Ram Leaves to Seek Kausalya's Permission
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 46
Doha 46 · Movement 1 of 2
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Blessed is the child whose conduct fills a father's heart with joy. Ram says that one who loves mother and father as life itself holds all four aims of existence within the palm.
By obeying, he will receive the fruit of birth and return swiftly. First he will seek Kausalya's permission, then touch Dasharatha's feet once more before departing for the forest.
Ram leaves while the king, drowned in sorrow, cannot answer. The bitter news races through Ayodhya like scorpion venom. Men and women beat their heads, creepers and trees seem to face a forest fire, and consolation vanishes from every place the message touches.
Ram walks toward his mother's blessing while the news of exile runs ahead of him like venom through the city.
Read the passage from the Manas
धन्य जनमु जगतीतल तासू। पितहि प्रमोदु चरित सुनि जासू।। चारि पदारथ करतल ताकें। प्रिय पितु मातु प्रान सम जाकें।। आयसु पालि जनम फलु पाई। ऐहउँ बेगिहिं होउ रजाई।। बिदा मातु सन आवउँ मागी। चलिहउँ बनहि बहुरि पग लागी।। अस कहि राम गवनु तब कीन्हा। भूप सोक बसु उतरु न दीन्हा।। नगर ब्यापि गइ बात सुतीछी। छुअत चढ़ी जनु सब तन बीछी।। सुनि भए बिकल सकल नर नारी। बेलि बिटप जिमि देखि दवारी।। जो जहँ सुनइ धुनइ सिरु सोई। बड़ बिषादु नहिं धीरजु होई।।
Blessed is the birth upon this earth of one whose conduct, when heard, fills his father's heart with joy. The four great aims of life rest in the palm of that person for whom mother and father are as dear as breath itself. By obeying your command I shall receive the fruit of my birth. I will return swiftly; only grant your leave. Let me seek permission from Mother and then, touching your feet once more, I shall depart for the forest. Saying this, Rama left. The king, drowned in sorrow, could give no reply. The bitter news spread through the city like scorpion venom racing through the body at the slightest touch. Hearing it, every man and woman became distraught, like creepers and trees beholding a forest fire. Wherever anyone heard the news, they beat their heads in grief. Great was the anguish, and no one could find consolation.