The Forest Falls Peaceful Around Valmiki's Ashram
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 124
Doha 124 · Movement 1 of 2
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Even now, whoever holds the wandering forms of Sita, Ram, and Lakshmana within the heart, though only in dream, finds the rare road to Ram's eternal abode. The promise rises from the journey before the journey continues.
Seeing Sita's weariness, Raghuvir finds a banyan near cool water. They rest, eat roots and fruits, and depart after dawn bathing. Forests, lakes, and beautiful hills lead them toward Valmiki's hermitage.
The sage's dwelling appears amid pure water and graceful woodland. Lotuses spread over pools, flowering trees open through the groves, and bees hum while lost in nectar. Birds and deer move joyfully without enmity. Around the hermitage, the natural world has become the peace that the sage carries within.
Beyond the banyan rest, Ram enters a forest where lotus, bee, bird, and deer share the stillness of Valmiki.
Read the passage from the Manas
अजहुँ जासु उर सपनेहुँ काऊ। बसहुँ लखनु सिय रामु बटाऊ।। राम धाम पथ पाइहि सोई। जो पथ पाव कबहुँ मुनि कोई।। तब रघुबीर श्रमित सिय जानी। देखि निकट बटु सीतल पानी।। तहँ बसि कंद मूल फल खाई। प्रात नहाइ चले रघुराई।। देखत बन सर सैल सुहाए। बालमीकि आश्रम प्रभु आए।। राम दीख मुनि बासु सुहावन। सुंदर गिरि काननु जलु पावन।। सरनि सरोज बिटप बन फूले। गुंजत मंजु मधुप रस भूले।। खग मृग बिपुल कोलाहल करहीं। बिरहित बैर मुदित मन चरहीं।।
Even now, whoever holds in their heart, even in a dream, the vision of Lakshmana, Sita, and Rama as wanderers on the forest path, that blessed soul shall find the way to Rama's eternal abode, the very path that only the rarest of sages ever attain. Then Raghuvira, seeing that Sita was weary, noticed a banyan tree nearby with cool, refreshing water. They rested there and ate roots, tubers, and fruits. At dawn, after bathing, Raghuraj set out again. Passing through beautiful forests, shimmering lakes, and lovely mountains, the Lord arrived at the ashram of Valmiki. Rama beheld the sage's enchanting dwelling, with its graceful hills, lush woodlands, and pure, sacred water. Rows of lotuses and flowering trees filled the forest with bloom. Sweet bees hummed softly, lost in the nectar. Countless birds and deer filled the air with joyful sounds, grazing and roaming with happy hearts, free from all enmity.