Guha Measures the Distance from Palace to Earth
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 91
Doha 91 · Movement 1 of 2
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Guha's remembrance moves through fine garments, milk white cushions, and the chambers where Sita and Ram once rested, their beauty outshining Rati and Manoja. Then his eyes return to the present. Those same two lie weary upon a mat of grass, dressed for exile, while the night presses close around them.
He thinks of mothers, father, companions, citizens, servants, and attendants who guarded them as dearly as life. He thinks of Janaka's renown, Dasharatha's majesty, and the immeasurable honor surrounding Vaidehi. None of it has kept her from the ground. The contrast becomes too sharp for his loving heart to bear.
Looking upon Sita and Raghuvir, Guha asks whether such beings could ever be suited to forest hardship. His grief seeks a cause vast enough to explain the sight, and he reaches for the sovereignty of karma. Beneath his lament lies a trembling recognition: worldly protection, however magnificent, cannot command the road of destiny.
Between the vanished palace and the grass bed, Guha sees every worldly safeguard fall silent before the unfolding of karma.
Read the passage from the Manas
बिबिध बसन उपधान तुराई। छीर फेन मृदु बिसद सुहाई।। तहँ सिय रामु सयन निसि करहीं। निज छबि रति मनोज मदु हरहीं।। ते सिय रामु साथरीं सोए। श्रमित बसन बिनु जाहिं न जोए।। मातु पिता परिजन पुरबासी। सखा सुसील दास अरु दासी।। जोगवहिं जिन्हहि प्रान की नाई। महि सोवत तेइ राम गोसाईं।। पिता जनक जग बिदित प्रभाऊ। ससुर सुरेस सखा रघुराऊ।। रामचंदु पति सो बैदेही। सोवत महि बिधि बाम न केही।। सिय रघुबीर कि कानन जोगू। करम प्रधान सत्य कह लोगू।।
There were many fine garments and soft pillows, lovely and pure white like the foam of milk. There Sita and Rama would rest each night, their radiance surpassing even Rati and Manoja in splendor. Those very Sita and Rama now sleep on grass mats, weary and without proper garments, a sight one cannot bear to see. Mother, father, kinfolk, citizens, noble friends, faithful servants both men and women; They whom all these people cherished like their own prana, that same Lord Rama now sleeps upon the bare earth. Her father Janaka is renowned throughout the world. Her father-in-law was Suresa among kings, and her companion is Raghurau. That Vaidehi whose husband is Ramachandra sleeps on the ground. Surely Vidhi is unkind to everyone. Are Sita and Raghuvira suited for the forest life? People speak truly when they say that karma reigns supreme.