The Horses Keep Looking Back
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 99
Doha 99 · Movement 2 of 2
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Sumantra urges the chariot away, but the horses resist through the only language they possess. Again and again their heads turn toward Ram. Their neighing carries across the shore as the distance lengthens.
They had drawn the Lord from Ayodhya through night and dust. Now the reins command them home while affection pulls in the opposite direction. Even their powerful bodies cannot make separation intelligible. Movement continues, yet every backward glance declares where their allegiance remains.
Guha watches and is overcome. He strikes his head and laments, seeing grief pass beyond human speech into the animals themselves. The departing chariot becomes a moving emblem of Ayodhya: compelled to return outwardly, unable to turn its inner gaze from the one left standing by the Ganga.
Hooves carry the chariot home, but every neigh and backward glance leaves the horses beside Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
-रथ हाँकेउ हय राम तन हेरि हेरि हिहिनाहिं। देखि निषाद बिषादबस धुनहिं सीस पछिताहिं।।99।।
He drove the chariot onward, but the horses kept turning their heads to gaze at Rama, neighing piteously. Seeing this, the Nishad chief was overcome with grief. He beat his head and lamented bitterly.