Dasharatha Clings to the Last Witness
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 149
Doha 149 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Dasharatha draws Sumantra into his arms like a drowning man finding one fragment of support. He seats the minister close and searches his tear filled face for the son whose absence has emptied the palace.
Where are Raghunath, Lakshmana, and Vaidehi? Were they brought back, or did they continue into the forest? He asks for every message, then circles through the same names because no answer can satisfy the need beneath the question.
Ram's form, virtues, gentleness, and unwavering nature return to the king's memory. When exile was announced, neither delight nor despair altered the son's face. Dasharatha condemns himself: Ram departed in such serenity, yet the father who sent him still lives. The minister's embrace cannot keep the king from sinking into that judgment.
Dasharatha clutches Sumantra as his final link to Ram, but each question opens deeper water beneath them both.
Read the passage from the Manas
भूप सुमंत्रु लीन्ह उर लाई। बूड़त कछु अधार जनु पाई।। सहित सनेह निकट बैठारी। पूँछत राउ नयन भरि बारी।। राम कुसल कहु सखा सनेही। कहँ रघुनाथु लखनु बैदेही।। आने फेरि कि बनहि सिधाए। सुनत सचिव लोचन जल छाए।। सोक बिकल पुनि पूँछ नरेसू। कहु सिय राम लखन संदेसू।। राम रूप गुन सील सुभाऊ। सुमिरि सुमिरि उर सोचत राऊ।। राउ सुनाइ दीन्ह बनबासू। सुनि मन भयउ न हरषु हराँसू।। सो सुत बिछुरत गए न प्राना। को पापी बड़ मोहि समाना।।
The king drew Sumantra into his embrace, like a drowning man finding something to hold. With tender affection he seated him close, and asked, his eyes brimming with tears. 'Tell me of Rama's welfare, dear friend. Where are Raghunatha, Lakshmana, and Vaidehi?' 'Have you brought them back, or have they gone on to the forest?' Hearing this, the minister's own eyes filled with tears. Overcome with grief, the king again implored, 'Give me the message from Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana.' Recalling again and again Rama's beauty, virtues, gentleness, and nature, the king grieved within his heart. 'When I announced the exile to the forest, there was neither joy nor sorrow on his face.' 'That son departed and yet my life did not leave. Who is a greater sinner in this world than I?'