Reflection

 Reflection: a beautiful passage from Goswami Tulsidas's Śrī Rāmacaritamānasa, Bāla Kāṇḍa, in which Hanumān addresses Mother Sītā and encourages her to remain courageous by remembering Lord Rāma.

1. The original verse in Devanagari

दोहा/चौपाई प्रसंग — सुंदरकाण्ड

कहु कपि हृदयँ धीर धरु माता।

सुमिरु राम सेवक सुखदाता॥

उर आनहु रघुपति प्रभुताई।

सुनि मम बचन तजहु कदराई॥ ५॥

2. Transliteration

Kahu kapi hridayam dhīr dharu mātā,

Sumiru Rāma sevaka sukhadātā.

Ura ānahu Raghupati prabhutāī,

Suni mama bachana tajahu kadarāī.

3. Meaning in English.

Hanumān said:

“Mother, take courage in your heart. Remember Śrī Rāma, who brings happiness to His servants.

Bring to your heart the greatness and power of Lord Raghupati. Listen to my words and cast away your fear and hesitation.”

4. The deeper message

There is something profoundly comforting about Hanumān's words.

Remember the Lord: When the mind is troubled, turn towards the One who gives strength and protection.

Recall His greatness: Our difficulties may appear overwhelming, but faith reminds us that we are not alone.

Let courage replace fear: Hanumān does not merely console Sītā; he helps her recover her inner strength.

The words “dhīr dharu mātā” — “Mother, take courage” — are especially touching. Even while Sītā is enduring separation from Rāma in Aśoka Vana, Hanumān gently reminds her of the Lord's power and compassion.

A reflection for our own lives: When fear arises, remember the Lord as your protector and ask for the courage to take the next right step.

This is not a promise that every difficulty will disappear immediately. It is a reminder that faith can help us face difficulty without surrendering to despair.