Sita Finds the Palace Harder than the Forest
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 78
Doha 78 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Dasharatha tries every means to keep Ram, but the champion of dharma cannot be moved. The king then draws Sita close and describes forest hardship and the comforts awaiting her with family.
Sita's heart remains fixed at Ram's feet. Because of that devotion, palace does not feel easy and forest does not feel difficult.
Ministerial and priestly women add gentle counsel: she has not been exiled, so she should heed father in law, guru, and mother in law. Wisdom and affection surround her, yet all assume geography determines welfare. Sita knows her true dwelling is companionship.
To Sita, the palace without Ram is the wilderness, and the wilderness at his feet is home.
Read the passage from the Manas
रायँ राम राखन हित लागी। बहुत उपाय किए छलु त्यागी।। लखी राम रुख रहत न जाने। धरम धुरंधर धीर सयाने।। तब नृप सीय लाइ उर लीन्ही। अति हित बहुत भाँति सिख दीन्ही।। कहि बन के दुख दुसह सुनाए। सासु ससुर पितु सुख समुझाए।। सिय मनु राम चरन अनुरागा। घरु न सुगमु बनु बिषमु न लागा।। औरउ सबहिं सीय समुझाई। कहि कहि बिपिन बिपति अधिकाई।। सचिव नारि गुर नारि सयानी। सहित सनेह कहहिं मृदु बानी।। तुम्ह कहुँ तौ न दीन्ह बनबासू। करहु जो कहहिं ससुर गुर सासू।।
The king, wanting to keep Rama, tried every means, casting aside all pretense. But seeing Rama's resolve, he knew it would not bend. Rama was the champion of dharma, patient and wise. Then the king drew Sita to his heart and gave her loving counsel in many ways. He described the unbearable hardships of the forest and reminded her of the comforts she would have with her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and father. But Sita's heart was devoted to Rama's feet. The palace did not feel easy to her, nor the forest difficult. Others, too, tried to dissuade Sita, describing the perils of the wilderness again and again. The wise wives of ministers and of the guru spoke with affection in gentle voices. 'You have not been given exile. Do as your father-in-law, your guru, and your mother-in-law advise.'