Bharata Goes to Prayag and Meets Bharadwaj
Bharata arrives at Prayag, offers reverence at the holy confluence, and then comes before Sage Bharadwaj. Their dialogue reveals the sincerity of Bharata’s heart, his devotion, and his steadfastness in dharma.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 32 / 49
Episode Text
कियउ निषादनाथु अगुआईं। मातु पालकीं सकल चलाईं॥ साथ बोलाइ भाइ लघु दीन्हा। बिप्रन्ह सहित गवनु गुर कीन्हा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kiyau niṣādanāthu aguāīṃ। mātu pālakīṃ sakala calāīṃ॥ sātha bolāi bhāi laghu dīnhā। bipranha sahita gavanu guru kīhnā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Nishadraj was placed in the lead, and all the mothers' palanquins were set in motion behind him. The younger brother was called and made to accompany them. Then the guru departed along with the Brahmins.
आपु सुरसरिहि कीन्ह प्रनामू। सुमिरे लखन सहित सिय रामू॥ गवने भरत पयादेहिं पाए। कोतल संग जाहिं डोरिआए॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āpu surasarihi kīhna pranāmū। sumire lakhana sahita siya rāmu॥ gavane bharata payādehiṃ pāe। kotala saṃga jāhiṃ ḍoriāe॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then Bharata bowed to the sacred river and remembered Sita and Rama together with Lakshmana. Bharata continued on foot, while the horses and attendants followed, led by reins.
कहहिं सुसेवक बारहिं बारा। होइअ नाथ अस्व असवारा॥ रामु पयादेहि पायँ सिधाए। हम कहँ रथ गज बाजि बनाए॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahahiṃ susevaka bārahiṃ bārā। hoi'a nātha asva asavārā॥ rāmu payādehi pāyaṃ sidhāe। hama kahaṃ ratha gaja bāja banāe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The devoted servants repeatedly say: 'O Lord, please ride a horse.' [Bharata replies:] 'Rama went on foot, yet for us there are made chariots, elephants, and horses.'
सिर भर जाउँ उचित अस मोरा। सब तें सेवक धरमु कठोरा॥ देखि भरत गति सुनि मृदु बानी। सब सेवक गन गरहिं गलानी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sira bhara jāuṃ ucita asa morā। saba teṃ sevaka dharamu kaṭhorā॥ dekhi bharata gati suni mṛdu bānī। saba sevaka gana garahiṃ galānī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
What is fitting for me is to go along headfirst. The duty of a servant is the hardest of all. Seeing Bharata's condition and hearing his gentle words, all the servants are overwhelmed with remorse.
भरत तीसरे पहर कहँ कीन्ह प्रबेसु प्रयाग। कहत राम सिय राम सिय उमगि उमगि अनुराग॥ २०३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata tīsare pahara kahaṃ kīhna prabesu prayāga। kahata rāma siya rāma siya umagi umagi anurāga॥ 203 ॥
Meaning:
Overflowing with love and chanting 'Sita-Rama, Sita-Rama,' Bharata entered Prayag in the third watch of the day.
झलका झलकत पायन्ह कैसें। पंकज कोस ओस कन जैसें॥ भरत पयादेहिं आए आजू। भयउ दुखित सुनि सकल समाजू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jhalakā jhalakat pāyanha kaisẽ। paṃkaja kosa osa kana jaisẽ॥ bharata payādehiṃ āe ājū। bhayau dukhita suni sakala samājū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
How the gleam on his feet shines, like dewdrops on a lotus bud. Bharata has come today on foot, and hearing this news the whole assembly became दुखी.
खबरि लीन्ह सब लोग नहाए। कीन्ह प्रनामु त्रिबेनिहिं आए॥ सबिधि सितासित नीर नहाने। दिए दान महिसुर सनमाने॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
khabari līnha saba loga nahāe। kīnha pranāmu tribenihiṃ āe॥ sabidhi sitāsita nīra nahāne। die dāna mahisura sanamāne॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
He learned that everyone had already bathed. Coming to the Triveni, he bowed there. He bathed properly in the white and dark waters [of the Ganga and Yamuna] and honored the Brahmins with gifts.
