Kausalya Calls the Forest a Hundred Ayodhyas
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 56
Doha 56 · Movement 1 of 2
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If Dasharatha alone commanded exile, Kausalya says her elder authority could forbid it. But if father and mother both send Ram, then the forest becomes equal to a hundred Ayodhyas.
Dasharatha will be its god, Kaikeyi its goddess, and birds and beasts will serve Ram's lotus feet. The wilderness becomes family and kingdom through obedience.
Still his tender youth wounds her. Blessed is the forest receiving him; unfortunate is the city he leaves. She cannot ask to accompany him without burdening his heart. Ram is life of every life, yet he calmly says he goes away, and Kausalya can only sit inside the impossible sound.
Parental command turns forest into a hundred Ayodhyas, yet no vision can make the mother's separation small.
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जौं केवल पितु आयसु ताता। तौ जनि जाहु जानि बड़ि माता।। जौं पितु मातु कहेउ बन जाना। तौं कानन सत अवध समाना।। पितु बनदेव मातु बनदेवी। खग मृग चरन सरोरुह सेवी।। अंतहुँ उचित नृपहि बनबासू। बय बिलोकि हियँ होइ हराँसू।। बड़भागी बनु अवध अभागी। जो रघुबंसतिलक तुम्ह त्यागी।। जौं सुत कहौ संग मोहि लेहू। तुम्हरे हृदयँ होइ संदेहू।। पूत परम प्रिय तुम्ह सबही के। प्रान प्रान के जीवन जी के।। ते तुम्ह कहहु मातु बन जाऊँ। मैं सुनि बचन बैठि पछिताऊँ।।
"If it were your father's command alone, dear son, then do not go, for I, your elder mother, also have authority. But if both father and mother have told you to go, then the forest becomes equal to a hundred Ayodhyas. Your father will become the deity of the forest, your mother its goddess, and the birds and beasts will serve your lotus feet. In truth, forest dwelling is fitting for a king in his final years. Only seeing your tender youth brings sorrow to my heart. Blessed is that forest; unfortunate is Ayodhya, which you, the crown jewel of the Raghu dynasty, are leaving behind. If I were to say, 'Take me with you, son,' doubt would arise in your heart. You are supremely dear to all, the life of every life, the breath of every breath. And yet you say, 'Mother, I go to the forest.' Hearing these words, I can only sit and grieve."