Angada Remains Seated When Every Other Companion Prepares to Leave
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 15
Doha 18 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Rama's words dissolve the companions' awareness of who and where they are. With folded hands they stand motionless before him, unable to speak. Though he offers many teachings of profound knowledge, their eyes return again and again to his lotus feet.
The Lord brings garments and ornaments of matchless colors. Sugriva is adorned first in clothing prepared by Bharata's own hands. At Rama's direction, Lakshmana adorns Vibhishana, the king of Lanka dear to Raghupati.
Across the gathering, farewell becomes visible in bright cloth, jewels, and gestures of honor. Yet Angada does not rise. He remains seated and unmoving while the others receive what they will carry home. Rama sees the depth of the young prince's love and does not summon him away. For a little longer, the departure pauses around one body that cannot make itself stand, and compassion permits silence to speak before command resumes.
The court begins to move toward farewell, but Angada's love remains seated before Rama and time waits beside him.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनि प्रभु बचन मगन सब भए। को हम कहाँ बिसरि तन गए।। एकटक रहे जोरि कर आगे। सकहिं न कछु कहि अति अनुरागे।। परम प्रेम तिन्ह कर प्रभु देखा। कहा बिबिध बिधि ग्यान बिसेषा।। प्रभु सन्मुख कछु कहन न पारहिं। पुनि पुनि चरन सरोज निहारहिं।। तब प्रभु भूषन बसन मगाए। नाना रंग अनूप सुहाए।। सुग्रीवहि प्रथमहिं पहिराए। बसन भरत निज हाथ बनाए।। प्रभु प्रेरित लछिमन पहिराए। लंकापति रघुपति मन भाए।। अंगद बैठ रहा नहिं डोला। प्रीति देखि प्रभु ताहि न बोला।।
Hearing the Lord's words, all were lost in bliss. Who they were, where they were, they forgot. Their very bodies slipped from awareness. They stood motionless, hands folded before him. Overwhelmed with love, they could not utter a word. The Lord beheld their supreme devotion and spoke to them of many forms of special wisdom. Yet they could say nothing in the Lord's presence. Again and again their gaze returned to his lotus feet. Then the Lord sent for ornaments and garments of every beautiful and matchless color. He first adorned Sugriva with garments that Bharata had fashioned with his own hands. At the Lord's bidding, Lakshmana adorned the King of Lanka, who was dear to Raghupati's heart. Angada sat still and did not stir. Seeing his love, the Lord did not call him away.