41 - Panchavati

Panchvati

After leaving Chitrakut, Shri Ram, Lakshman & Sita Ma travel deeper in the forest and meet several Rishi Munis. Upon asking, Rishi Agast advises Him to go and live in paawan Panchvati
है प्रभु परम मनोहर ठाऊँ। पावन पंचबटी तेहि नाऊँ।। (He Prabhu Param Manohar Thaau, Paawan Panchvati Tehi Naau)
There is a place of breath-taking beauty called Pachvati, you all could live there together peacefully.
पंचवटीं बसि श्रीरघुनायक। करत चरित सुर मुनि सुखदायक।। (Panchvati basi Shri Raghu Nayak, Karat Charit Sur Muni Sukhdaayak)
Then one day Soopnakha comes
सूपनखा रावन कै बहिनी। दुष्ट हृदय दारुन जस अहिनी।।(Soopnakha Ravan ke bahini, Dusht Hriday Daarun Jas Ahini)
पंचबटी सो गइ एक बारा। देखि बिकल भइ जुगल कुमारा।।(Panchvati so gayi ek baara, Dekhi Vikal bhayi jugal kumaara)
Latchman cuts her nose and ears
दो0-लछिमन अति लाघवँ सो नाक कान बिनु कीन्हि।17 (Latchiman ati laaghav so naak kaan binu keenh)

Raavan comes to revenge his cruel sister Soopnakha. He brings with him mama Maareech in the form of a imitation golden deer.
होहु कपट मृग तुम्ह छलकारी। जेहि बिधि हरि आनौ नृपनारी।।(Hohu kapat mriga tumh chalkaari, Jehi bidhi hari aanow nripanaari)
Sita mata sees it and has this uncontrollable urge to have it.
सीता परम रुचिर मृग देखा। अंग अंग सुमनोहर बेषा।।(Site param ruchir mriga dekha, Ang ang sumanohar besha)
She sends Ram ji to kill the Mriga and get the beautiful skin
सत्यसंध प्रभु बधि करि एही। आनहु चर्म कहति बैदेही।। (Satya sandh Prabhu badi kari ehi, Aanahu charam kahti Beydehi)
Then she sends Latchman to help Ram
जाहु बेगि संकट अति भ्राता। लछिमन बिहसि कहा सुनु माता।।(Jaahu begi sankat ati bhraata, Latchiman bihasi kahaa sunu maata)
When Ram and Latchman are away Ravan finds an opportune time to attack and take Sita Ma away.
सो दससीस स्वान की नाई। इत उत चितइ चला भड़िहाई।। (So Das seesh Swaan (dog) ki naai, Et ut chitai chala Bhadihaai)
दो0-क्रोधवंत तब रावन लीन्हिसि रथ बैठाइ। (Krodhwant tab Ravan, Leenhi si rath baithaai)
चला गगनपथ आतुर भयँ रथ हाँकि न जाइ।।28।। (Chala gagan path aatur bhay, rath haaki na jaai)
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You all know this katha from Ram Charit Manas, so we won't elaborate on it.

Next week we'll see how our Guru Jan relate this katha to our everyday life.

Till then

Muskuraate Raho