Ram Stands in the Lineage of Truth
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 95
Doha 95 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram lifts Sumantra and asks him to protect Ayodhya from becoming orphaned. His reply does not rise in anger against the command. He addresses the minister as father and reminds him that one so deeply learned in dharma already knows the ground upon which this decision stands.
Across that ground appear the great witnesses: Shibi, Dadhichi, Harishchandra, Rantideva, and Bali, each enduring severe trial for righteousness. Ram places his forest road within their lineage. Scripture declares that no dharma equals truth, and obedience has placed that treasure directly within his reach.
To abandon it would cast dishonor through the three worlds. For one held in esteem, such disgrace burns more fiercely than countless deaths. Ram speaks without self-display. The chariot waits, Sumantra pleads, and Ayodhya grieves, but truth is not an ornament to be worn only when the road is easy.
Before the waiting chariot, Ram chooses the severe radiance of truth and makes exile itself an altar of dharma.
Read the passage from the Manas
तात कृपा करि कीजिअ सोई। जातें अवध अनाथ न होई।। मंत्रहि राम उठाइ प्रबोधा। तात धरम मतु तुम्ह सबु सोधा।। सिबि दधीचि हरिचंद नरेसा। सहे धरम हित कोटि कलेसा।। रंतिदेव बलि भूप सुजाना। धरमु धरेउ सहि संकट नाना।। धरमु न दूसर सत्य समाना। आगम निगम पुरान बखाना।। मैं सोइ धरमु सुलभ करि पावा। तजें तिहूँ पुर अपजसु छावा।। संभावित कहुँ अपजस लाहू। मरन कोटि सम दारुन दाहू।। तुम्ह सन तात बहुत का कहऊँ। दिएँ उतरु फिरि पातकु लहऊँ।।
Father, please be gracious and do that by which Ayodhya will not be left without a protector. Rama lifted the minister and gently counseled him: Father, you have studied and understood dharma thoroughly. Kings Shibi, Rishi Dadhichi, and King Harishchandra endured millions of sufferings for the sake of dharma. The wise kings Rantideva and Bali upheld dharma while bearing countless calamities. There is no dharma equal to truth. This is what the Agamas, the Vedas, and the Puranas all declare. I have easily obtained this very dharma. If I abandon it, disgrace will cover all three worlds. For one who is honored, disgrace burns like the torment of a million deaths. Father, what more can I say to you? If I were to give a contrary answer, I would only earn sin.