Dasharatha Holds Ram like a Serpent Recovering Its Jewel
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 44
Doha 44 · Movement 1 of 2
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Hearing that Ram has entered, Dasharatha opens his eyes. Sumantra seats him upright, and Ram falls at his feet before the king gathers the son against his chest.
He holds Ram like a serpent recovering its lost jewel. Tears stream as he gazes and embraces him again and again, unable to form the command lodged within his grief.
Inwardly Dasharatha prays to Brahma that Ram not leave, then begs easily pleased Shiva to remove the anguish. The king who cannot oppose his own word appeals beyond speech to the powers who might turn Ram's understanding toward refusal.
Dasharatha presses Ram to his heart and prays that heaven will keep the recovered jewel from leaving again.
Read the passage from the Manas
अवनिप अकनि रामु पगु धारे। धरि धीरजु तब नयन उघारे।। सचिवँ सँभारि राउ बैठारे। चरन परत नृप रामु निहारे।। लिए सनेह बिकल उर लाई। गै मनि मनहुँ फनिक फिरि पाई।। रामहि चितइ रहेउ नरनाहू। चला बिलोचन बारि प्रबाहू।। सोक बिबस कछु कहै न पारा। हृदयँ लगावत बारहिं बारा।। बिधिहि मनाव राउ मन माहीं। जेहिं रघुनाथ न कानन जाहीं।। सुमिरि महेसहि कहइ निहोरी। बिनती सुनहु सदासिव मोरी।। आसुतोष तुम्ह अवढर दानी। आरति हरहु दीन जनु जानी।।
Hearing that Rama had set foot in the palace, the king of the earth summoned his courage and opened his eyes. The sachiv (minister) steadied and seated the king upright. The king then beheld Rama falling at his feet. Overwhelmed with love, he drew Rama to his chest, like a phanik (serpent) who has found again its lost mani (jewel). The Naranaahu (king) kept his gaze fixed on Rama while a stream of tears flowed from his eyes. Overcome by shok (grief), he could utter nothing at all, pressing Rama to his heart again and again. In the depths of his mind, the king pleaded with Vidhi (Brahma, the Creator) that Raghunath might not depart for the forest. Remembering Mahesh (Lord Shiva), he spoke with humble entreaty: hear my prayer, O Sadaashiv (eternal Shiva). You are Aashutosh (easily pleased) and a generous bestower of boons. Knowing me as your humble servant, remove my aarati (anguish).