Bharata Returns, Installs the Sandals, and Lives in Nandigram
Bharata returns to Ayodhya, places Rama’s sandals upon the throne, and himself lives austerely at Nandigram as a humble guardian of the kingdom. The episode closes by praising the sanctity of Bharata’s character and the spiritual merit of hearing it.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 49 / 49
Episode Text
सानुज राम नृपहि सिर नाई। कीन्हि बहुत बिधि बिनय बड़ाई॥ देव दया बस बड़ दुखु पायउ। सहित समाज काननहिं आयउ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sānujā rāma nṛpahi sira nāī। kīnhi bahuta bidhi binaya baṛāī॥ deva dayā basa baḍa dukhu pāyau। sahita samāja kānanahiṃ āyau॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
With Lakshmana at His side, Lord Rama bowed His head to King Janaka and praised him in many ways, saying: “O noble one, by your compassion you have undergone much sorrow. You have come to the forest with your whole retinue.”
पुर पगु धारिअ देइ असीसा। कीन्ह धीर धरि गवनु महीसा॥ मुनि महिदेव साधु सनमाने। बिदा किए हरि हर सम जाने॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pura pagu dhāria dei asīsā। kīnha dhīra dhari gavanu mahīsā॥ muni mahideva sādhu sanmāne। bidā kie hari hara sama jāne॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
“Now bless us and graciously return to the city.” Hearing this, King Janaka departed with composure. Then Lord Rama honored the sages, brahmins, and saints, regarding them as equal to Vishnu and Shiva, and bid them farewell.
सासु समीप गए दोउ भाई। फिरे बंदि पग आसिष पाई॥ कौसिक बामदेव जाबाली। पुरजन परिजन सचिव सुचाली॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sāsu samīpa gae dou bhāī। phire bandi paga āsiṣa pāī॥ kausika bāmadeva jābālī। purajana parijana saciva sucālī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Then the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, went to their mother-in-law (Sunayana) and, bowing at her feet, returned after receiving her blessings. Then came Vishvamitra, Vamadeva, Jabali, and the virtuous townspeople, relatives, and ministers—
जथा जोगु करि बिनय प्रनामा। बिदा किए सब सानुज रामा॥ नारि पुरुष लघु मध्य बड़ेरे। सब सनमानि कृपानिधि फेरे॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jathā jogu kari binaya pranāmā। bidā kie saba sānujā rāma॥ nāri puruṣa laghu madhya baḍere। saba sanmāni kṛpānidhi phere॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Lord Rama, together with Lakshmana, bid farewell to all with proper humility and salutations. The treasure of compassion honored women and men of every rank—small, middle, and great—and sent them back.
भरत मातु पद बंदि प्रभु सुचि सनेहँ मिलि भेंटि। बिदा कीन्ह सजि पालकी सकुच सोच सब मेटि॥ ३१९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata mātu pada bandi prabhu suci sanehṃ mili bheṃṭi। bidā kīnha saji pālakī sakuca soca saba meṭi॥ 319 ॥
Meaning:
Bowring at the feet of Bharata’s mother, Kaikeyi, Lord Rama met her with pure, unfeigned love, dispelled all her hesitation and worry, had a palanquin prepared, and sent her off.
परिजन मातु पितहि मिलि सीता। फिरी प्रानप्रिय प्रेम पुनीता॥ करि प्रनामु भेंटीं सब सासू। प्रीति कहत कबि हियँ न हुलासू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
parijana mātu pitahi mili sītā। phirī prānapriya prema punītā॥ kari pranāmu bheṃṭīṃ saba sāsū। prīti kahata kabi hiyaṃ na hulāsū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Sita, who shared sacred love with her beloved husband Rama, met her maternal relatives and her parents, and then returned. Bowing in reverence, she embraced all her mothers-in-law. When the poet tries to describe their love, his heart cannot find enough joy.
