Ram Reads the Vow Hidden in Sita's Heart
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 256
Doha 259 · Movement 1 of 2
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Words remain sealed within Sita's lotus mouth like bees unable to emerge. Tears stay gathered at the corners of her eyes as carefully as a miser guards gold. Knowing her distress, she summons courage and faith.
Her vow is true in body, mind, and speech: her heart rests at Raghupati's lotus feet. Because the Lord dwells in every heart, he will make her the servant of the finest Raghu. True love must reach the beloved it seeks.
Sita looks upon Ram, and love settles through her whole being. Ram, treasure house of compassion, knows what no spoken plea has told him. He looks at Sita and then toward the enormous bow with the effortless regard Garuda gives a small serpent. Her hidden prayer has been heard by the indwelling Lord.
Ram receives Sita's unspoken prayer, then looks upon Shiva's bow as Garuda looks upon a serpent.
Read the passage from the Manas
गिरा अलिनि मुख पंकज रोकी। प्रगट न लाज निसा अवलोकी।। लोचन जलु रह लोचन कोना। जैसे परम कृपन कर सोना।। सकुची ब्याकुलता बड़ि जानी। धरि धीरजु प्रतीति उर आनी।। तन मन बचन मोर पनु साचा। रघुपति पद सरोज चितु राचा।। तौ भगवानु सकल उर बासी। करिहिं मोहि रघुबर कै दासी।। जेहि कें जेहि पर सत्य सनेहू। सो तेहि मिलइ न कछु संहेहू।। प्रभु तन चितइ प्रेम तन ठाना। कृपानिधान राम सबु जाना।। सियहि बिलोकि तकेउ धनु कैसे। चितव गरुरु लघु ब्यालहि जैसे।।
Her words, like bees, stay sealed within the lotus of her mouth; they cannot emerge, for modesty has seen the night descend. Tears linger at the corners of her eyes, like gold hoarded in the fist of an utter miser. Recognizing the depth of her own bashful distress, she gathers courage and draws faith into her heart. My vow is true in body, mind, and speech. My heart is devoted to the lotus feet of Raghupati. Since the Lord dwells within every heart, He will surely make me the servant of the best of the Raghus. Whoever bears true love for another will surely meet that beloved. There is no doubt in this. Gazing upon the Lord's form, love takes root through her entire being. The compassionate Rama knows everything. Looking at Sita, He then glances at the bow in the way that Garuda regards a small serpent.