देखत स्यामल धवल हलोरे। पुलकि सरीर भरत कर जोरे॥ सकल कामप्रद तीरथराऊ। बेद बिदित जग प्रगट प्रभाऊ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dekhat syāmala dhavala halore। pulaki sarīra bharata kara jore॥ sakala kāmaprada tīratharāū। beda bidita jaga pragaṭa prabhāū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing the dark and white waves, Bharata's body thrilled with emotion, and he joined his hands. O king of sacred places, you grant all desires. Your glory is known in the Vedas and openly manifest in the world.
मागउँ भीख त्यागि निज धरमू। आरत काह न करइ कुकरमू॥ अस जियँ जानि सुजान सुदानी। सफल करहिं जग जाचक बानी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
māgauṃ bhīkha tyāgi nija dharamū। ārata kāha na kara'i kukaramū॥ asa jiyaṃ jāni sujāna sudānī। safala karahiṃ jaga jācaka bānī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I abandon my own duty and ask you for alms. What evil deed will a distressed person not do? Knowing this in the heart, the wise and generous make the beggar's speech fruitful in the world—that is, they grant what is asked.
अरथ न धरम न काम रुचि गति न चहउँ निरबान। जनम जनम रति राम पद यह बरदानु न आन॥ २०४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aratha na dharama na kāma ruci gati na cahauṃ nirabāna। janama janama rati rāma pada yaha baradānu na āna॥ 204 ॥
Meaning:
I have no desire for wealth, nor for duty, nor for desire, and I do not seek liberation. Birth after birth, may I have devotion to Shri Ramji's feet—this alone is the boon I ask for, nothing else.
जानहुँ रामु कुटिल करि मोही। लोग कहउ गुर साहिब द्रोही॥ सीता राम चरन रति मोरें। अनुदिन बढ़उ अनुग्रह तोरें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jānahuṃ rāmu kuṭila kari mohī। loga kahau guru sāhiba drohī॥ sītā rāma carana rati moreṃ। anudina baṛhau anugraha toreṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Even if Shri Ramchandra himself considers me crooked, and even if people call me a traitor to guru and master, may my devotion to the feet of Shri Sita-Ram grow day by day through your grace.
जलदु जनम भरि सुरति बिसारउ। जाचत जलु पबि पाहन डारउ॥ चातकु रटनि घटें घटि जाई। बढ़ें प्रेमु सब भाँति भलाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaladu janama bhari surati bisārau। jācata jalu pabi pāhana ḍārau॥ cātaku raṭani ghaṭeṃ ghaṭi jāī। baṛheṃ premu saba bhāṃti bhalāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Even if a cloud forgets the chatak all its life and, when asked for water, rains down thunderbolts and stones, if the chatak's call diminishes, its very cause is diminished. For it, only the growth of love is truly beneficial.
कनकहिं बान चढ़इ जिमि दाहें। तिमि प्रियतम पद नेम निबाहें॥ भरत बचन सुनि माझ त्रिबेनी। भइ मृदु बानि सुमंगल देनी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kanakahim bāna caṛhai jimi dāheṃ। timi priyatama pada nema nibāheṃ॥ bharata bacana suni mājha tribenī। bhai mridu bāni sumaṃgala denī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Just as gold gains a glow when heated, so too does the devoted servant gain glory by faithfully abiding in the feet of the Beloved. Hearing Bharata's words, a soft and auspicious voice arose from the middle of the Triveni.
तात भरत तुम्ह सब बिधि साधू। राम चरन अनुराग अगाधू॥ बादि गलानि करहु मन माहीं। तुम्ह सम रामहि कोउ प्रिय नाहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāta bharata tumha saba bidhi sādhū। rāma carana anurāga agādhū॥ bādi galāni karahu mana māhīṃ। tumha sama rāmahi kou priya nāhīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O father Bharata, you are holy in every way. Your love for Shri Ramchandra's feet is unfathomable. You are needlessly grieving in your heart. No one is as dear to Shri Ramchandra as you are.
तनु पुलकेउ हियँ हरषु सुनि बेनि बचन अनुकूल। भरत धन्य कहि धन्य सुर हरषित बरषहिं फूल॥ २०५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tanu pulakeu hiyaṃ haraṣu suni beni bacana anukūla। bharata dhanya kahi dhanya sura harṣita baraṣahiṃ phūla॥ 205 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the Triveni's gracious words, Bharata's body thrilled and his heart filled with joy. The gods, saying "Bharata is blessed, blessed indeed," rejoiced and showered flowers.
