Panchavati Blossoms around Rama, and Lakshmana Asks for the Whole Path
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 13
Doha 14 · Movement 1 of 2
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From the day Rama takes up residence at Panchavati, fear leaves the sages. Mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes deepen in beauty day after day. Birds and deer move in delight, bees fill the air with sweetness, and even Shesha could not describe the forest where Raghuvira now shines openly.
One day Rama sits at ease within this flourishing refuge. Lakshmana approaches without guile and addresses him as Lord of gods, humans, sages, and everything moving or still. Yet he asks as a servant before his own master, seeking understanding only so that every other concern may be abandoned for service to the dust of Rama's feet.
His questions gather the great map of sadhana into the quiet clearing. What are knowledge, detachment, and Maya? What is the devotion upon which Rama bestows grace? Panchavati becomes more than a dwelling protected from fear. Beneath its leaves, the younger brother asks the Lord to reveal the structure of bondage, freedom, and love.
In the forest made beautiful by Rama's presence, Lakshmana opens the doorway to an inward wilderness.
Read the passage from the Manas
जब ते राम कीन्ह तहँ बासा। सुखी भए मुनि बीती त्रासा।। गिरि बन नदीं ताल छबि छाए। दिन दिन प्रति अति हौहिं सुहाए।। खग मृग बृंद अनंदित रहहीं। मधुप मधुर गंजत छबि लहहीं।। सो बन बरनि न सक अहिराजा। जहाँ प्रगट रघुबीर बिराजा।। एक बार प्रभु सुख आसीना। लछिमन बचन कहे छलहीना।। सुर नर मुनि सचराचर साईं। मैं पूछउँ निज प्रभु की नाई।। मोहि समुझाइ कहहु सोइ देवा। सब तजि करौं चरन रज सेवा।। कहहु ग्यान बिराग अरु माया। कहहु सो भगति करहु जेहिं दाया।।
Ever since Rama made his dwelling there, the sages became happy and all their fear departed. The mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes grew radiant with beauty, becoming more enchanting with each passing day. Flocks of birds and herds of deer lived in constant delight, while bees hummed their sweet songs and deepened the loveliness of that place. That forest cannot be described even by Ahiraja (Shesha, the king of serpents), for it was the place where Raghuvira himself shone forth in all his glory. One day, when the Lord was seated at ease, Lakshmana spoke words that were entirely free of guile. 'O Lord of gods, men, sages, and all that moves and does not move, I ask You in the manner of a servant approaching his own master.' 'Explain to me, O Deva, so that, leaving all else behind, I may serve the dust of Your feet.' 'Tell me about jnana, vairagya, and Maya. And tell me about that bhakti upon which You bestow Your grace.'