The Ninth Day in Ayodhya
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 34
Doha 34 · Movement 1 of 2
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Tulsidas places the dust of his Guru's lotus feet upon his head and lets every remaining doubt fall away. With joined palms he asks the gathered listeners to protect the telling from fault. He bows to Shiva, rests his head beneath Hari's feet, and marks the hour: the year 1631 of the Vikram era, a Tuesday, the ninth day of the bright month of Chaitra.
Ayodhya awakens around the beginning of the poem. It is the day the Vedas proclaim as Ram's birth. Every sacred ford and river seems to travel toward the city. Asuras, nagas, birds, human beings, sages, and gods converge upon the streets to serve Raghunath. No species, realm, or station remains outside the festival.
Wise celebrants arrange the birth rejoicing. Songs of Ram's beautiful fame rise above the Sarayu, mingle with bells and recitation, and move through the city like a second dawn. The composition begins on the Lord's own day, as though the story itself were being born in Ayodhya.
On Ram's birthday, the first current of the Manas enters Ayodhya.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि बिधि सब संसय करि दूरी। सिर धरि गुर पद पंकज धूरी।। पुनि सबही बिनवउँ कर जोरी। करत कथा जेहिं लाग न खोरी।। सादर सिवहि नाइ अब माथा। बरनउँ बिसद राम गुन गाथा।। संबत सोरह सै एकतीसा। करउँ कथा हरि पद धरि सीसा।। नौमी भौम बार मधु मासा। अवधपुरीं यह चरित प्रकासा।। जेहि दिन राम जनम श्रुति गावहिं। तीरथ सकल तहाँ चलि आवहिं।। असुर नाग खग नर मुनि देवा। आइ करहिं रघुनायक सेवा।। जन्म महोत्सव रचहिं सुजाना। करहिं राम कल कीरति गाना।।
Having thus set aside every doubt, and placing on my head the dust of my Guru's lotus feet, I entreat everyone again with joined palms. Having bowed, I now begin to speak.