प्रमुदित तीरथराज निवासी। बैखानस बटु गृही उदासी॥ कहहिं परसपर मिलि दस पाँचा। भरत सनेहु सीलु सुचि साँचा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pramudita tīratharāja nivāsī। baikhānasa baṭu gṛhī udāsī॥ kahahiṃ paraspara mili dasa pāṃcā। bharata sanehu sīlu sūci sāṃcā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The residents of the king of sacred places, Prayag—Vaikhanasas, celibates, householders, and ascetics—are all greatly delighted, and meeting in small groups they say among themselves that Bharata's affection and conduct are pure and true.
सुनत राम गुन ग्राम सुहाए। भरद्वाज मुनिबर पहिं आए॥ दंड प्रनामु करत मुनि देखे। मूरतिमंत भाग्य निज लेखे॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunata rāma guna grāma suhāe। bharadvāja munibara pahiṃ āe॥ daṃḍa pranāmu karata muni dekhe। mūrtimanta bhāgya nija lekhe॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
While listening to the lovely multitude of Shri Ramchandra's virtues, they came to the great sage Bharadwaja. Seeing Bharata bowing in full prostration, the sage regarded him as his own embodied good fortune.
धाइ उठाइ लाइ उर लीन्हे। दीन्हि असीस कृतारथ कीन्हे॥ आसनु दीन्ह नाइ सिरु बैठे। चहत सकुच गृहँ जनु भजि पैठे॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhāi uṭhāi lāi ura līnhe। dīnhi asīsa kṛtāratha kīnhe॥ āsanu dīnha nāi siru baiṭhe। cahata sakuca gṛhẽ janu bhaji paiṭhe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
He ran, lifted him up, and embraced him to his heart. He blessed him and made himself fulfilled. He offered a seat. Bowing his head, Bharata sat in such a way as if he wished to flee and enter the house of modesty itself.
मुनि पूँछब कछु यह बड़ सोचू। बोले रिषि लखि सीलु सँकोचू॥ सुनहु भरत हम सब सुधि पाई। बिधि करतब पर किछु न बसाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
muni pūṃchaba kachu yaha baḍa socū। bole riṣi lakhi sīlu saṃkocū॥ sunahu bharata hama saba sudhi pāī। bidhi karataba para kichu na basāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
This was his great anxiety: that the sage might ask him something [and what would I answer then?]. Seeing Bharata's humility and reserve, the seer said: 'Listen, Bharata, we have all learned the news. In the workings of fate, nothing lies under our control.'
तुम्ह गलानि जियँ जनि करहु समुझि मातु करतूति। तात कैकइहि दोसु नहिं गई गिरा मति धूति॥ २०६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tumha galāni jiyaṃ jani karahu samujhi mātu karatūti। tāta kaikaihi dosu nahiṃ gaī girā mati dhūti॥ 206 ॥
Meaning:
Reflecting on your mother's deed, do not feel remorse in your heart. O dear one, Kaikeyi is not truly at fault; it was as though Saraswati had clouded her understanding.
यहउ कहत भल कहिहि न कोऊ। लोकु बेदु बुध संमत दोऊ॥ तात तुम्हार बिमल जसु गाई। पाइहि लोकउ बेदु बड़ाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
yahau kahata bhala kahihi na kou। loku bedu budha saṃmata doū॥ tāta tumhāra bimala jasu gāī। pāihi lokau bedu baṛāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Even saying this would not be considered good, for both worldly opinion and the Veda are accepted by the wise. But O father, by singing your pure glory, both the world and the Veda will bestow praise.
लोक बेद संमत सबु कहई। जेहि पितु देइ राजु सो लहई॥ राउ सत्यब्रत तुम्हहि बोलाई। देत राजु सुखु धरमु बड़ाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
loka beda saṃmata sabu kahī। jehi pitu dei rāju so lahī॥ rāu satyabrata tumhahi bolāī। deta rāju sukhu dharamu baṛāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
This is accepted by both worldly authority and the Veda: all say that the one to whom the father gives the kingdom is the one who receives it. King Satyavrata, if he had summoned you and given you the throne, there would have been happiness, righteousness, and honor.
