Ram Describes the Forest of Shifting Forms
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 63
Doha 63 · Movement 1 of 2
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Demons move through the woods in countless deceptive forms. Harsh mountain water, serpents, fierce birds, dreadful creatures, and night wanderers make dangers too numerous to describe.
Even brave men tremble at the memory of those thickets. Ram calls Sita gentle and compares her to a swan of Manasarovar or a cuckoo of fresh mango groves, neither suited to salt ocean or bitter kareela forest.
He also fears public blame for bringing her into suffering. Remain at home, he pleads, because every forest image tells him what could wound the beloved. Protection speaks through metaphor after fact has exhausted itself.
Ram sees Manasarovar's swan before the salt ocean and asks Sita not to enter its waves.
Read the passage from the Manas
नर अहार रजनीचर चरहीं। कपट बेष बिधि कोटिक करहीं।। लागइ अति पहार कर पानी। बिपिन बिपति नहिं जाइ बखानी।। ब्याल कराल बिहग बन घोरा। निसिचर निकर नारि नर चोरा।। डरपहिं धीर गहन सुधि आएँ। मृगलोचनि तुम्ह भीरु सुभाएँ।। हंसगवनि तुम्ह नहिं बन जोगू। सुनि अपजसु मोहि देइहि लोगू।। मानस सलिल सुधाँ प्रतिपाली। जिअइ कि लवन पयोधि मराली।। नव रसाल बन बिहरनसीला। सोह कि कोकिल बिपिन करीला।। रहहु भवन अस हृदयँ बिचारी। चंदबदनि दुखु कानन भारी।।
Demons who devour human beings roam freely there, assuming millions of deceptive forms through their maya. The mountain water is harsh beyond measure. The perils of the forest simply cannot be described. Terrible serpents, fierce birds, and dreadful creatures fill the woods. Hordes of nishachara steal away men and women alike. Even the bravest men tremble when they recall those dense thickets. O Mrigalochani, you are gentle and timid by nature. O Hansagavani, you are not suited for the forest. If people hear of it, they will heap blame upon me. Can a swan raised on the nectar-pure waters of Manasarovar survive in the salt ocean? Does a kokila that delights in groves of fresh mango trees look beautiful in a forest of bitter kareela? Think upon this in your heart, O Chandabadani. Remain at home. The forest holds only immense suffering.