Ram Tells Kausalya He Has Received the Kingdom of the Forest
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 53
Doha 53 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kausalya urges Ram to bathe, eat something sweet, and return quickly to Dasharatha. Her words are blossoms from love's wish fulfilling tree, fragrant with the coronation morning she imagines.
Ram's mind does not become confused by their nectar. Gently he says that his father has given him the kingdom of the forest, where his greatest duty now lies.
He asks Kausalya to command him joyfully so he may depart with grace. Let love bring no fear at dawn, for all his bliss flows from her blessing. Ram gives exile a royal name and approaches the mother's consent as the true consecration he needs.
The crown awaiting Ram is forest duty, and the anointing he seeks is his mother's joyful blessing.
Read the passage from the Manas
तात जाउँ बलि बेगि नहाहू। जो मन भाव मधुर कछु खाहू।। पितु समीप तब जाएहु भैआ। भइ बड़ि बार जाइ बलि मैआ।। मातु बचन सुनि अति अनुकूला। जनु सनेह सुरतरु के फूला।। सुख मकरंद भरे श्रियमूला। निरखि राम मनु भवरुँ न भूला।। धरम धुरीन धरम गति जानी। कहेउ मातु सन अति मृदु बानी।। पिताँ दीन्ह मोहि कानन राजू। जहँ सब भाँति मोर बड़ काजू।। आयसु देहि मुदित मन माता। जेहिं मुद मंगल कानन जाता।। जनि सनेह बस डरपसि भोरें। आनँदु अंब अनुग्रह तोरें।।
"Dear child, let me take your troubles upon myself. Go quickly and bathe. Eat something sweet, whatever pleases your heart. Then, brother, go to your father's side. It has grown very late. Your mother offers herself for you." Hearing his mother's words, so full of kindness, like blossoms of the wish-fulfilling tree of love, filled with the nectar of happiness, rooted in all that is auspicious, Rama's mind, like a bee beholding those flowers, was not led astray. That champion of dharma, knowing the true path of righteousness, spoke to his mother in the gentlest of tones: "Father has given me the kingdom of the forest, where, in every way, my greatest duty lies. Give your command with a joyful heart, mother, so that I may set out for the forest with gladness and grace. Do not let love make you fearful at dawn. All bliss, dear mother, flows from your blessing alone."