सुनि सिख अभिमत आसिष पाई। रही सीय दुहु प्रीति समाई॥ रघुपति पटु पालकीं मगाईं। करि प्रबोधु सब मातु चढ़ाईं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni sikha abhimata āsiṣa pāī। rahī sīya duhu prīti samāī॥ raghupati paṭu pālakīṃ magāīṃ। kari prabodhu saba mātu caṛhāīṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing their counsel and receiving the desired blessing, Sita remained absorbed in the love of both her mothers’ side and her fathers’ side. Then Lord Raghunatha had beautiful palanquins brought and, after consoling everyone, helped the mothers mount them.
बार बार हिलि मिलि दुहु भाईं। सम सनेहँ जननीं पहुँचाईं॥ साजि बाजि गज बाहन नाना। भरत भूप दल कीन्ह पयाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bāra bāra hili mili duhu bhāīṃ। sama sanehṃ jananīṃ pahuṃcāīṃ॥ sāji bāji gaja vāhana nānā। bharata bhūpa dala kīnha payānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The two brothers again and again met and accompanied the mothers with equal affection, escorting them on their way. Bharata’s party and King Janaka’s party then set out, with horses, elephants, and many other conveyances arranged.
हृदयँ रामु सिय लखन समेता। चले जाहिं सब लोग अचेता॥ बसह बाजि गज पसु हियँ हारें। चले जाहिं परबस मन मारें॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hṛdayaṃ rāmu siya lakhana sametā। cale jāhiṃ saba loga acetā॥ basaha bāji gaja pasu hiyaṃ hāreṃ। cale jāhiṃ parabasa mana mārẽ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Keeping Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in their hearts, all the people went on in a dazed state. The oxen, horses, elephants, and other animals too moved on, their hearts deflated, helpless and dispirited.
गुर गुरतिय पद बंदि प्रभु सीता लखन समेत। फिरे हरष बिसमय सहित आए परन निकेत॥ ३२० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gura guratiya pada bandi prabhu sītā lakhana sameta। phire haraṣa bismaya sahita āe parana niketa॥ 320 ॥
Meaning:
After bowing at the feet of the guru Vashistha and his wife Arundhati, Lord Rama, together with Sita and Lakshmana, returned to the leaf-hut in a state of joy and wonder.
बिदा कीन्ह सनमानि निषादू। चलेउ हृदयँ बड़ बिरह बिषादू॥ कोल किरात भिल्ल बनचारी। फेरे फिरे जोहारि जोहारी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bidā kīnh sanmāni niṣādū। caleu hṛdayaṃ baḍa biraha biṣādū॥ kol kirāta bhilla banacārī। phere phire johāri johārī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
After honoring Nishad and bidding him farewell, he departed, his heart filled with deep sorrow of separation. The forest-dwellers—Kolas, Kiratas, Bhils, and others—were sent back; they all returned after exchanging salutations.
प्रभु सिय लखन बैठि बट छाहीं। प्रिय परिजन बियोग बिलखाहीं॥ भरत सनेह सुभाउ सुबानी। प्रिया अनुज सन कहत बखानी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prabhu siya lakhan baiṭhi baṭa chāhīṃ। priya parijan biyoga bilakhāhīṃ॥ bharata saneha subhāu subānī। priyā anuja sana kahata bakhānī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, sat in the shade of the banyan tree, grieving separation from dear relatives and companions. Praising Bharata’s affection, nature, and noble speech, he spoke lovingly to his dear younger brother.
प्रीति प्रतीति बचन मन करनी। श्रीमुख राम प्रेम बस बरनी॥ तेहि अवसर खग मृग जल मीना। चित्रकूट चर अचर मलीना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prīti pratīti bacana mana karanī। śrīmukha rāma prema basa baranī॥ tehi avasara khaga mṛga jala mīnā। citrakūṭa cara acara malīnā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Overcome by love, Lord Rama described from his holy lips Bharata’s faithfulness of word, mind, and deed. At that moment, the birds, deer, fish in the water, and all animate and inanimate beings of Chitrakut became sorrowful.
