Saluting the Yamuna and the Love of the Forest Folk
Rama bows to the Yamuna and continues onward. Along the way, forest dwellers and villagers rejoice in his darshan and count their lives blessed.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 20 / 49
Episode Text
पुनि सियँ राम लखन कर जोरी। जमुनहि कीन्ह प्रनामु बहोरी॥ चले ससीय मुदित दोउ भाई। रबितनुजा कइ करत बड़ाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Puni siyāṃ Rāma Lakhana kara jorī। Jamunahi kīhna pranāmu bahorī॥ Cale sasīya mudita dou bhāī। Rabitanujā kai karata baṛāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Then Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana folded their hands and bowed again to the Yamuna. Praising the daughter of the Sun, the two brothers set out cheerfully with Sita.
पथिक अनेक मिलहिं मग जाता। कहहिं सप्रेम देखि दोउ भ्राता॥ राज लखन सब अंग तुम्हारें। देखि सोचु अति हृदय हमारें॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Pathika aneka milahiṃ maga jātā। Kahahiṃ saprema dekhi dou bhrātā॥ Rāja Lakhana saba aṅga tumhāreṃ। Dekhi socu ati hṛdaya hamāreṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
As they travel along the road, many travelers meet them. Seeing the two brothers, they lovingly say, 'Royal marks are visible on all your limbs, and that makes our hearts wonder greatly.'
मारग चलहु पयादेहि पाएँ। ज्योतिषु झूठ हमारें भाएँ॥ अगमु पंथु गिरि कानन भारी। तेहि महँ साथ नारि सुकुमारी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Māraga calahu payādehi pāẽ। Jyotiṣu jhūṭha hamāreṃ bhāẽ॥ Agamu panthu giri kānana bhārī। Tehi mahaṃ sātha nāri sukumārī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
[And yet, with such royal signs, you are walking on foot, so it seems to us that astrology is false. The road is difficult, through heavy forests and great mountains, and with you is a delicate lady.
करि केहरि बन जाइ न जोई। हम सँग चलहिं जो आयसु होई॥ जाब जहाँ लगि तहँ पहुँचाई। फिरब बहोरि तुम्हहि सिरु नाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Kari kehari bana jāi na joi। Hama saṅga calahiṃ jo āyasu hoī॥ Jāba jahāṃ lagi tahaṃ pahucāī। Firaba bahori tumhahi siru nāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
This terrible forest, full of elephants and lions, is not even fit to be looked at. If you command us, we shall go with you. We will escort you wherever you go, and then return after bowing to you.
एहि बिधि पूँछहिं प्रेम बस पुलक गात जलु नैन। कृपासिंधु फेरहिं तिन्हहि कहि बिनीत मृदु बैन॥ ११२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Ehi bidhi pūṃchahiṃ prema basa pulaka gāta jalu naina। Kṛpāsindhu pherahiṃ tinhahi kahi binīta mṛdu baina॥ 112 ॥
Meaning:
In this way the travelers, overcome by love, ask with bodies thrilled and eyes filled with tears. But the ocean of mercy, Shri Ramachandra, sends them back with soft and humble words.
जे पुर गाँव बसहिं मग माहीं। तिन्हहि नाग सुर नगर सिहाहीं॥ केहि सुकृतीं केहि घरीं बसाए। धन्य पुन्यमय परम सुहाए॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Je pura gāṃva basahiṃ maga māhīṃ। Tinhahi nāga sura nagara sihāhīṃ॥ Kehi sukṛtīṃ kehi gharīṃ basāe। Dhanya puṇyamaya parama suhāe॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The towns and villages lying along the road are envied by the cities of the nagas and gods. They ask in admiration, 'By what fortunate soul and in what auspicious hour were these settled, that they have become so blessed, meritorious, and supremely beautiful?'
जहँ जहँ राम चरन चलि जाहीं। तिन्ह समान अमरावति नाहीं॥ पुन्यपुंज मग निकट निवासी। तिन्हहि सराहहिं सुरपुरबासी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Jahaṃ jahaṃ Rāma carana cali jāhīṃ। Tinha samāna amarāvati nāhīṃ॥ Punyapuñja maga nikaṭa nivāsī। Tinhahi sarāhahiṃ surapurabāsī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Wherever the feet of Shri Ramachandra pass, even Amaravati is not equal to it. Those who live near the road are also great souls of merit; even the gods who dwell in heaven praise them.
