The Forest Guides Offer Every Hidden Path
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 136
Doha 136 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
The visitors bless every place Ram's feet have touched: earth, forest, path, and mountain. Birds and deer are fortunate merely to see him, and entire families count themselves fulfilled by filling their eyes with his form.
They praise the chosen dwelling and promise service through every season. Elephants, lions, serpents, and tigers will be kept away. Ravines, caves, dense growth, ridges, lakes, cascades, and watering places are known to them step by step.
They can guide hunts and reveal the forest's concealed waters. With their households they offer themselves as servants and ask Ram never to hesitate in commanding them. Knowledge that the court could not supply now comes from those shaped by the land. Devotion places local skill at the protection of the sacred household.
Every cave, ravine, beast track, and hidden spring becomes part of the forest people's offering at Ram's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
धन्य भूमि बन पंथ पहारा। जहँ जहँ नाथ पाउ तुम्ह धारा।। धन्य बिहग मृग काननचारी। सफल जनम भए तुम्हहि निहारी।। हम सब धन्य सहित परिवारा। दीख दरसु भरि नयन तुम्हारा।। कीन्ह बासु भल ठाउँ बिचारी। इहाँ सकल रितु रहब सुखारी।। हम सब भाँति करब सेवकाई। करि केहरि अहि बाघ बराई।। बन बेहड़ गिरि कंदर खोहा। सब हमार प्रभु पग पग जोहा।। तहँ तहँ तुम्हहि अहेर खेलाउब। सर निरझर जलठाउँ देखाउब।। हम सेवक परिवार समेता। नाथ न सकुचब आयसु देता।।
Blessed is the earth, the forest, the path, and the mountain wherever you, O Lord, have placed your feet. Blessed are the birds and deer roaming this woodland, whose lives have become fruitful simply by beholding you. We are all blessed along with our families, having filled our eyes with your divine sight. You have chosen well and made your dwelling in a fine place; here you will live comfortably through every season. We shall serve you in every way, keeping elephants, lions, serpents, and tigers at bay. The dense forests, ravines, mountains, caves, and hollows are all known to us, O Lord, step by step. Wherever you wish, we shall arrange sport for you and show you lakes, streams, and watering places. We are your servants, together with our families. O Lord, do not hesitate to give us your commands.