संकट-सुकृतको सोचत जानि जिय रघुराउ। सहस द्वादस पंचसतमें कछुक है अब आउ॥ १ ॥ भोग पुनि पितु-आयुको, सोउ किए बने बनाउ। परिहे बिनु जानकी नहि और अनघ उपाउ॥ २ ॥ पालिबे असिधार-ब्रत, प्रिय प्रेम-पाल सुभाउ। होइ हित केहि भाँति, नित सुबिचारु, नहि चित चाउ॥ ३ ॥ निपट असमंजसहु बिलसति मुख मनोहरताउ। परम धीर-धुरीन हृदय कि हरष-बिसमय काउ?॥ ४ ॥ अनुज-सेवक-सचिव हैं सब सुमति, साध सखाउ। जान कोउ न जानकी बिनु अगम अलख लखाउ॥ ५ ॥ राम जोगवत सीय-मनु, प्रिय-मनहि प्रानप्रियाउ। परम पावन प्रेम-परमिति समुझि तुलसी गाउ॥ ६ ॥
Knowing a crisis of righteousness had arisen, Raghurāu reflected within: of my twelve thousand five hundred years, only a little now remains. (1) Then my father's remaining span must be lived, and that arrangement must be fulfilled; yet apart from leaving Jānakī, there is no other blameless means. (2) I must keep a vow sharp as a sword's edge, while cherishing love is my beloved nature. Constantly considering how good may be secured, the heart finds no delight. (3) Even amid this utter perplexity, loveliness shone upon his face. Could joy or grief ever sway the heart of the supreme pillar of fortitude? (4) His younger brothers, servants, and ministers were all wise, and his friends were holy; yet none but Jānakī understood this inaccessible, unseen design. (5) Rāma watched over Sītā's heart, while his life-beloved watched the heart of her beloved. Understanding the supreme measure of their utterly pure love, Tulsī sings. (6)