Four Young Guides Lead Ram from the Hermitage
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 109
Doha 109 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram asks Bharadvaja which path they should take. The sage smiles inwardly at the question, for no road can be difficult or unwelcoming to the Lord. When disciples are called to accompany the travellers, fifty arrive in delight, each claiming perfect knowledge of the way and each longing to remain near Ram.
Bharadvaja chooses four young students, souls whose accumulated merit has ripened into this morning's service. Ram bows, receives the sage's permission, and sets out with a joyful heart while the guides walk ahead through the country beyond Prayag.
Near every village, men and women run out for sight of the travellers. Their eyes receive what feels like the fruit of an entire birth. Yet when Ram passes onward, their bodies return home in sorrow while their minds follow him along the disappearing path.
Four students show the outward road, while every village heart discovers an inward path that follows Ram into the distance.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम सप्रेम कहेउ मुनि पाहीं। नाथ कहिअ हम केहि मग जाहीं।। मुनि मन बिहसि राम सन कहहीं। सुगम सकल मग तुम्ह कहुँ अहहीं।। साथ लागि मुनि सिष्य बोलाए। सुनि मन मुदित पचासक आए।। सबन्हि राम पर प्रेम अपारा। सकल कहहि मगु दीख हमारा।। मुनि बटु चारि संग तब दीन्हे। जिन्ह बहु जनम सुकृत सब कीन्हे।। करि प्रनामु रिषि आयसु पाई। प्रमुदित हृदयँ चले रघुराई।। ग्राम निकट जब निकसहि जाई। देखहि दरसु नारि नर धाई।। होहि सनाथ जनम फलु पाई। फिरहि दुखित मनु संग पठाई।।
Rama spoke lovingly to the muni: "Nath, please tell us which path we should follow." The muni smiled within his heart and replied to Rama: "All paths are easy and welcoming for you." The muni called his shishyas to accompany them; hearing this, some fifty came with joyful hearts. Each one held boundless prem for Rama, and all declared, "We know the path well." The muni then chose four batus to go with them, souls who had gathered merit over many births. Bowing in pranaam and receiving the rishi's blessing, Raghurai set forth with a delighted heart. Whenever they drew near a village, men and women would come running for darshan. They felt blessed, having gained the fruit of their birth; yet they returned with heavy hearts, sending their longing along with him.