Sita Answers with Sunlight and Moonlight
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 97
Doha 97 · Movement 1 of 2
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The anguish and love in Dasharatha's plea cannot be fully spoken. Hearing it, compassionate Ram gives Sita many wise reasons to return. Her presence would relieve the grief of father-in-law, mothers-in-law, guru, and the entire beloved family.
Vaidehi listens, then turns to the lord of her life. How can a shadow remain when separated from the body? Where could radiance go after leaving the sun, or moonlight after abandoning the moon? Her images cross the morning air with serene finality. For her, companionship with Ram is not one bond among many. It is the ground upon which all bonds appear.
Only then does she address Sumantra, and courtesy softens the firmness of her answer. He is a wellwisher like a father and father-in-law. To contradict him seems improper, yet love leaves no contrary path available. Her speech holds reverence without surrendering truth.
On the riverbank, Sita places shadow beside body and light beside its source, revealing a union no distance can divide.
Read the passage from the Manas
बिनती भूप कीन्ह जेहि भाँती। आरति प्रीति न सो कहि जाती।। पितु सँदेसु सुनि कृपानिधाना। सियहि दीन्ह सिख कोटि बिधाना।। सासु ससुर गुर प्रिय परिवारू। फिरतु त सब कर मिटै खभारू।। सुनि पति बचन कहति बैदेही। सुनहु प्रानपति परम सनेही।। प्रभु करुनामय परम बिबेकी। तनु तजि रहति छाँह किमि छेंकी।। प्रभा जाइ कहँ भानु बिहाई। कहँ चंद्रिका चंदु तजि जाई।। पतिहि प्रेममय बिनय सुनाई। कहति सचिव सन गिरा सुहाई।। तुम्ह पितु ससुर सरिस हितकारी। उतरु देउँ फिरि अनुचित भारी।।
The king made his entreaty in such a manner that the anguish and love behind it cannot be put into words. Hearing his father's message, the all-compassionate Rama counselled Sita with a thousand wise instructions. "If you return, the grief of your mothers-in-law, father-in-law, guru, and all the dear family will be swept away." Hearing her husband's words, Vaidehi replied: "Listen, O lord of my life, my supremely beloved. "O compassionate Lord of perfect wisdom, how can a shadow remain once the body is gone? "Where can radiance go if it leaves the sun? Where can moonlight travel after abandoning the moon?" Having spoken this loving entreaty to her husband, Sita then addressed the minister with sweet, measured words: "You are a wellwisher as dear as father and father-in-law. To offer you a contrary reply would be deeply improper."