बिबुध बिलोकि दसा रघुबर की। बरषि सुमन कहि गति घर घर की॥ प्रभु प्रनामु करि दीन्ह भरोसो। चले मुदित मन डर न खरो सो॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bibudha biloki dasā raghuvara kī। baraṣi sumana kahi gati ghara ghara kī॥ prabhu pranāmu kari dīnh bharoso। cale mudita mana ḍara na kharo so॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing Lord Raghubir’s condition, the gods showered flowers and spoke, as if revealing their own household plight. The Lord bowed to them and gave assurance. Then they departed happily, with not the slightest fear remaining in their hearts.
सानुज सीय समेत प्रभु राजत परन कुटीर। भगति ग्यानु बैराग्य जनु सोहत धरें सरीर॥ ३२१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sānuja sīya sameta prabhu rājata parana kuṭīra। bhagati gyānu bairāgya janu sohata dhareṃ sarīra॥ 321 ॥
Meaning:
With Lakshmana and Sita beside him, Lord Rama was shining in the forest hut like renunciation, devotion, and knowledge embodied in human form.
मुनि महिसुर गुर भरत भुआलू। राम बिरहँ सबु साजु बिहालू॥ प्रभु गुन ग्राम गनत मन माहीं। सब चुपचाप चले मग जाहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
muni mahisura guru bharata bhuālū। rāma birahaṃ sabu sāju bihālū॥ prabhu guna grāma ganata mana māhīṃ। saba cupacāpa cale maga jāhīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The sages, priests, teachers, Bharata, and the kings—all are distressed by separation from Rama. Recalling the Lord’s countless virtues in their hearts, they all walk on in silence.
जमुना उतरि पार सबु भयऊ। सो बासरु बिनु भोजन गयऊ॥ उतरि देवसरि दूसर बासू। रामसखाँ सब कीन्ह सुपासू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jamunā utari pāra sabu bhayau। so bāsaru binu bhojana gayau॥ utari devasari dūsara bāsū। rāmasakhāṃ saba kīnha supāsū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
All crossed the Yamuna and went onward. That day passed without food. After crossing the Ganga, they made the second halt. There Ram’s friend, Nishadraj, made all the arrangements well.
सई उतरि गोमतीं नहाए। चौथें दिवस अवधपुर आए॥ जनकु रहे पुर बासर चारी। राज काज सब साज सँभारी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sāī utari gomatīṃ nahāe। cauthẽ divasa avadhapura āe॥ janaku rahe pura bāsara cārī। rāja kāja saba sāja saṃbhārī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Then they crossed the Sai and bathed in the Gomti. On the fourth day they arrived in Ayodhya. Janaka stayed in the city for four days and took care of all affairs and arrangements.
सौंपि सचिव गुर भरतहि राजू। तेरहुति चले साजि सबु साजू॥ नगर नारि नर गुर सिख मानी। बसे सुखेन राम रजधानी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saumpi saciva guru bharatahi rājū। terahuti cale sāji sabu sājū॥ nagara nāri nara guru sikha mānī। base sukhena rāma rajadhānī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Handing over the kingdom to the ministers, the guru, and Bharata, they set out for Tirhut with all necessary arrangements made. The women and men of the city, following the guru’s instruction, came to dwell happily in Rama’s capital, Ayodhya.
राम दरस लगि लोग सब करत नेम उपबास। तजि तजि भूषन भोग सुख जिअत अवधि कीं आस॥ ३२२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma darasa lagi loga saba karata nema upabāsa। taji taji bhūṣana bhoga sukha jiata avadhi kīṃ āsa॥ 322 ॥
Meaning:
All the people observe vows and fasts in order to behold Rama. They have given up ornaments and luxuries, and live only in hope of Ayodhya.
