Ram's Lotus Face Remains Unchanged
Ayodhya Kanda, Shloka 3
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The kanda opens beneath Shiva's protection. Parvati shines upon his lap, Ganga streams through his hair, the crescent moon rests upon his brow, poison darkens his throat, and the serpent king coils across his ash adorned body.
Then Ram's face appears like an untroubled lotus. News of coronation does not make it brighten with possession, and the command of forest exile will not cause it to wither. Honour and loss pass before the same gracious radiance.
At last Ram stands dark and tender as a blue lotus, Sita upon his left, bow and arrow in hand. The invocation gives the coming storm its still centre: auspicious Shiva, equanimous Ram, faithful Sita, and strength held without agitation.
Coronation and exile approach, yet Ram's lotus face rests in the same unchanging light.
Read the passage from the Manas
यस्याङ्के च विभाति भूधरसुता देवापगा मस्तके भाले बालविधुर्गले च गरलं यस्योरसि व्यालराट्। सोऽयं भूतिविभूषणः सुरवरः सर्वाधिपः सर्वदा शर्वः सर्वगतः शिवः शशिनिभः श्रीशङ्करः पातु माम्।।1।। प्रसन्नतां या न गताभिषेकतस्तथा न मम्ले वनवासदुःखतः। मुखाम्बुजश्री रघुनन्दनस्य मे सदास्तु सा मञ्जुलमंगलप्रदा।।2।। नीलाम्बुजश्यामलकोमलाङ्गं सीतासमारोपितवामभागम्। पाणौ महासायकचारुचापं नमामि रामं रघुवंशनाथम्।।3।।
On whose lap the Mountain's Daughter, Parvati, shines in radiance, on whose head the celestial Ganga flows, on whose brow the crescent moon gleams, in whose throat the poison rests, and on whose chest the serpent-king coils. May that Shankara protect me always: He who is adorned with sacred ash, chief among the gods, Lord of all, present everywhere, the auspicious one, cool as the moon. May Shri Shankara protect me. (1) That lotus-beauty of Raghunandana's face which did not brighten at the news of coronation, nor wilt under the sorrow of exile to the forest: may that gracious, auspicious radiance abide with me forever. (2) I bow to Rama, Lord of the Raghu dynasty, whose form is dark and tender as a blue lotus, with Sita gracing his left side, and a mighty bow and beautiful arrow in his hand. (3)