राम गवनु बन अनरथ मूला। जो सुनि सकल बिस्व भइ सूला॥ सो भावी बस रानि अयानी। करि कुचालि अंतहुँ पछितानी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma gavanu bana anaratha mūlā। jo suni sakala bisva bhai sūlā॥ so bhāvī basa rāni ayānī। kari kūcāli aṃtahũ paṃchitānī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Rama's going to the forest is the root of all calamities, hearing which the whole world felt pain. That forest exile too happened under the force of destiny. The foolish queen acted treacherously and in the end regretted it.
तहँउँ तुम्हार अलप अपराधू। कहै सो अधम अयान असाधू॥ करतेहु राजु त तुम्हहि न दोषू। रामहि होत सुनत संतोषू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tahãūṃ tumhāra alapa aparādhū। kahai so adhama ayāna asādhū॥ karatehu rāju ta tumhahi na doṣū। rāmahi hota sunata santoṣū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Even to call this a slight fault of yours would be the speech of a vile, ignorant, and unworthy person. Even if you had ruled the kingdom, you would have incurred no blame. Hearing of it, Shri Ramchandra too would have felt only satisfaction.
अब अति कीन्हेहु भरत भल तुम्हहि उचित मत एहु। सकल सुमंगल मूल जग रघुबर चरन सनेहु॥ २०७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba ati kīnhehu bharata bhala tumhahi ucita mata ehu। sakala sumaṃgala mūla jaga raghubara carana sanehu॥ 207 ॥
Meaning:
O Bharata, you have done very well indeed; this alone was the proper course for you. Love for the feet of Shri Ramchandra is the root of all blessings in the world.
सो तुम्हार धनु जीवनु प्राना। भूरिभाग को तुम्हहि समाना॥ यह तुम्हार आचरजु न ताता। दसरथ सुअन राम प्रिय भ्राता॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so tumhāra dhanu jīvanu prānā। bhūribhāga ko tumhahi samānā॥ yaha tumhāra ācaraju na tātā। dasaratha suana rāma priya bhrātā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
That love for Shri Ramchandra's feet is your wealth, your life, and your breath. Who is as fortunate as you? O father, this is no wonder for you, since you are Dasharath's son and Rama's dear brother.
सुनहु भरत रघुबर मन माहीं। पेम पात्रु तुम्ह सम कोउ नाहीं॥ लखन राम सीतहि अति प्रीती। निसि सब तुम्हहि सराहत बीती॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunahu bharata raghubara mana māhīṃ। pema pātru tumha sama kou nāhīṃ॥ lakhana rāma sītahi ati prītī। nisi saba tumhahi sarāhata bītī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Listen, Bharata: in Shri Raghubar's heart there is no one else as dear as you. Lakshmana, Rama, and Sita spent the whole night praising you with deep affection.
जाना मरमु नहात प्रयागा। मगन होहिं तुम्हरें अनुरागा॥ तुम्ह पर अस सनेहु रघुबर कें। सुख जीवन जग जस जड़ नर कें॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jānā maramu nahāta prayāgā। magana hohiṃ tumhareṃ anurāgā॥ tumha para asa sanehu raghubara keṃ। sukha jīvana jaga jasa jaḍa nara keṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
When they were bathing at Prayagraj, I came to know this inner truth: they were absorbed in your devotion. Shri Ramchandra loves you in the same way that a foolish man clings to a world of comfortable living.
यह न अधिक रघुबीर बड़ाई। प्रनत कुटुंब पाल रघुराई॥ तुम्ह तौ भरत मोर मत एहू। धरें देह जनु राम सनेहू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
yaha na adhika raghubīra baṛāī। pranata kuṭumba pāla raghurāī॥ tumha tau bharata mora mata ehū। dhareṃ deha janu rāma sanehū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
This is not even a great glory of Shri Raghubir, for Shri Raghunath is the protector of the entire family of the surrendered. O Bharata, in my view you are as if the embodied love of Shri Ram himself.
