Two Bows Keep Watch in the Darkness
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 90
Doha 90 · Movement 1 of 2
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When Lakshmana knows that Ram is asleep, he gently asks Sumantra to rest. A little distance from the leaf bed, he readies bow and arrows and takes the warrior's seat. Guha places trusted guards at intervals around the clearing, then returns with quiver fastened and bow strung to sit beside him.
The prince of Ayodhya and the Nishada chief keep one vigil. Their silhouettes are held against the faint gleam of the river, listening for every movement beyond the trees. Yet Guha's gaze repeatedly returns to the Lord asleep upon grass. His skin thrills, tears gather, and sorrow overcomes his heart.
He remembers the royal chambers Ram has left behind: upper rooms fashioned with gems, loveliness that might humble even the dwelling of Indra, adornment worthy of the god of desire. Each remembered splendor deepens the contrast before him. In the dark, the two bows remain ready while Guha's love begins to speak.
Weapons guard the clearing, but Guha's tears reveal how defenseless love becomes before the sight of Ram upon the earth.
Read the passage from the Manas
उठे लखनु प्रभु सोवत जानी। कहि सचिवहि सोवन मृदु बानी।। कछुक दूर सजि बान सरासन। जागन लगे बैठि बीरासन।। गुँह बोलाइ पाहरू प्रतीती। ठावँ ठाँव राखे अति प्रीती।। आपु लखन पहिं बैठेउ जाई। कटि भाथी सर चाप चढ़ाई।। सोवत प्रभुहि निहारि निषादू। भयउ प्रेम बस ह्दयँ बिषादू।। तनु पुलकित जलु लोचन बहई। बचन सप्रेम लखन सन कहई।। भूपति भवन सुभायँ सुहावा। सुरपति सदनु न पटतर पावा।। मनिमय रचित चारु चौबारे। जनु रतिपति निज हाथ सँवारे।।
Lakshmana rose, knowing his Lord was asleep, and spoke softly to the minister, asking him to rest. Moving a little distance away, he readied his bow and arrows and sat in veerasana, keeping vigilant watch. Guha called his trusted guards and stationed them lovingly at various places all around. Then he went and sat beside Lakshmana, his quiver at his waist, his bow strung and ready. Gazing upon his sleeping Lord, the Nishada chief felt his heart flooded with love and sorrow together. His body thrilled, tears streamed from his eyes, and he spoke to Lakshmana with deep affection. 'The king's palace is naturally so beautiful that even Indra's heaven cannot equal it. Its lovely upper chambers are fashioned with gems, as though Kamadeva himself had adorned them with his own hands.'