Sita Turns Back Again and Again
Bala Kanda, Doha 234
Doha 234 · Movement 2 of 2
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Deer, birds, trees, and flowering branches give Sita innocent reasons to turn. Each new object becomes a pretext for another glance toward the place where Ram remains.
Again and again she looks back at Raghuvir. Distance begins to grow between them, but sight crosses it, gathering the dark form once more before the garden closes.
Her love deepens with every return and does not diminish in the slightest. Departure does not weaken the first darshan. It presses the image inward, turning each backward glance into another line written upon memory.
Every deer and tree becomes Sita's excuse to turn once more toward Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखन मिस मृग बिहग तरु फिरइ बहोरि बहोरि। निरखि निरखि रघुबीर छबि बाढ़इ प्रीति न थोरि।। 234।।
On the pretext of looking at deer, birds, and trees, she turns back again and again. Gazing and gazing at Raghuvira's beauty, her love grows ever deeper, never diminishing in the slightest.