Rama Rests Upon Suvela With Sugriva's Lap Beneath His Head
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 11
Doha 12 · Movement 1 of 2
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Across from Lanka, Raghuvira reaches Mount Suvela with the immense army. He chooses a high, smooth, gleaming white summit. Lakshmana arranges tender leaves and lovely flowers with his own hands, spreads a soft deerskin, and prepares the seat of compassion.
Rama reclines with his head resting in Sugriva's lap. Bow and quiver lie at either side. His lotus hands attend to the arrows while Vibhishana leans near and speaks secret counsel into his ear. Ease and readiness occupy the same quiet form.
At Rama's lotus feet sit the greatly blessed Angada and Hanuman, pressing them in different ways. Behind him Lakshmana keeps the warrior posture, quiver at his waist and bow and arrow in hand. Friendship supports the Lord's head, devotion serves his feet, wisdom speaks near his ear, and vigilance guards his back.
Upon Suvela, Rama rests inside a living mandala of friendship, devotion, counsel, and protection.
Read the passage from the Manas
इहाँ सुबेल सैल रघुबीरा। उतरे सेन सहित अति भीरा।। सिखर एक उतंग अति देखी। परम रम्य सम सुभ्र बिसेषी।। तहँ तरु किसलय सुमन सुहाए। लछिमन रचि निज हाथ डसाए।। ता पर रूचिर मृदुल मृगछाला। तेहीं आसान आसीन कृपाला।। प्रभु कृत सीस कपीस उछंगा। बाम दहिन दिसि चाप निषंगा।। दुहुँ कर कमल सुधारत बाना। कह लंकेस मंत्र लगि काना।। बड़भागी अंगद हनुमाना। चरन कमल चापत बिधि नाना।। प्रभु पाछें लछिमन बीरासन। कटि निषंग कर बान सरासन।।
Here at Mount Suvela, Shri Raghuvira descended with his great army. He saw one peak, soaring high, supremely beautiful, smooth, and gleaming white. There Lakshmana arranged tender leaves and lovely flowers with his own hands. Upon them he spread a beautiful, soft deerskin, and the compassionate Lord took his seat. The Lord rested his head in the lap of the monkey king, with bow and quiver at his left and right. With both lotus hands he was setting his arrows, while Vibhishana drew near and whispered secret counsel. The greatly blessed Angada and Hanuman were pressing the Lord's lotus feet with tender devotion. Behind the Lord sat brave Lakshmana, quiver at his waist, bow and arrows ready in hand.