The Road to Ayodhya Passes Like a Moment

Vishwamitra walks toward Kosala carrying many hopeful wishes. He imagines Ram's face, the royal meeting, the request, and the two princes travelling beside him toward the hermitage.

Absorbed in that anticipation, he scarcely feels the distance. Roads, fields, settlements, and changing light pass as though the whole journey were compressed into a moment by longing.

At the Sarayu he bathes, letting the sacred river prepare body and mind before entering the king's court. The sage who comes outwardly as a supplicant approaches inwardly as one about to receive the treasure of direct sight.

Hope shortens every mile until Vishwamitra rises from the Sarayu at Ayodhya's gate.