The Forest Clears a Road before Rama and Viradha Falls upon It
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 6
Doha 7ख · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama bows at Atri's lotus feet and enters the forest, the Lord of gods, humans, and sages. He walks in front, Lakshmana follows behind, and Sita shines between them. In the poet's vision she appears as Maya poised between absolute Brahman and the embodied jiva, framed by the two ascetic-clad brothers.
Rivers, forests, mountains, and dangerous passes recognize their Lord and offer a gracious way. Wherever Raghuraya travels, clouds gather across the sky and spread cool shade above the three walkers. Creation itself serves the exile whose feet pass through its hidden places.
Then Viradha charges upon the road. Raghuvira strikes him down, and the demon's terrible form gives way at once to a beautiful radiance. Seeing the suffering being before him, Rama sends him compassionately to his own abode. The path continues until Sita and the brothers arrive at Sharabhanga's hermitage.
Beneath a moving roof of clouds, the Lord turns a demon's assault into release and walks on.
Read the passage from the Manas
मुनि पद कमल नाइ करि सीसा। चले बनहि सुर नर मुनि ईसा।। आगे राम अनुज पुनि पाछें। मुनि बर बेष बने अति काछें।। उमय बीच श्री सोहइ कैसी। ब्रह्म जीव बिच माया जैसी।। सरिता बन गिरि अवघट घाटा। पति पहिचानी देहिं बर बाटा।। जहँ जहँ जाहि देव रघुराया। करहिं मेध तहँ तहँ नभ छाया।। मिला असुर बिराध मग जाता। आवतहीं रघुवीर निपाता।। तुरतहिं रुचिर रूप तेहिं पावा। देखि दुखी निज धाम पठावा।। पुनि आए जहँ मुनि सरभंगा। सुंदर अनुज जानकी संगा।।
Bowing his head at the sage's lotus feet, Rama set forth into the forest, honored by gods, men, sages, and Shiva himself. Rama walked ahead, his younger brother Lakshmana followed behind, both radiant in the graceful garb of forest sages. Between the two brothers, Shri Sita shone with a beauty beyond telling, as Maya shimmers between Brahman and the jeeva. Rivers, forests, mountains, and steep passes all recognized their Lord and smoothed the path before him. Wherever the blessed Raghuraya traveled, clouds gathered overhead to spread cool shade across the sky. The demon Viradha met them on the forest path. The moment he charged, Raghuvira struck him down. At once the demon received a luminous, beautiful form. Seeing his suffering, Rama sent him with compassion to his own eternal abode. Then they arrived at the hermitage of the sage Sharabhanga, Rama walking with his dear brother and Janaki.