Dasharatha Reveals the One Wish Still within His Heart
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 3
Doha 3 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dasharatha tells Vasishtha that Ram is worthy in every way. Servants, ministers, citizens, rivals, friends, and the unaligned all love him as the king does, as though divine blessing itself has taken human form.
The king remembers what the dust of the guru's feet has given him. He feels as though all the world's wealth has entered his hands through that reverence, and no remaining lack can be measured in riches.
Only one wish remains. Dasharatha asks that it be fulfilled through Vasishtha's grace. The pleased sage invites him to speak. Within this pause, coronation is revealed as the last longing of a life already overflowing with sons, kingdom, honour, and devotion.
Having received everything through grace, Dasharatha opens the chamber of his one remaining desire.
Read the passage from the Manas
कहइ भुआलु सुनिअ मुनिनायक। भए राम सब बिधि सब लायक।। सेवक सचिव सकल पुरबासी। जे हमारे अरि मित्र उदासी।। सबहि रामु प्रिय जेहि बिधि मोही। प्रभु असीस जनु तनु धरि सोही।। बिप्र सहित परिवार गोसाईं। करहिं छोहु सब रौरिहि नाई।। जे गुर चरन रेनु सिर धरहीं। ते जनु सकल बिभव बस करहीं।। मोहि सम यहु अनुभयउ न दूजें। सबु पायउँ रज पावनि पूजें।। अब अभिलाषु एकु मन मोरें। पूजहि नाथ अनुग्रह तोरें।। मुनि प्रसन्न लखि सहज सनेहू। कहेउ नरेस रजायसु देहू।।
The king says, 'Hear me, O chief among sages. Rama has become worthy in every way, fit for every purpose. Servants, ministers, all the people of the city, whether they be our rivals, our friends, or those who stand apart, everyone holds Rama dear just as I do. It is as though the Lord's own blessing has taken a living form in him. The brahmins with their families, O master, show the same tender affection toward all, just as they show it toward you. Those who place the dust of the guru's feet upon their heads seem to hold all the world's wealth in their hands. No one has tasted this truth as I have. I have received everything simply by honouring that sacred dust. Now one wish alone remains in my heart. May it be fulfilled, O lord, through your grace.' Seeing the sage pleased, and sensing his natural warmth, the sage replied, 'O King, speak your command.'