Meditation on the divine family
67. Fair-bodied Shatrughna, destroyer of enemies and radiant with noble splendor, stands to their left. Holding a fan in his right hand, he serves in harmony with the wishes of both Lords.
मूल पाठ 67 दक्षिण भुज रिपुदलन गौर तन तेज उदारा । उभय हेतु अनुसार धरे तालवृन्त खण्डित धारा ॥६७॥
Commentary
Having described the principal meditation, the poet now describes the family as its subsidiary limbs. Sri Shatrughna, destroyer of enemies, has a fair body and generous radiance. In loving accord with the wishes of both Sri Sita and Rama, he holds a round palm-leaf fan in his right hand and stands near both Lords on their left. The Gitavali similarly speaks of the yellow sacred thread and garment at the waist.
68. Lakshmana, the embodiment of Shesha, holds the royal parasol; Bharata waves a lovely chowrie. Hanuman, son of the Wind, joins his lotus hands and sings the glory of the beautiful Lords.
मूल पाठ 68 शेष लिये कर छत्र भरत लिये चौर डुलावैं । अनिलसुवन कर जोरि सुप्रभु को कीरति गावैं ॥६८॥
Commentary
Sri Lakshmana Kumara is Shesha, Lord of all, part of Sri Rama the Supreme Brahman and the embodiment of devoted service. This ornament of Raghu's line, abode of graceful signs and treasury of divine virtues, holds the beautiful moon-shaped parasol and spreads its shade.
Likewise Sri Bharata, heir apparent and ornament of Raghu's line, king of devotees and blessed vessel of love for Rama, waves a beautiful chowrie. The Son of the Wind, Sri Hanuman, joins his lotus hands and sings the glory of the lovely Lords. The Vinaya Patrika says:
Victor over the pride of Gandharvas, skilled in the great drama, crown-jewel among millions of poet clans, master of song and virtue: victory to the dancer who, seeing Sita's Beloved seated upon the throne, dances in boundless joy.
69. In their appointed places, the eternal retinue forms a magnificent assembly. Surati, Vimala, and the other divine powers remain near, always obedient to the Couple's command.
मूल पाठ 69 अपनो अपनी ठौर नित्य परिकर बनि भारी । सुरति शक्ति विमलादि रहत नित आज्ञाकारी ॥६९॥
Commentary
Sri Sita-Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, and Hanuman correspond to the six syllables of the sovereign mantra. Having meditated upon them, the poet now describes the wider family.
In their respective places stand great assemblies of companions, female friends, male and female servants, bearing contemplative identification with eternal Avadh and Mithila in forms of being-consciousness-bliss. Each shines in the place of his or her own service. "In their own places" teaches their order: Bharata at the right, Shatrughna at the left, Lakshmana behind, Hanuman before; beyond them remain Surati, Vimala and other companions who embody Sri Sita-Rama's powers, always near the Couple and obedient to their command.
Surati is the female companion who embodies Sri Sita-Rama's transcendent mutual love. Or the phrase may mean Vimala and the other companions filled with beautiful love, worshiped in the Rama Tapani yantra. Their names are Vimala, Utkarshini, Jnana, Kriya, Yoga, Prahvi or Humility, Satya, Ishana, and Anugraha. The secret texts likewise name Sri Charushila, Sri Chandrakala, Subhaga, Rupakala, Hema, Kshema, Vagmi, and many other companions.
70. Each attendant dwells in heart and mind upon the service entrusted to them. Others hold the vina, perfect its notes and melody, and worship the Lords through song.
मूल पाठ 70 जो जो जेहि अधिकार सचिव सेवा मन वासै । वीणाधर सुर तान गान करि प्रभुहि उपासै ॥७०॥
Commentary
After indicating the female companions, the poet speaks of male companions and servants. Each minister or intimate attendant has been granted authority over a particular service and keeps the mind dwelling wholly within it.
The services include parasol, chowrie, fan, mirror, weapons, betel, flower garland, drinking water, and countless other services suited to season, preference, assembly, and time. Whoever longs for a service receives authority over it and perfumes the mind with the joy of that service alone, without entertaining any other desire. The poet also points to further services: some hold the vina and other instruments, refine their notes, take up the melody, and serve both Lords by singing the Couple's glory.
Sri Agra Swami's Ashtayama gives the ministers' names: Sulochana, Subhadra, Suchandra, Jayasena, Varishtha, Shubhashila, Anangajit, and Rasaketu. They are sons of Sumantra and the seven other ministers. There are likewise companions such as Sri Charushilamani, Sri Viramani Ji, Sri Dhiramani Ji, Hitamani Ji, Rasramamani Ji, and many other friends and sweet servants.