Ram Asks His Mothers in Law for Leave
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 333
Doha 336 · Movement 1 of 3
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The queens gaze upon Ram until love overcomes restraint. Again and again they touch his feet. They bathe and anoint all four brothers, then seat them and serve delicious food, surrounding the coming farewell with a mother's care.
When the moment is right, Ram speaks with modesty, affection, and gentle hesitation. Dasharatha wishes to return home and has sent his sons to ask permission. Ram calls the queens Mother and asks them to regard the brothers always as their children.
The royal women begin to weep and cannot answer. They gather the princesses to their breasts, then place each daughter in her husband's care with earnest entreaties. The formal leave taking becomes a transfer of trust from the arms that raised the brides to the companions who will share their lives.
Ram asks for leave so gently that the mothers can answer only by entrusting their daughters through tears.
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देखि राम छबि अति अनुरागीं। प्रेमबिबस पुनि पुनि पद लागीं।। रही न लाज प्रीति उर छाई। सहज सनेहु बरनि किमि जाई।। भाइन्ह सहित उबटि अन्हवाए। छरस असन अति हेतु जेवाँए।। बोले रामु सुअवसरु जानी। सील सनेह सकुचमय बानी।। राउ अवधपुर चहत सिधाए। बिदा होन हम इहाँ पठाए।। मातु मुदित मन आयसु देहू। बालक जानि करब नित नेहू।। सुनत बचन बिलखेउ रनिवासू। बोलि न सकहिं प्रेमबस सासू।। हृदयँ लगाइ कुअँरि सब लीन्ही। पतिन्ह सौंपि बिनती अति कीन्ही।।
Seeing Rama's beauty, the queens became deeply enamoured, and overwhelmed with love, they touched His feet again and again. All modesty vanished as love filled their hearts. How can such natural affection ever be described? With His brothers, they bathed and anointed the princes, then lovingly fed them delicious food. Knowing the right moment, Rama spoke with words full of modesty, affection, and gentle hesitation: 'The King of Ayodhya wishes to return home. He has sent us here to take our leave.' 'O Mother, give your joyful permission. Considering us always as your children, continue to show your love.' Hearing these words, the royal ladies began to weep. The mothers-in-law could not speak, overcome by love. They embraced all the princesses to their hearts, then entrusted them to their husbands with earnest entreaties.