Four Travellers Enter the Forest
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 104
Doha 104 · Movement 2 of 2
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Before leaving the Ganga, Ram remembers Ganapati and Shiva. He bows his head to the sacred river whose blessing has just flowed over Sita's future. Departure begins from remembrance, reverence, and gratitude.
The small company then turns toward the forest: Sita beside her lord, Lakshmana bearing devoted vigilance, and Guha walking as friend and guide. Chariot, army, palace retinue, and royal road are gone.
Nothing in the party suggests the visible power of Ayodhya, yet each relationship is complete. Beloved, brother, and friend gather around Ram as different faces of surrender. The wilderness opens before them, and the Lord of Raghu's line enters it not as one abandoned but as the center of a living circle of love.
With a bow to Ganga, Ram crosses from the known road into the forest, accompanied by love in three faithful forms.
Read the passage from the Manas
तब गनपति सिव सुमिरि प्रभु नाइ सुरसरिहि माथ। सखा अनुज सिया सहित बन गवनु कीन्ह रधुनाथ।।104।।
Then, remembering Ganapati and Shiva, the Lord bowed His head to the holy Ganga. With His dear companion Guha, His younger brother Lakshmana, and Sita, the Lord of the Raghus set forth into the forest.