जे भरि नयन बिलोकहिं रामहि। सीता लखन सहित घनस्यामहि॥ जे सर सरित राम अवगाहहिं। तिन्हहि देव सर सरित सराहहिं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Je bhari nayana bilokahiṃ Rāmahi। Sītā Lakhana sahita ghanasyāmahiṃ॥ Je sara sarita Rāma avagāhahiṃ। Tinhahi deva sara sarita sarāhahiṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Those who behold the dark-hued Rama, together with Sita and Lakshmana, with eyes full of devotion, and those ponds and rivers in which Rama bathes, are praised by the celestial lakes and rivers themselves.
जेहि तरु तर प्रभु बैठहिं जाई। करहिं कलपतरु तासु बड़ाई॥ परसि राम पद पदुम परागा। मानति भूमि भूरि निज भागा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Jehi taru tara prabhu baiṭhahiṃ jāī। Karahiṃ kalapataru tāsu baṛāī॥ Parasi Rāma pada paduma parāgā। Mānati bhūmi bhūri nija bhāgā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The tree beneath which the Lord sits is praised even by the wish-fulfilling tree. By touching the dust of Rama's lotus feet, the earth counts it as her great good fortune.
छाँह करहिं घन बिबुधगन बरषहिं सुमन सिहाहिं। देखत गिरि बन बिहग मृग रामु चले मग जाहिं॥ ११३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
Chāṃha karahiṃ ghana bibudhagana baraṣahiṃ sumana sihāhīṃ। Dekhata giri bana bihaga mṛga Rāmu cale maga jāhīṃ॥ 113 ॥
Meaning:
Clouds spread their shade along the way, and the gods shower flowers, trembling with joy. Mountains, forests, birds, and beasts gaze on as Rama walks along the road.
सीता लखन सहित रघुराई। गाँव निकट जब निकसहिं जाई॥ सुनि सब बाल बृद्ध नर नारी। चलहिं तुरत गृह काजु बिसारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sītā lakhana sahita raghurāī। gāṃva nikaṭa jaba nikasahiṃ jāī॥ suni saba bāla bṛddha nara nārī। calahiṃ turata gṛha kāju bisārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
When Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, comes near a village, as soon as news of their arrival spreads, children and elders, men and women all leave their homes and chores and hurry out to see them.
राम लखन सिय रूप निहारी। पाइ नयन फलु होहिं सुखारी॥ सजल बिलोचन पुलक सरीरा। सब भए मगन देखि दोउ बीरा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma lakhana siya rūpa nihārī। pāi nayana phalu hohiṃ sukhārī॥ sajala bilocana pulaka sarīrā। saba bhae magana dekhi doū bīrā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing the forms of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, they feel blessed as if they have attained the supreme fruit of the eyes and become joyful. Seeing the two brothers, all are absorbed in bliss; their eyes fill with tears and their bodies thrill with delight.
बरनि न जाइ दसा तिन्ह केरी। लहि जनु रंकन्ह सुरमनि ढेरी॥ एकन्ह एक बोलि सिख देहीं। लोचन लाहु लेहु छन एहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
barani na jāi dasā tinha kerī। lahi janu raṃkanha suramani ḍherī॥ ekanha eka boli sikha dehīṃ। locana lāhu lehu chana ehīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Their condition cannot be described; it was as if the poor had found a heap of wish-fulfilling gems. Calling one another, they give this advice: 'Take the profit of your eyes now, this very moment.'
रामहि देखि एक अनुरागे। चितवत चले जाहिं सँग लागे॥ एक नयन मग छबि उर आनी। होहिं सिथिल तन मन बर बानी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmahi dekhi eka anurāge। citavat cale jāhiṃ saṅga lāge॥ eka nayana maga chabi ura ānī। hohiṃ sithila tana mana bara bānī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Some become so deeply enamored on seeing Rama that, while gazing at him, they keep walking along beside him. Others, bringing his beauty into their hearts through a single glance, become slack in body, mind, and speech.
एक देखि बट छाँह भलि डासि मृदुल तृन पात। कहहिं गवाँइअ छिनुकु श्रमु गवनब अबहिं कि प्रात॥ ११४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
eka dekhi baṭa chāṃha bhali ḍāsi mṛdula tṛna pāta। kahahiṃ gavāṃiā chinuku śramu gavanaba abahiṃ ki prāta॥ 114 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing a fine shade, they spread soft grass and leaves there and say, 'Rest here for a moment and relieve your fatigue. Then you may depart now or in the morning.'
