Rama and Lakshmana Sit upon Crystal while the Rain Clouds Gather
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 13
Doha 13 · Movement 1 of 2
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The forest blooms around the mountain in extraordinary beauty. Bees crowd the flowers for honey, and roots, fruits, leaves, and blossoms grow abundant from the time of Rama's coming. Gods assume the bodies of bees, birds, and deer, joining siddhas and sages in hidden service. Since Lakshmi's Lord made his dwelling there, the whole woodland has become auspicious in form.
Upon a brilliantly white slab of crystal, Rama and Lakshmana sit at ease. The Lord of the gods speaks to his younger brother through many unfolding teachings. Devotion, detachment, royal duty, and discernment pass between them while the living forest gathers close.
Then the season changes above the crystal seat. Clouds cover the sky and thunder with a sound Rama finds supremely beautiful. The cave prepared by the gods, the secret attendants wearing animal forms, and the two brothers upon the pale stone all enter the vast enclosure of the rains.
Clouds roof the mountain while Rama speaks of devotion and discernment upon a white crystal stone.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुंदर बन कुसुमित अति सोभा। गुंजत मधुप निकर मधु लोभा।। कंद मूल फल पत्र सुहाए। भए बहुत जब ते प्रभु आए ।। देखि मनोहर सैल अनूपा। रहे तहँ अनुज सहित सुरभूपा।। मधुकर खग मृग तनु धरि देवा। करहिं सिद्ध मुनि प्रभु कै सेवा।। मंगलरुप भयउ बन तब ते । कीन्ह निवास रमापति जब ते।। फटिक सिला अति सुभ्र सुहाई। सुख आसीन तहाँ द्वौ भाई।। कहत अनुज सन कथा अनेका। भगति बिरति नृपनीति बिबेका।। बरषा काल मेघ नभ छाए। गरजत लागत परम सुहाए।।
The beautiful forest was in full bloom, radiant with splendor. Swarms of bees hummed about, drawn by the sweetness of the nectar. The roots, fruits, leaves, and flowers became abundant and lovely from the very day the Lord arrived. Seeing that enchanting, incomparable mountain, the Lord of the devas remained there with His younger brother. Gods took the forms of bees, birds, and deer, and together with siddhas and munis they served the Lord in secret. The forest became mangalarupa, auspicious in its very form, from the moment Ramapati, the Lord of Rama (Lakshmi), made His dwelling there. On a slab of sphatika, crystal rock, brilliantly white and lovely, the two brothers sat in comfort. Rama spoke to His younger brother of many things: of bhakti, of vairagya, of nripaniti, and of viveka. The varsha kala, the time of rains, arrived. Clouds covered the sky, and their thunder was supremely beautiful.