Sita Imagines Serving Ram beneath the Trees
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 67
Doha 67 · Movement 1 of 2
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Sita will walk without weariness by looking constantly at Ram's lotus feet. She will serve along the road, wash his feet, fan him beneath trees, and see beauty in the perspiration upon his dark body.
Each night she will spread soft grass and leaves upon level ground. With Ram beside her, even wind and wild creatures lose their power to frighten.
She answers the charge of delicacy directly: forest life is suitable because service is her strength, and comfort exists only at his feet. Her vision is intimate and practical, filled with water, shade, bedding, fatigue, and the joy of easing it.
Beneath forest trees, Sita sees each act of care becoming rest for Ram and fulfilment for herself.
Read the passage from the Manas
मोहि मग चलत न होइहि हारी। छिनु छिनु चरन सरोज निहारी।। सबहि भाँति पिय सेवा करिहौं। मारग जनित सकल श्रम हरिहौं।। पाय पखारी बैठि तरु छाहीं। करिहउँ बाउ मुदित मन माहीं।। श्रम कन सहित स्याम तनु देखें। कहँ दुख समउ प्रानपति पेखें।। सम महि तृन तरुपल्लव डासी। पाग पलोटिहि सब निसि दासी।। बारबार मृदु मूरति जोही। लागहि तात बयारि न मोही। को प्रभु सँग मोहि चितवनिहारा। सिंघबधुहि जिमि ससक सिआरा।। मैं सुकुमारि नाथ बन जोगू। तुम्हहि उचित तप मो कहुँ भोगू।।
I will not grow weary walking on the path with you, constantly gazing at your lotus feet every moment. I will serve my beloved in every way and remove all the fatigue born of the journey. After washing your feet and sitting in the shade of trees, I will fan you with a joyful heart. When I see your dark body adorned with drops of perspiration, where is any room for sorrow when I behold my lord of life? On level ground I will spread soft grass and tender tree-leaves; your maidservant will arrange the bedding every night. Gazing again and again at your gentle form, dear one, even the wind will not dare touch me. Who would dare look at me when my lord is by my side? As hares and jackals flee before a lioness. I may be delicate, my lord, but I am fit for forest life. Austerity befits you; comfort is my rightful lot only at your feet.