Kausalya Prays for Ram's Welfare at Every Shrine
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 8
Doha 8 · Movement 1 of 2
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Messengers who bring the news receive ornaments and garments, while loving hands arrange auspicious vessels. Sumitra fills courtyards with jeweled designs, giving joy visible pattern beneath every approaching footstep.
Kausalya summons learned priests and gives generous offerings. She worships village deities, gods, and serpent guardians, promising further offerings while asking only that Ram's welfare be secured.
Women with cuckoo sweet voices and moon bright faces sing songs of blessing. Yet beneath the splendour, a mother's prayer remains simple and protective. The crown may belong to the kingdom, but Kausalya approaches every sacred power as one who still sees the child whose safety is dearer than royalty.
Across every shrine, Kausalya asks not for splendour but for the welfare of her son.
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प्रथम जाइ जिन्ह बचन सुनाए। भूषन बसन भूरि तिन्ह पाए।। प्रेम पुलकि तन मन अनुरागीं। मंगल कलस सजन सब लागीं।। चौकें चारु सुमित्राँ पुरी। मनिमय बिबिध भाँति अति रुरी।। आनँद मगन राम महतारी। दिए दान बहु बिप्र हँकारी।। पूजीं ग्रामदेबि सुर नागा। कहेउ बहोरि देन बलिभागा।। जेहि बिधि होइ राम कल्यानू। देहु दया करि सो बरदानू।। गावहिं मंगल कोकिलबयनीं। बिधुबदनीं मृगसावकनयनीं।।
Those who first went and announced the blessed news received abundant ornaments and fine garments as their reward. Their bodies thrilled with love and their hearts overflowed with devotion; everyone began arranging auspicious vessels and decorations. Sumitra filled the beautiful courtyards with jeweled designs of many kinds, each more lovely than the last. Rama's mother, lost in bliss, summoned many learned priests and gave them generous offerings. She worshipped the village deities, the gods, and the serpent guardians, and vowed to bring them their share of sacred offerings once more. She prayed: "By whatever means Rama's welfare may be ensured, please grant that boon with your compassion." Women with cuckoo-sweet voices, moon-bright faces, and eyes gentle as a fawn's sang auspicious songs of celebration.