बैठी सगुन मनावति माता। कब ऐहैं मेरे बाल कुसल घर, कहहु, काग! फुरि बाता॥ १ ॥ दूध-भातकी दोनी दैहौं, सोने चोंच मढ़ैहौं। जब सिय-सहित बिलोकि नयन भरि राम-लषन उर लैहौं॥ २ ॥ अवधि समीप जानि जननी जिय अति आतुर अकुलानी। गनक बोलाइ, पाँय परि पूछति प्रेम मगन मृदु बानी॥ ३ ॥ तेहि अवसर कोउ भरत निकटतें समाचार लै आयो। प्रभु-आगमन सुनत तुलसी मनो मीन मरत जल पायो॥ ४ ॥
The mother sits seeking an auspicious omen: “Crow, tell me truly—when will my children return home safe and well? (1) I will give you a bowl of milk and rice and cover your beak with gold when I have gazed to my heart's content upon Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with Sītā, and clasped them to my breast.” (2) Knowing the term of exile is near its end, the mother grows intensely eager and distraught. She summons an astrologer, falls at his feet, and questions him in a gentle voice absorbed in love. (3) At that very moment someone came from Bharata's side bearing news. Tulsī says that when she heard of the Lord's arrival, it was as though a dying fish had found water. (4)