एक कलस भरि आनहिं पानी। अँचइअ नाथ कहहिं मृदु बानी॥ सुनि प्रिय बचन प्रीति अति देखी। राम कृपाल सुसील बिसेषी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
eka kalasa bhari ānahiṃ pānī। aṃcaiā nātha kahahiṃ mṛdu bānī॥ suni priya bachana prīti ati dekhī। rāma kṛpāla susīla biseṣī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Some bring a pot full of water and, in soft words, say, 'O Lord, please sip this water.' Hearing their loving words and seeing their great affection, merciful and exceedingly gentle Rama—
जानी श्रमित सीय मन माहीं। घरिक बिलंबु कीन्ह बट छाहीं॥ मुदित नारि नर देखहिं सोभा। रूप अनूप नयन मनु लोभा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jānī śramita sīya mana māhīṃ। gharika bilaṃbu kīnhā baṭa chāhīṃ॥ mudita nāri nara dekhahiṃ sobhā। rūpa anūpa nayana manu lobhā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Knowing in his heart that Sita was weary, he rested for a little while in the shade of the banyan tree. Men and women, delighted, behold the beauty. Its incomparable form has captivated their eyes and minds.
एकटक सब सोहहिं चहुँ ओरा। रामचंद्र मुख चंद चकोरा॥ तरुन तमाल बरन तनु सोहा। देखत कोटि मदन मनु मोहा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ekaṭaka saba sohahiṃ cahūṃ orā। rāmacandra mukha canda cakorā॥ taruna tamāla barana tanu sohā। dekhata koṭi madana manu mohā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
All gaze fixedly in every direction, like chakors at Rama's moon-like face. His body, dark as a young tamal tree, is exceedingly beautiful; just seeing it enchants the minds of millions of Cupids.
दामिनि बरन लखन सुठि नीके। नख सिख सुभग भावते जी के॥ मुनिपट कटिन्ह कसें तूनीरा। सोहहिं कर कमलनि धनु तीरा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ḍāmini barana lakhana suṭhi nīke। nakha sikha subhaga bhāvate jī ke॥ munipaṭa kaṭinha kaseṃ tūnīrā। sohahiṃ kara kamalani dhanu tīrā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Lakshmana, with a lightning-like hue, appears most graceful. From head to toe he is beautiful and very pleasing to the heart. He wears the garments of a sage and has a quiver tightened at the waist. His lotus-like hands are adorned with bow and arrows.
जटा मुकुट सीसनि सुभग उर भुज नयन बिसाल। सरद परब बिधु बदन बर लसत स्वेद कन जाल॥ ११५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
śyāmala gaura kisora bara sundara suṣamā aina। sarada sarbarīnātha mukhu sarada saroruha naina॥ 115 ॥
Meaning:
They are dark and fair, lovely youths of surpassing beauty. Their faces are like the moon of the autumn season, and their eyes like the lotuses of autumn.
बरनि न जाइ मनोहर जोरी। सोभा बहुत थोरि मति मोरी॥ राम लखन सिय सुंदरताई। सब चितवहिं चित मन मति लाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
barani na jāi manohara jorī। sobhā bahuta thori mati morī॥ rāma lakhana siya sundaratāī। saba citavahiṃ cita mana mati lāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
That beautiful pair cannot be described, for their splendor is beyond measure and my intellect is small. All gaze upon the beauty of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita with mind, heart, and understanding fully fixed on them.
थके नारि नर प्रेम पिआसे। मनहुँ मृगी मृग देखि दिआ से॥ सीय समीप ग्रामतिय जाहीं। पूँछत अति सनेहँ सकुचाहीं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
thake nāri nara prema piāse। manahuṃ mṛgī mṛga dekhi diyā se॥ sīya samīpa grāmatiyā jāhīṃ। pūṃchata ati sanehaṃ sakucāhīṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The men and women, thirsty for love, grow spellbound, as though a doe and a deer were transfixed by a lamp. The village women go near Sita, but are shy to ask anything because of their great affection.
बार बार सब लागहिं पाएँ। कहहिं बचन मृदु सरल सुभाएँ॥ राजकुमारि बिनय हम करहीं। तिय सुभायँ कछु पूँछत डरहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bāra bāra saba lāgahiṃ pāeṃ। kahahiṃ bachana mṛdu sarala subhāeṃ॥ rājakumāri binaya hama karahīṃ। tiya subhāyaṃ kachu pūṃchata ḍarahīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Again and again all bow at her feet and speak gentle, simple words: 'O princess, we offer our humble request, but by nature women are afraid to ask.'
