One Arrow Opens Tadaka's Final Refuge
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 207
Doha 209 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ram walks with red lotus eyes, broad chest, mighty arms, and a body dark as blue lotus and tamala. Yellow silk is bound at his waist, bow and arrows in hand. Beside fair Lakshmana, he appears as one half of a treasure Vishwamitra has finally received.
The sage points out Tadaka. Hearing them, she rushes forward in rage. Ram releases a single arrow, takes her life, and, knowing the misery of her condition, grants her his own abode.
Vishwamitra recognizes the Lord within his heart and gives the treasury of wisdom divine knowledge by which hunger and thirst cannot touch him. Strength and radiance blaze through the prince, though the giver knows the knowledge has returned to its source.
Tadaka falls beneath one arrow and rises beyond the forest into Ram's abode.
Read the passage from the Manas
अरुन नयन उर बाहु बिसाला। नील जलज तनु स्याम तमाला।। कटि पट पीत कसें बर भाथा। रुचिर चाप सायक दुहुँ हाथा।। स्याम गौर सुंदर दोउ भाई। बिस्बामित्र महानिधि पाई।। प्रभु ब्रह्मन्यदेव मै जाना। मोहि निति पिता तजेहु भगवाना।। चले जात मुनि दीन्हि दिखाई। सुनि ताड़का क्रोध करि धाई।। एकहिं बान प्रान हरि लीन्हा। दीन जानि तेहि निज पद दीन्हा।। तब रिषि निज नाथहि जियँ चीन्ही। बिद्यानिधि कहुँ बिद्या दीन्ही।। जाते लाग न छुधा पिपासा। अतुलित बल तनु तेज प्रकासा।।
Reddish eyes, broad chest and mighty arms. His dark form like a blue lotus, like the tamala tree. Yellow silk at His waist, a fine quiver strapped across His back. A beautiful bow and arrows graced both hands.