Kausalya Compares Sita to a Swan of Manasarovar
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 60
Doha 60 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kausalya says forest hardship belongs to those born within it or to ascetic women who have renounced comfort for tapas. Sita trembles even at a painted monkey. How will she endure wilderness?
A lotus of Manasarovar does not belong in a muddy pond, nor a young swan princess in such waters. Whatever Ram commands, Kausalya will counsel Janaki accordingly.
If Sita remains, she can support and console the mother left behind. Ram receives these words as nectar steeped in virtue and affection. He hears no resistance to dharma, only a mother's attempt to protect two beloved lives from one separation.
Kausalya asks that the swan of Manasarovar remain beside her, and Ram hears the nectar within the plea.
Read the passage from the Manas
बन हित कोल किरात किसोरी। रचीं बिरंचि बिषय सुख भोरी।। पाइन कृमि जिमि कठिन सुभाऊ। तिन्हहि कलेसु न कानन काऊ।। कै तापस तिय कानन जोगू। जिन्ह तप हेतु तजा सब भोगू।। सिय बन बसिहि तात केहि भाँती। चित्रलिखित कपि देखि डेराती।। सुरसर सुभग बनज बन चारी। डाबर जोगु कि हंसकुमारी।। अस बिचारि जस आयसु होई। मैं सिख देउँ जानकिहि सोई।। जौं सिय भवन रहै कह अंबा। मोहि कहँ होइ बहुत अवलंबा।। सुनि रघुबीर मातु प्रिय बानी। सील सनेह सुधाँ जनु सानी।।
Brahma fashioned the young kol and kirat girls for the forest, innocent of any other pleasure. Like the payin krimi, the hardy pine-worm, their nature is tough; no forest hardship ever troubles them. Or perhaps ascetic women are fit for the wilderness, women who have renounced every comfort for the sake of tapas. But how will Sita live in the forest, dear child? She trembles at the sight of a monkey in a painting. Is a graceful lotus of the Mansarovar meant for a muddy pond? Is a hans-kumari, a young swan-princess, suited to such waters? Considering all this, whatever your command may be, I will give Janaki that very counsel. If Sita remains at home, says mother Kausalya, she will be a great support and comfort to me. Hearing his dear mother's words, Raghuvira received them as though they were steeped in the nectar of sheela and sneha, virtue and love.