Ram Tells Sita to Prepare for the Forest
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 68
Doha 68 · Movement 1 of 2
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The very word separation overwhelms Sita. Ram sees that continued refusal would endanger her life, and compassion resolves what argument could not.
Set aside worry and come with me, he says. This is not the hour for grief; prepare quickly for the forest. Loving words restore movement to the chamber.
Ram then bows for Kausalya's blessing and promises to return soon to remove the people's sorrow. The mother wonders whether fate will ever let her eyes behold the beautiful pair again. Permission has been granted, but farewell opens wider around two departing forms.
Ram opens the forest road to Sita, then bends once more beneath the blessing of the mother left behind.
Read the passage from the Manas
अस कहि सीय बिकल भइ भारी। बचन बियोगु न सकी सँभारी।। देखि दसा रघुपति जियँ जाना। हठि राखें नहिं राखिहि प्राना।। कहेउ कृपाल भानुकुलनाथा। परिहरि सोचु चलहु बन साथा।। नहिं बिषाद कर अवसरु आजू। बेगि करहु बन गवन समाजू।। कहि प्रिय बचन प्रिया समुझाई। लगे मातु पद आसिष पाई।। बेगि प्रजा दुख मेटब आई। जननी निठुर बिसरि जनि जाई।। फिरहि दसा बिधि बहुरि कि मोरी। देखिहउँ नयन मनोहर जोरी।। सुदिन सुघरी तात कब होइहि। जननी जिअत बदन बिधु जोइहि।।
Saying this, Sita became deeply distressed; she could not bear even the word "separation." Seeing her condition, Raghupati understood in his heart that if he insisted on keeping her back, she would not survive. The compassionate Lord of the Solar dynasty said, "Set aside your worry and come with me to the forest." "This is not the time for grief today. Quickly make preparations for our journey to the forest." Speaking loving words, he consoled his beloved, then approached his mother's feet and received her blessing. "I shall return soon to remove the people's suffering. O Mother, do not forget this heartless son of yours." "Will fate ever turn in my favor again? Will these eyes behold that beautiful pair once more?" "When will that blessed day come, dear son, when this mother, still alive, will gaze upon your moon-like face?"