Prayag Appears as a Sacred Kingdom
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 105
Doha 105 · Movement 1 of 2
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One night passes beneath a tree, with Lakshmana and Guha arranging what comfort the forest allows. At dawn Ram completes his morning observances and approaches Prayag. Before him the king of holy places rises not merely as landscape but as a vast righteous realm.
Truth serves as its minister, faith as its beloved queen, and Madhava as its generous friend. The four aims of life fill its treasury. Its sacred ground forms an impregnable fortress, while holy places gather as valiant armies that scatter the hosts of sin.
At the center, the confluence shines like a throne. The deathless banyan spreads a royal canopy beloved of sages, and waves of Yamuna and Ganga move as ceremonial fans. Their very sight breaks sorrow and poverty, bathing the inward kingdom before any body enters the stream.
At Prayag, rivers become royal attendants and the meeting waters hold a throne from which holiness governs the heart.
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तेहि दिन भयउ बिटप तर बासू। लखन सखाँ सब कीन्ह सुपासू।। प्रात प्रातकृत करि रधुसाई। तीरथराजु दीख प्रभु जाई।। सचिव सत्य श्रध्दा प्रिय नारी। माधव सरिस मीतु हितकारी।। चारि पदारथ भरा भँडारु। पुन्य प्रदेस देस अति चारु।। छेत्र अगम गढ़ु गाढ़ सुहावा। सपनेहुँ नहिं प्रतिपच्छिन्ह पावा।। सेन सकल तीरथ बर बीरा। कलुष अनीक दलन रनधीरा।। संगमु सिंहासनु सुठि सोहा। छत्रु अखयबटु मुनि मनु मोहा।। चवँर जमुन अरु गंग तरंगा। देखि होहिं दुख दारिद भंगा।।
That day they rested beneath the shelter of a tree, and Lakshmana with Guha made every arrangement for their comfort. At dawn, after completing His morning prayers and ablutions, Lord Rama went to behold Prayagraj, the king of all holy places. Truth is its wise minister. Faith is its beloved queen. And it has a friend as generous as Madhava Himself. Its treasury overflows with the four great aims of life. Its territory is a land of surpassing beauty and boundless merit. The sacred field is an impregnable fortress, strong and splendid. Not even in their dreams can the enemies of virtue find a way in. All the noble pilgrimage sites form its mighty army, brave warriors who crush the hosts of sin and stand firm in every battle. The Sangam, the holy confluence, shines as its glorious throne. The immortal banyan tree serves as its royal canopy, enchanting the hearts of sages. The waves of the Yamuna and the Ganga sway like ceremonial fans. The mere sight of them shatters sorrow and poverty forever.