The Chariot Moves Like a Captured Wild Thing
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 143
Doha 143 · Movement 1 of 2
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Guha gathers courage and asks Sumantra to endure the fate that has turned against them. Through gentle speech and consoling stories he brings the minister into the chariot almost by loving force.
Sumantra is too weakened by sorrow to drive. The horses lurch and resist, moving like wild deer suddenly yoked to a royal car. Again and again they stop and twist backward toward the place where Ram vanished.
Whenever any voice speaks the names of Ram, Lakshmana, or Vaidehi, the steeds neigh and search that speaker's face with hopeful eyes. Their suffering resembles a serpent robbed of its radiant jewel. Road, harness, and command can move their bodies only by degrees; the living center of each animal remains behind.
The chariot creeps toward Ayodhya while four horses turn at every sacred name, hoping sound will restore the one they lost.
Read the passage from the Manas
धरि धीरज तब कहइ निषादू। अब सुमंत्र परिहरहु बिषादू।। तुम्ह पंडित परमारथ ग्याता। धरहु धीर लखि बिमुख बिधाता बिबिध कथा कहि कहि मृदु बानी। रथ बैठारेउ बरबस आनी।। सोक सिथिल रथ सकइ न हाँकी। रघुबर बिरह पीर उर बाँकी।। चरफराहिं मग चलहिं न घोरे। बन मृग मनहुँ आनि रथ जोरे।। अढ़ुकि परहिं फिरि हेरहिं पीछें। राम बियोगि बिकल दुख तीछें।। जो कह रामु लखनु बैदेही। हिंकरि हिंकरि हित हेरहिं तेही।। बाजि बिरह गति कहि किमि जाती। बिनु मनि फनिक बिकल जेहि भाँती।।
Gathering his courage, the Nishada chief spoke: 'Sumantra, set aside your sorrow now. You are learned and know the highest truth. Be patient; see that fate itself has turned away. With gentle words and many a soothing tale, he brought Sumantra and seated him in the chariot by loving force. Limp with grief, Sumantra could not drive. The pain of parting from Raghubara pierced deep into his heart. The horses stumbled and refused to move, as though wild deer of the forest had been yoked to the chariot. Again and again they halted, turning to gaze behind them, tormented by the sharp sting of separation from Sri Rama. Whenever someone uttered the names of Rama, Lakshmana, or Vaidehi, they would neigh and neigh, looking toward that person with longing eyes. How can anyone describe the state of those horses in separation? They were as wretched as a serpent bereft of its crest-jewel.