Synopsis: 

Lav and Kush ask Sita why a Sadguru is needed and how to recognize one. Sita explains that a Sadguru, Great Master  selflessly illuminates the path of Truth, seeking nothing in return. Unwavering devotion, like Bhakta Dhruva's, can even draw guidance from the Saptarishis, the celestial sages. 

Sita uses metaphors,and poetic imagery describing the Sadguru as a boatswain steering souls through life's ocean or a gardener nurturing devotion into spiritual realization. She advises a simple path to finding a Sadguru: uphold goodwill, perform duties sincerely, and remain free from worldly illusions.

Lav and Kush summarize their mother’s wisdom, recognizing a Sadguru as one who embraces them like a shadow, seeking only their spiritual upliftment with boundless, parental love of both mother and father.

=============================================

Lav and Kush:

Mother!

Friends, acquaintances and elders

Give us good education,

Then why is a Sadguru (Great Master) required

And how to recognise Him?

Song 1: Sat-Guru (Great Master)

Sita:

One who craves not an iota of wealth,

Or even a petal of flower.

One who is not infatuated

By any man, woman or power.

One who only immerses himself or herself,

In alleviation of human miseries of the world.

One who shows the path of Truth

And guides you to the love of Lord.

Oh devotee! Salute such a person

And touch his or her feet reverentially forever.

For indeed He or She is

The ‘Sat-Guru’, the Great Master.

Song 2 : Treasured Teachings 

Sita:

The treasured teachings like ‘DUST sacred

Of Guru’s feet’, on  forehead  place 

All holy sites  within it lie, 

Chant Lord's name, ever nigh. ||Refrain||

Breath controls  life, you see,

 Control it well and balanced be 

 With meditation, cleanse your soul ,

 Find inner peace , a sacred goal ||1||

Like Dhruva’s devotion, strong unshaken,

 Keep  in  heart, with affection

SAPTARISHI 2  too  Gurus pristine 

Guide you to God’s grace divine  ||2||

Notes : 

1.“DUST of the GURU’S feet “ 1

This is metaphorically used here to represent the teachings of Guru, which are so venerable that if they were DUST OF HIS FEET, the Dust would be worth applying reverentially to the forehead. 

2  "SAPTARISHI " here ,refers to the seven great sages in Hindu tradition, who are considered the patriarchs of the Vedic religion and the progenitors of humanity.  The seven Saptarshis are: 1.Atri 2.Bharadwaja  3.Gautama Maharishi 4.Jamadagni  5.Kashyapa 6.Vashishtha  7. Vishvamitra

Song 3: Love for devotee

Sita:

The Sat-Guru loves his disciple;

As a cow loves it’s calf selflessly.

Oh! Devotee know this for sure,

But be dedicated to your duty,

When you stand, sit, walk or roam,

Laugh, speak, arise or sleep

Who regulates your breath?

Can you perceive?

It is God indeed, God indeed,

He loves all beings,

Be they of human,

Animal, birds or plant species.

Song 4: Hermitage Environs

Sita:

In the Valmiki Ashram

Before even the sun rise

The sound waves spread everywhere

Of " Aum" and Vedic chants wise ||1||

The atmosphere is very ‘Sanskari’*

May Lav-Kush be imbued with it.

Let both of them remain pure

May they strength divine emit ||2||

—--------------------------------------------

Notes: 

*‘Sanskari’ means one that gives good values

Song 5 : Boat

Sita:

Guru has given boat of knowledge

Give it the sail of Lord Rama's name

Sadguru is your boatswain

Remember always the Lord's name.

When one is attached to "Brahma Gnyan * "

Then one can cross the life's Ocean

When Sadguru shows the right path

The lost pilgrim finds right direction.

—---------------------------------------------

Notes:

* "Brahma Gnyan" means the supreme knowledge

Song 6: Beautiful Indeed is 

               Wondrous Maya  of the Lord 

Sita Speaks:

Beautiful indeed is ,

Wondrous Maya 1  of the Lord. ||Refrain||

The gardener tends 

Garden and grove,

 Waters and nurtures to sustain

 Here springs Tulsi, 

There blooms Jasmine , 

A queen amidst blossoms' domain. ||1||

 Devotional seed ,

 In  heart’s embrace,

 Is nurtured by Sadguru’s grace. 

 In colours untold, 

The blossoms 2 unfold,

 Beneath Lord's canopy of grace . ||2||

Notes:

1,  माया  MAYA (माया in Marathi or Hindi ) can have various

   philosophical meanings; here it  has  the mystical

  connotation of Lord’s divine creation.

1. Blossoms: Flowers of Devotion

 Song 7: SADGURU’S WORD

Sita:

For your mother dear in childhood years,

Didn't you  pine with brimming tears. 

The soul is so to Supreme drawn,

In ways akin from life’s own dawn.   1

When  tempest's wrath grips the youth ,

In restless minds storms arise. 