स्वामिनि अबिनय छमबि हमारी। बिलगु न मानब जानि गवाँरी॥ राजकुअँर दोउ सहज सलोने। इन्ह तें लही दुति मरकत सोने॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
svāmini abinaya chamabi hamārī। bilagu na mānaba jāni gavāṃrī॥ rājakuaṃra doū sahaja salone। inha teṃ lahī duti marakata sone॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O mistress, forgive our boldness and do not take offense at us for being rustic. These two princes are naturally full of grace and exceedingly beautiful. Emeralds and gold have derived their radiance from them; the green and golden glow in gems and gold is not even a fraction of their own luster.
स्यामल गौर किसोर बर सुंदर सुषमा ऐन। सरद सर्बरीनाथ मुखु सरद सरोरुह नैन॥ ११६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
śyāmala gaura kisora bara sundara suṣamā aina। sarada sarbarīnātha mukhu sarada saroruha naina॥ 116 ॥
Meaning:
They are dark and fair, lovely youths of surpassing beauty. Their faces are like the moon of the autumn season, and their eyes like the lotuses of autumn.
कोटि मनोज लजावनिहारे। सुमुखि कहहु को आहिं तुम्हारे॥ सुनि सनेहमय मंजुल बानी। सकुची सिय मन महुँ मुसुकानी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
koṭi manoja lajāvani hāre। sumukhi kahahu ko āhiṃ tumhāre॥ suni sanehamaya mañjula bānī। sakucī siya mana mahuṃ musukānī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O lovely-faced one, tell me: who are these yours that can put millions of Cupids to shame? Hearing such loving, charming words, Sita grew shy and smiled inwardly.
तिन्हहि बिलोकि बिलोकति धरनी। दुहुँ सकोच सकुचति बरबरनी॥ सकुचि सप्रेम बाल मृग नयनी। बोली मधुर बचन पिकबयनी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tinhahi biloki bilokati dharanī। duhuṃ sakocha sakucati barabaranī॥ sakuci saprema bāla mṛga nayanī। bolī madhura bachana pikabayanī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing them, the fair-hued Sita looks down toward the ground. She is shy from both sides of hesitation: reluctance to tell them, and the shame of speaking. With eyes like a fawn's and a voice like a cuckoo's, Sita shyly spoke sweet words—
सहज सुभाय सुभग तन गोरे। नामु लखनु लघु देवर मोरे॥ बहुरि बदनु बिधु अंचल ढाँकी। पिय तन चितइ भौंह करि बाँकी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sahaja subhāya subhaga tana gore। nāmu lakhanu laghu devara more॥ bahuri badanu bidhu aṃcala ḍhāṃkī। piya tana citai bhauṃha kari bāṃkī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
These, who are by nature gentle, beautiful, and fair of body, are named Lakshmana; he is my younger brother-in-law. Then Sita, covering her moon-like face with her veil and glancing toward her beloved, arched her brows—
खंजन मंजु तिरीछे नयननि। निज पति कहेउ तिन्हहि सियँ सयननि॥ भईं मुदित सब ग्रामबधूटीं। रंकन्ह राय रासि जनु लूटीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
khaṃjana mañju tirīche nayanani। nija pati kaheu tinhahi siyaṃ sayanani॥ bhaīṃ mudita saba grāmabadhūṭīṃ। raṃkanha rāya rāsi janu lūṭīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
With her beautiful eyes, slanting like those of a khanjan bird, Sita indicated to them that this is my husband. On learning this, all the village maidens became delighted, as if the poor had plundered heaps of wealth.
अति सप्रेम सिय पायँ परि बहुबिधि देहिं असीस। सदा सोहागिनि होहु तुम्ह जब लगि महि अहि सीस॥ ११७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ati saprema siya pāy̐ pari bahubidhi dehiṃ asīsa। sadā sohāgini hohu tumha jaba lagi mahi ahi sīsa॥ 117 ॥
Meaning:
With great affection they fall at Sita's feet and bless her in many ways: 'May you always remain a fortunate married woman as long as the earth rests on Shesha's head.'
पारबती सम पतिप्रिय होहू। देबि न हम पर छाड़ब छोहू॥ पुनि पुनि बिनय करिअ कर जोरी। जौं एहि मारग फिरिअ बहोरी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pārabatī sama patipriya hohū। debi na hama para chāḍaba chohū॥ puni puni binaya kariā kara jorī। jauṃ ehi mārag phiriā bahorī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
May you be like Parvati, devoted to your husband. O goddess, do not withdraw your favor from us. Again and again, with folded hands, we pray that you may return by this path.
