Sumitra Commands Lakshmana to Prevent Ram's Hardship
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 75
Doha 75 · Movement 1 of 3
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Blessed is the mother whose son loves Raghupati, Sumitra says. The supreme fruit of righteous action is natural affection for the feet of Ram and Sita.
Lakshmana must resist attachment, anger, jealousy, pride, and delusion even in dream. Mind, action, and word are to become pure service.
The forest will favour him because father and mother, Ram and Sita, will all be there. Sumitra gives one governing instruction: do whatever prevents Ram from suffering hardship. She sends her son not as prince or adventurer, but as vigilant care walking beside the divine couple.
Sumitra places one command in Lakshmana's hands: let no forest hardship reach Ram without meeting your service first.
Read the passage from the Manas
पुत्रवती जुबती जग सोई। रघुपति भगतु जासु सुतु होई।। नतरु बाँझ भलि बादि बिआनी। राम बिमुख सुत तें हित जानी।। तुम्हरेहिं भाग रामु बन जाहीं। दूसर हेतु तात कछु नाहीं।। सकल सुकृत कर बड़ फलु एहू। राम सीय पद सहज सनेहू।। राग रोषु इरिषा मदु मोहू। जनि सपनेहुँ इन्ह के बस होहू।। सकल प्रकार बिकार बिहाई। मन क्रम बचन करेहु सेवकाई।। तुम्ह कहुँ बन सब भाँति सुपासू। सँग पितु मातु रामु सिय जासू।। जेहिं न रामु बन लहहिं कलेसू। सुत सोइ करेहु इहइ उपदेसू।।
She alone in this world is truly blessed with a son whose child is a devotee of Raghupati. Otherwise, better to be childless than to give birth in vain, thinking a son who has turned from Rama could bring any good. It is your good fortune alone that Rama goes to the forest. There is no other reason, dear one. The greatest fruit of all righteous deeds is this: natural, spontaneous love for the feet of Rama and Sita. Attachment, anger, jealousy, pride, delusion: do not fall under their sway, not even in your dreams. Abandoning every kind of impurity, serve with your mind, your actions, and your words. The forest will be favorable to you in every way, for your father, your mother, Rama, and Sita will all be there. Do whatever ensures that Rama suffers no hardship in the forest. This is my instruction to you, my son.