Spring Arms the Forest against Rama's Heart of Separation
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 35
Doha 38 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama and Lakshmana leave Shabari's forest, two lions among men possessed of measureless strength. Yet Rama moves like one wounded by separation, speaking many tales and exchanges while sorrow takes human voice. He asks Lakshmana to behold the beauty of the woodland. Every sight that would stir another heart now appears to reproach the Lord who walks without his beloved.
Birds and animals move with their mates. Deer flee when the brothers approach, and the does seem to reassure them: these men seek only the golden deer. She-elephants lead their companions away as though teaching Rama to keep one's beloved near. The playful forest returns the story of Panchavati to him through every paired creature.
Rama observes that scripture, even repeatedly studied, does not lie mastered, nor does a well-served king remain under control. A young woman, though held within the heart, is likewise not subject to possession. Then spring appears in all its beauty. Without Sita beside him, its fragrance and color awaken fear rather than delight.
Every creature crosses the spring forest in pairs while Rama walks beneath blossoms without Sita.
Read the passage from the Manas
चले राम त्यागा बन सोऊ। अतुलित बल नर केहरि दोऊ।। बिरही इव प्रभु करत बिषादा। कहत कथा अनेक संबादा।। लछिमन देखु बिपिन कइ सोभा। देखत केहि कर मन नहिं छोभा।। नारि सहित सब खग मृग बृंदा। मानहुँ मोरि करत हहिं निंदा।। हमहि देखि मृग निकर पराहीं। मृगीं कहहिं तुम्ह कहँ भय नाहीं।। तुम्ह आनंद करहु मृग जाए। कंचन मृग खोजन ए आए।। संग लाइ करिनीं करि लेहीं। मानहुँ मोहि सिखावनु देहीं।। सास्त्र सुचिंतित पुनि पुनि देखिअ। भूप सुसेवित बस नहिं लेखिअ।। राखिअ नारि जदपि उर माहीं। जुबती सास्त्र नृपति बस नाहीं।। देखहु तात बसंत सुहावा। प्रिया हीन मोहि भय उपजावा।।
Rama departed, leaving that forest behind. Both brothers possessed matchless strength, like lions among men. Like one separated from his beloved, the Prabhu expressed sorrow, speaking many tales and conversations. Lakshmana, behold the beauty of this forest. Whose mind would not be stirred upon seeing it? All the birds and deer with their mates seem to be reproaching me. Seeing me, the herds of deer flee away. The does say to them: there is no fear for you. Rejoice, O deer. These two have come searching for the golden deer. The she-elephants take their mates along with them, as if giving me instruction. The shastras, though repeatedly studied and contemplated, cannot be mastered even by well-served kings. Though a woman may be kept close to the heart, young women, shastras, and kings remain beyond anyone's control. Behold, dear brother, this beautiful Vasanta season. Without my beloved, it fills me with dread.