तुम्ह कहँ भरत कलंक यह हम सब कहँ उपदेसु। राम भगति रस सिद्धि हित भा यह समउ गनेसु॥ २०८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tumha kahaṃ bharata kalaṃka yaha hama saba kahaṃ upadesu। rāma bhagati rasa siddhi hita bhā yaha samau ganesu॥ 208 ॥
Meaning:
O Bharata, in your eyes this may seem a stain, but for all of us it is instruction. For the attainment of the nectar of devotion to Rama, this time has become highly auspicious through Ganesha's grace.
नव बिधु बिमल तात जसु तोरा। रघुबर किंकर कुमुद चकोरा॥ उदित सदा अँथइहि कबहूँ ना। घटिहि न जग नभ दिन दिन दूना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nava bidhu bimala tāta yasu torā। raghubara kiṃkara kumuda cakorā॥ udita sadā aṃthaihi kabahūṃ nā। ghaṭihi na jaga nabha dina dina dūnā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O dear sir, your glory is a stainless new moon, and Rama's servants are the kumuda lily and the chakora bird. That moon sets and wanes every day, bringing sorrow to the kumuda and the chakora; but this moon of your fame will always remain risen and will never set. In the sky of the world, it will not diminish; rather, it will grow doubly day by day.
कोक तिलोक प्रीति अति करिही। प्रभु प्रताप रबि छबिहि न हरिही॥ निसि दिन सुखद सदा सब काहू। ग्रसिहि न कैकइ करतबु राहू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
koka tiloka prīti ati karihī। prabhu pratāpa rabi chabihi na harihī॥ nisi dina sukhada sadā saba kāhū। grasihi na kaikai karatabu rāhū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The chakora of the three worlds will love this moon of fame deeply, and the sun of Lord Rama's majesty will not rob it of its radiance. This moon will always bring joy to everyone, day and night. The Rahu of Kaikeyi's evil deed will not swallow it.
पूरन राम सुपेम पियूषा। गुर अवमान दोष नहिं दूषा॥ रामभगत अब अमिअँ अघाहूँ। कीन्हेहु सुलभ सुधा बसुधाहूँ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pūrana rāma supema piyūṣā। gura avamāna doṣa nahiṃ dūṣā॥ rāma bhagata aba amiaṃ aghāhūṃ। kīnhehu sulabha sudhā basudhāhūṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
This moon is full of the nectar of beautiful love for Rama. It is not tainted by the fault of insulting the guru. You have made even nectar easily available on earth by bringing forth this moon of fame. Now the devotees of Rama may be fully satisfied with this nectar.
भूप भगीरथ सुरसरि आनी। सुमिरत सकल सुमंगल खानी॥ दसरथ गुन गन बरनि न जाहीं। अधिकु कहा जेहि सम जग नाहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhūpa bhagīratha surasari ānī। sumirata sakala sumaṃgala khānī॥ dasaratha guna gana barani na jāhīṃ। adhiku kahā jehi sama jaga nāhīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
King Bhagiratha brought the Ganga, whose very remembrance is a mine of every auspicious blessing. The host of virtues of King Dasharatha cannot even be described; what more can be said, when there is none in the world equal to him?
जासु सनेह सकोच बस राम प्रगट भए आइ। जे हर हिय नयननि कबहुँ निरखे नहीं अघाइ॥ २०९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāsu saneha sakocha basa rāma pragaṭa bhae āi। je hara hiya nayanani kabahuṃ nirakhe nahīṃ aghāi॥ 209 ॥
Meaning:
Because of whose love and modest restraint, Lord Rama Himself came and manifested before them; and whom Lord Shiva never grew weary of beholding with the eyes of his heart (that is, Shiva was never satiated by seeing their form within his heart).
कीरति बिधु तुम्ह कीन्ह अनूपा। जहँ बस राम पेम मृगरूपा॥ तात गलानि करहु जियँ जाएँ। डरहु दरिद्रहि पारसु पाएँ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kīrati bidhu tumha kīnha anūpā। jahaṃ basa rāma pema mṛgarūpā॥ tāta galāni karahu jiyaṃ jāeṃ। ḍarahu daridrahi pārasu pāeṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
You have created a matchless moon of fame, in which love for Rama dwells in the form of a deer. O dear sir, you are needlessly feeling dejected in your heart. You have found the philosopher's stone, yet you still fear poverty!
