Rama's Gaze Gives the Army Wings, and Auspicious Signs Reach Sita
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 35
Doha 35 · Movement 1 of 3
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The gathered monkeys bow their heads at Rama's lotus feet while mighty bears and forest heroes roar. Rama surveys the entire host with compassion in his lotus eyes. Beneath that gaze the chiefs seem to become great mountains fitted with wings, their strength awakened by grace.
Rama sets forth in joy. Beautiful omens appear everywhere, fitting for the departure of one whose fame is wholly auspicious. Far away in Lanka, Vaidehi's left limbs tremble as if her own body has learned before her mind that the Lord is marching. Every sign that brings hope to Janaki becomes a sign of ruin for Ravana.
The army surges onward beyond description. Countless monkeys and bears carry trees and mountain peaks, their nails ready as weapons, moving over earth and through sky at will. Their lion roars strike the quarters so fiercely that the great elephants guarding the directions shake and cry aloud.
One compassionate glance gives mountains wings, and Sita's body hears the approaching army across the sea.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रभु पद पंकज नावहिं सीसा। गरजहिं भालु महाबल कीसा।। देखी राम सकल कपि सेना। चितइ कृपा करि राजिव नैना।। राम कृपा बल पाइ कपिंदा। भए पच्छजुत मनहुँ गिरिंदा।। हरषि राम तब कीन्ह पयाना। सगुन भए सुंदर सुभ नाना।। जासु सकल मंगलमय कीती। तासु पयान सगुन यह नीती।। प्रभु पयान जाना बैदेहीं। फरकि बाम अँग जनु कहि देहीं।। जोइ जोइ सगुन जानकिहि होई। असगुन भयउ रावनहि सोई।। चला कटकु को बरनैं पारा। गर्जहि बानर भालु अपारा।। नख आयुध गिरि पादपधारी। चले गगन महि इच्छाचारी।। केहरिनाद भालु कपि करहीं। डगमगाहिं दिग्गज चिक्करहीं।।
The monkeys bowed their heads at the Lord's lotus feet. Bears and mighty vaanaras roared with power. Rama surveyed the entire army and gazed upon them with His compassionate lotus eyes. Receiving the bal of Rama's kripa, the monkey-chiefs became like great mountains fitted with wings. Filled with harsha, Rama then set forth on the march. Beautiful and shubh omens appeared on every side. For one whose every act is mangalamay, filled with auspiciousness, such favourable signs at departure are only natural. Vaidehi sensed the Lord's departure when her left limbs throbbed, as though her very body spoke the news. Whatever omens were shubh for Janaki became ashubh for Ravana. Who could describe that advancing army? Countless monkeys and bears thundered as they surged forward. With nails as weapons, carrying mountains and trees, they moved through sky and earth at will. The bears and monkeys raised lion-like roars so tremendous that the guardian elephants of the directions trembled and cried out.