Love Makes Chitrakoot Flower
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 137
Doha 137 · Movement 1 of 2
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Only love is dear to Ram. He gladdens the forest dwellers with gentle speech, nourishes their affection, and sends them home. They bow and return while singing and listening to his virtues along the way.
Sita and the two brothers settle into forest life, bringing joy to gods and sages. From the hour Raghunayaka dwells there, the woodland becomes a giver of auspiciousness. Trees flower and bear fruit, and graceful vines spread overhead.
Natural growth takes on the splendor of paradise, as though wish fulfilling trees have abandoned celestial gardens for Chitrakoot. Bees gather into humming choirs, and soft breezes move through leaf and blossom carrying threefold comfort. The land answers the Lord's presence not with argument but with abundance.
Once Ram dwells at Chitrakoot, the forest answers love with fruit, flowers, humming bees, and a breeze full of happiness.
Read the passage from the Manas
रामहि केवल प्रेमु पिआरा। जानि लेउ जो जाननिहारा।। राम सकल बनचर तब तोषे। कहि मृदु बचन प्रेम परिपोषे।। बिदा किए सिर नाइ सिधाए। प्रभु गुन कहत सुनत घर आए।। एहि बिधि सिय समेत दोउ भाई। बसहिं बिपिन सुर मुनि सुखदाई।। जब ते आइ रहे रघुनायकु। तब तें भयउ बनु मंगलदायकु।। फूलहिं फलहिं बिटप बिधि नाना।।मंजु बलित बर बेलि बिताना।। सुरतरु सरिस सुभायँ सुहाए। मनहुँ बिबुध बन परिहरि आए।। गंज मंजुतर मधुकर श्रेनी। त्रिबिध बयारि बहइ सुख देनी।।
Only love is dear to Rama. Let those who can understand this truth take it to heart. Rama then gladdened all the forest dwellers, speaking gentle words overflowing with love. After receiving His leave, they bowed their heads and departed, singing and hearing the Lord's virtues all the way home. In this way, both brothers along with Sita dwelt in the forest, bringing joy to gods and sages alike. Ever since the Lord of the Raghus came to reside there, the forest became a bestower of auspiciousness. Trees of every kind burst into bloom and bore fruit, while lovely creepers spread their graceful canopies overhead. They shone with a natural beauty like the wish-fulfilling trees of heaven, as if they had abandoned the celestial gardens to take root here. Swarms of bees hummed their sweet melodies, and the threefold breeze blew softly, carrying happiness on its breath.