Ram Gently Turns the Travellers Back
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 112
Doha 112 · Movement 2 of 2
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The travellers continue asking through the force of affection. Their skin thrills, their eyes fill, and concern makes their offer of companionship more urgent than any ordinary courtesy.
Ram receives the love without taking them from their own roads. The ocean of compassion answers in words both humble and gentle, persuading each person to return.
Refusal in his presence does not become rejection. Those who wished to guard the forest path are themselves protected from abandoning the duties that brought them there. Ram accepts the heart of their offer, then releases their feet, showing how compassion can honor devotion without permitting it to become unmeasured attachment.
With tender speech, Ram keeps every offered heart and sends every traveller back to the road that is theirs.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि बिधि पूँछहिं प्रेम बस पुलक गात जलु नैन। कृपासिंधु फेरहि तिन्हहि कहि बिनीत मृदु बैन।।112।।
In this manner they asked, overcome by love, their bodies thrilling, their eyes brimming with tears. That ocean of compassion gently sent them back, speaking words tender and humble.