सचिव सुसेवक भरत प्रबोधे। निज निज काज पाइ सिख ओधे॥ पुनि सिख दीन्हि बोलि लघु भाई। सौंपी सकल मातु सेवकाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saciva susevaka bharata probodhe। nija nija kāja pāi sikha odhe॥ puni sikha dīnhi boli laghu bhāī। saumpī sakala mātu sevakāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata instructed the ministers and faithful servants. After receiving the lesson, they each set about their own tasks. Then he called his younger brother Shatrughna and gave him instruction, entrusting to him the service of all the mothers.
भूसुर बोलि भरत कर जोरे। करि प्रनाम बय बिनय निहोरे॥ ऊँच नीच कारजु भल पोचू। आयसु देब न करब सँकोचू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhūsura boli bharata kara jore। kari pranāma baya binaya nihore॥ ūnca nīca kāraju bhala pocū। āyasu deb na karaba saṃkocū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
He called the brahmins, joined his hands, bowed, and with humility and supplication said: ‘For whatever task there may be—high or low, good or difficult—please give your command. Do not hesitate.’
परिजन पुरजन प्रजा बोलाए। समाधानु करि सुबस बसाए॥ सानुज गे गुर गेहँ बहोरी। करि दंडवत कहत कर जोरी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
parijana purajana prajā bolāe। samādhānu kari subasa basāe॥ sānuja ge guru gehaṃ bahorī। kari daṃḍavata kahata kara jorī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
He summoned the family members, townspeople, and the rest of the subjects, consoled them, and settled them comfortably. Then, along with his younger brother Shatrughna, he went to the guru’s house and, prostrating himself, spoke with folded hands—
आयसु होइ त रहौं सनेमा। बोले मुनि तन पुलकि सपेमा॥ समुझब कहब करब तुम्ह जोई। धरम सारु जग होइहि सोई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āyasu hoi ta rahauṃ sanemā। bole muni tana pulaki sapemā॥ samujhaba kahaba karaba tumha joī। dharama sāru jaga hoihi soī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
If you permit it, I shall remain in loving service. Sage Vasistha, his body thrilled with joy, spoke affectionately: ‘Bharata, whatever you understand, say, or do—that alone will be the essence of dharma in the world.’
सुनि सिख पाइ असीस बड़ि गनक बोलि दिनु साधि। सिंघासन प्रभु पादुका बैठारे निरुपाधि॥ ३२३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni sikha pāi asīsa baḍi ganaka boli dinu sādhi। siṃghāsana prabhu pādukā baiṭhāre nirupādhi॥ 323 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing this, and receiving instruction and great blessings, Bharata called the astrologers and chose the auspicious day; then he installed the Lord’s sandals on the throne without obstacle.
राम मातु गुर पद सिरु नाई। प्रभु पद पीठ रजायसु पाई॥ नंदिगावँ करि परन कुटीरा। कीन्ह निवासु धरम धुर धीरा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma mātu guru pada siru nāī। prabhu pada pīṭha rajāyasu pāī॥ naṃdigāvaṃ kari parana kuṭīrā। kīnha nivāsu dharama dhura dhīrā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
After bowing his head at the feet of Rama’s mother and guru, and receiving the Lord’s command through his sandals, the steadfast Bharata, who bore the burden of righteousness, made a leaf-hut in Nandigram and lived there.
जटाजूट सिर मुनिपट धारी। महि खनि कुस साँथरी सँवारी॥ असन बसन बासन ब्रत नेमा। करत कठिन रिषिधरम सप्रेमा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaṭājūṭa sira munipaṭa dhārī। mahi khani kusa sāṃtharī saṃvārī॥ asana basana bāsana brata nemā। karata kaṭhina riṣidharama sapremā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
With matted hair on his head and the dress of a hermit, he dug the ground and arranged a seat of kusa grass. In food, clothing, utensils, vows, and observances, he lovingly practiced the hard discipline of the sages.
