Sita's Two Families Part as the Caravan Begins to Move
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 320
Doha 320 · Movement 1 of 2
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Sita meets her mother, father, and family, then returns to the Lord of her life with love made still more radiant by farewell. She bows before every mother-in-law and embraces them with such affection that the poet confesses his heart cannot hold the joy of telling it. Counsel and cherished blessings pass softly around her.
Rama calls for the palanquins and consoles the mothers as they are seated. Bharata and Shatrughna embrace again and again, then escort them with equal tenderness. Harness bells sound, elephants shift their weight, and many conveyances take their places as Bharata's royal company finally begins to leave.
Yet the procession carries no heart away from Chitrakoot. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana remain enthroned within every traveler, so the people move as though emptied of ordinary awareness. Oxen, horses, elephants, and forest creatures seem to share the burden, walking with lowered spirits as the road compels body after body toward Ayodhya.
The caravan advances in dust and bells, while every heart remains seated beneath the trees with Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
परिजन मातु पितहि मिलि सीता। फिरी प्रानप्रिय प्रेम पुनीता।। करि प्रनामु भेंटी सब सासू। प्रीति कहत कबि हियँ न हुलासू।। सुनि सिख अभिमत आसिष पाई। रही सीय दुहु प्रीति समाई।। रघुपति पटु पालकीं मगाईं। करि प्रबोधु सब मातु चढ़ाई।। बार बार हिलि मिलि दुहु भाई। सम सनेहँ जननी पहुँचाई।। साजि बाजि गज बाहन नाना। भरत भूप दल कीन्ह पयाना।। हृदयँ रामु सिय लखन समेता। चले जाहिं सब लोग अचेता।। बसह बाजि गज पसु हियँ हारें। चले जाहिं परबस मन मारें।।
Sita met lovingly with her family, her mother, and her father, then returned to her beloved Lord, filled with sacred, purified love. She bowed before all her mothers-in-law and met each one with deep affection. The poet confesses that his heart cannot contain the joy of describing such a meeting. Hearing their wise counsel and receiving their most cherished blessings, Sita remained absorbed in the love of both families. Shri Raghupati swiftly arranged palanquins and, consoling each of the mothers, helped them board with tender care. The two brothers embraced one another again and again, and with equal love escorted their mothers to their place. With horses, elephants, and many kinds of conveyances all prepared, Bharata set forth with the royal procession. With Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana enshrined in every heart, all the people moved forward as though unconscious of themselves. Even the oxen, horses, elephants, and other animals walked on with heavy, sorrowful hearts, moving forward as if compelled against their will.