Atri Runs from His Hermitage and Bathes the Brothers in Tears
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 3
Doha 3 · Movement 1 of 2
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After dwelling at Chitrakoot and enacting deeds sweet as Vedic nectar, Rama considers the crowds that will gather when his presence becomes widely known. He takes leave of the sages. Sita walks with the two brothers as the familiar mountain recedes and another reach of forest opens before them.
News reaches Atri's hermitage before the travelers arrive. Joy lifts the great sage to his feet. His whole body thrills, and he runs out upon the path as Rama comes eagerly toward him. When the Lord bows, Atri raises the brothers into his embrace and bathes them with tears that love has drawn beyond restraint.
His eyes cool themselves upon Rama's beauty. Then he leads the guests into the hermitage with reverence, performs worship, speaks words of welcome, and offers roots and fruits pleasing to the Lord. The austere clearing becomes festive without ornament, filled by the sight for which the sage's heart had waited.
At Atri's threshold, forest dust meets a sage's tears and becomes the water of welcome.
Read the passage from the Manas
रघुपति चित्रकूट बसि नाना। चरित किए श्रुति सुधा समाना।। बहुरि राम अस मन अनुमाना। होइहि भीर सबहिं मोहि जाना।। सकल मुनिन्ह सन बिदा कराई। सीता सहित चले द्वौ भाई।। अत्रि के आश्रम जब प्रभु गयऊ। सुनत महामुनि हरषित भयऊ।। पुलकित गात अत्रि उठि धाए। देखि रामु आतुर चलि आए।। करत दंडवत मुनि उर लाए। प्रेम बारि द्वौ जन अन्हवाए।। देखि राम छबि नयन जुड़ाने। सादर निज आश्रम तब आने।। करि पूजा कहि बचन सुहाए। दिए मूल फल प्रभु मन भाए।।
Lord Rama dwelt at Chitrakoot and performed many deeds that were like nectar to the ears of the scriptures. Then Rama thought in his mind that there would be crowds if everyone came to know of his presence there. Taking leave of all the sages, the two brothers departed with Sita. When the Lord reached the hermitage of sage Atri, the great sage became overjoyed upon hearing of his arrival. With hair standing on end in ecstasy, Atri rose and rushed forth, seeing Rama approaching eagerly. Bowing down, the sage embraced them to his heart and bathed both brothers with tears of love. Seeing Rama's beauty, his eyes were cooled with delight, and then he respectfully brought them to his ashram. Performing puja and speaking sweet words, he offered roots and fruits that pleased the Lord's heart.