भूषन बसन भोग सुख भूरी। मन तन बचन तजे तिन तूरी॥ अवध राजु सुर राजु सिहाई। दसरथ धनु सुनि धनदु लजाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhūṣana basana bhoga sukha bhūrī। mana tana bacana taje tina tūrī॥ avadha rāju sura rāju sihāī। dasaratha dhanu suni dhanadu lajāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
He renounced ornaments, clothes, luxuries, and all pleasures, with mind, body, and speech, as if they were mere straw. The kingdom of Ayodhya was envied even by Indra, lord of the gods, and when Kubera heard of Dasharatha’s wealth, he too felt ashamed.
तेहिं पुर बसत भरत बिनु रागा। चंचरीक जिमि चंपक बागा॥ रमा बिलासु राम अनुरागी। तजत बमन जिमि जन बड़भागी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehiṃ pura basata bharata binu rāgā। caṃcarīka jimi caṃpaka bāgā॥ ramā bilāsu rāma anurāgī। tajata bamana jimi jana baḍabhāgī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
In that city Bharata lives unattached, like a bumblebee in a grove of champa flowers. Devoted to Rama, the truly fortunate ones give up the splendors of Lakshmi like vomit and never even look back at them.
राम पेम भाजन भरतु बड़े न एहिं करतूति। चातक हंस सराहिअत टेंक बिबेक बिभूति॥ ३२४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma pema bhājana bharatu baḍe na ehiṃ karatūti। cātaka haṃsa sarāhiyata ṭeṃka bibeka bibhūti॥ 324 ॥
Meaning:
Indeed, Bharata is himself a vessel of love for Rama. This conduct does not make him great; it is no great wonder for him. Just as a chatak bird is praised for not drinking the earth’s water, and a swan is praised for its power to distinguish milk from water...
देह दिनहुँ दिन दूबरि होई। घटइ तेजु बलु मुखछबि सोई॥ नित नव राम प्रेम पनु पीना। बढ़त धरम दलु मनु न मलीना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
deha dinahuṃ dina dūbari hoī। ghaṭai teju balu mukhachabi soī॥ nita nava rāma prema panu pīnā। baḍhata dharama dalu manu na malīnā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata’s body grows leaner day by day. His vitality diminishes, but his strength and the beauty of his face remain unchanged. His vow of ever-fresh love for Rama grows stronger; the army of dharma increases, and his mind remains unstained.
जिमि जलु निघटत सरद प्रकासे। बिलसत बेतस बनज बिकासे॥ सम दम संजम नियम उपासा। नखत भरत हिय बिमल अकासा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jimi jalu nighaṭata sarada prakāse। bilasata betasa banaja bikāse॥ sama dama saṃjama niyama upāsā। nakhata bharata hiya bimala akāsā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Just as, in the light of autumn, water diminishes while reeds and lotuses flourish in beauty, so the practices of calmness, self-control, restraint, discipline, and fasting are the stars of Bharata’s pure inner sky.
ध्रुव बिस्वासु अवधि राका सी। स्वामि सुरति सुरबीथि बिकासी॥ राम पेम बिधु अचल अदोषा। सहित समाज सोह नित चोखा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhruva bisvāsu avadhi rākā sī। svāmi surati surabīthi bikāsī॥ rāma pema bidhu acala adoṣā। sahita samāja soha nita chokhā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Faith itself is the pole star in that sky; the span of fourteen years is like the full moon, and the Lord’s remembrance shines across the path of the gods. The moon of Rama’s love is immutable and spotless; with its constellation-like company, it is ever beautiful and splendid.
भरत रहनि समुझनि करतूती। भगति बिरति गुन बिमल बिभूती॥ बरनत सकल सुकबि सकुचाहीं। सेस गनेस गिरा गमु नाहीं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata rahani samujhani karatūtī। bhagati birati guna bimala bibhūtī॥ baranata sakala sukabi sakucāhīṃ। sesa ganeśa girā gamu nāhīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
No poet dares to describe Bharata’s conduct, understanding, deeds, devotion, renunciation, pure virtues, and glory. There the reach of speech itself fails, and even Shesha, Ganesha, and Saraswati cannot fully go.
