Narada Comes with His Veena to Behold Rama in Separation
Aranya Kanda, Chaupai 39
Doha 41 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama beholds the lovely lake, bathes in it, and receives deep happiness. Beneath the shade of a beautiful tree he sits with Lakshmana. Gods and sages arrive, offer praise, and return to their abodes. The compassionate Lord remains content beside the water, sharing delightful stories with his younger brother.
Narada sees Bhagavan bearing the sorrow of separation and becomes deeply concerned. Rama accepted the sage's curse and now endures its many griefs. Narada realizes that such an opportunity to behold the Lord will not come again. He takes up his veena and travels to Pampa, singing Rama's deeds in a gentle voice and recounting them with love.
When Narada falls in full prostration, Rama lifts him and presses the sage repeatedly to his heart. The Lord welcomes him, asks of his welfare, and seats him close. Lakshmana washes Narada's feet with reverence while the veena rests nearby and the clear lake holds the sound of the song that brought him.
Narada's veena falls silent beside Pampa as Rama gathers the singing sage to his heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखि राम अति रुचिर तलावा। मज्जनु कीन्ह परम सुख पावा।। देखी सुंदर तरुबर छाया। बैठे अनुज सहित रघुराया।। तहँ पुनि सकल देव मुनि आए। अस्तुति करि निज धाम सिधाए।। बैठे परम प्रसन्न कृपाला। कहत अनुज सन कथा रसाला।। बिरहवंत भगवंतहि देखी। नारद मन भा सोच बिसेषी।। मोर साप करि अंगीकारा। सहत राम नाना दुख भारा।। ऐसे प्रभुहि बिलोकउँ जाई। पुनि न बनिहि अस अवसरु आई।। यह बिचारि नारद कर बीना। गए जहाँ प्रभु सुख आसीना।। गावत राम चरित मृदु बानी। प्रेम सहित बहु भाँति बखानी।। करत दंडवत लिए उठाई। राखे बहुत बार उर लाई।। स्वागत पूँछि निकट बैठारे। लछिमन सादर चरन पखारे।।
Seeing the most beautiful lake, Rama bathed in it and experienced supreme joy. Seeing the lovely shade of the great trees, Raghuraya sat there with His younger brother. Then all the devas and munis came, offered their stuti, and departed to their respective abodes. The supremely gracious Kripalu sat there in great joy, narrating delightful stories to His younger brother. Seeing Bhagavan in the state of viraha, Narada felt deep concern in his heart. Having accepted my curse, Rama is enduring many heavy sorrows. Let me go and behold such a Prabhu; such an opportunity will not come again. Thinking thus, Narada took his veena and went where the Prabhu was seated in comfort. Singing Rama's charitra in sweet voice, he narrated it with love in many ways. As Narada bowed in dandavat, Rama lifted him up and embraced him to His heart for a long while. After welcoming him and inquiring about his welfare, Rama seated him nearby while Lakshmana respectfully washed his feet.