दरसनु देब जानि निज दासी। लखीं सीयँ सब प्रेम पिआसी॥ मधुर बचन कहि कहि परितोषीं। जनु कुमुदिनीं कौमुदीं पोषीं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
darasanu deb jāni nija dāsī। lakhīṃ siy̐ saba prema piāsī॥ madhura bachana kahi kahi paritoṣīṃ। janu kumudinīṃ kaumudīṃ poṣīṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
'Please grant us your darshan, knowing us to be your maidservants.' Sita saw them all thirsting for love, and by speaking sweet words again and again she delighted them, as if moonlight had nourished the night-blooming lilies.
तबहिं लखन रघुबर रुख जानी। पूँछेउ मगु लोगन्हि मृदु बानी॥ सुनत नारि नर भए दुखारी। पुलकित गात बिलोचन बारी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tabahiṃ lakhana raghubara rukha jānī। pūṃcheu magu loganha mṛdu bānī॥ sunata nāri nara bhae dukhārī। pulakita gāta bilocana bārī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
At that time, understanding Rama's intention, Lakshmana softly asked the people for the road. Hearing this, men and women became sorrowful; their bodies thrilled and tears filled their eyes.
मिटा मोदु मन भए मलीने। बिधि निधि दीन्ह लेत जनु छीने॥ समुझि करम गति धीरजु कीन्हा। सोधि सुगम मगु तिन्ह कहि दीन्हा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
miṭā modu mana bhae malīne। bidhī nidhī dīnh leta janu chīne॥ samujhi karama gati dhīraju kīnhā। sodhi sugama magu tinha kahi dīnhā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Their joy vanished and their hearts became gloomy, as if Fate were snatching away the wealth it had given. Understanding the course of karma, they composed themselves and, after making sure, pointed out the easy road.
लखन जानकी सहित तब गवनु कीन्ह रघुनाथ। फेरे सब प्रिय बचन कहि लिए लाइ मन साथ॥ ११८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lakhana jānakī sahita taba gavanu kīnhā raghunātha। phere saba priya bachana kahi lie lāi mana sātha॥ 118 ॥
Meaning:
Then Rama departed together with Lakshmana and Janaki. After speaking sweet words to all, he sent them back, yet carried their minds away with him.
फिरत नारि नर अति पछिताहीं। दैअहि दोषु देहिं मन माहीं॥ सहित बिषाद परसपर कहहीं। बिधि करतब उलटे सब अहहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
phirata nāri nara ati pacchitāhīṃ। daiahi doṣu dehiṃ mana māhīṃ॥ sahait biṣāda paraspara kahahīṃ। vidhi karataba ulaṭe saba ahahīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Returning, the men and women repent deeply and blame fate in their hearts. In sorrow, they say to one another that all the works of Providence are inverted.
निपट निरंकुस निठुर निसंकू। जेहिं ससि कीन्ह सरुज सकलंकू॥ रूख कलपतरु सागरु खारा। तेहिं पठए बन राजकुमारा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nipata niraṅkusa niṭhura nisaṅkū। jehiṃ sasi kīnha saruja sakalaṅkū॥ rūkha kalapataru sāgaru khārā। tehiṃ paṭhae bana rājakumārā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
That Providence is utterly unchecked, cruel, and fearless: he made the moon subject to waxing and waning and blemished it; he made the wish-fulfilling tree into an ordinary tree and the ocean salty. It is he who sent these princes into the forest.
जौं पै इन्हहि दीन्ह बनबासू। कीन्ह बादि बिधि भोग बिलासू॥ ए बिचरहिं मग बिनु पदत्राना। रचे बादि बिधि बाहन नाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jauṃ pai inhahi dīnha banabāsū। kīnha bādi vidhi bhoga vilāsū॥ e bicharahiṃ maga binu padatrānā। race bādi vidhi bāhana nānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
If the forest exile was indeed given to them, then the creation of pleasures and luxuries was needless. If they are roaming the road barefoot, then why did Providence uselessly create so many vehicles?
