Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Ayodhya Kanda – The grief of King Dhasharatha

Chapter – 147– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Ayodhya Kanda– The grief of King Dhasharatha

 

Sumanthra rushed to King who was laying on the floor and exclaimed “Hail King of Ayodhya! Hail King of Ayodhya!” and prostrated at the feet of King Dhasharatha, the moment he heard the voice of Sumanthra, the King rose on his feet in bewilderment and cried louder “Oh! Sumanthra, where is Rama?” He embraced Sumanthra tightly as if the drowning man found something to hold on to, he made Sumanthra sit close to him, and enquired affectionately, his eyes were flooded with tears, “Oh! Sumanthra, kindly detail me about the welfare of Rama, Oh! My dearest friend, kindly tell me where is Lord of Raghu, Rama, Lakshman, and Vidheha’s daughter Vaidhehi? Have you brought them back or left them to live in the woods?” his words pierced the heart of Sumanthra who was already heartbroken, the King continued “Dear Sumanthra, kindly detail me about Devi Sita, Rama, and Lakshman.” He repeatedly remembered the virtues, loveliness, truthfulness, steadfastness, kindness, and endurance of Rama and shed tears in utter grief “ Oh! Sumanthra, I have made an announcement to crown
Rama as the King of Ayodhya, and I have turned back from the promise and exiled him to wood, but he was neither happy nor sad. He was not grieved to leave the stately pleasures, unfortunately, my Prana/vital air did not leave me even after obtaining a virtuous son like Rama who was exiled from Ayodhya for no reason. Who can be a grave sinner like me?”

 

Dhekhi Sachiva  Jaya Jeeva  Kahi Keenheau Dhandapranamu | Sunatha  Udeau Byakula  Nripathi Kahu Sumanthra Kaha Ramu ||

Bhoopa Sumanthru Leenha Ura Layi | Boodatha Kacchu Adhara Janu Payi || Sahitha Saneha Nikata  Baitari | Poochatha Rau Nayana Bhari Bari || Rama Kusala Kahu Sakha Sanehi | Kaha Raghunathu Lakhanu Baidhehi || Aane Pheri Ki Banahi Sidhaye | Sunatha Sachiva  Lochana Jala Cchaye || Soka Bikala Puni Poocha Naresu | Kahu Siya Rama Lakhana Sandhesu || Ramaroopa  Gunaseela Subhau | Sumiri Sumiri Ura Sochatha Rau || Rau Sunayi Dheenha Banabasu | Suni Mana Bhayau Na  Harshu  Harasu || So Sutha Bicchuratha Gaye Na Prana | Ko Papi Bada Mohi  Samana ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Ayodhya Kanda – Sumanthra meets the King in the chamber of Devi Kausalya

Chapter – 146– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Ayodhya Kanda– Sumanthra meets the King in the chamber of Devi Kausalya

 

As soon as the people of the palace heard the news of the arrival of Sumanthra, the whole palace became lively, people became restless, the palace gave out a gloomy look as if the abode of spirits. The queen mothers assembled before Sumanthra and shot several questions, but Sumanthra was unable to speak a word, the voice was not coming out of the throat, his ears were deaf and eyes could not see, all that he was enquired “Kindly answer me where is the King?” watching the miserable state of Sumanthra, the attendants led him to the chamber of Devi Kausalya. Sumanthra saw the King who was pale and lusterless, like the moon without cool rays, found the King on the plain ground in a wretched state with no ornaments on his body, heaving sigh of grief like the King Yayati who was thrown from the abode of deities. The King was emaciated, shrunken in grief, like the Sampathi whose wings got cut down from the scorching sun, all that he was uttered “Oh! Rama, Oh! Rama” and Oh! Rama, Oh! Lakshman Oh! Sita”.

