The Forest People Arrive with Leaf Bowls
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 135
Doha 135 · Movement 1 of 2
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News reaches the Kol and Kirata communities, and joy enters their homes like the nine treasures. They fill leaf bowls with roots, tubers, and fruit, then hurry toward Ram as eagerly as the destitute might run upon discovering gold.
Those who have already seen the brothers guide the others. Praise passes from mouth to ear along the way until the gathering reaches Raghurai, bows, and places humble forest gifts before him.
They gaze with such intensity that bodies become still as painted figures, though every hair thrills and tears continue rising. Ram knows them immersed in love. His sweet words honor each person, and repeated salutations answer him from joined hands. The meeting requires neither refined speech nor costly offering. Love makes the entire assembly eloquent.
Leaf bowls of forest food rest before Ram while their givers stand motionless, painted by wonder and bright with tears.
Read the passage from the Manas
यह सुधि कोल किरातन्ह पाई। हरषे जनु नव निधि घर आई।। कंद मूल फल भरि भरि दोना। चले रंक जनु लूटन सोना।। तिन्ह महँ जिन्ह देखे दोउ भ्राता। अपर तिन्हहि पूँछहि मगु जाता।। कहत सुनत रघुबीर निकाई। आइ सबन्हि देखे रघुराई।। करहिं जोहारु भेंट धरि आगे। प्रभुहि बिलोकहिं अति अनुरागे।। चित्र लिखे जनु जहँ तहँ ठाढ़े। पुलक सरीर नयन जल बाढ़े।। राम सनेह मगन सब जाने। कहि प्रिय बचन सकल सनमाने।। प्रभुहि जोहारि बहोरि बहोरी। बचन बिनीत कहहिं कर जोरी।।
When the Kols and Kiratas received this news, they rejoiced as though the nine treasures had come to their homes. Filling leaf-plates with roots, tubers, and fruits, they rushed forth like paupers running to loot gold. Among them, those who had already seen the two brothers were questioned by the others about the path they had taken. Speaking and hearing of Raghuvira's virtues, all came and beheld Raghurai. They offered salutations and placed their humble gifts before Him, gazing upon their Lord with intense love. They stood here and there as if painted in a picture, bodies thrilling with joy and eyes brimming with tears. Knowing them all to be immersed in love for Rama, the Lord spoke sweet words and honored every one of them. Saluting their Lord again and again, they spoke humble words with folded hands.