Sita Turns Every Forest Hardship into Service
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 66
Doha 66 · Movement 1 of 2
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Forest gods will care for Sita like parents in law. Kusha and leaves beside Ram will become bridal bedding, roots and fruits nectar, and hills a hundred palaces of Ayodhya.
Moment by moment she will gaze upon his lotus feet like the chakravaka rejoicing in daylight. Every fear Ram described remains lighter than one hair's breadth of separation.
Sita asks the treasure of mercy to take her, then stops pleading because the knower of every heart already sees her truth. Her imagination does not erase austerity; it converts each condition into nearness, service, and continuous contemplation of the beloved.
Sita gathers thorn, root, hill, and leaf into one unbroken practice of beholding Ram's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
बनदेवीं बनदेव उदारा। करिहहिं सासु ससुर सम सारा।। कुस किसलय साथरी सुहाई। प्रभु सँग मंजु मनोज तुराई।। कंद मूल फल अमिअ अहारू। अवध सौध सत सरिस पहारू।। छिनु छिनु प्रभु पद कमल बिलोकि। रहिहउँ मुदित दिवस जिमि कोकी।। बन दुख नाथ कहे बहुतेरे। भय बिषाद परिताप घनेरे।। प्रभु बियोग लवलेस समाना। सब मिलि होहिं न कृपानिधाना।। अस जियँ जानि सुजान सिरोमनि। लेइअ संग मोहि छाड़िअ जनि।। बिनती बहुत करौं का स्वामी। करुनामय उर अंतरजामी।।
The generous forest goddesses and forest gods will care for me as lovingly as mother-in-law and father-in-law. Beautiful beds of kusha grass and tender leaves, beside my Lord, will be like the loveliest bridal chambers. Roots, tubers, fruits: nectar-sweet food. The hills will be like a hundred palaces of Ayodhya. Gazing at my Lord's lotus feet moment by moment, I shall remain joyful, like the chakravaka bird in daylight. You have spoken of many hardships of the forest, O Lord: fears, sorrows and deep afflictions. O treasure of mercy, even a hair's breadth of separation from You outweighs all those hardships combined. Knowing this truth in my heart, O crown jewel of the wise, please take me with You. Do not leave me behind. Why should I plead at such length, O my Master? You are all-compassionate and You know what lies within every heart.