ए महि परहिं डासि कुस पाता। सुभग सेज कत सृजत बिधाता॥ तरुबर बास इन्हहि बिधि दीन्हा। धवल धाम रचि रचि श्रमु कीन्हा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
e mahi parahiṃ ḍāsi kusa pātā। subhaga seja kata sṛjata vidhātā॥ tarubara bāsa inhahi vidhi dīnhā। dhavala dhāma raci raci śramu kīnhā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
When they lie on kuśa grass and leaves spread on the ground, why would Providence create lovely beds? When Providence gave them dwelling beneath great trees, he needlessly labored to build bright palaces.
जौं ए मुनि पट धर जटिल सुंदर सुठि सुकुमार। बिबिध भाँति भूषन बसन बादि किए करतार॥ ११९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jauṃ e muni paṭa dhara jaṭila sundara suṭhi sukumāra। bibidha bhāṃti bhūṣana basana bādi kie kartāra॥ 119 ॥
Meaning:
If these hermit-like, lovely, very delicate youths wear ascetic robes and matted hair, then the Creator made ornaments and garments of many kinds in vain.
जौं ए कंद मूल फल खाहीं। बादि सुधादि असन जग माहीं॥ एक कहहिं ए सहज सुहाए। आपु प्रगट भए बिधि न बनाए॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jauṃ e kanda mūla phala khāhīṃ। bādi sudhādi asana jaga māhīṃ॥ eka kahahiṃ e sahaja suhāe। āpu pragaṭa bhae vidhi na banae॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
If they eat roots, bulbs, and fruits, then all foods like nectar in the world are needless. Some say: they are beautiful by nature; they have appeared on their own and were not made by Brahma.
जहँ लगि बेद कही बिधि करनी। श्रवन नयन मन गोचर बरनी॥ देखहु खोजि भुअन दस चारी। कहँ अस पुरुष कहाँ असि नारी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jahaṃ lagi beda kahī vidhi karanī। śravana nayana mana gocara baranī॥ dekhahu khoji bhuana dasa cārī। kahaṃ asa puruṣa kahāṃ asi nārī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Wherever the Vedas have spoken of the works of Providence—what can be perceived by ear, eye, and mind—search through the fourteen worlds and see: where are such a man and such a woman?
इन्हहि देखि बिधि मनु अनुरागा। पटतर जोग बनावै लागा॥ कीन्ह बहुत श्रम ऐक न आए तेहिं इरिषा बन आनि दुराए॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
inhahiṃ dekhi vidhi manu anurāgā। paṭatara joga banāvai lāgā॥ kīnha bahuta śrama aika na āe tehiṃ iriṣā bana āni durāe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing them, Providence himself became enamored and began to fashion another pair suited to them. He labored greatly, but none of his creations matched them; out of jealousy he brought them into the forest and hid them there.
एक कहहिं हम बहुत न जानहिं। आपुहि परम धन्य करि मानहिं॥ ते पुनि पुन्यपुंज हम लेखे। जे देखहिं देखिहहिं जिन्ह देखे॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
eka kahahiṃ hama bahuta na jānahiṃ। āpuhi param dhanya kari mānahīṃ॥ te puni puṇyapuṃja hama lekhe। je dekhahiṃ dekhihahiṃ jinha dekhe॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Some say, “We know very little. Still, we consider ourselves most blessed,” and in our view also, those who have seen them are supremely meritorious, as are those who are seeing them now and those who will see them.
एहि बिधि कहि कहि बचन प्रिय लेहिं नयन भरि नीर। किमि चलिहहिं मारग अगम सुठि सुकुमार सरीर॥ १२० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi vidhi kahi kahi bacana priya lehīṃ nayana bhari nīra। kimi calihahiṃ māraga agama suṭhi sukumāra sarīra॥ 120 ॥
Meaning:
Speaking thus with sweet words again and again, they fill their eyes with tears and say, “How will these very delicate bodies walk the impassable road?”
नारि सनेह बिकल बस होहीं। चकईं साँझ समय जनु सोहीं॥ मृदु पद कमल कठिन मगु जानी। गहबरि हृदयँ कहहिं बर बानी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nāri saneha bikala basa hohīṃ। cakaīṃ sāṃjha samaya janu sohīṃ॥ mṛdu pada kamala kaṭhina magu jānī। gahabari hṛdayaṃ kahahiṃ bara bānī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Women are overwhelmed by love. Like chakais at dusk, they seem to be suffering separation. Knowing the soft lotus-feet to be tender and the road to be hard, they speak good words in distressed hearts.
