The Whole Spring Forest Rises as Kama's Fourfold Army
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 36
Doha 39 · Movement 1 of 2
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Great trees tangled with creepers spread like pavilions. Banana and palm rise as flags and standards. Trees flowering in many ways become bowmen dressed in varied uniforms, while separate trees stand like warriors deployed across the field. Cuckoos call as intoxicated elephants. Frogs and mahokha birds take the place of camels, and peacocks, chakoras, parrots, pigeons, and swans fill the shining cavalry.
Partridges and quail gather as foot soldiers. Mountains and rocks become chariots, waterfalls sound like war drums, and chataka birds serve as bards proclaiming the army's glory. Bees hum as martial instruments. Three kinds of breeze arrive as envoys. Every sweetness of the spring forest has been translated into the language of siege.
Kama moves with this fourfold army and challenges the world. Rama asks Lakshmana to observe the host and declares that those who remain steady before it earn renown in the world. Its supreme force is woman, and only a formidable warrior crosses beyond that force. The battlefield is the mind, but every tree, wing, call, and current of air has taken visible arms.
Blossoms become arrows, waterfalls become drums, and spring marches beneath the banner of desire.
Read the passage from the Manas
बिटप बिसाल लता अरुझानी। बिबिध बितान दिए जनु तानी।। कदलि ताल बर धुजा पताका। दैखि न मोह धीर मन जाका।। बिबिध भाँति फूले तरु नाना। जनु बानैत बने बहु बाना।। कहुँ कहुँ सुन्दर बिटप सुहाए। जनु भट बिलग बिलग होइ छाए।। कूजत पिक मानहुँ गज माते। ढेक महोख ऊँट बिसराते।। मोर चकोर कीर बर बाजी। पारावत मराल सब ताजी।। तीतिर लावक पदचर जूथा। बरनि न जाइ मनोज बरुथा।। रथ गिरि सिला दुंदुभी झरना। चातक बंदी गुन गन बरना।। मधुकर मुखर भेरि सहनाई। त्रिबिध बयारि बसीठीं आई।। चतुरंगिनी सेन सँग लीन्हें। बिचरत सबहि चुनौती दीन्हें।। लछिमन देखत काम अनीका। रहहिं धीर तिन्ह कै जग लीका।। एहि कें एक परम बल नारी। तेहि तें उबर सुभट सोइ भारी।।
Vast trees with creepers entangled around them appeared like magnificent pavilions spread out everywhere. Banana and palm trees stood like fine flags and banners, whose sight could enchant even the steadiest mind. Various trees bloomed with diverse flowers, as if skilled archers had prepared many different arrows. Here and there beautiful trees stood gracefully, like individual warriors positioned separately in formation. Cuckoos cooed like intoxicated elephants, while frogs and great hornbills seemed like camels in the distance. Peacocks, chakor birds, and excellent parrots were like fine horses, while pigeons and swans were like swift steeds. Partridges and quails formed flocks of foot-soldiers; Manoja's army formations defy description. Mountain rocks were like chariots, waterfalls like war-drums, and chatak birds like bards singing praises. Buzzing bees were like trumpets and shehnais, while the threefold breeze came like an envoy. Taking along this chaturangini sena, Kamadeva wandered about challenging everyone to battle. Lakshmana, behold Kamadeva's forces. Only those remain steady in the world who can match his strength. His one supreme weapon is woman. Only that great warrior can prevail who overcomes her.