Ram Asks Dasharatha to Bless the Departure
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 77
Doha 77 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Dasharatha cannot speak while grief burns through him. Ram bows at his feet and asks for blessing and command, urging joy where sorrow now threatens the king's honour.
If love clings too tightly, the world may speak against Dasharatha's truth. The king rises, takes Ram by the arm, and seats him close.
Then Dasharatha turns toward the law of karma: the Lord gives beings the fruit of their own deeds, as Veda and wise ones teach. He speaks around the injustice he cannot reconcile, searching cosmic order for an explanation while the innocent son sits before him.
Ram asks for a joyful blessing, and Dasharatha reaches instead for the mystery of deeds and their fruit.
Read the passage from the Manas
सकइ न बोलि बिकल नरनाहू। सोक जनित उर दारुन दाहू।। नाइ सीसु पद अति अनुरागा। उठि रघुबीर बिदा तब मागा।। पितु असीस आयसु मोहि दीजै। हरष समय बिसमउ कत कीजै।। तात किएँ प्रिय प्रेम प्रमादू। जसु जग जाइ होइ अपबादू।। सुनि सनेह बस उठि नरनाहाँ। बैठारे रघुपति गहि बाहाँ।। सुनहु तात तुम्ह कहुँ मुनि कहहीं। रामु चराचर नायक अहहीं।। सुभ अरु असुभ करम अनुहारी। ईस देइ फलु ह्दयँ बिचारी।। करइ जो करम पाव फल सोई। निगम नीति असि कह सबु कोई।।
The king cannot speak; he is undone by distress. A fierce burning born of grief has seized his heart. Bowing his head at his father's feet with deep love, Raghuvira rose and asked for leave to depart. 'Father, give me your blessing and your command. Why make sorrow where there should be joy? Dear father, if love makes you cling too tightly, your honor will be lost and the world will speak ill of you.' Hearing this, the king rose, overpowered by affection, and seated Raghupati by taking hold of his arm. 'Listen, my son. The sages say that Rama is the lord of all that moves and all that is still. According to good and bad deeds, the Lord weighs each case in His heart and grants the fitting fruit. Whatever action one performs, one receives that very fruit. This is what the Vedas teach, and all the wise affirm.'