Countless Boats Carry Ayodhya across Yamuna
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 221
Doha 221 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
The pilgrims spend the day beside Yamuna and take their simple food at the proper hour. Through the night, boats arrive at every ghat until their number exceeds description.
Morning gathers the immense company into a single crossing. Guha's service pleases everyone. After bathing and bowing to the river, they depart with the Nishada chief beside the brothers. The sage's vehicle leads, and the royal company follows.
Behind them Bharata and Shatrughna walk on foot in plain clothing and ornaments, accompanied by servants, friends, and ministers' sons. Their minds remain with Lakshmana, Sita, and Raghunath. Wherever Guha points to a place where Ram rested, the brothers stop and bow with love, letting the road become a chain of sacred thresholds.
Beyond a night of gathering boats, the brothers walk simply from one remembered resting place of Ram to the next.
Read the passage from the Manas
जमुन तीर तेहि दिन करि बासू। भयउ समय सम सबहि सुपासू।। रातहिं घाट घाट की तरनी। आईं अगनित जाहिं न बरनी।। प्रात पार भए एकहि खेंवाँ। तोषे रामसखा की सेवाँ।। चले नहाइ नदिहि सिर नाई। साथ निषादनाथ दोउ भाई।। आगें मुनिबर बाहन आछें। राजसमाज जाइ सबु पाछें।। तेहिं पाछें दोउ बंधु पयादें। भूषन बसन बेष सुठि सादें।। सेवक सुह्रद सचिवसुत साथा। सुमिरत लखनु सीय रघुनाथा।। जहँ जहँ राम बास बिश्रामा। तहँ तहँ करहिं सप्रेम प्रनामा।।
That day they made their dwelling on the banks of the Yamuna. At the proper time, everyone partook of their simple meal. During the night, countless boats arrived at every ghat, so numerous they cannot be described. In the morning, all crossed over in a single ferry crossing, pleased by the seva of Rama's friend, Guha. After bathing and bowing to the river, they departed, with the chief of the Nishadas accompanying both brothers. The great sage's vehicle went ahead, while all the royal retinue followed behind. Behind them walked the two brothers on foot, their ornaments, clothes, and appearance utterly simple. Servants, dear friends, and the minister's sons accompanied them, all remembering Lakshmana, Sita, and Raghunatha. Wherever Rama had rested or stayed, there they lovingly offered their reverent pranama.