परसत मृदुल चरन अरुनारे। सकुचति महि जिमि हृदय हमारे॥ जौं जगदीस इन्हहि बनु दीन्हा। कस न सुमनमय मारगु कीन्हा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
parasata mṛdula carana arunāre। sakucati mahi jimi hṛdaya hamāre॥ jauṃ jagadīsa inhahi bana dīnhā। kasa na sumanamaya māragu kīnhā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
As soon as their soft, red feet touch the earth, the earth shrinks, just as our hearts do. If the Lord of the world gave them exile in the forest, why did he not make the whole road carpeted with flowers?
जौं मागा पाइअ बिधि पाहीं। ए रखिअहिं सखि आँखिन्ह माहीं॥ जे नर नारि न अवसर आए। तिन्ह सिय रामु न देखन पाए॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jauṃ māgā pāia vidhi pāhīṃ। e rakhi̐hahiṃ sakhi āṃkhinha māhīṃ॥ je nara nāri na avasara āe। tinha siya rāmu na dekhana pāe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
If one can obtain it by asking of Providence, then, dear friend, let us keep them in our eyes. Those men and women who did not come at this time could not see Sita and Rama.
सुनि सुरूपु बूझहिं अकुलाई। अब लगि गए कहाँ लगि भाई॥ समरथ धाइ बिलोकहिं जाई। प्रमुदित फिरहिं जनमफलु पाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni surūpu būjhahiṃ akulāī। aba lagi gae kahāṃ lagi bhāī॥ samaratha dhāi bilokahiṃ jāī। pramudita firahiṃ janamaphalu pāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing of their beauty, they anxiously ask, “Brother, how far have they gone by now?” And those who are capable run and go to behold them; having obtained the supreme fruit of life, they return filled with joy.
अबला बालक बृद्ध जन कर मीजहिं पछिताहिं। होहिं प्रेमबस लोग इमि रामु जहाँ जहँ जाहिं॥ १२१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
abalā bālaka bṛddha jana kara mījahiṃ pachitāhīṃ। hohiṃ premabasa loga imi rāmu jahāṃ jahaṃ jāhīṃ॥ 121 ॥
Meaning:
[Pregnant women, mothers, and the elderly] wring their hands and repent because they cannot see them. Thus, wherever Sri Rama goes, people become bound by love.
गावँ गावँ अस होइ अनंदू। देखि भानुकुल कैरव चंदू॥ जे कछु समाचार सुनि पावहिं। ते नृप रानिहि दोसु लगावहिं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gāvaṃ gāvaṃ asa hoi anandū। dekhi bhānukula kairava candū॥ je kachu samācāra suni pāvahīṃ। te nṛpa rānihi dosu lagāvahīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Such joy spreads in village after village at the sight of the moon of the solar dynasty, Sri Rama. Whoever hears even a little of what has happened blames the king and queen.
कहहिं एक अति भल नरनाहू। दीन्ह हमहि जोइ लोचन लाहू॥ कहहिं परसपर लोग लोगाईं। बातें सरल सनेह सुहाईं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahahiṃ eka ati bhala naranāhū। dīnha hamahiṃ joi locana lāhū॥ kahahiṃ paraspara loga logāīṃ। bātēṃ sarala saneha suhāīṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Some say, “The king is very good; he has given us the gain of our eyes.” Men and women speak to one another in simple, loving, and lovely words.
ते पितु मातु धन्य जिन्ह जाए। धन्य सो नगरु जहाँ तें आए॥ धन्य सो देसु सैलु बन गाऊँ। जहँ जहँ जाहिं धन्य सोइ ठाऊँ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
te pitu mātu dhanya jinha jāe। dhanya so nagaru jahāṃ teṃ āe॥ dhanya so desu sailu bana gāūṃ। jahaṃ jahaṃ jāhiṃ dhanya soi ṭhāūṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
They say, “Blessed are those father and mother who gave birth to them. Blessed is the city from which they came. Blessed is that land, hill, forest, and village; blessed is every place wherever they go.”
सुखु पायउ बिरंचि रचि तेही। ए जेहि के सब भाँति सनेही॥ राम लखन पथि कथा सुहाई। रही सकल मग कानन छाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sukhu pāyau biraṃci raci tehī। e jehi ke saba bhāṃti sanehī॥ rāma lakhana pathi kathā suhāī। rahī sakala maga kānana chāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
By creating him, Brahma has attained joy, for he is beloved of all in every way. The lovely story of Rama and Lakshmana as wayfarers has spread over the whole road and forest.
