When Lakshmana Enters the Forest, Rama Smiles toward Sita
Aranya Kanda, Doha 23
Doha 23 · Movement 2 of 2
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Lakshmana leaves the hermitage to gather the forest's food. He passes beneath the trees in search of roots, fruits, and tender tubers, while the small clearing behind him grows still. For this brief interval, Rama and Janaka's daughter remain together at Panchavati.
Rama turns toward Sita. He is the gathering place of compassion and happiness, yet the moment carries a hidden gravity that has not entered Lakshmana's awareness. Nothing in the quiet forest announces the vast design about to be spoken.
Then Rama smiles and addresses his beloved. The smile rests at the threshold of the coming human play. Lakshmana is among the trees, the future waits outside the hermitage, and Sita listens as the Lord begins to reveal the secret arrangement by which the destruction of the night-wanderers will unfold.
Roots and fruits wait beneath the trees while Rama's smile opens the secret of the coming play.
Read the passage from the Manas
लछिमन गए बनहिं जब लेन मूल फल कंद। जनकसुता सन बोले बिहसि कृपा सुख बृंद।। 23।।
When Lakshmana had gone into the forest to gather roots, fruits and tubers, Rama, that boundless ocean of mercy and joy, smiled and spoke to Janaki.