Ram Blesses the Childhood Friends Who Come to See Him
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 24
Doha 24 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram's childhood friends come in eager groups of ten and fifteen. He recognizes their love, welcomes each warmly, asks after their welfare, and sends them home with dear blessings.
Along the road they praise the one who never abandons grace or affection. Whatever births karma may bring, they pray that Ram remain master and they remain servants, their bond enduring forever.
The same longing fills every citizen while terrible fire burns in Kaikeyi's heart. The contrast reveals the power of company. Love shared around Ram clarifies devotion; corrupt counsel consumes discernment. No intelligence remains safe when it repeatedly sits beside falsehood.
Ram's friends carry blessing into the streets, even as evil company burns a hidden chamber within the palace.
Read the passage from the Manas
बाल सखा सुन हियँ हरषाहीं। मिलि दस पाँच राम पहिं जाहीं।। प्रभु आदरहिं प्रेमु पहिचानी। पूँछहिं कुसल खेम मृदु बानी।। फिरहिं भवन प्रिय आयसु पाई। करत परसपर राम बड़ाई।। को रघुबीर सरिस संसारा। सीलु सनेह निबाहनिहारा। जेंहि जेंहि जोनि करम बस भ्रमहीं। तहँ तहँ ईसु देउ यह हमहीं।। सेवक हम स्वामी सियनाहू। होउ नात यह ओर निबाहू।। अस अभिलाषु नगर सब काहू। कैकयसुता ह्दयँ अति दाहू।। को न कुसंगति पाइ नसाई। रहइ न नीच मतें चतुराई।।
His childhood friends, hearing the happy tidings, rejoiced in their hearts. Groups of ten and fifteen went together to see Rama. The Lord welcomed them warmly, recognizing their love, and asked after their welfare in gentle words. They returned home with His dear blessings, praising Rama to one another along the way. 'Who in this world is like Raghuvira, who so faithfully upholds both grace and affection?' 'In whatever birth we may wander, bound by our karma, may God grant us this very bond.' 'We are the servants, and Sita's Lord is our master; may this tie endure forever, O Lord.' Such was the longing of every soul in the city. But in Kaikeyi's heart there burned a terrible fire. Who has not been ruined by evil company? No good sense survives when it follows base counsel.