Sachiva Agamanu Sunatha Sabu Bikala Bhayau Ranivasu | Bhavanu Bhayankaru Laga Thehi Manahu Pretha Nivasu ||

Athi Aarathi Sab Poochahi Rani | Utharu Na  Aava Bikala Bhayi Bani || Sunayi Na  Shravana Nayana Nahi Sooja | Kahahu Kaha Nripa Thehi Thehi Boojja || Dhasinha Dheekha Sachiva  Bikalayi | Kausalya Gruha Gayi Lavayi || Jayi Sumanthra Dheekha Kasa Raja | Aamia Rahitha Janu Chandhu Biraja || Aasana Sayana Bibooshana Heena | Pareau Boomithala Nipata Maleena || Leyi Usasu Soch Yehi Bhanthi | Surapura The Janu Khaseau Jajathi || Letha Socha Bhari Cchinu Cchinu Cchathi | Janu Jari  Pankha Pareau Sampathi || Rama Rama Kaha Rama Sanehi | Puni Kaha Rama Lakhana Baidhehi ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Ayodhya Kanda – Sumanthra arrives in the palace of King Dhasharatha

Chapter – 145– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Ayodhya Kanda– Sumanthra arrives in the palace of King Dhasharatha

 

Sumanthra wept bitterly “My heart like the wetland did not crack even after the moisture like the most beloved Lord Rama left to woods, hence it is understandable that this body is destined to undergo hellish tortures.” Finally, the chariot arrived on the riverbank of Thamasa, he courteously sends off the youths of Nishadha who had fallen at the feet of Sumanthra and shed tears, returned to Shringabheripura. Sumanthra taken the charge of horse, and drove with a heavy heart to Ayodhya, he was hesitant to enter the city as if he was killed his preceptor, Bhramana, and cow. Sumanthra took shelter under the shade of a tree, the whole day he spent under the tree waiting for the arrival of dusk. Finally, Sumanthra entered the city in the dark hours and silently left the chariot at the entrance of the palace gate. Soon, the people who have got the news flocked at the entrance of the palace and found the chariot is empty and horses were restless as if experiencing the heavy hail storm. The people gathered were distressed like the fish out of the water.

 

Hridhau Na  Bidhareau Panka Jimi Bicchurath Preethamu Neeru | Janath Hau Mohi Dheenha Bidhi Yahu Janatha  Sareeru ||

Yehi Bidhi  Karatha Pantha  Pacchithava | ThamasaTheera Thuratha Rathu Aava || Bidha Kiye  Kari  Binaya Nishadha | Phire Paya  Pari Bikala Bishadha || Paidatha Nagara Sachiva  Sakuchayi | Janu Maresi Guru Bamana Gayi || Baiti Bitapa Thara Dhivasu Gavava | Sanjja Samaya Thab Avasaru Pava || Avadha Prabesu Keenha  Aandhiare | Paita Bhavana Rathu Rakhi Dhuare || Jinha Jinha Samachara Suni Paye | Bhoopa  Dhvara Rathu Dhekhana Aaye || Rathu Pahichani  Bikala Lakhi Ghore | Garahi Gaatha Jimi Aathapa Aure || Nagara Nari  Nara Byakuala Kaise | Nighatatha Neera  Meenagana Jaise ||

 

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Ayodhya Kanda – The anguish of Sumanthra

 

Chapter – 144– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Ayodhya Kanda– The anguish of Sumanthra

Sumanthra shed tears in extreme grief “Oh! Prabho, what would I say when the distressed people of Ayodhya enquire about Lord Rama? I have to answer their queries with a heavy heart. Oh! Prabho, what would I say to the queen mothers who approach me with great expectations? What would I say to comfort the mothers who are already besieged by sorrow and agony? What would I say to Devi Sumithra who is already grieving for her sons and daughter-in-law? What would I say to Devi Kausalya who resembles the mother cow/Nandhini whose mind is always in the search for its calf? I have no answer to the queries of the people of Ayodhya or queen mothers, other than ‘Rama, Lakshman and Baidhehi left to woods.” I am responsible to answer all their queries, alas! I have nothing to speak of, this is what waiting for me in Ayodhya. How did I answer to the King Dhasharatha whose life is vested in Rama? How did I tell him that I have safely deposited her beloved children in the woods? How did I say that even though I have escorted them to the woods, I haven’t brought them back to Ayodhya? It is definite that the moment King listen to my words he would give up his Prana/vital air like a straw.”

