Beneath the Ashoka Tree, Sita Holds Rama's Pursuit within Her Heart
Aranya Kanda, Doha 30क
Doha 30क · Movement 2 of 2
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Ravana has tried threat, fear, and false affection, yet each attempt fails before Sita's fidelity. Unable to turn her mind, the wicked king has her guarded beneath an Ashoka tree. The grove closes around a prisoner he cannot inwardly possess.
Sita returns in memory to the last image of Rama she saw at Panchavati. He was moving after the deceptive deer, bow in hand, his form passing among the trees as the golden creature drew him farther away.
She keeps that living image within her heart. Beneath the Ashoka leaves, surrounded by Ravana's arrangements, she repeats Hari's name without ceasing. The forest pursuit becomes her interior refuge, and the name keeps Rama present where the chariot tried to establish separation.
Ravana guards the grove, but Sita's heart still sees Rama running through the trees.
Read the passage from the Manas
हारि परा खल बहु बिधि भय अरु प्रीति देखाइ। तब असोक पादप तर राखिसि जतन कराइ।।29(क)।। जेहि बिधि कपट कुरंग सँग धाइ चले श्रीराम। सो छबि सीता राखि उर रटति रहति हरिनाम।।29(ख)।।
The wicked one was defeated in every way, having displayed both fear and false affection. Then he placed her beneath the Ashoka tree with careful arrangements. In whatever manner Shri Rama had chased after the deceitful deer, Sita kept that beautiful image within her heart and remained ceaselessly chanting Hari's name.