Rama Shows the Vanaras the City Dearer to Him Than Vaikuntha
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 4
Doha 5क · Movement 1 of 2
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From Pushpaka, the sun of the Solar dynasty shows the beautiful city to Sugriva, Angada, Vibhishana, and the companions. This land is sacred, he tells them, and its loveliness carries a secret few understand.
Vedas and Puranas praise Vaikuntha and the other celestial abodes, yet none is as dear to Rama as Ayodhya. This beautiful city is his birthplace. Along its northern side flows the purifying Sarayu, whose waters grant those who bathe an effortless dwelling near the Lord.
Ayodhya's residents are exceedingly dear to him, and the city itself bestows Rama's abode and overflows with happiness. The vanaras rejoice to hear the Lord praise the roofs rising beneath them. They crossed toward Lanka for Rama, and now Rama reveals what home means to him. Ayodhya is blessed not by splendor alone but by being the earthly place upon which his personal love has rested.
Rama looks down upon Ayodhya and reveals that the Lord of Vaikuntha has a birthplace he loves even more.
Read the passage from the Manas
इहाँ भानुकुल कमल दिवाकर। कपिन्ह देखावत नगर मनोहर।। सुनु कपीस अंगद लंकेसा। पावन पुरी रुचिर यह देसा।। जद्यपि सब बैकुंठ बखाना। बेद पुरान बिदित जगु जाना।। अवधपुरी सम प्रिय नहिं सोऊ। यह प्रसंग जानइ कोउ कोऊ।। जन्मभूमि मम पुरी सुहावनि। उत्तर दिसि बह सरजू पावनि।। जा मज्जन ते बिनहिं प्रयासा। मम समीप नर पावहिं बासा।। अति प्रिय मोहि इहाँ के बासी। मम धामदा पुरी सुख रासी।। हरषे सब कपि सुनि प्रभु बानी। धन्य अवध जो राम बखानी।।
Here, the Sun of the Solar Dynasty showed the monkeys the enchanting city. 'Listen, O Monkey King, Angada, and Lord of Lanka: this is a sacred and beautiful land. 'Though all the heavenly abodes, Vaikuntha and the rest, are praised in the Vedas and Puranas and known throughout the world, 'none is as dear to Me as Ayodhya. Only a rare soul understands this secret. 'The glory of this city cannot be told even by Shesha, Sharada, and the Vedas. 'He who loves Ayodhya with all his heart receives devotion to Me without effort. 'Here flows the Sarayu, most sacred of rivers. Even the sight of her waters destroys all sin. 'All who dwell in this city are dear to Me as life itself. Know this, and hold it firm in your hearts.'