The Companions Carry Rama's Form Homeward inside Their Hearts
Uttara Kanda, Doha 18
Doha 18 · Movement 2 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Raghunath adorns Jambavan, Nila, and every remaining companion. The warriors who arrived from forest and mountain now shine in the garments of Rama's gratitude.
One by one they bow their heads at his feet. Then they turn toward the road, holding Rama's form within the heart so that departure does not empty their inward sight.
At last Angada rises. The prince bends his head, joins his hands, and looks through eyes filled with tears. His words are about to come, but the Doha first lets us see their source. Humility has soaked through him like cloth immersed in the nectar of love. Around him the others are already leaving. Before him is the Lord he cannot bear to leave. Between those two directions, Angada stands trembling on the threshold of farewell.
The road takes the companions from Ayodhya, but each departs carrying an undiminished Rama within the chamber of the heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
जामवंत नीलादि सब पहिराए रघुनाथ। हियँ धरि राम रूप सब चले नाइ पद माथ।।17(क)।। तब अंगद उठि नाइ सिरु सजल नयन कर जोरि। अति बिनीत बोलेउ बचन मनहुँ प्रेम रस बोरि।।17(ख)।।
Raghunat adorned Jambavan, Nila, and all the others. Holding Rama's form in their hearts, they bowed their heads at his feet and departed. 17(ka) Then Angada rose, bowed his head, and with tear-filled eyes and folded hands, spoke words of deepest humility, as though soaked through with the nectar of love. 17(kha)