Sumitra Says Ayodhya Is Wherever Ram Dwells
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 74
Doha 74 · Movement 1 of 2
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Knowing the hour is difficult, Sumitra steadies herself. Vaidehi is Lakshmana's mother and Ram his father, she says. Wherever Ram dwells is Ayodhya, as daylight exists wherever the sun shines.
If Sita and Ram enter the forest, no purpose remains for Lakshmana in the palace. Guru, parents, brother, gods, and master are served as life, yet all who are worshipful are dear for Ram's sake.
Go with them and gather the true fruit of birth. Sumitra does not relinquish her son; she reveals his deepest parentage and true homeland. Forest becomes Ayodhya because its sun is moving there.
Sumitra moves the capital without moving a wall: Ayodhya is simply wherever Ram's sun gives light.
Read the passage from the Manas
धीरजु धरेउ कुअवसर जानी। सहज सुह्द बोली मृदु बानी।। तात तुम्हारि मातु बैदेही। पिता रामु सब भाँति सनेही।। अवध तहाँ जहँ राम निवासू। तहँइँ दिवसु जहँ भानु प्रकासू।। जौ पै सीय रामु बन जाहीं। अवध तुम्हार काजु कछु नाहिं।। गुर पितु मातु बंधु सुर साई। सेइअहिं सकल प्रान की नाईं।। रामु प्रानप्रिय जीवन जी के। स्वारथ रहित सखा सबही कै।। पूजनीय प्रिय परम जहाँ तें। सब मानिअहिं राम के नातें।। अस जियँ जानि संग बन जाहू। लेहु तात जग जीवन लाहू।।
Knowing the hour to be unfavorable, he held firm his composure and spoke in words naturally tender and sweet. "Dear son, Vaidehi is your mother, and Rama your father, loving you in every way. Ayodhya is wherever Rama dwells, just as daylight exists wherever the sun shines. If Sita and Rama depart for the forest, no purpose remains for you in Ayodhya. Guru, father, mother, brother, the gods, and one's master: all should be served as dearly as one's own life. Rama is dearer than life itself, the very breath of living, a selfless friend to all. All who are worthy of worship and supremely dear are honored for Rama's sake alone. Knowing this in your heart, go with them to the forest. Gather, dear son, the true reward of life in this world."