Dhayi Poochihahi Mohi  Jab Bikala Nagara Nara Nari | Utharu Dheba Mei Sabahi Thab Hridhaya Bajru Baitari ||

Poochihahi Dheena Dhukhitha Sab Matha | Kahab Kaha Mei Theenhahi Bidhatha || Poochihi Jabahi Lakhana Mahathari | Kahihau Kavana Sandhesa Sukhari || Rama Janani Jab Aayihi Dhayi | Sumiri Bacchu Jimi Dhenu Lavayi || Poochatha Utharu Deba Mei Thehi | Go Banu Rama Lakhanu Baidhehi || Joyi Poochihi Thehi Utharu Deba | Jayi Avadha Ab Yahu Sukhu Leba || Poochihi Jabahi Rau Dhukha Dheena | Jivanu Jasu  Raghunatha Adheena || Dhehau Utharu Kaunu Muhu Layi | Aayau Kusala Kuara Pahuchayi || Sunatha Lakhana Siyarama Sandhesu | Thrina Jimi Thanu Pariharihi  Naresu||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Ayodhya Kanda – The miserable state of Sumanthra while returning to Ayodhya

 

Chapter – 143– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Ayodhya Kanda– The miserable state of Sumanthra while returning to Ayodhya

 

Sage Yajjavalkya speaks “Oh! Mune, it was difficult to explain the miserable state of Sumanthra, the charioteer of the King, he was besieged with extreme agony from the separation of Rama, Lakshman, and Baidhehi, like a virtuous Bhramin well versed in Veda and scriptures adopted consumption of the spirituous drink. Sumanthra was heartbroken like a chaste woman devoted to her husband by word, mind, and the deed was forced to live apart from him. Sumanthra shed tears of extreme grief that blocked his vision, ears were deaf and his mind was completely confused, his lips were dry, and his tongue became motionless, yet his breath did not depart his body like the soul was shut inside the body as a term of exile. Sumanthra was in a wretched state, mourning like a sinner on his way to the abode of death, he looked pale and his body was emaciated like he has killed his own parents. Sumanthra failed to speak, lamented within himself “What shall I do in Ayodhya? Whom shall I meet? Whoever sees the chariot without Rama, Lakshman, and Sita in it would blame me.”

Bipra Bibeki Bedhabidha Sammatha Sadhu Sujathi| Jimi Dhekho Madhapana Kara Sachiva Soch Thehi Bhanthi ||

Jimi Kuleena Thiya Sadhu Sayani | Pathidhevatha KaramaMana Bani || Rahai Karama Basa Parihari Nahu | Sachiva Hridhaya Thimi Dharuna Dhahu || Lochana Sajala Didi Bhayi Thori | Sunayi Na Shravana Bikala Mathi Bhori || Sukhahi Adhara  Lagi Muha Lati | Jiau Na  Jayi Ura  Avadhi Kapati || Bibarana Bhayau Na  Jayi Nihari | Maresi Manahu Pitha Mahathari || Hani  Galani Bipula  Mana Byapai | Jamapura Pantha Soch Jimi Papi || Bachanu Na Aava Hridhaya Pacchithayi | Avadha Kaha Mei Dhkhab Jayi || Rama Rahitha Ratha Dhekhihi Joyi | Sakuchihi Mohi Bilokatha Soyi ||

 

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Ayodhya Kanda –The grief of Sumanthra who is the chief of the Minister, excellent warrior, and the charioteer of King Dhasharatha

 

Chapter – 142 (2)– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Ayodhya Kanda– The grief of Sumanthra who is the chief of the Minister, excellent warrior, and the charioteer of King Dhasharatha

 

