The Mothers Ask Ram about the Frightening Forest
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 353
Doha 356 · Movement 1 of 2
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Golden beds are prepared with gemmed frames, milk white sheets, soft pillows, fragrant garlands, glowing lamps, and splendid canopies. Ram is gently lifted onto his couch, and each brother is guided toward rest.
Yet the mothers cannot stop looking at Ram's dark and tender form. Palace safety makes the dangers they only heard about suddenly vivid, and loving questions gather around the child who has returned.
How did he walk the terrifying forest path? How could such a tender son slay Tadaka? The questions are not requests for heroic display. They reveal imagination arriving late to danger, after relief has made fear safe enough to feel. Around Ram's bed, triumph becomes a mother's trembling wonder.
Beside Ram's jeweled bed, the mothers finally let themselves imagine the forest that once surrounded him.
Read the passage from the Manas
भूप बचन सुनि सहज सुहाए। जरित कनक मनि पलँग डसाए।। सुभग सुरभि पय फेन समाना। कोमल कलित सुपेतीं नाना।। उपबरहन बर बरनि न जाहीं। स्त्रग सुगंध मनिमंदिर माहीं।। रतनदीप सुठि चारु चँदोवा। कहत न बनइ जान जेहिं जोवा।। सेज रुचिर रचि रामु उठाए। प्रेम समेत पलँग पौढ़ाए।। अग्या पुनि पुनि भाइन्ह दीन्ही। निज निज सेज सयन तिन्ह कीन्ही।। देखि स्याम मृदु मंजुल गाता। कहहिं सप्रेम बचन सब माता।। मारग जात भयावनि भारी। केहि बिधि तात ताड़का मारी।।
Hearing the king's naturally gracious words, golden beds studded with precious gems were laid out. Beautiful and fragrant, white as the foam of a celestial cow's milk, many soft and exquisite sheets were spread. The fine pillows and furnishings were beyond all description, and garlands and fragrances filled the jeweled palace chambers. Gem-studded lamps glowed beneath splendid canopies; their beauty cannot be told, only known by one who has beheld them. Having arranged the lovely bed, Rama was lifted gently and laid upon the couch with great love. Instructions were given again and again to the brothers, and each one retired to his own bed. Gazing upon Rama's dark, tender, and beautiful form, all the mothers spoke words overflowing with love: "The forest path is terribly frightening. How, dear child, did you slay the demoness Tadaka?"