The Village Asks Sita to Return by This Road
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 118
Doha 118 · Movement 1 of 2
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The women bless Sita to remain dear to her husband as Parvati is dear to Shiva, then ask that she never withdraw her affection from them. If she returns along this road, may she grant another sight to those who now call themselves her servants.
Sita sees their thirst for love and consoles them repeatedly in sweet words, nourishing the gathering as moonlight opens night blooming lilies. Then Lakshmana reads Ram's intention and gently asks the villagers to show the onward path.
The request empties joy from their faces. Tears rise, bodies thrill, and it feels as though destiny gave them treasure only to snatch it away. Accepting the movement of karma, they steady themselves, carefully choose the easiest route, and offer direction where their hearts would rather offer delay.
The villagers point toward the easiest road with trembling hands, already praying that Sita will one day return upon it.
Read the passage from the Manas
पारबती सम पतिप्रिय होहू। देबि न हम पर छाड़ब छोहू।। पुनि पुनि बिनय करिअ कर जोरी। जौं एहि मारग फिरिअ बहोरी।। दरसनु देब जानि निज दासी। लखीं सीयँ सब प्रेम पिआसी।। मधुर बचन कहि कहि परितोषीं। जनु कुमुदिनीं कौमुदीं पोषीं।। तबहिं लखन रघुबर रुख जानी। पूँछेउ मगु लोगन्हि मृदु बानी।। सुनत नारि नर भए दुखारी। पुलकित गात बिलोचन बारी।। मिटा मोदु मन भए मलीने। बिधि निधि दीन्ह लेत जनु छीने।। समुझि करम गति धीरजु कीन्हा। सोधि सुगम मगु तिन्ह कहि दीन्हा।।
May you be as dear to your husband as Parvati is to Shiva. O Devi, do not forsake your loving grace toward us. Again and again we plead with folded hands: if you ever return by this road, grant us your darshan, knowing us as your own servants. Sita saw that all were thirsting with love. With sweet words, again and again, she consoled them all, as moonlight nourishes the night-blooming kumudini lotuses. Then Lakshman, reading Raghuvara's intent, asked the villagers for the way in gentle speech. Hearing this, the men and women grew sorrowful, their limbs trembling, their eyes brimming with tears. All joy vanished; their hearts turned desolate, as though Vidhi had bestowed a treasure only to snatch it away. Accepting the course of karma, they steadied themselves, and after careful thought showed them the easiest path.