A Radiant Young Ascetic Finds His Lord
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 110
Doha 110 · Movement 1 of 2
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Word travels along the riverbank, and people abandon their tasks to run toward Sita, Ram, and Lakshmana. Beauty first brings praise of their own good fortune, then longing and hesitation. The older villagers quietly discover who the travellers are and tell the story of a prince entering the forest to honor his father's command.
Sorrow moves through the gathering. Voices blame the king and queen for allowing such a departure. At that moment a young ascetic approaches, small in years yet radiant like concentrated light, clothed in dispassion and wholly devoted to Ram through mind, deed, and speech.
The poet leaves his identity and manner veiled. What matters is the force drawing him into the scene. Among villagers stirred by a sudden meeting, this youthful tapasvi arrives with the recognition of one whose entire inward life has already been facing the Lord.
Through the grieving crowd comes a young flame of renunciation, already burning with love for the traveller before him.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनत तीरवासी नर नारी। धाए निज निज काज बिसारी।। लखन राम सिय सुन्दरताई। देखि करहिं निज भाग्य बड़ाई।। अति लालसा बसहिं मन माहीं। नाउँ गाउँ बूझत सकुचाहीं।। जे तिन्ह महुँ बयबिरिध सयाने। तिन्ह करि जुगुति रामु पहिचाने।। सकल कथा तिन्ह सबहि सुनाई। बनहि चले पितु आयसु पाई।। सुनि सबिषाद सकल पछिताहीं। रानी रायँ कीन्ह भल नाहीं।। तेहि अवसर एक तापसु आवा। तेजपुंज लघुबयस सुहावा।। कवि अलखित गति बेषु बिरागी। मन क्रम बचन राम अनुरागी।।
Hearing the news, men and women living along the riverbank came running, forgetting all their own tasks. Beholding the beauty of Lakshman, Rama, and Sita, they praised their own good fortune. Deep longing filled their hearts, yet they felt too shy to ask the travelers' names and village. Those among them who were older and wiser found a way, through gentle inquiry, to recognize Rama. They told the whole story to everyone: how he had set out for the forest, honouring his father's command. All who heard grew sorrowful and lamented, "The queen and king have not done well." Just then, a young tapasvi arrived, radiant as a mass of light and beautiful in his tender age. His ways were beyond the poet's telling; clad in the garb of vairagya, he was devoted to Rama in thought, deed, and word.