Ram's Horses Refuse Grass and Water
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 142
Doha 142 · Movement 2 of 2
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The horses stand before grass and water but will take neither. Tears stream from their eyes as though the body itself refuses every ordinary act that would carry life forward without Ram.
These are the steeds that drew his chariot from Ayodhya. Now reins point home while their longing remains fixed upon the southern road.
The Nishadas gather around them in distress. Human grief recognizes itself in the animals' abstinence, but cannot reason them back into hunger or thirst. Separation has entered muscle, mouth, and gaze, making loyal creatures into silent mourners beside the abandoned route.
Grass remains untouched and water unstirred while the horses feed only their longing with tears.
Read the passage from the Manas
नहिं तृन चरहिं पिअहिं जलु मोचहिं लोचन बारि। ब्याकुल भए निषाद सब रघुबर बाजि निहारि।।142।।
The horses would not graze on grass nor drink a drop of water; their eyes shed streams of tears. Seeing Sri Rama's beloved steeds in such a state, all the Nishadas grew deeply troubled.