It was extremely difficult to watch the grief of Sumanthra and his horses, so Guha called out for his four trustworthy men to accompany Sumanthra to the city of Ayodhya. Guha sends off Sumanthra, and returned to his hut with a heavy heart, could not bear the grief of separation from Rama. The Nishadha men taken control of the horse and the chariot, they drove Sumanthra to Ayodhya, while Sumanthra lamented all his way back “It’s unfortunate to return to the Kingdom of Ayodhya without the Lord of Raghu, this wretched body of mine will not survive too long at his separation, unfortunately, I did not achieve the good luck to leave mortal coil at his separation, why my body did not perish at the separation from my beloved Lord of Raghu? I might have committed a grave sin, that’s why the Prana/vital air is not leaving my body. Alas! this unfortunate soul has missed the fortune to depart this body at the pain of separation from the Lord. Alas! my heart is not broken at the pain of separation from Rama.” He repeatedly beat his head with both hands and shed tears of grief, like the miser lost all his wealth. Sumanthra who is the chief minister, a brave warrior, and the charioteer of the King, lost all his courage instantly after the separation of Lord.

Bhayau Nishadhu Bishadhabasa Dhekhatha Sachiva  Thuranga | Boli Susevaka Chari Thab Dhiye Sarathi Sanga ||

Guha Sarathihi Phireau Pahuchayi | Birahu Bishadhu Barani Nahi Jayi || Chale Avadha  Leyi Rathahi Nishadha | Hohi Cchanahi Cchana Magana Bishadha || Socha Sumanthra Bikala  Dhukhadheena | Dhiga Jeevana Raghubeera Biheena || Rahihi Na Anthahu Adhama Sareeru | Jasu Na  Laheau Bicchuratha Raghubeeru || Bhaye Ajasa Adha Bhajana Prana | Kavana Hethu Nahi Karatha Payana || Ahaha Mandha Manu Avasara Chooka | Ajahu Na Hridhaya Hotha  Dhrida Tooka || Miji Hath Siru Dhuni Pacchithayi | Manahu Kripana Dhanarasi Gavayi || Biridha Bandhi Bara Beeru Kahayi | Chaleau Samara Janu  Subhata Parayi ||

Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Ayodhya Kanda – Guha pacifies Sumanthra and dropped him in the chariot

 

Chapter – 142 (1)– Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Ayodhya Kanda– Guha pacifies Sumanthra and dropped him in the chariot

 

The horses tied to the chariot were unhappy, shedding tears, reluctant to drink water or eat grass. The entire family of Nishadha and villagers were grieved watching the miserable state of Sumanthra and the horses of Lord of Raghu. Guha regained courage and approached Sumanthra with the soothing words “Oh! Sumanthra, kindly stop grieving, you are a man of wisdom, and a knower of truth. The time is not propitious to all of us, kindly stop shedding tears.” Guha explained the beautiful moments shared with the Lord, and comforted Sumanthra and brought him back to the chariot. Sumanthra was so weak, was not in a position to drive the chariot, the pain from the separation from Rama caused terrible wounds in his heart. The horses were restless, not willing to move further, even they were grieving from the separation of supreme Lord Sri Ramachandra. It is easily understandable the grief of humans who have shared a good life in the association Rama, Devi Sita, and Lakshman, but it was extremely difficult to watch the state of horses, neighing and restless at the separation from its master Lord of Raghu Sri Ramachandra, as if the snake lost its precious gem on the forehead.

 

Nahi Thrina Charahi Na Piahi Jalu Mochahi Lochana Bari | Byakula Bhaye Nishadha Sab Raghubara Baji Nihari ||

Dhari Dheeraju Thab Kahayi Nishadhu | Ab SumanthraPariharhu Bishadhu || Thumha Panditha Paramaratha Gyatha |Dharahu Dheera Lakhi Bimukha Bidhatha|| Bibidha Katha Kahi Kahi Mridhubani | Ratha Baitareau Barabasa Aani || Soka  Sithila Ratha Sakayi Na Hanki | Raghubara Biraha Peera Ura  Banki || Charapharahi Maga  Chalahi Na  Ghore | Banamriga Manahu Aani Ratha Jore || Aduki Parahi Phiri Herahi Peeche| Rama Biyogi Bikala Dhukha Theeche || Jo Kaha Ramu Lakhanu Baidhehi | Himkari Himkari Hitha Herahi Thehi || Baji Biraha Gathi Kahi Kimi Jathi | Binu Mani Phanika Bikala Jehi Bhanthi ||