Ram Bows at His Mother's Feet Before Leaving
Bala Kanda, Sortha 208
Sortha 208 · Movement 2 of 2
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Dasharatha entrusts the princes to Vishwamitra and gives blessing after blessing, trying to place protection into every word that follows them from the court.
Ram then goes to the quarters of his mother. Departure cannot begin only from royal command. He takes leave from Kausalya and bows his head at her feet, honouring the bond in which the infinite once accepted infancy.
The mother who chased his dusty childhood steps must now let those feet go toward forest danger. Blessing descends from her hands as the prince rises, carrying filial reverence into the first great movement beyond Ayodhya.
At Kausalya's feet, the road out of childhood receives a mother's blessing.
Read the passage from the Manas
सौंपे भूप रिषिहि सुत बहु बिधि देइ असीस। जननी भवन गए प्रभु चले नाइ पद सीस।।208(क)।। पुरुषसिंह दोउ बीर हरषि चले मुनि भय हरन।। कृपासिंधु मतिधीर अखिल बिस्व कारन करन।।208(ख)।।
The king entrusted his sons to the rishi, bestowing blessings in many ways. The Lord visited His mother's quarters to take leave, then departed, bowing His head at her feet.