The Citizens Abandon Homes Rare Even for the Gods
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 84
Doha 84 · Movement 1 of 2
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Everywhere people stand stunned like figures in a painting. Prosperous Ayodhya appears as a terrible forest, its citizens frightened creatures amid fires kindled by Kaikeyi's act.
Unable to endure separation, they reach one conclusion: without Ram, Lakshmana, and Sita there is no happiness, purpose, or true community. Where Ram dwells, meaning dwells.
They leave homes whose comforts are rare even to gods and follow the road. Attachment to Ram's feet has loosened the grip of worldly splendour. Palace city becomes wilderness behind them, while the path of exile becomes the only inhabited world ahead.
Citizens leave divine comforts without looking back, because home has already moved down the road with Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम बियोग बिकल सब ठाढ़े। जहँ तहँ मनहुँ चित्र लिखि काढ़े।। नगरु सफल बनु गहबर भारी। खग मृग बिपुल सकल नर नारी।। बिधि कैकेई किरातिनि कीन्ही। जेंहि दव दुसह दसहुँ दिसि दीन्ही।। सहि न सके रघुबर बिरहागी। चले लोग सब ब्याकुल भागी।। सबहिं बिचार कीन्ह मन माहीं। राम लखन सिय बिनु सुखु नाहीं।। जहाँ रामु तहँ सबुइ समाजू। बिनु रघुबीर अवध नहिं काजू।। चले साथ अस मंत्रु दृढ़ाई। सुर दुर्लभ सुख सदन बिहाई।। राम चरन पंकज प्रिय जिन्हही। बिषय भोग बस करहिं कि तिन्हही।।
All the people stood distraught in separation from Rama, appearing everywhere like painted figures drawn in a picture. The prosperous city became like a dense and terrible forest, with all its men and women like countless frightened birds and beasts. The Creator made Kaikeyi into a huntress who set unbearable fires blazing in all ten directions. Unable to endure the anguish of separation from Raghubara, all the people rushed away in desperate haste. Everyone reflected within their hearts: there is no happiness without Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. Where Rama dwells, there lies all purpose and community. Without Raghuvira, Ayodhya holds no meaning. With this firm resolve they left behind their homes, abodes of happiness rare even for the gods. Those who hold dear the lotus feet of Rama, can worldly pleasures ever hold them in their grip?