Sita Is Led Away from the Uproar
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 264
Doha 267 · Movement 1 of 2
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The noble kings compare the rebels' desire to impossible cravings: a crow claiming Garuda's share, a hare seeking mastery over the serpent's enemy, greed demanding spotless fame, or one turned from Hari's feet asking for the highest state.
The rising uproar frightens Sita. Her companions gather around her and lead her back toward the queens. Ram returns naturally to his guru, holding the memory of Sita's love within his heart.
Among the women, Sita wonders what fate will do next. Across the arena, Lakshmana's gaze moves over the threatening rulers, but reverence for Ram seals his reply. Celebration has divided into anxious islands. Bride and bridegroom are apart again, while angry kings crowd the space between them with noise.
The garland has joined Sita and Ram, but the uproar carries them back to opposite sides of the hall.
Read the passage from the Manas
बैनतेय बलि जिमि चह कागू। जिमि ससु चहै नाग अरि भागू।। जिमि चह कुसल अकारन कोही। सब संपदा चहै सिवद्रोही।। लोभी लोलुप कल कीरति चहई। अकलंकता कि कामी लहई।। हरि पद बिमुख परम गति चाहा। तस तुम्हार लालचु नरनाहा।। कोलाहलु सुनि सीय सकानी। सखीं लवाइ गईं जहँ रानी।। रामु सुभायँ चले गुरु पाहीं। सिय सनेहु बरनत मन माहीं।। रानिन्ह सहित सोचबस सीया। अब धौं बिधिहि काह करनीया।। भूप बचन सुनि इत उत तकहीं। लखनु राम डर बोलि न सकहीं।।
As a crow covets the share meant for Garuda, as a hare longs for the serpent's foe to flee. As a wrathful soul seeks peace without cause, as one who opposes Shiva craves all riches. The greedy and lustful yearn for spotless fame. Can one steeped in desire ever attain purity? He who turns his back on Hari's feet yet craves the highest station: such is your longing, O kings. Hearing the uproar, Sita grew frightened. Her companions led her away to where the queens waited. Rama, with his natural grace, went to his Guru, cherishing Sita's love within his heart. Sita sat with the queens, gripped by worry. "What will fate do now?" she wondered. Hearing the king's words, the princes glanced this way and that. Lakshmana, out of respect for Rama, could not speak.