कहै सुक, सुनहि सिखावन, सारो! बिधि-करतब बिपरीत बाम गति, राम-प्रेम-पथ न्यारो॥ १ ॥ को नर-नारि अवध खग-मृग, जेहि जीवन रामतें प्यारो। बिद्यमान सबके गवने बन, बदन करमको कारो॥ २ ॥ अंब, अनुज, प्रिय सखा, सुसेवक देखि बिषाद बिसारो। पंछी परबस परे पींजरनि, लेखो कौन हमारो॥ ३ ॥ रही नृपकी, बिगरी है सबकी, अब एक सँवारनिहारो। तुलसी प्रभु निज चरन-पीठ मिस भरत-प्रान रखवारो॥ ४ ॥
The parrot says, ‘Myna, hear this teaching: when fate’s action is adverse, karma’s course turns contrary, but the path of love for Rāma is altogether distinct. (1) What man, woman, bird, or beast in Ayodhyā holds life dearer than Rāma? Yet he went to the forest while all were present, and karma’s face was blackened. (2) Mother, younger brother, beloved companions, and faithful servants saw it and yet put grief aside; what account, then, is there of us birds lying helpless in cages? (3) The king alone fulfilled his part, while all others’ cause was ruined; but now one thing has been set right. Tulsī says the Lord, through the device of his own foot-throne, appointed a guardian for Bharata’s life.’ (4)