Valmiki Points the Road to Chitrakoot
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 132
Doha 132 · Movement 1 of 2
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Having revealed the invisible dwellings, Valmiki returns to Ram's practical question. His loving words delight the Lord. Chitrakoot, the sage says, offers a refuge pleasant in every season, with a beautiful mountain and a forest where elephants, lions, deer, and birds move freely.
Mandakini flows there, a holy current celebrated in ancient story and brought forth by Anasuya, beloved wife of Atri, through the strength of her austerity. This stream of celestial Ganga consumes the burden of sin.
Atri and many great sages practice yoga, repetition, and severe discipline around the mountain. Ram should go and make all their efforts fruitful. The king of mountains itself awaits the honor his presence will bestow. After locating Ram in the purified heart, Valmiki locates his leaf hut within a landscape already shaped by tapas.
Valmiki sends the Lord toward Chitrakoot, where Mandakini, mountain, and long austerity wait to receive visible grace.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि बिधि मुनिबर भवन देखाए। बचन सप्रेम राम मन भाए।। कह मुनि सुनहु भानुकुलनायक। आश्रम कहउँ समय सुखदायक।। चित्रकूट गिरि करहु निवासू। तहँ तुम्हार सब भाँति सुपासू।। सैलु सुहावन कानन चारू। करि केहरि मृग बिहग बिहारू।। नदी पुनीत पुरान बखानी। अत्रिप्रिया निज तपबल आनी।। सुरसरि धार नाउँ मंदाकिनि। जो सब पातक पोतक डाकिनि।। अत्रि आदि मुनिबर बहु बसहीं। करहिं जोग जप तप तन कसहीं।। चलहु सफल श्रम सब कर करहू। राम देहु गौरव गिरिबरहू।।
In this way the great sage showed them his dwelling. His loving words delighted the heart of Rama. The sage said, 'Listen, O Lord of the solar dynasty! Let me tell you of a retreat that brings happiness in every season.' Make your dwelling upon Mount Chitrakoot. There you will find perfect comfort in every way. The mountain is lovely and the forest full of charm, where elephants, lions, deer, and birds roam at play. There flows a sacred river celebrated in the Puranas, brought forth by the beloved wife of Atri through the power of her penance. It is a stream of the celestial Ganga, named Mandakini, a river that devours every sin like a warrior slaying demons. Many great sages, Atri foremost among them, dwell there, practising yoga, reciting the holy Name, and disciplining their bodies through tapas. Go there, and make fruitful the efforts of all those sages. O Rama, bestow Your glory upon that king of mountains.