Sunaina Answers Kausalya with the Promise of Rama's Return
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 285
Doha 285 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Sunaina sees Kausalya's affection, hears her humble plea, and clasps her sacred feet. She declares that such gentleness belongs to Dasharatha's queen and Rama's mother, whose greatness makes every show of superiority impossible.
The Lord honors even the lowly: fire carries smoke above itself, and mountains bear grass upon their summits. Janaka serves Kausalya in deed, mind, and speech, while Shiva and Bhavani stand as his guardians. A small lamp cannot assist the sun, and Sunaina will not pretend that Mithila lends dignity to Rama's mother.
Then reassurance enters the chamber. Rama will fulfill the gods' purpose in the forest and return to establish an unshaken reign in Ayodhya. Gods, nagas, and human beings will dwell safely beneath his strength. Yajnavalkya has foretold it, and a sage's word cannot be empty.
At the depth of the mothers' night, Sunaina raises Yajnavalkya's prophecy like a lamp: Rama will return and the worlds will rest beneath his arms.
Read the passage from the Manas
लखि सनेह सुनि बचन बिनीता। जनकप्रिया गह पाय पुनीता।। देबि उचित असि बिनय तुम्हारी। दसरथ घरिनि राम महतारी।। प्रभु अपने नीचहु आदरहीं। अगिनि धूम गिरि सिर तिनु धरहीं।। सेवकु राउ करम मन बानी। सदा सहाय महेसु भवानी।। रउरे अंग जोगु जग को है। दीप सहाय कि दिनकर सोहै।। रामु जाइ बनु करि सुर काजू। अचल अवधपुर करिहहिं राजू।। अमर नाग नर राम बाहुबल। सुख बसिहहिं अपनें अपने थल।। यह सब जागबलिक कहि राखा। देबि न होइ मुधा मुनि भाषा।।
Seeing her affection and hearing her humble words, Janaka's beloved daughter clasped her sacred feet. O Devi, such gracious entreaty befits you well, for you are Dasharatha's queen and Rama's own mother. The Lord honors even the lowliest with tenderness; fire bears smoke upon its crown, and mountains carry grass upon their peaks. The king is your servant in deed, mind, and speech; Mahesha and Bhavani stand always as his guardians. Who in all this world is worthy to serve one such as you? Does a lamp lend its light to the sun? Rama will journey to the forest and fulfill the purpose of the devas, then return to rule Ayodhya with unshakable splendor. By Rama's mighty arms, the immortals, the nagas, and all humankind shall dwell in peace, each in their own abode. All this the sage Yagnavalkya has foretold. O Devi, the words of a muni are never spoken in vain.