Predator and Prey Graze Together in Ram's Forest
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 236
Doha 236 · Movement 1 of 2
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Hermitages fill the forest like cities, towns, and villages. Birds and animals of countless kinds form a society too abundant for full description.
Elephant, lion, tiger, boar, buffalo, and bull appear in splendid array, yet ancient enmity has fallen away. They graze together like the peaceful divisions of a fourfold army. Waterfalls descend while elephants trumpet like ceremonial drums.
Chakva, chakora, chataka, parrot, cuckoo, and swan fill the air with layered calls. Bees sing, peacocks dance, and every direction bears the auspiciousness of righteous rule. Creeper, tree, and grass stand fruitful and flowering. Ram's presence has not emptied the wild of life. It has reconciled its powers into harmony.
In the forest governed by Ram, claw, tusk, hoof, wing, waterfall, flower, and song gather without fear beneath one peace.
Read the passage from the Manas
बन प्रदेस मुनि बास घनेरे। जनु पुर नगर गाउँ गन खेरे।। बिपुल बिचित्र बिहग मृग नाना। प्रजा समाजु न जाइ बखाना।। खगहा करि हरि बाघ बराहा। देखि महिष बृष साजु सराहा।। बयरु बिहाइ चरहिं एक संगा। जहँ तहँ मनहुँ सेन चतुरंगा।। झरना झरहिं मत्त गज गाजहिं। मनहुँ निसान बिबिधि बिधि बाजहिं।। चक चकोर चातक सुक पिक गन। कूजत मंजु मराल मुदित मन।। अलिगन गावत नाचत मोरा। जनु सुराज मंगल चहु ओरा।। बेलि बिटप तृन सफल सफूला। सब समाजु मुद मंगल मूला।।
The forest region is thick with the ashrams of munis, looking for all the world like cities, towns, and hamlets. Birds and animals of countless varieties fill every direction. This community of creatures is beyond description. Elephants, lions, tigers, and boars roam freely. Buffaloes and bulls stand in splendid array, a sight to marvel at. Abandoning all enmity, they graze together as one. Wherever you look, they seem like a chaturanga sena, a fourfold army at rest. Waterfalls cascade while intoxicated elephants trumpet. It is as though nisaans, great war drums, are sounding in every direction. Chakvas, chakoras, chatakas, parrots, and cuckoos call sweetly. Graceful swans glide with hearts full of delight. Swarms of bees sing while peacocks dance. It is as though suraaj, blessed governance itself, has brought mangal to all four quarters. Creepers, trees, and grasses stand fruitful and in full bloom. The entire gathering is the very root of joy and auspiciousness.