From Panchavati to Shabari's Hermitage, Separation Moves through the Forest
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 64
Doha 67 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bhushundi sings how Rama sanctifies Dandaka and befriends Jatayu. The Lord dwells at Panchavati, ending the fear of sages. Lakshmana gives his incomparable teaching, Shurpanakha is disfigured, and Khara and Dushana fall as the hidden design reaches Ravana's ears.
Ravana speaks with Maricha, and the deception advances. The illusory Sita is carried away. Now Bhushundi allows something of Raghuvira's anguish to enter the song. The forest that had received the Lord as protector becomes the vast field through which he searches in separation.
Rama performs the last rites of the fallen vulture, kills Kabandha, and grants the highest destination to Shabari. Still the current of longing continues until he reaches the lakeside. Scene after scene moves swiftly beneath the banyan, yet each retains its moral light: friendship honored, fear ended, deceit ripened into disaster, sacrifice mourned, and humble devotion received without regard for outward station.
Across the forest, Rama's separation becomes a path that honors a vulture, liberates the fallen, and reaches the waiting heart of Shabari.
Read the passage from the Manas
कहि दंडक बन पावनताई। गीध मइत्री पुनि तेहिं गाई।। पुनि प्रभु पंचवटीं कृत बासा। भंजी सकल मुनिन्ह की त्रासा।। पुनि लछिमन उपदेस अनूपा। सूपनखा जिमि कीन्हि कुरूपा।। खर दूषन बध बहुरि बखाना। जिमि सब मरमु दसानन जाना।। दसकंधर मारीच बतकहीं। जेहि बिधि भई सो सब तेहिं कही।। पुनि माया सीता कर हरना। श्रीरघुबीर बिरह कछु बरना।। पुनि प्रभु गीध क्रिया जिमि कीन्ही। बधि कबंध सबरिहि गति दीन्ही।। बहुरि बिरह बरनत रघुबीरा। जेहि बिधि गए सरोबर तीरा।।
He spoke of the sanctity of the Dandaka forest and then sang of the Lord's friendship with the vulture Jatayu. Then how the Lord made His dwelling at Panchavati and dispelled all fear from the sages. Then came Lakshmana's incomparable instruction and how Shurpanakha was disfigured. He described the slaying of Khara and Dushana, and how Ravana learned all the secrets. He told of Ravana's consultation with Maricha, and described all that transpired in that encounter. Then he told of the abduction of the illusory Sita and described something of Shri Raghuvira's anguish of separation. Then how the Lord performed the last rites for the vulture, slew Kabandha, and granted salvation to Shabari. Again describing Raghuvira's anguish of separation, he told how the Lord went to the lakeside.