Ram Puts on the Sage's Garb before the Silent Court
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 79
Doha 79 · Movement 1 of 2
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Modesty keeps Sita from answering further. Kaikeyi rises, brings ascetic garments, ornaments, and vessels, and places them before Ram with words that sound gentle.
Dasharatha loves Ram too deeply to utter exile himself, she says. Let fame, merit, and the next world perish; the timid king will never command him. Ram must decide what pleases him.
The words strike Dasharatha like arrows while consciousness leaves the court. Ram bows to father and mother, puts on the sage's attire at once, and departs. No coronation hand lifts the cloth; obedience clothes him before the fallen kingdom.
Before the unconscious court, Ram exchanges royal silk for the garment of his father's unspoken word.
Read the passage from the Manas
सीय सकुच बस उतरु न देई। सो सुनि तमकि उठी कैकेई।। मुनि पट भूषन भाजन आनी। आगें धरि बोली मृदु बानी।। नृपहि प्रान प्रिय तुम्ह रघुबीरा। सील सनेह न छाड़िहि भीरा।। सुकृत सुजसु परलोकु नसाऊ। तुम्हहि जान बन कहिहि न काऊ।। अस बिचारि सोइ करहु जो भावा। राम जननि सिख सुनि सुखु पावा।। भूपहि बचन बानसम लागे। करहिं न प्रान पयान अभागे।। लोग बिकल मुरुछित नरनाहू। काह करिअ कछु सूझ न काहू।। रामु तुरत मुनि बेषु बनाई। चले जनक जननिहि सिरु नाई।।
Sita, overcome with modesty, could not give any reply. Hearing this, Kaikeyi rose up in anger. She brought the sage's robes, ornaments, and vessels, and placing them before Rama, spoke in gentle words. "O Raghuvira, you are dearer than life to the king. The timid king will not abandon his virtue and affection. Let his good deeds, noble fame, and the next world be destroyed. He will never tell you to go to the forest." Thinking thus, do what pleases you. Rama's mother found joy in hearing this counsel. These words struck the king's heart like arrows. Yet his wretched life-breath would not depart. The people were stricken with grief. The king lay unconscious. No one could think of anything to do. Rama at once donned the sage's attire and departed, bowing his head to his father and mother.