Four Forest Days Open into Fourteen Years of Joy
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 280
Doha 280 · Movement 1 of 2
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Four days pass while men and women find their happiness simply in seeing Rama. The two societies begin to share one desire: returning without Sita and Rama no longer appears possible. Chitrakoot has changed their measure of home.
Life in the forest beside Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana seems richer than ten million celestial cities. If destiny were truly favorable, everyone would remain near them, bathing three times each day in the Mandakini and receiving Rama's darshan like a garland of auspicious delight.
They imagine walking with him among mountains, forests, and hermitages, eating roots and fruits sweeter than nectar. In such company, the fourteen years of exile would not feel like deprivation. Filled with this joy, the long span would pass like a single moment, unnoticed by hearts that had ceased counting time apart from Rama.
Four days of darshan teach two kingdoms that fourteen forest years beside Rama could vanish like one breath of happiness.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि बिधि बासर बीते चारी। रामु निरखि नर नारि सुखारी।। दुहु समाज असि रुचि मन माहीं। बिनु सिय राम फिरब भल नाहीं।। सीता राम संग बनबासू। कोटि अमरपुर सरिस सुपासू।। परिहरि लखन रामु बैदेही। जेहि घरु भाव बाम बिधि तेही।। दाहिन दइउ होइ जब सबही। राम समीप बसिअ बन तबही।। मंदाकिनि मज्जनु तिहु काला। राम दरसु मुद मंगल माला।। अटनु राम गिरि बन तापस थल। असनु अमिअ सम कंद मूल फल।। सुख समेत संबत दुइ साता। पल सम होहिं न जनिअहिं जाता।।
In this way four days passed, and men and women alike found their joy in beholding Raam. Both gatherings shared one feeling in their hearts: it would not be well to return without Seetaa and Raam. Forest life in the company of Seetaa and Raam is equal to dwelling in ten million heavenly cities. Whoever forsakes Lakshman, Raam, and Vaidehee, for that soul fate itself turns unfavourable. When destiny smiles upon all alike, then let everyone dwell near Raam in the forest. Bathing in the Mandaakinee three times a day, and the sight of Raam: a garland of delight and auspiciousness strung together. Wandering with Raam through mountains, forests, and hermitages; eating roots, tubers, and fruits that taste sweeter than nectar. Filled with such happiness, fourteen years would pass like the blink of an eye, and no one would notice them going by.