Rama Bows to the Sages and Spreads His Yellow Cloth for Their Seat
Uttara Kanda, Doha 32
Doha 32 · Movement 2 of 2
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Rama sees the four sages approaching through the grove. Joy rises immediately, and the king of Ayodhya places his whole body upon the earth in prostration before the ancient children.
He welcomes them and asks after their welfare. Then the Lord removes his own yellow cloth and spreads it upon the ground as the seat on which his guests may rest.
The image needs no proclamation of humility. The blue form bends, golden fabric opens against the earth, and the ones who resemble the Vedas are received by the one whom the Vedas seek. Sovereignty becomes hospitality. Rama's yellow garment is more than royal adornment when worn. When offered as a seat, it reveals the honor with which the Lord receives saints.
The cloth that shines upon Rama becomes a sacred seat when love places the comfort of saints before royal splendor.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखि राम मुनि आवत हरषि दंडवत कीन्ह। स्वागत पूँछि पीत पट प्रभु बैठन कहँ दीन्ह।।32।।
Seeing the sages approaching, Rama joyfully prostrated Himself before them. After inquiring about their well-being, the Lord spread His own yellow cloth for them to sit upon.