Vishwamitra Takes Leave of Ram and Dasharatha
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 357
Doha 360 · Movement 1 of 2
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On an auspicious day the wedding bangles are removed. New happiness keeps appearing, and even the gods long for birth in Ayodhya. Vishwamitra repeatedly wishes to depart, yet Ram's loving entreaties hold him there.
At last the sage asks leave. Dasharatha comes with sons and queens, offers all he possesses, calls himself Vishwamitra's servant, and begs continued grace for the children. The family falls at the sage's feet as the king's voice fails.
Vishwamitra blesses them and departs. Ram and his brothers escort him until he commands them to return. The sage who once led Ram away from Ayodhya now sends him back toward home, while love reverses the old separation and makes departure difficult on both sides.
The sage who once took Ram from Ayodhya now must command the loving prince to turn back toward it.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुदिन सोधि कल कंकन छौरे। मंगल मोद बिनोद न थोरे।। नित नव सुखु सुर देखि सिहाहीं। अवध जन्म जाचहिं बिधि पाहीं।। बिस्वामित्रु चलन नित चहहीं। राम सप्रेम बिनय बस रहहीं।। दिन दिन सयगुन भूपति भाऊ। देखि सराह महामुनिराऊ।। मागत बिदा राउ अनुरागे। सुतन्ह समेत ठाढ़ भे आगे।। नाथ सकल संपदा तुम्हारी। मैं सेवकु समेत सुत नारी।। करब सदा लरिकनः पर छोहू। दरसन देत रहब मुनि मोहू।। अस कहि राउ सहित सुत रानी। परेउ चरन मुख आव न बानी।। दीन्ह असीस बिप्र बहु भाँती। चले न प्रीति रीति कहि जाती।। रामु सप्रेम संग सब भाई। आयसु पाइ फिरे पहुँचाई।।
Choosing an auspicious day, they removed the ceremonial wedding bangles. The celebrations, joy, and merriment were beyond measure. Seeing new happiness arise each day, even the gods grew envious. They prayed to Brahma for birth in Ayodhya. Vishvamitra wished to depart each day, yet he remained, held fast by Rama's loving entreaties. Day after day, the great sage praised the king's ever-multiplying affection and devotion. When the sage at last sought leave, the loving king stood before him with all his sons. 'O Lord, all that I possess is yours. I am your servant, together with my sons and my wife. Always bestow your grace upon these children. O sage, continue to bless us with your sacred presence.' Saying this, the king, with his sons and queens, fell at the sage's feet, his voice choked beyond words. The great one blessed them in many ways and departed. The depth of their mutual love cannot be told. Rama, his heart full of love, escorted the sage with all his brothers, and returned only upon receiving the sage's command.