Kausalya Clings to Ram's Feet and Blesses the Road
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 57
Doha 57 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kausalya calls upon gods and ancestors to guard Ram as eyelids guard the eyes. Ayodhya is water, its family are fish, and Ram alone can devise how they may meet him again while still alive.
She grants him peace upon the forest road but sees subjects, kin, and city left orphaned. It seems everyone's store of good fortune has emptied under a cruel and contrary time.
Lamenting, she clings to his feet until unbearable burning overwhelms speech. Ram lifts his mother, draws her against his chest, and consoles her gently. Blessing and grief remain braided within the embrace.
Kausalya blesses the road while holding the feet that must walk it, and Ram raises her into his arms.
Read the passage from the Manas
देव पितर सब तुन्हहि गोसाई। राखहुँ पलक नयन की नाई।। अवधि अंबु प्रिय परिजन मीना। तुम्ह करुनाकर धरम धुरीना।। अस बिचारि सोइ करहु उपाई। सबहि जिअत जेहिं भेंटेहु आई।। जाहु सुखेन बनहि बलि जाऊँ। करि अनाथ जन परिजन गाऊँ।। सब कर आजु सुकृत फल बीता। भयउ कराल कालु बिपरीता।। बहुबिधि बिलपि चरन लपटानी। परम अभागिनि आपुहि जानी।। दारुन दुसह दाहु उर ब्यापा। बरनि न जाहिं बिलाप कलापा।। राम उठाइ मातु उर लाई। कहि मृदु बचन बहुरि समुझाई।।
O Lord, may the gods and ancestors guard you as the eyelids guard the eyes. Ayodhya is like water, and your dear family are like fish within it. You are the compassionate one, the foremost champion of dharma. Considering this, find some means by which we may all meet you again while we still live. Go in peace to the forest. I offer myself for you. But you leave behind orphaned subjects, family, and the whole city. Today, everyone's store of good fortune has run out. Cruel, contrary time has turned against us. Lamenting in countless ways, she clung to his feet, knowing herself the most unfortunate of women. A terrible, unbearable burning filled her heart. No words can describe the flood of her grief. Rama lifted his mother and drew her to his chest. With gentle words, he consoled her once more.