सुनहु भरत हम झूठ न कहहीं। उदासीन तापस बन रहहीं॥ सब साधन कर सुफल सुहावा। लखन राम सिय दरसनु पावा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunahu bharata hama jhūṭha na kahahīṃ। udāsīna tāpasa bana rahahīṃ॥ saba sādhana kara suphala suhāvā। lakhana rāma siya darasanu pāvā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
O Bharata, listen: we do not speak falsely. We are detached, we are ascetics, and we live in the forest. The beautiful and excellent fruit of all spiritual practice is that we have obtained the sight of Lakshmana, Rama, and Sita.
तेहि फल कर फलु दरस तुम्हारा। सहित पयाग सुभाग हमारा॥ भरत धन्य तुम्ह जसु जगु जयऊ। कहि अस पेम मगन मुनि भयऊ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehi phala kara phala darasa tumhārā। sahita payāga subhāga hamārā॥ bharata dhanya tumha jasu jagu jayau। kahi asa pema magana muni bhayau॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The supreme fruit of that great fruit, the vision of Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana, is your sight now. Together with Prayag, our good fortune has become splendid. O Bharata, blessed are you; by your fame you have conquered the world. Saying this, the sage became absorbed in love.
सुनि मुनि बचन सभासद हरषे। साधु सराहि सुमन सुर बरषे॥ धन्य धन्य धुनि गगन पयागा। सुनि सुनि भरतु मगन अनुरागा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni muni bacana sabhāsada haraṣe। sādhu sarāhi sumana sura baraṣe॥ dhanya dhanya dhuni gagana payāgā। suni suni bharatu magana anurāgā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the sage's words, the assembly rejoiced. Praising with cries of 'Well done, well done,' the gods showered flowers. Hearing again and again the sound of 'Blessed, blessed' in the sky and in Prayag, Bharata became absorbed in love.
पुलक गात हियँ रामु सिय सजल सरोरुह नैन। करि प्रनामु मुनि मंडलिहि बोले गदगद बैन॥ २१० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pulaka gāta hiyaṃ rāmu siya sajala saroruha naina। kari pranāmu muni maṃḍalihi bole gadgada baina॥ 210 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata's body is thrilled with emotion; Rama and Sita dwell in his heart, and his lotus-like eyes are filled with the waters of tears of love. Bowing to the assembly of sages, he spoke in a choked voice.
मुनि समाजु अरु तीरथराजू। साँचिहुँ सपथ अघाइ अकाजू॥ एहिं थल जौं किछु कहिअ बनाई। एहि सम अधिक न अघ अधमाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
muni samāju aru tīratharājū। sāṃcihuṃ sapatha aghāi akājū॥ ehiṃ thala jauṃ kichu kahi'a banāī। ehi sama adhika na agha adhamāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
This is an assembly of sages, and moreover the king of holy places. Even taking a truthful oath here leads to full harm. If one tells even a fabricated story in this place, there can be no greater sin or baseness than that.
तुम्ह सर्बग्य कहउँ सतिभाऊ। उर अंतरजामी रघुराऊ॥ मोहि न मातु करतब कर सोचू। नहिं दुखु जियँ जगु जानिहि पोचू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tumha sarbagya kahauṃ satibhāū। ura aṃtarajāmī raghurāū॥ mohi na mātu karataba kara socū। nahiṃ dukhu jiyaṃ jagu jānihi pocū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
I speak to you with full sincerity. You are all-knowing, and Lord Raghunath knows what lies within the heart, so if I were to say anything untrue, it could not remain hidden from you or from Him. I have no thought at all about Mother Kaikeyi's deed. Nor is there sorrow in my heart over the world thinking me low.
नाहिन डरु बिगरिहि परलोकू। पितहु मरन कर मोहि न सोकू॥ सुकृत सुजस भरि भुअन सुहाए। लछिमन राम सरिस सुत पाए॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nāhina ḍaru bigarihi paralokū। pitahu marana kara mohi na sokū॥ sukṛta sujasa bhari bhuana suhāe। lachimana rāma sarisa suta pāe॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Nor is there fear that my world beyond will be ruined, nor do I grieve over my father's death. For his noble merit and fame shine beautifully throughout the world. He obtained sons like Rama and Lakshmana.
