Pushpaka Turns North as Rama Shows Sita the Field of Victory
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 115
Doha 120 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama sees the extraordinary love of those who remain and brings them all aboard Pushpaka. Inwardly he bows to the feet of the brahmins, then directs the radiant chariot north. A great cry of Jaya Raghuvira rises as it leaves Lanka.
Rama sits with Sita upon a high, beautiful throne. Together they shine like cloud and lightning upon the summit of Meru. The vehicle moves swiftly beneath showers of celestial flowers, pleasant threefold breezes, clear waters, auspicious signs, and a sky washed bright.
Rama asks Sita to look down upon the battlefield. Here Lakshmana killed Indrajit. Here mighty demons fell beneath Hanuman and Angada. Here Kumbhakarna and Ravana, the two brothers who tormented gods and sages, were slain. The earth below becomes a map of sacrifice and victory, spoken gently to the one whose absence stood at the center of every mark.
From the sky Rama names each place where love fought its way across the earth to return Sita to his side.
Read the passage from the Manas
अतिसय प्रीति देख रघुराई। लिन्हे सकल बिमान चढ़ाई।। मन महुँ बिप्र चरन सिरु नायो। उत्तर दिसिहि बिमान चलायो।। चलत बिमान कोलाहल होई। जय रघुबीर कहइ सबु कोई।। सिंहासन अति उच्च मनोहर। श्री समेत प्रभु बैठै ता पर।। राजत रामु सहित भामिनी। मेरु सृंग जनु घन दामिनी।। रुचिर बिमानु चलेउ अति आतुर। कीन्ही सुमन बृष्टि हरषे सुर।। परम सुखद चलि त्रिबिध बयारी। सागर सर सरि निर्मल बारी।। सगुन होहिं सुंदर चहुँ पासा। मन प्रसन्न निर्मल नभ आसा।। कह रघुबीर देखु रन सीता। लछिमन इहाँ हत्यो इँद्रजीता।। हनूमान अंगद के मारे। रन महि परे निसाचर भारे।। कुंभकरन रावन द्वौ भाई। इहाँ हते सुर मुनि दुखदाई।।
Seeing the immense love of all, Raghurai took everyone aboard the aerial chariot. In his mind he bowed his head to the feet of the Brahmins, and directed the chariot northward. As the chariot moved, there arose a great tumult with everyone shouting 'Victory to Raghubir!' There was a supremely high and beautiful throne on which the Lord sat with Shri Sita. Rama shone with his beloved like Mount Meru's peak adorned with lightning and clouds. The beautiful chariot moved very swiftly, and the delighted gods showered flowers. The threefold breeze blew most pleasantly, and the waters of oceans, lakes and rivers became clear. Auspicious signs appeared beautiful on all four sides, the mind was joyful and the sky clear. Raghubir said, 'Look Sita, here on this battlefield Indrajit was slain.' Here fell the mighty demons struck down by Hanuman and Angad in battle. Here the two brothers Kumbhakarna and Ravana, who caused suffering to gods and sages, were killed.