explained the whole assembly beautifully by narrating old stories again and again.
तब रघुनाथ कौसिकहि कहेऊ। नाथ कालि जल बिनु सबु रहेऊ॥ मुनि कह उचित कहत रघुराई। गयउ बीति दिन पहर अढ़ाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
taba raghunātha kausikahi kaheū। nātha kāli jala binu sabu raheu॥ muni kaha ucita kahata raghurāī। gayau bīti dina pahara aṛhāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Then Rama said to Visvamitra, “O Master, yesterday everyone remained without drinking water.” The sage replied that Rama was speaking rightly; two and a half watches of the day had already passed.
रिषि रुख लखि कह तेरहुतिराजू। इहाँ उचित नहिं असन अनाजू॥ कहा भूप भल सबहि सोहाना। पाइ रजायसु चले नहाना॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
riṣi rukha lakhi kaha terahutirājū। ihāṃ ucita nahiṃ asana anājū॥ kahā bhūpa bhala sabahi sohānā। pāi rajāyasu cale nahānā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing Visvamitra’s mood, King Janaka of Tirhut said, “It is not proper to eat grain here.” The king’s gracious words pleased everyone. Receiving permission, all went to bathe.
तेहि अवसर फल फूल दल मूल अनेक प्रकार। लइ आए बनचर बिपुल भरि भरि काँवरि भार॥ २७८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehi avasara phala phūla dala mūla aneka prakāra। lai āe banacara bipula bhari bhari kāṃvari bhāra॥ 278 ॥
Meaning:
At that time, the forest-dwellers brought many kinds of fruits, flowers, leaves, roots, and other forest produce, carrying them in loads and baskets full to the brim.
कामद भे गिरि राम प्रसादा। अवलोकत अपहरत बिषादा॥ सर सरिता बन भूमि बिभागा। जनु उमगत आनँद अनुरागा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kāmada bhe giri rāma prasādā। avalokata apaharata biṣādā॥ sara saritā bana bhūmi bibhāgā। janu umagata ānaṃda anurāgā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
By Rama’s grace, the mountains seemed to become wish-fulfilling. Merely looking upon them dispelled sorrow altogether. In the lakes, rivers, forests, and all parts of the land, joy and love seemed to be overflowing.
बेलि बिटप सब सफल सफूला। बोलत खग मृग अलि अनुकूला॥ तेहि अवसर बन अधिक उछाहू। त्रिबिध समीर सुखद सब काहू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
beli biṭapa saba saphala saphūlā। bolata khaga mṛga ali anukūlā॥ tehi avasara bana adhika uchāhū। tribidha samīra sukhada saba kāhū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The vines and trees became laden with fruit and flowers. Birds, beasts, and bees seemed to sing in harmony. At that time the forest was full of great delight, and a cool, gentle, fragrant breeze that gave happiness to all was blowing.
जाइ न बरनि मनोहरताई। जनु महि करति जनक पहुनाई॥ तब सब लोग नहाइ नहाई। राम जनक मुनि आयसु पाई॥ देखि देखि तरुबर अनुरागे। जहँ तहँ पुरजन उतरन लागे॥ दल फल मूल कंद बिधि नाना। पावन सुंदर सुधा समाना॥ ३-४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāi na barani manoharatāī। janu mahi karati janaka pahunāī॥ taba saba loga nahāi nahāī। rāma janaka muni āyasu pāī॥ dekhi dekhi tarubara anurāge। jahaṃ tahaṃ purajana utarana lāge॥ dala phala mūla kanda bidhi nānā। pāvana sundara sudhā samānā॥ 3-4 ॥
Meaning:
The beauty of the forest cannot be described; it was as if the earth itself were hosting Janaka as a guest. Then all the people of Janakpur bathed, and, after receiving the permission of Rama, Janaka, and the sage, they began to alight here and there, looking again and again at the beautiful trees in loving delight. The leaves, fruits, roots, and tubers of many kinds were pure, beautiful, and like nectar—
सादर सब कहँ रामगुर पठए भरि भरि भार। पूजि पितर सुर अतिथि गुर लगे करन फरहार॥ २७९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sādara saba kahaṃ rāmagura paṭhaye bhari bhari bhāra। pūji pitara sura atithi guru lage karana farahāra॥ 279 ॥
Meaning:
Rama’s guru, Vasistha, sent the loads to everyone respectfully, full to the brim. Then they worshiped the ancestors, gods, guests, and guru, and began to take fruit as their meal.
एहि बिधि बासर बीते चारी। रामु निरखि नर नारि सुखारी॥ दुहु समाज असि रुचि मन माहीं। बिनु सिय राम फिरब भल नाहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi bidhi bāsara bīte cārī। rāmu nirakhi nara nāri sukhārī॥ duhu samāja asi ruci mana māhīṃ। binu siya rāma phiraba bhala nāhīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
In this way four days passed. Men and women were delighted simply by seeing Rama. In both assemblies there arose such a feeling that it would not be good to return without Sita and Rama.
सीता राम संग बनबासू। कोटि अमरपुर सरिस सुपासू॥ परिहरि लखन रामु बैदेही। जेहि घरु भाव बाम बिधि तेही॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sītā rāma saṅga banabāsū। koṭi amarapura sarisa supāsū॥ parihari lakhana rāmu baidehī। jehi ghara bhāva bāma bidhi tehī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Living in the forest with Sita and Rama is as delightful as millions of celestial abodes. If anyone prefers home after leaving Lakshmana, Rama, and Videha’s daughter, then fate has turned against him.
दाहिन दइउ होइ जब सबही। राम समीप बसिअ बन तबही॥ मंदाकिनि मज्जनु तिहु काला। राम दरसु मुद मंगल माला॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dāhina dai'u hoi jaba sabahī। rāma samīpa basia bana tabahī॥ mandākini majjanu tihu kālā। rāma darasu muda maṅgala mālā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Only when destiny is favorable to all can one dwell in the forest near Rama. Bathing in the Mandakini at all three times, and the sight of Rama, a garland of joy and auspiciousness—
अटनु राम गिरि बन तापस थल। असनु अमिअ सम कंद मूल फल॥ सुख समेत संबत दुइ साता। पल सम होहिं न जनिअहिं जाता॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aṭanu rāma giri bana tāpasa thala। asanu amia sama kanda mūla phala॥ sukha sameta saṃbata dui sātā। pala sama hohiṃ na janiahiṃ jātā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
To wander through Rama’s mountains, forests, and hermitages, and to eat roots, tubers, and fruits like nectar—those fourteen years will pass in happiness as if they were moments, and one will not even feel them go by.
एहि सुख जोग न लोग सब कहहिं कहाँ अस भागु। सहज सुभायँ समाज दुहु राम चरन अनुरागु॥ २८० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi sukha joga na loga saba kahahiṃ kahāṃ asa bhāgu। sahaja subhāyaṃ samāja duhu rāma carana anurāgu॥ 280 ॥
Meaning:
All were saying, “We are not worthy of such happiness; where is such fortune for us?” In both assemblies, love for Rama’s feet had arisen naturally and of itself.