The Weary Couples Are Sent to Rest
Bala Kanda, Doha 355
Doha 355 · Movement 2 of 2
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Dasharatha notices what celebration has concealed: the young princes and brides are weary, and sleep has begun to overtake them after road, welcome, worship, and feast.
He asks the queens to take the children to bed. The royal command is softened by a father's attention to tired bodies within the magnificent occasion.
Then Dasharatha withdraws to his own chamber with his mind fixed upon Ram's feet. Outer activity settles into inward remembrance. The palace grows quiet by degrees, yet devotion does not sleep. When lamps dim and music ceases, the king carries the essence of the entire day into contemplation.
As the palace quiets, Dasharatha rests with his mind awake at Ram's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
लरिका श्रमित उनीद बस सयन करावहु जाइ। अस कहि गे बिश्रामगृहँ राम चरन चितु लाइ।।355।।
"The children are weary and overcome by sleep; go and put them to bed." Saying this, the king retired to his resting chamber, his mind fixed upon the feet of Rama.