Kausalya Blesses Sita with the Constancy of Sacred Rivers
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 69
Doha 69 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kausalya is already beyond words when Sita bows and calls herself unfortunate. The hour to serve her mother in law has arrived, yet fate sends the daughter toward the forest instead.
Sita asks Kausalya to release distress without releasing affection. She claims no fault, only grief that the deepest longing to serve at home remains unfulfilled.
Kausalya draws her close again and again, then gathers courage to give counsel and blessing. May Sita's married life remain as unshaken as Ganga and Yamuna flow. The mother cannot stop the road, so she places enduring sacred waters around the bond travelling upon it.
Kausalya sends Sita toward the forest beneath a blessing as constant as Ganga and Yamuna.
Read the passage from the Manas
लखि सनेह कातरि महतारी। बचनु न आव बिकल भइ भारी।। राम प्रबोधु कीन्ह बिधि नाना। समउ सनेहु न जाइ बखाना।। तब जानकी सासु पग लागी। सुनिअ माय मैं परम अभागी।। सेवा समय दैअँ बनु दीन्हा। मोर मनोरथु सफल न कीन्हा।। तजब छोभु जनि छाड़िअ छोहू। करमु कठिन कछु दोसु न मोहू।। सुनि सिय बचन सासु अकुलानी। दसा कवनि बिधि कहौं बखानी।। बारहि बार लाइ उर लीन्ही। धरि धीरजु सिख आसिष दीन्ही।। अचल होउ अहिवातु तुम्हारा। जब लगि गंग जमुन जल धारा।।
Seeing her mother-in-law overcome with affection, Kausalya grew so distressed that words failed her entirely. Rama consoled her in countless ways, yet at such a moment the depth of love lies beyond all telling. Then Janaki (Sita) bowed at her mother-in-law's feet and said, "Hear me, Mother. I am the most unfortunate of all." "Just when it was time to serve you, fate has sent me to the forest. The deepest longing of my heart remains unfulfilled." "Please set aside your distress, but do not let go of your affection. Destiny is harsh; there is no fault of mine in this." Hearing Sita's words, her mother-in-law became overcome with anguish. How can one describe the state she was in? Again and again she drew Sita to her heart. Gathering her courage, she offered both counsel and blessings. "May your married life remain as unshakeable as the flowing waters of the Ganga and the Yamuna."