Every Creature in Ayodhya Stands Motionless
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 83
Doha 83 · Movement 2 of 2
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Horses, elephants, deer, cattle, and livestock fall still. Papeeha birds, peacocks, cuckoos, chakwa pairs, parrots, mynas, cranes, swans, and chakoras cease their ordinary movement.
In Ram's absence, the city's creatures appear like painted figures upon a wall. Life remains visible but animation has withdrawn.
The doha extends grief beyond human speech. Stable, courtyard, branch, pond, and field all participate in the silence. Even their calls have vanished. Ram's relationship with Ayodhya was not confined to palace or citizen; creation itself seems to pause when his form disappears from its sight.
Across stable, pond, and branch, Ayodhya's creatures become a silent mural of separation.
Read the passage from the Manas
हय गय कोटिन्ह केलिमृग पुरपसु चातक मोर। पिक रथांग सुक सारिका सारस हंस चकोर।।83।।
Countless horses and elephants, pet deer kept for play, the city's cattle and livestock, papeeha birds and peacocks, cuckoos and chakwa pairs, parrots and mynas, cranes, swans, and chakora birds; all stood still in Rama's absence, as though painted figures drawn upon a wall.