Fire Returns the True Sita Like Lakshmi Rising From the Milk Ocean
Lanka Kanda, Chhand 2
Doha 110क · Movement 2 of 3
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Remembering Rama, Maithili enters the blaze as though entering cool sandalwood. The fire receives the one whose pure devotion rests at the feet worshiped by Mahesh.
The reflected form and every worldly stain burn within the fierce element. Gods, siddhas, and sages watch, yet none comprehends the full movement of the Lord's lila. Fire takes visible form and holds the hand of true Sita, whose truth is proclaimed by scripture and known throughout the world.
As Lakshmi once rose from the ocean of milk, Fire brings Sita and offers her to Rama. She takes her place at his left side in immeasurable beauty, like a golden lotus bud beside a newly opened blue water lily. Separation, concealment, and public doubt end in a tableau of gold beside rain cloud blue, while the witnesses behold what Fire had guarded from the beginning.
From the flame comes the Sita Fire always knew, golden and untouched beside the deep blue beauty of Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
श्रीखंड सम पावक प्रबेस कियो सुमिरि प्रभु मैथिली। जय कोसलेस महेस बंदित चरन रति अति निर्मली।। प्रतिबिंब अरु लौकिक कलंक प्रचंड पावक महुँ जरे। प्रभु चरित काहुँ न लखे नभ सुर सिद्ध मुनि देखहिं खरे।।1।। धरि रूप पावक पानि गहि श्री सत्य श्रुति जग बिदित जो। जिमि छीरसागर इंदिरा रामहि समर्पी आनि सो।। सो राम बाम बिभाग राजति रुचिर अति सोभा भली। नव नील नीरज निकट मानहुँ कनक पंकज की कली।।2।।
Cool as sandalwood, the Maithili princess entered the blazing fire, remembering her Lord. Glory to the Lord of Kosala, whose lotus feet Mahesh worships with pure devotion! All false reflections and worldly stains burned away in that mighty fire, Yet none could fathom the Lord's divine play; gods, siddhas and sages watched in wonder. Taking the form of Fire, holding her hand, he who is Truth itself, known to the Vedas, Just as from the ocean of milk Indira was brought and offered to Rama, So now she shines at Rama's left side, radiant with wondrous beauty; Like a golden lotus bud beside a fresh blue water lily.