Aranya Kaanda
122 - Grace on Sabari; a discourse on the nine forms of Devotion and departure for the Pampa lake
Chaupais
Description
Sri Rama left even that forest and proceeded further. The two brothers were lions among men and possessed immeasurable strength. The Lord lamented like one smitten with pangs of separation; He narrated stories and had many a dialogue (with Laksmana). "Laksmana, mark the beauty of the forest; whose heart will not be stirred at its sight ? United with their mates all the swarms of birds and herds of deer are reproaching me as it were. When the bucks see me and scamper away (in fear), their mates would stop them saying, 'You have nothing to fear; you may enjoy yourselves at will, O progeny of deer. He has come in search of a gold deer.' The elephants would take their mates alongwith them as if to teach me a lesson (that a man should never leave his wife alone). The sacred lore, however thoroughly studied, must be gone through over and over again; a king, however well served, should never be depended upon; and a woman like the scriptures and the king, even though you may cherish her in your bosom, is never thoroughly mastered. See, brother, how pleasant the spring is; yet to me, bereft of my beloved, it is frightful.