Autumn Arrives without News of Sita, and Rama's Enacted Anger Raises Lakshmana's Bow
Kishkindha Kanda, Chaupai 18
Doha 18 · Movement 1 of 2
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The clear season has arrived, but no news of Sita has come. Rama tells Lakshmana that if he could learn where she is even once, he would conquer Kala within a moment and bring her back. Wherever she lives, if life remains in her, no effort will be spared. Against autumn's clarity stands the single unbearable absence of her location.
Rama says Sugriva has forgotten him after receiving kingdom, treasury, city, and queens. The arrow that killed Vali can kill the forgetful king tomorrow. Yet Shiva tells Uma that true anger cannot exist even in dream within the one whose grace removes pride and delusion. Only wise sages devoted to Raghuvira's feet understand this divine charitra.
Lakshmana sees his Lord appearing angry. The younger brother does not remain seated upon the crystal. He strings his bow and takes an arrow in hand. Rama's lila has placed fire in the servant, and the restored city below the mountain is about to hear how urgently Sita's name still governs every promise.
Rama's enacted anger becomes a drawn bow in Lakshmana's hand, all for the missing news of Sita.
Read the passage from the Manas
बरषा गत निर्मल रितु आई। सुधि न तात सीता कै पाई।। एक बार कैसेहुँ सुधि जानौं। कालहु जीत निमिष महुँ आनौं।। कतहुँ रहउ जौं जीवति होई। तात जतन करि आनेउँ सोई।। सुग्रीवहुँ सुधि मोरि बिसारी। पावा राज कोस पुर नारी।। जेहिं सायक मारा मैं बाली। तेहिं सर हतौं मूढ़ कहँ काली।। जासु कृपाँ छूटहीं मद मोहा। ता कहुँ उमा कि सपनेहुँ कोहा।। जानहिं यह चरित्र मुनि ग्यानी। जिन्ह रघुबीर चरन रति मानी।। लछिमन क्रोधवंत प्रभु जाना। धनुष चढ़ाइ गहे कर बाना।।
The rainy season has passed and the clear autumn has come, yet I have received no news of Sita, dear brother. If somehow I could learn of her whereabouts even once, I would conquer Kaal (Death) himself in an instant and bring her back. Wherever she may be, if she is still alive, I will spare no effort to bring her home, dear brother. Sugriva too has forgotten all about me. Having gained his kingdom, treasury, city, and queens, he thinks of me no more. With the very arrow that slew Bali, I shall strike down that ungrateful fool tomorrow. O Uma, can there ever be real anger, even in a dream, toward one by whose grace all pride and delusion are destroyed? Only those wise munis who cherish deep love (rati) for the feet of Raghuvira can truly understand this divine play (charitra). Lakshmana saw that his Lord appeared filled with anger. At once he strung his bow and grasped an arrow.