Dasharatha Cannot Give Ram
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 206
Sortha 208 · Movement 1 of 2
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The request withers the radiance of Dasharatha's face and makes his heart tremble. Four sons came only in old age. He offers land, cows, wealth, treasure, and even his own life, but cannot imagine giving the tender Ram to face terrible demons.
The king's words are steeped in the essence of love. Vishwamitra understands their source and feels inward joy rather than offence, while Vasishtha explains the deeper truth until doubt loosens.
Dasharatha calls Ram and Lakshmana, embraces them to his heart, and gives many instructions. You are the lords of my life, he tells them. From this moment the sage is your father. The arms that wished never to release Ram place him beneath another's care.
Dasharatha holds both sons close, then names Vishwamitra their father for the road ahead.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनि राजा अति अप्रिय बानी। हृदय कंप मुख दुति कुमुलानी।। चौथेंपन पायउँ सुत चारी। बिप्र बचन नहिं कहेहु बिचारी।। मागहु भूमि धेनु धन कोसा। सर्बस देउँ आजु सहरोसा।। देह प्रान तें प्रिय कछु नाही। सोउ मुनि देउँ निमिष एक माही।। सब सुत प्रिय मोहि प्रान कि नाईं। राम देत नहिं बनइ गोसाई।। कहँ निसिचर अति घोर कठोरा। कहँ सुंदर सुत परम किसोरा।। सुनि नृप गिरा प्रेम रस सानी। हृदयँ हरष माना मुनि ग्यानी।। तब बसिष्ट बहु निधि समुझावा। नृप संदेह नास कहँ पावा।। अति आदर दोउ तनय बोलाए। हृदयँ लाइ बहु भाँति सिखाए।। मेरे प्रान नाथ सुत दोऊ। तुम्ह मुनि पिता आन नहिं कोऊ।।
Hearing the sage's unwelcome words, the king's heart trembled and the brightness of his face withered like a fading lotus. In old age I was blessed with four sons. Yet how can I refuse the request of a holy one?