The King Prays That Ram Will Disobey Him
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 44
Doha 44 · Movement 2 of 2
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Dasharatha turns toward the indwelling Lord who inspires every heart. Unable to retract his spoken promise, he asks for Ram's own understanding to be changed.
Let the son disregard words spoken in delusion. Let him set aside gentleness, love, and obedience long enough simply to remain at home.
The prayer reverses every ordinary parental wish. Dasharatha does not ask for a more virtuous son but for virtue to loosen its hold, because Ram's perfection now carries him toward separation. No other escape remains to him. Love pleads against the very qualities it has always cherished.
Dasharatha begs the indwelling Lord to make perfect Ram disobey, so love may keep him within sight.
Read the passage from the Manas
तुम्ह प्रेरक सब के हृदयँ सो मति रामहि देहु। बचनु मोर तजि रहहि घर परिहरि सीलु सनेहु।।44।।
You dwell as the Inspirer in every heart. Grant Rama such understanding that he might disregard my words, spoken in delusion, and, setting aside his gentle nature and his love, simply remain at home.