Invocation

Śrī Rāmacaritamānasa (The Mānasa lake containing the exploits of Śrī Rāma) Descent Seven (Uttara-Kāṇḍa) I unceasingly adore Śrī Rāma, the praiseworthy lord of Jānakī, the chief of Raghu’s lineage, possessed of a form greenish blue as the neck of a peacock and adorned with a print of the Brāhmaṇa’s lotus-foot, which testifies to His being the greatest of all gods, rich in splendour, clad in yellow robes, lotus-eyed, ever-propitious, holding a bow and arrow in His hands, mounted on the aerial car named Puṣpaka, accompanied by a host of monkeys and waited upon by His brother, Lakṣmaṇa. (1) The lotus-feet of Śrī Rāma, the Lord of Kosala, charming and delicate, are adored by Brahmā (the Unborn) and Lord Śiva and fondled by the lotus hands of Jānakī and are the haunt of the bee-like mind of the worshipper. (2) I glorify the All-merciful Lord Śaṅkara, possessing a comely form, white as the jasmine flower, the moon and the conch, with eyes resembling a lovely lotus, Mother Pārvatī’s Spouse, the bestower of one’s desired fruit and the deliverer from the clutches of carnality. (3)

The term of Śrī Rāma’s exile was to expire only the next day, which made the people of the city extremely anxious. Wasted in body through separation from Śrī Rāma, men and women alike were plunged in thinking everywhere. Meanwhile, auspicious omens of all kinds occurred and everyone felt cheerful at heart. The city itself brightened up all round as if to announce the Lord’s impending arrival. Kausalyā and the other mothers all felt inwardly happy as if someone was about to tell them that the Lord had come with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa. Bharata’s right eye and arm throbbed again and again. Recognizing this to be a lucky omen, he felt overjoyed at heart; but the very next moment he became thoughtful again.