राम बिरहँ तजि तनु छनभंगू। भूप सोच कर कवन प्रसंगू॥ राम लखन सिय बिनु पग पनहीं। करि मुनि बेष फिरहिं बन बनहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma birahaṃ taji tanu chana bhaṃgū। bhūpa soca kara kavana prasaṃgū॥ rāma lakhana siya bina paga panahīṃ। kari muni beṣa firahiṃ bana banahīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Then what occasion is there for sorrow over a king who, in separation from Rama, gave up his body, which is but momentary and perishable? [The real concern is that] Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita wander from forest to forest dressed as ascetics, without shoes on their feet.
अजिन बसन फल असन महि सयन डासि कुस पात। बसि तरु तर नित सहत हिम आतप बरषा बात॥ २११ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ajina basana phala asana mahi sayana ḍāsi kusa pāta। basi taru tara nita sahata hima ātapa baraṣā bāta॥ 211 ॥
Meaning:
They wear bark garments, eat fruits, sleep on the ground on beds of kusha grass and leaves, and live beneath trees, continually enduring cold, heat, rain, and wind.
एहि दुख दाहँ दहइ दिन छाती। भूख न बासर नीद न राती॥ एहि कुरोग कर औषधु नाहीं। सोधेउँ सकल बिस्व मन माहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehi dukha dāhaṃ daha'i dina chātī। bhūkha na bāsara nīda na rātī॥ ehi kuroga kara auṣadhu nāhīṃ। sodheuṃ sakala bisva mana māhīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
By the burning pain of this sorrow, my chest keeps burning day and night. I feel no hunger by day and no sleep at night. I searched through the entire world in my heart, but there is no medicine for this disease.
मातु कुमत बढ़ई अघ मूला। तेहिं हमार हित कीन्ह बँसूला॥ कलि कुकाठ कर कीन्ह कुजंत्रू। गाड़ि अवधि पढ़ि कठिन कुमंत्रू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mātu kumata baṛhaī agha mūlā। tehiṃ hamāra hita kīnha baṃsūlā॥ kali kukāṭha kara kīnha kujantrū। gāṛi avadhi paṛhi kaṭhina kumaṃtrū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Mother's evil counsel is the carpenter, the root of sins. He fashioned our welfare as an adze. With it he made the crooked machine of the Kali age into a bad piece of wood, and, after reciting the hard spell of the fourteen-year period, he planted that machine in the ground. [Here the mother's wrong thinking is the carpenter, Bharata's kingdom is the adze, Rama's exile is the contrivance, and the fourteen-year term is the spell.]
मोहि लगि यहु कुठाटु तेहिं ठाटा। घालेसि सब जगु बारहबाटा॥ मिटइ कुजोगु राम फिरि आएँ। बसइ अवध नहिं आन उपाएँ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mohi lagi yahu kuṭhāṭu tehiṃ ṭhāṭā। ghālesi saba jagu bārahabāṭā॥ miṭai kujogu rāma firi āeṃ। basai avadha nahiṃ āna upāeṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
For my sake, he devised this entire bad scheme and split the whole world apart. This evil fate can be ended only when Rama returns, and only then can Ayodhya be restored; there is no other way.
भरत बचन सुनि मुनि सुखु पाई। सबहिं कीन्हि बहु भाँति बड़ाई॥ तात करहु जनि सोचु बिसेषी। सब दुखु मिटिहि राम पग देखी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata bacana suni muni sukhu pāī। sabahiṃ kīnhi bahu bhāṃti baṛāī॥ tāta karahu jani socu biseṣī। saba dukhu miṭihi rāma paga dekhī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Bharata's words, the sage felt great joy, and everyone praised him in many ways. [The sage said:] O dear one, do not think too much. The moment you see the feet of Rama, all sorrow will vanish.
करि प्रबोधु मुनिबर कहेउ अतिथि पेमप्रिय होहु। कंद मूल फल फूल हम देहिं लेहु करि छोहु॥ २१२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kari prabodhu munibara kaheu atithi pemapriya hohu। kaṃda mūla phala phūla hama dehiṃ lehu kari chohu॥ 212 ॥
Meaning:
Thus the great sage Bharadwaja, after reassuring them, said: now become our beloved guests, and kindly accept whatever roots, fruits, and flowers we offer with affection.