Lakshmana Rejects Delay While Rama Sits in Prayer Before the Ocean
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 51
Doha 51 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama approves Vibhishana's wise proposal and says they will act if providence supports it. The words strike Lakshmana like an unwelcome restraint. Why depend upon fate, he asks, when Rama can summon the fire of resolve and dry the ocean?
Only the cowardly mind makes fate its support, Lakshmana says. Only the idle repeat its name. Rama hears the younger brother's fierce impatience and smiles. Keep your heart steady, he replies. I shall act in that way as well. Force is not rejected, only held behind the proper hour.
Raghuraya walks to the edge of the sea, bows his head, spreads kusha grass upon the shore, and sits facing the water. Behind the visible stillness another movement has begun. Since Vibhishana left Lanka, Ravana's spies have followed him and now move secretly within the camp.
Lakshmana's fire waits behind Rama while the Lord first answers the ocean with stillness.
Read the passage from the Manas
सखा कही तुम्ह नीकि उपाई। करिअ दैव जौं होइ सहाई।। मंत्र न यह लछिमन मन भावा। राम बचन सुनि अति दुख पावा।। नाथ दैव कर कवन भरोसा। सोषिअ सिंधु करिअ मन रोसा।। कादर मन कहुँ एक अधारा। दैव दैव आलसी पुकारा।। सुनत बिहसि बोले रघुबीरा। ऐसेहिं करब धरहु मन धीरा।। अस कहि प्रभु अनुजहि समुझाई। सिंधु समीप गए रघुराई।। प्रथम प्रनाम कीन्ह सिरु नाई। बैठे पुनि तट दर्भ डसाई।। जबहिं बिभीषन प्रभु पहिं आए। पाछें रावन दूत पठाए।।
"Friend, you have spoken wisely and suggested a good plan. Let us proceed if divine providence favors us." This counsel did not please Lakshmana's heart. Hearing Rama's words, he felt great anguish. "O Lord, what trust can be placed in fate? Let us dry up the ocean with the fire of our resolve." "Only a coward's mind clings to such hope. Only the idle cry 'fate, fate' endlessly." Hearing this, the hero of Raghu's line smiled and spoke: "Just so shall I act. Keep your heart steady." Speaking thus, the Lord counseled His younger brother, and then Rama went near the ocean. First He bowed His head and offered reverence, then sat upon the shore, spreading kusha grass. Ever since Vibhishana had come to the Lord, Ravana had been sending spies after him.