The Women Learn the Names Ram and Lakshmana
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 218
Doha 221 · Movement 1 of 2
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One woman asks how any embodied being could remain unenchanted by such a sight. Another shares what she has heard: these graceful youths are Dasharatha's sons, young swans from Ayodhya who protected Kaushika's sacrifice and slew the demons.
The dark lotus eyed prince destroyed Maricha's pride. He is Kausalya's son, treasury of joy, named Ram, carrying bow and arrows through their city.
Behind him walks the fair youth in excellent garments, equally armed. His name is Lakshmana, Ram's younger brother and Sumitra's son. Anonymous wonder becomes intimate knowledge as the names pass from window to window.
Across Mithila's windows, beauty receives two names: Ram and Lakshmana.
Read the passage from the Manas
कहहु सखी अस को तनुधारी। जो न मोह यह रूप निहारी।। कोउ सप्रेम बोली मृदु बानी। जो मैं सुना सो सुनहु सयानी।। ए दोऊ दसरथ के ढोटा। बाल मरालन्हि के कल जोटा।। मुनि कौसिक मख के रखवारे। जिन्ह रन अजिर निसाचर मारे।। स्याम गात कल कंज बिलोचन। जो मारीच सुभुज मदु मोचन।। कौसल्या सुत सो सुख खानी। नामु रामु धनु सायक पानी।। गौर किसोर बेषु बर काछें। कर सर चाप राम के पाछें।। लछिमनु नामु राम लघु भ्राता। सुनु सखि तासु सुमित्रा माता।।
"Tell me, sakhi, is there anyone in all creation who would not be enchanted upon seeing this beauty?" Another spoke with love in gentle words, words that themselves enchanted the mind.