एहि बिधि रघुकुल कमल रबि मग लोगन्ह सुख देत। जाहिं चले देखत बिपिन सिय सौमित्रि समेत॥ १२२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi vidhi raghukula kamala rabi maga loganha sukha deta। jāhiṃ cale dekhata bipina siya saumitri sameta॥ 122 ॥
Meaning:
Thus, the Sun of the lotus-like Raghu race gives joy to the people on the way, as he proceeds toward the forest with Sita and Saumitri, observing the route.
आगें रामु लखनु बने पाछें। तापस बेष बिराजत काछें॥ उभय बीच सिय सोहति कैसें। ब्रह्म जीव बिच माया जैसें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āgeṃ rāmu lakhanu bane pācheṃ। tāpasa beṣa birājata kācheṃ॥ ubhaya bīca siya sohati kaisẽ। brahma jīva bica māyā jaisẽ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Rama walks in front, Lakshmana behind, both adorned in the garb of ascetics. How beautifully Sita shines between them, like Maya between Brahma and the jiva.
बहुरि कहउँ छबि जसि मन बसई। जनु मधु मदन मध्य रति लसई॥ उपमा बहुरि कहउँ जियँ जोही। जनु बुध बिधु बिच रोहिनि सोही॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bahuri kahauṃ chabi jasi mana basaī। janu madhu madana madhya rati lasaī॥ upamā bahuri kahauṃ jiyaṃ johī। janu budha bidhu bica rohini sohī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Again I speak of the beauty as it dwells in my mind: it seems as if Rati is shining between spring and Kama. Then, searching in my heart, I find the simile: it seems as if Rohini is shining between Budha and the moon.
प्रभु पद रेख बीच बिच सीता। धरति चरन मग चलति सभीता॥ सीय राम पद अंक बराएँ। लखन चलहिं मगु दाहिन लाएँ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prabhu pada rekha bīca bica sītā। dharati carana maga calati sabhītā॥ sīya rāma pada aṃka barāẽ। lakhana calahiṃ magu dāhina lāẽ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Sita places her feet carefully between the footprints of the Lord, walking fearfully on the road lest her foot rest on the Lord's marks. Lakshmana walks with the prints of both Sita and Rama to his right, guarding them as he proceeds.
राम लखन सिय प्रीति सुहाई। बचन अगोचर किमि कहि जाई॥ खग मृग मगन देखि छबि होहीं। लिए चोरि चित राम बटोहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma lakhana siya prīti suhāī। bacana agocara kimi kahi jāī॥ khaga mṛga magana dekhi chabi hohīṃ। lie cori cita rāma baṭohīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The beautiful love of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita is beyond speech and cannot be described. Seeing that beauty, even birds and animals become absorbed in bliss; Lord Rama, as a traveler, has stolen their hearts too.
जिन्ह जिन्ह देखे पथिक प्रिय सिय समेत दोउ भाइ। भव मगु अगमु अनंदु तेइ बिनु श्रम रहे सिराइ॥ १२३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jinha jinha dekhe pathika priya siya sameta dou bhāi। bhava magu agama anandu tei binu śrama rahe sirāi॥ 123 ॥
Meaning:
Whoever saw the beloved pilgrims, both brothers together with Sita, crossed the impassable road of existence without effort and in joy, and were thus easily freed from the cycle of birth and death.
अजहुँ जासु उर सपनेहुँ काऊ। बसहुँ लखनु सिय रामु बटाऊ॥ राम धाम पथ पाइहि सोई। जो पथ पाव कबहुँ मुनि कोई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ajahũ jāsu ura sapanehũ kāū। basahũ lakhanu siya rāmu baṭāū॥ rāma dhāma path pāihi soī। jo patha pāva kabahũ muni koī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Even now, if in someone’s heart, even in a dream, Lakshmana, Sita, and Rama should dwell as fellow wayfarers, that person too will attain the path to Rama’s supreme abode—a path that only a rare sage ever finds.
तब रघुबीर श्रमित सिय जानी। देखि निकट बटु सीतल पानी॥ तहँ बसि कंद मूल फल खाई। प्रात नहाइ चले रघुराई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
taba raghubīra śramita siya jānī। dekhi nikaṭa baṭu sītala pānī॥ tahã basi kanda mūla phala khāī। prāta nahāi cale raghurāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then Lord Rama, seeing Sita to be tired and noticing a banyan tree nearby and cool water, stayed there that day. After eating roots, bulbs, and fruits, and bathing in the morning, the Lord of the Raghu clan set out again.