Angada Keeps Turning Back while Hanuman Asks for Ten More Days
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 17
Doha 20क · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharata, Shatrughna, and Lakshmana escort the devotees outward. Angada walks, stops, turns, and looks again toward Rama. He bows repeatedly, remembering the Lord's glance, voice, gait, smile, and the joy of their meetings.
Reading Rama's wish, the prince speaks many humble words and finally departs with the lotus feet secured inside his heart. The brothers honor every vanara along the way and then return toward the palace.
Hanuman falls at Sugriva's feet with a request. Let me serve Raghupati for ten days, he asks, and then I will return to behold your feet. Sugriva calls the son of the Wind a treasury of merit and sends him gladly to the abode of compassion. As the company moves away, Angada gives Hanuman one last message. The body continues down the road, but love searches for a friend who can keep a thread tied to Rama.
Angada's backward glances become a message entrusted to Hanuman, the companion allowed to remain ten days longer beside Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
भरत अनुज सौमित्र समेता। पठवन चले भगत कृत चेता।। अंगद हृदयँ प्रेम नहिं थोरा। फिरि फिरि चितव राम कीं ओरा।। बार बार कर दंड प्रनामा। मन अस रहन कहहिं मोहि रामा।। राम बिलोकनि बोलनि चलनी। सुमिरि सुमिरि सोचत हँसि मिलनी।। प्रभु रुख देखि बिनय बहु भाषी। चलेउ हृदयँ पद पंकज राखी।। अति आदर सब कपि पहुँचाए। भाइन्ह सहित भरत पुनि आए।। तब सुग्रीव चरन गहि नाना। भाँति बिनय कीन्हे हनुमाना।। दिन दस करि रघुपति पद सेवा। पुनि तव चरन देखिहउँ देवा।। पुन्य पुंज तुम्ह पवनकुमारा। सेवहु जाइ कृपा आगारा।। अस कहि कपि सब चले तुरंता। अंगद कहइ सुनहु हनुमंता।।
Bharata with his younger brothers and Lakshmana began to send off the devotees who had come to witness the coronation. Angada's heart was filled with immense love, and he kept turning to look toward Rama again and again. Repeatedly bowing with folded hands, he said in his mind, 'O Rama, let me remain like this forever.' Remembering Rama's sight, speech, and graceful movements, he pondered sorrowfully about their joyful meetings. Seeing the Lord's expression, he spoke many humble words and departed, keeping the lotus feet in his heart. All the monkeys were sent off with great honor, and then Bharata returned with his brothers. Then Hanuman grasped Sugriva's feet and made various humble entreaties. 'After serving the feet of Raghupati for ten days, I shall come to see your feet again, O lord.' 'You are a treasure of merit, O son of the wind. Go and serve that abode of compassion.' Saying this, all the monkeys departed quickly. Angada said, 'Listen, O Hanuman.'