Ayodhya Kaanda
79 - Sri Rama greets the Yamuna; love of the villagers
Chaupais
Description
Sri Rama walked in front while Laksmana followed in the rear, both conspicuous in the robes of ascetics. Between the two Sita shone like Maya (the Divine Energy) that stands between Brahma (God), on the one hand, and the individual soul on the other. To illustrate Her beauty as it exists in my mind in another way, She looked like Rati (the wife of the god of love) shining between Madhu (the spirit presiding over the vernal season) and the god of love. Beating my brains for another illustration, let me say She shone like Rohini* between Budha† and the moon-god. Sita trod on the path with meticulous care planting Her feet in the space between Her lord's footprints. Avoiding the footprints both of Sita and Rama, Laksmana traversed the road always keeping them to his right. The ideal affection of Sri Rama, Laksmana and Sita was past telling; how can one describe it? Even birds and beasts were enraptured to behold their beauty; their hearts were stolen by Rama, the wayfarer.