Blessing Spreads from Village to Forest
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 122
Doha 122 · Movement 1 of 2
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Village after village brightens when the moon of the solar dynasty appears. News of exile brings blame upon king and queen, yet some villagers call the king good because his decision has granted their eyes this impossible reward.
Simple voices begin widening the circle of blessing. Fortunate are the parents who gave birth to these travellers, fortunate the city from which they came. Blessed are country, mountain, forest, village, and every place upon which their steps will fall.
Even Brahma must have rejoiced while forming the one beloved in every way. Stories of Ram and Lakshmana then move ahead and behind them, filling woodland paths with praise. The exiles pass once, but katha remains, carrying their presence into settlements that may never see them.
Ram leaves each village behind, while stories of his passage keep spreading through every lane and forest track.
Read the passage from the Manas
गाँव गाँव अस होइ अनंदू। देखि भानुकुल कैरव चंदू।। जे कछु समाचार सुनि पावहिं। ते नृप रानिहि दोसु लगावहिं।। कहहिं एक अति भल नरनाहू। दीन्ह हमहि जोइ लोचन लाहू।। कहहिं परस्पर लोग लोगाईं। बातें सरल सनेह सुहाईं।। ते पितु मातु धन्य जिन्ह जाए। धन्य सो नगरु जहाँ तें आए।। धन्य सो देसु सैलु बन गाऊँ। जहँ जहँ जाहिं धन्य सोइ ठाऊँ।। सुख पायउ बिरंचि रचि तेही। ए जेहि के सब भाँति सनेही।। राम लखन पथि कथा सुहाई। रही सकल मग कानन छाई।।
Village after village, such joy arose upon seeing the moon of the solar dynasty. Whatever news the people heard, they blamed the king and queen for Rama's exile. Yet some said, 'The king is truly good; he gave us the reward of our eyes.' Men and women spoke among themselves with simple, loving, delightful words: 'Blessed are the parents who gave him birth. Blessed is the city from which he came. Blessed is that land, that mountain, that forest and village. Wherever he goes, that place is blessed. Brahma himself found joy in creating the one who is beloved of all in every way.' The beautiful stories of Rama and Lakshmana on the road spread and filled every path and forest.