Evening Gathers Beneath the Shinsupa Tree
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 89
Doha 89 · Movement 1 of 2
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Men and women of the settlement linger around the three travellers, unable to turn their eyes away. Tender wonder passes from voice to voice. Some grieve that parents could send such young ones into the wilderness. Others bless providence for bringing this beauty before their sight, even through so sorrowful a road.
Guha studies the riverbank with a servant's alert heart and chooses a graceful shinsupa tree. Ram approves the place. The villagers bow and withdraw as the last light thins among the branches, while Raghubir turns toward his evening observance and the bustle around him settles into reverent quiet.
Under the tree, Guha spreads kusha grass and new leaves until the forest floor becomes a gentle bed. Leaf bowls stand nearby, filled with clean water, sweet fruits, and tender roots. No palace treasure shines here. Every humble thing is made radiant by the care with which it has been placed.
Twilight closes over the Ganga, and Guha's attentive love turns grass, leaves, fruit, and water into a royal welcome.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम लखन सिय रूप निहारी। कहहिं सप्रेम ग्राम नर नारी।। ते पितु मातु कहहु सखि कैसे। जिन्ह पठए बन बालक ऐसे।। एक कहहिं भल भूपति कीन्हा। लोयन लाहु हमहि बिधि दीन्हा।। तब निषादपति उर अनुमाना। तरु सिंसुपा मनोहर जाना।। लै रघुनाथहि ठाउँ देखावा। कहेउ राम सब भाँति सुहावा।। पुरजन करि जोहारु घर आए। रघुबर संध्या करन सिधाए।। गुहँ सँवारि साँथरी डसाई। कुस किसलयमय मृदुल सुहाई।। सुचि फल मूल मधुर मृदु जानी। दोना भरि भरि राखेसि पानी।।
The village men and women gazed on the beauty of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, speaking with tender love. 'Tell us, friend, what kind of parents are these who have sent such young children into the forest?' Some said, 'The king has done well, for Providence has granted our eyes this blessing.' Then Nishadapati thought carefully in his heart and found a beautiful Shinsupa tree. He led Raghunath to that place and showed it to him; Rama said it was pleasing in every way. The townspeople paid their respects and returned home, while Raghubir went to perform his evening prayers. Guha lovingly prepared and spread a soft, beautiful bed of kusha grass and tender leaves. Gathering pure, sweet, and tender fruits and roots, he filled leaf-cups with fresh water.