Synopsis : 

Lav and Kush inquire about spiritual growth. 

Sita responds by unveiling a sweeping vision, linking the individual's journey to the cosmic cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction. She outlines the human soul's ascent through various discernible milestones: from an infant recognizing parents and a child respecting knowledge, to an adult embracing ethical livelihood, viewing family as sacred, and finding joy in selfless service. Freed from the constraints of time, the seeker rises under the guidance of spiritual Masters, culminating in becoming an instrument of Divine Will—building the "Lord's House" (universal harmony) on Earth.

 This chapter profoundly reveals that spirituality is inseparable from daily life, blossoming through relationships, learning, and service, leaving the reader to ponder:What, then, is the final destination of the spirit?

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It was Sita’s regular custom

A sacred act of evening

Her children and Sakhis in hermitage

Sat to discuss and sing ||1||

Topics of chat were varied

All expressed their view

They talked of 'Dharma' and knowledge

Philosophy and Value ||2||

Lav-Kush raised a question

One day in discussions

Tell us what is Spiritual Development

How to know its milestones?

Song 1 : Milestones of Spiritual Development

Lav and Kush:

Mother, what is ‘Spiritual Development’,
How can one recognise its milestones?

Sita:

Creation, preservation and destruction.
This is the timeless cycle of nature
Encompassing the entire cosmos.
It continues forever and ever. II1II

Life-giver of planet earth,
Is our bright star, the Sun.
It shall manifest in this form
For years ten billion. II2II

The spiritual development of each species
Is part of larger divine plans.
Like a bird which flies unhindered,
Across Continents and Oceans. II3II

Man is the most evolved of all.
Listen carefully my beloved,
To the milestones I tell,
Of his spiritual development. II4II

The breast-fed infant
Slowly recognizes its parents.
This is the first milestone
Of his spiritual development II5II

The child grows in age and intellect
And offers respect to his teacher.
He shall progress rapidly
Through knowledge deep and clear. II6II

On reaching adulthood,
If he does truthful enterprise,
‘Laxmi’1 shall bless him,
As a part of spiritual progress II7II

If he eventually becomes a householder,
And regards as divine family,
The relation of wife and kin,
He shall indeed progress spiritually II8II

One who strives for all people,
Believes in the world as a family,
Blossoms the flower of good deeds,
He reaches the next degree II9II

He then gets divine vision,
Enjoys complete peace of heart,
“ I belong to nature and nature is mine”
Is his self realised thought. II10II

Time is no longer his limiting domain
He seeks and receives guidance
Through a dialogue with great Masters,
And makes further spiritual progress II11II

He who helps build the "Lord's House"
Humbly unites with will Divine
He shall indeed reach the peak
Of spiritual development supreme. ||12||

Song 2: Unification with Nature

Lav - Kush :

The dancing waves of the sea,

Fickle winds have something to say,

We belong to you, do you know that?

You belong to us, do you know that?

On the glorious mountain tops,

In the cradle of the sky,

Among the mighty clouds,

What is the whispering pray?

We belong to you, do you know that?

You belong to us, do you know that?

Softly the rain showers,

The lightning streaks glow and say,

We belong to you, do you know that?

You belong to us, do you know that?

1. "Laxmi" : Goddess of auspicious and constructive acts; also Goddess of prosperity

2. "Lord's House": Lord's Universe (Chapter 19)

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Mother Sita, with Lav-Kush dear,

Walks  them through the woods and dale ,

She chats too with trees and birds, 

Imparts values, in life to sail.

Song 3: Melody of Memories

Sita:

Melody of memories  bright,

Like dancing fireflies in night.

Some bring laughter, some bring tears

A symphony played through  years ||1||

In life's vast ocean, deep and wide, 

Waves break quickly with the tide. 

Subtle new notes in  heart  echo,

Always rise and fall,  never subside||2||

Song 4 : Meeting Beloved Birds

Sita:

Beloved birds you all to meet 

Janaki has come to greet 

Wings unfurled ,high you fly 

Remember Rama while  in the sky.    ||Refrain||

With melodies when   you fill the air,

 Mother Earth’s love in all moments share 

 Blossoms bloom in  vibrant hue,

 Trees  dance clad in morning dew ||1||

Gather twigs with  beaks and weave

A loving nest where dreams conceive,

Teach your chicks , creed as custom,

 "Charaiveti" 1 –  mantra of wisdom ||2||

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Notes: 

1.  "Charaiveti" = A sanskrit word meaning, Keep moving forward, seek new directions, let go of old thoughts, forget past difficulties, maintain a creative vision, just like a river that crosses mountains and valleys and keeps flowing to  keep moving ahead. This also signifies the importance of continuing to do your duties and practices, irrespective of the results and experiences  on the spiritual journey.

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Through forest green, Sita roams
Gathers fruits and lovely blooms.
Seeks new trails every day,
Forest plants their longing say. 

Song 5 : Glance of Eyes

(After gap of some days , when Mother Sita  returns to the same  path in the forest, it seems as if the plants and herbs  there have these emotions to express to her)

Forest plants say: 

So many days have flown,

O Sita,dear,

You’ve not come

to meet us here?

Glance of your eyes ,

We’ve lost it seems,

Why leave us longing, 

Your friends  of dreams? ||1|| 

When monsoon magic

Comes with showers,

Mother earth 

smiles with flowers.

Garments  green ,

We  help  her adorn,

But yearn for you 

Each morning dawn ||2||

So many days…….

Notes 1.  * Shravan is usually Indian month of monsoon. 

2.  “Glance of Your Eyes” song celebrates the power of connection, longing, and the emotional ties that bind Sita to  the natural world around Valmiki Ashram, where she dwells with her twins. It invites  reflection on the value of even the briefest moments of connection to nature .

3. “Glance” here also is a spiritual metaphor where the Loving   glance of the deity worshipped or Sadguru revered,  is yearned for by the devotee.  It is the 'Glance' that rewards one with a sense of meditative union.

End of Chapter 12

Om Shanti ! Om Shanti ! Om Shanti !