Ram Enters Ayodhya beneath a Monsoon of Celebration
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 344
Doha 347 · Movement 1 of 2
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Incense darkens the sky like proud monsoon clouds. Garlands from celestial trees drift like white cranes, gemmed banners curve like Indra's rainbow, and women flash across palace terraces like playful lightning.
Drums thunder as clouds while supplicants call like chataka birds, frogs, and peacocks rejoicing at the rains. From heaven falls pure fragrant water, and every face in the moon bright city shines with happiness.
At the auspicious moment, Vasishtha gives the command. The jewel of Raghu's line enters Ayodhya as Dasharatha and the assembly remember Shiva, Girija, and Ganesha. City, sky, sound, and scent become one immense season of welcome, with Ram moving at its living centre.
Ayodhya receives Ram as the thirsty earth receives the first full monsoon.
Read the passage from the Manas
धूप धूम नभु मेचक भयऊ। सावन घन घमंडु जनु ठयऊ।। सुरतरु सुमन माल सुर बरषहिं। मनहुँ बलाक अवलि मनु करषहिं।। मंजुल मनिमय बंदनिवारे। मनहुँ पाकरिपु चाप सँवारे।। प्रगटहिं दुरहिं अटन्ह पर भामिनि। चारु चपल जनु दमकहिं दामिनि।। दुंदुभि धुनि घन गरजनि घोरा। जाचक चातक दादुर मोरा।। सुर सुगन्ध सुचि बरषहिं बारी। सुखी सकल ससि पुर नर नारी।। समउ जानी गुर आयसु दीन्हा। पुर प्रबेसु रघुकुलमनि कीन्हा।। सुमिरि संभु गिरजा गनराजा। मुदित महीपति सहित समाजा।।
The smoke of incense and dhoop filled the sky, turning it dark as though the proud monsoon clouds of Savan had gathered. The devas showered garlands from the celestial Kalpa trees. It seemed as if lines of white cranes were gliding across the heavens. Beautiful gem-studded banners and pennants appeared everywhere, as though Indra had drawn his rainbow bow across the sky. Lovely women appeared and vanished on the palace terraces, flashing like playful lightning against the clouds. The thundering of drums echoed like the deep roar of monsoon clouds. The eager supplicants were like chataka birds, frogs, and peacocks calling out in joy. The devas showered pure, fragrant water from above. All the men and women of that moon-bright city were filled with happiness. Knowing the auspicious moment had arrived, the Guru gave his command, and Raghukulamani, the jewel of Raghu's lineage, entered the city. Remembering Lord Shambhu, Girija, and Ganaraaja, the king and his entire assembly rejoiced.