Compassion Takes Many Forms in the Queens' Chamber
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 281
Doha 281 · Movement 1 of 2
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While the assemblies speak their forest hopes, Sita's mother waits for a fitting moment and sends her attendants. The invitation reaches Sita's mothers-in-law, and Janaka's queen enters the women's quarters where royal ceremony gives way to the speech of mothers.
Kausalya welcomes each queen with honor and gives the proper seats. Virtue and affection shine from both houses so powerfully that even a heart hard as the thunderbolt would melt. Bodies tremble, eyes fill, and fingers trace silent lines upon the earth as thought becomes too heavy for speech.
Each woman appears as a living image of love for Sita and Rama, as if compassion has clothed itself in many grieving forms. At last Sita's mother speaks against the strange intelligence of fate, which seems to take what is softer than milk foam and strike it with a diamond chisel.
In the secluded chamber, the queens sit like many forms of one compassion, their tears revealing what the public councils cannot say.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि बिधि सकल मनोरथ करहीं। बचन सप्रेम सुनत मन हरहीं।। सीय मातु तेहि समय पठाईं। दासीं देखि सुअवसरु आईं।। सावकास सुनि सब सिय सासू। आयउ जनकराज रनिवासू।। कौसल्याँ सादर सनमानी। आसन दिए समय सम आनी।। सीलु सनेह सकल दुहु ओरा। द्रवहिं देखि सुनि कुलिस कठोरा।। पुलक सिथिल तन बारि बिलोचन। महि नख लिखन लगीं सब सोचन।। सब सिय राम प्रीति कि सि मूरती। जनु करुना बहु बेष बिसूरति।। सीय मातु कह बिधि बुधि बाँकी। जो पय फेनु फोर पबि टाँकी।।
In this manner all express their heartfelt desires, and loving words captivate every mind. At that time Sita's mother sent word, for the maidservants saw that a good moment had come. Hearing the invitation, all of Sita's mothers-in-law arrived; Janaka's queen entered the women's quarters. Kausalya respectfully honored them and offered seats, welcoming each at the proper time. There was virtue and affection on both sides; even hearts hard as the vajra (thunderbolt) would melt to see and hear this. Bodies trembling with emotion, eyes brimming with tears, all began tracing the ground with their nails, lost in thought. Each one appeared as a living image of Sita and Rama's love, as though karuna (compassion) itself had taken many forms and was quietly grieving. Sita's mother said: the wisdom of Vidhi (fate) is perverse. it chisels milk-foam with a diamond chisel, turning softness into stone.