Yet wisdom’s light, from voices wise,

Helps see through illusion’s guise.    2

Upon the path of spiritual way

If foot  stumbles  in wrongful lane, 

Sadguru’s word in tranquil mind,

Helps  the path be found  again.      3 

Song 8: Inner Virtue

Sita:

At the doorsteps of temple

Sit the devotees

Wearing the saffron coloured dress

Which tradition decrees ||1||

The attire is decided

As per one’s work done

But most important thing is

The inner virtue of each one ||2||

Song 9: The virtues of a saint   

Sita:

The dogs are very loving

They give protection through night

Even if nobody asks

During the day what's their plight||1||

Such is the virtue of saints

Several people they have evolved

Even if people don't appreciate

After their problem is resolved ||2||

Song 10 : The eternal creeper of good deeds

Sita:

As the beautiful flower in garden

Brings joy and looks awesome

In the same way Oh dear friends!

Let devotion blossom ||1||

When fruits are borne on branch

Flowers themselves wilt away

When the creeper of good deeds grows

The saint will go away ||2||

Song 11: World Family

Sita:

The tree bears on its head

The heat of the Sun,

But it gives a cool shade

To the passing caravan.

One who says in this way?

The world is my family

He must bear difficulties

To bring in harmony.

Song 12 : How will we see the Sat-Guru

Lav and Kush:

Will I get an audience

With the Great Master?

This thought worries me,

How will the difficult road,

To His abode be traversed?

Sita:

Indeed, by bearing the flag

Of goodwill for all,

While remembering to fulfill one’s duty,

And at the same time,

Not having attachment that is illusory.

Song 13: The Lord is there,and my soul is here

Sita:

Would my loving Lord come

To take us all home? ||Refrain||

Lav – Kush are five years old now

The twins are very cute. ||1||

Would.....

In shadow of the tree Rama will stop

My little ones and I will be at the doorstep.||2||

Would ......

He would be standing anxiously

He would call to His children.||3||

Would ........

Lav – Kush will hug me

The kids will ask, who is He? ||4||

Would ..........

You are the sons, He is your father

Mutely will speak my tears. ||5||

Would ..............

Come and live in the palaces

He will say entreatingly. ||6||

Would ...........

Mother we like this forest

We are happy playing here. ||7||

Would ............

My Lord is there and my soul here

I would be in a quandary. ||8||

Would .............

Link:

When pining of separation is amid lovers

The light of gentle love appears in the heart

When Atma is attracted towards Parmatma

The wave of devotion arises in the heart.

Song 14 : Echoes of Rama’s Voice

Sita:

Beneath the moon's ethereal glow,

In forest glades, where whispers flow,

 We'd share our thoughts, a sacred quest,

Your wisdom , put my doubts to rest.      (Refrain)

My questions naive yet sincere, 

Your answers, gentle and clear.

Your voice so calm and wise true

Guides me still in life anew .           (1)

Now, Valmiki ashram, my new abode,

 Lav and Kush same quest showed

Their curious minds are my reflection

Echoes of yore, mystique connection   (2)

Fate's tapestry, profound unfolds, 

A thread of wisdom, it gently holds,

In your voice , as guiding light, 

I answer them   day and night.              (3)

Though joy resides within my soul, 

 A bitter pang my heart does hold. 

 From mother's love, and in-laws' grace, 

 I’m distanced now, in lonely space.   (4)

 Note: The poem  effectively portrays Sita reminiscing about her conversations with Rama in the forest exile and how those memories guide her when answering her sons' similar questions in Valmiki's hermitage.

Song 15 : Memories of the Forest Exile

Sita: 

Memories of my Lord
Linger endless today ||Refrain||

Enchanting was the  journey

Together joyous our stay

Even  harsh forest exile
Seemed a wondrous way  ||1||

In Chitrakoot1 and  Panchvati2

Rama's name  was on  lips daily

Trees,creepers gave solace
Melodious  birds sang gaily  ||2||

Notes:

1. Chitrakoot: Nestled in the Vindhya mountain range,India, Chitrakoot is known for its natural beauty and tranquility. It is here , during their 14 years of forest exile ,that Lord Rama, Sita and Laxmana experienced the peace and divinity of the forest, and Lord Rama performed various religious rituals. This place is also noted for the visit of Bharata, Rama's brother, who came to persuade Rama to return to Ayodhya. 

2. Panchavati : Panchavati is another important location in the Ramayana, where the trio moved after leaving Chitrakoot. Located near the Godavari River, Panchavati is famous for its lush greenery . The area symbolizes both the serene life the trio  led in exile and the later onset of their trials and tribulations.

Song 16: Great Master as Guru-Maooli

Lav-Kush :

One who loves you but remains as a shadow

'How will my flock progress spiritually'

Is the only concern he has in mind forever

He indeed is a Sat-Guru Maooli

He gives you a boat of guiding words

Will serve mankind for ages very valuably

His heart is both of father and mother

He is indeed a Sat-Guru Maooli*.

—-------------------------------------------------------------

Notes: 

*Sat-Guru Maooli means the Great Master with love of both a mother and father in his heart

End of Chapter 18
Om Shanti! Om Shanti! Om Shanti!