Sita's Eyes Rest upon Rama before Smoke Reaches Lanka
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 19
Doha 22क · Movement 1 of 2
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When Raghunatha has conquered the enemy, fear leaves gods, humans, and sages. Lakshmana brings Sita from safety. She falls at Rama's feet, and he joyfully gathers her to his heart. Her eyes rise to his gentle dark form and remain there, filled with a love that cannot be satisfied by any length of seeing. Panchavati grows quiet again around the three exiles, and Rama continues deeds that delight the gods and sages.
Far from that tenderness, smoke from the destruction of Khara and Dushana marks the sky. Shurpanakha sees it and carries her fury to Ravana. Her words strike at his kingship. He drinks and sleeps by day and night, she says, unaware of the enemy already above his head. A kingdom without policy, wealth without dharma, and good deeds not offered to Hari all come to nothing. Learning that does not awaken discernment makes study and labor fruitless.
Her warning widens like circles of fire through the court. Attachment destroys the ascetic, evil counsel the king, pride knowledge, and drink modesty. Love without reverence and virtue joined to arrogance swiftly perish. In Panchavati, Sita still beholds Rama with unwearied eyes. In Lanka, Shurpanakha turns these true maxims into an enraged summons that will draw the ten headed king toward the forest.
One column of smoke rises between Sita's loving gaze and Ravana's darkening court.
Read the passage from the Manas
जब रघुनाथ समर रिपु जीते। सुर नर मुनि सब के भय बीते।। तब लछिमन सीतहि लै आए। प्रभु पद परत हरषि उर लाए। सीता चितव स्याम मृदु गाता। परम प्रेम लोचन न अघाता।। पंचवटीं बसि श्रीरघुनायक। करत चरित सुर मुनि सुखदायक।। धुआँ देखि खरदूषन केरा। जाइ सुपनखाँ रावन प्रेरा।। बोलि बचन क्रोध करि भारी। देस कोस कै सुरति बिसारी।। करसि पान सोवसि दिनु राती। सुधि नहिं तव सिर पर आराती।। राज नीति बिनु धन बिनु धर्मा। हरिहि समर्पे बिनु सतकर्मा।। बिद्या बिनु बिबेक उपजाएँ। श्रम फल पढ़े किएँ अरु पाएँ।। संग ते जती कुमंत्र ते राजा। मान ते ग्यान पान तें लाजा।। प्रीति प्रनय बिनु मद ते गुनी। नासहि बेगि नीति अस सुनी।।
When Raghunath conquered every foe in battle, the fears of gods, men, and sages all fell away. Then Lakshmana brought Sita back to the Lord. She fell at Prabhu's feet, and He drew her close to His heart with great joy. Sita gazed upon Rama's dark, tender form. Her eyes, brimming with supreme love, could never drink their fill. Dwelling at Panchavati, Shri Raghunayak performed deeds that brought delight to gods and sages alike. Seeing the smoke that rose from Khara and Dushana's destruction, Shurpanakha went and stirred Ravana to fury. Speaking words heavy with rage, she made him forget all thought of his kingdom and his treasury. 'You feast and sleep through day and night, with no awareness that enemies press upon your very head. 'Without righteous statecraft, wealth is fruitless. Without dharma, no offering of good deeds can reach Hari. 'Without true learning, how shall wisdom arise? Without it, all study and labor bear no fruit. 'Renunciants fall through bad company, kings through wicked counsel, knowledge through pride, and modesty through drink. 'Love perishes without tenderness, and the virtuous through arrogance. All these come to ruin swiftly; such is the law I have heard.'