The Silent Kingdom Crosses the Rivers Back to Ayodhya
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 322
Doha 322 · Movement 1 of 2
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Sages, Brahmins, gurus, Bharata, and King Janaka enter the road with every arrangement disordered by separation from Rama. No conversation rises above the wheels and hoofbeats. Each traveler counts the Lord's virtues inwardly, and a multitude that came to Chitrakoot with urgent hope now moves through the landscape in silence.
They cross the Yamuna, and the day passes without food. Beyond the sacred Ganga they make their second halt, where Rama's friends arrange rest and hospitality. They cross the Sai, bathe in the Gomati, and on the fourth day the towers and gates of Ayodhya emerge before eyes still filled with the forest.
Janaka remains four days, carefully ordering the affairs of the realm. He entrusts the kingdom to the ministers, the guru, and Bharata, then prepares his own company for Mithila. Guided by the guru's instruction, the women and men of Ayodhya resume their places in Rama's capital, carrying his absence into every duty.
River after river bears them home, but the silence of Chitrakoot enters Ayodhya before the procession.
Read the passage from the Manas
मुनि महिसुर गुर भरत भुआलू। राम बिरहँ सबु साजु बिहालू।। प्रभु गुन ग्राम गनत मन माहीं। सब चुपचाप चले मग जाहीं।। जमुना उतरि पार सबु भयऊ। सो बासरु बिनु भोजन गयऊ।। उतरि देवसरि दूसर बासू। रामसखाँ सब कीन्ह सुपासू।। सई उतरि गोमतीं नहाए। चौथें दिवस अवधपुर आए। जनकु रहे पुर बासर चारी। राज काज सब साज सँभारी।। सौंपि सचिव गुर भरतहि राजू। तेरहुति चले साजि सबु साजू।। नगर नारि नर गुर सिख मानी। बसे सुखेन राम रजधानी।।
The sages, the Brahmins, the gurus, Bharata, and the king: all were overwhelmed with sorrow, their entire being undone by separation from Rama. Contemplating the Lord's virtues within their hearts, everyone walked the path in silence. They crossed the Yamuna, and that entire day passed without anyone taking food. Crossing the Ganga, they spent the second night, and Rama's friends arranged good rest and hospitality for all. Crossing the Sai river and bathing in the Gomati, they reached the city of Ayodhya on the fourth day. King Janaka stayed in the city for four days, carefully arranging and overseeing all royal affairs. Entrusting the kingdom to the ministers, the gurus, and Bharata, he departed for Tirhut (Mithila) with all preparations made. The men and women of the city, heeding the guru's wise counsel, dwelt peacefully and contentedly in Rama's capital.