नित पूजत प्रभु पाँवरी प्रीति न हृदयँ समाति। मागि मागि आयसु करत राज काज बहु भाँति॥ ३२५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nita pūjata prabhu pāṃvarī prīti na hṛdayaṃ samāti। māgi māgi āyasu karata rāja kāja bahu bhāṃti॥ 325 ॥
Meaning:
They worship the Lord’s sandals every day; love cannot be contained in the heart. Seeking the sandals’ command again and again, they carry on all kinds of royal duties.
पुलक गात हियँ सिय रघुबीरू। जीह नामु जप लोचन नीरू॥ लखन राम सिय कानन बसहीं। भरतु भवन बसि तप तनु कसहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pulaka gāta hiyaṃ siya raghubīrū। jīha nāmu japa locana nīrū॥ lakhana rāma siya kānana basahīṁ। bharatu bhavana basi tapa tanu kasahīṁ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The body is thrilled with joy; in the heart dwell Sita and Raghubir. The tongue repeats Rama’s Name, and tears of love fill the eyes. Lakshmana, Rama, and Sita dwell in the forest, while Bharata lives in the palace, yet by austerity he keeps his body under restraint.
दोउ दिसि समुझि कहत सबु लोगू। सब बिधि भरत सराहन जोगू॥ सुनि ब्रत नेम साधु सकुचाहीं। देखि दसा मुनिराज लजाहीं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dou disi samujhi kahata sabu logū। saba bidhi bharata sarāhana jogū॥ suni brata nema sādhu sakucāhīṁ। dekhi dasā munirāja lajāhīṁ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Considering both sides, everyone says that Bharata is worthy of praise in every way. Hearing of his vows and observances, even the saints become shy, and seeing his condition, even the sages feel humbled.
परम पुनीत भरत आचरनू। मधुर मंजु मुद मंगल करनू॥ हरन कठिन कलि कलुष कलेसू। महामोह निसि दलन दिनेसू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
parama punīta bharata ācaranū। madhura mañju muda maṅgala karanū॥ harana kaṭhina kali kaluṣa kalesū। mahāmoha nisi dalana dinesū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata’s supremely pure conduct is sweet, graceful, and a bringer of joy and auspiciousness. It removes the hard sins and sorrows of Kali Yuga; like the sun, it dispels the night of great delusion.
पाप पुंज कुंजर मृगराजू। समन सकल संताप समाजू। जन रंजन भंजन भव भारू। राम सनेह सुधाकर सारू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pāpa puñja kuñjara mṛgarājū। samana sakala santāpa samājū। jana rañjana bhañjana bhava bhārū। rāma saneha sudhākara sārū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
It is the lion for the elephant of the heap of sins. It destroys all assemblies of sorrow. It delights people, breaks the burden of worldly existence, and is the essence of the moon of Rama’s love.
सिय राम प्रेम पियूष पूरन होत जनमु न भरत को। मुनिमन अगम जम नियम सम दम बिषम ब्रत आचरत को॥ दुख दाह दारिद दंभ दूषन सुजस मिस अपहरत को। कलिकाल तुलसी से सठन्हि हठि राम सनमुख करत को॥
Transliteration (IAST)
siya rāma prema piyūṣa pūrana hota janamu na bharata ko। munimana agama jama niyama sama dama biṣama brata ācarata ko॥ dukha dāha dārida daṃbha dūṣana sujasa misa apaharata ko। kalikāla tulasī se saṭhanhi haṭhi rāma sanmukha karata ko॥
Meaning:
If Bharata, filled to the brim with the nectar of love for Sita and Rama, had not been born, who would have practiced the inaccessible disciplines of the sages’ minds—Yama, Niyama, Shama, Dama, and such difficult vows? Who would, under the pretext of his good fame, remove sorrow, burning grief, poverty, pride, and faults? And in the Kali age, who would, by force, bring obstinate souls like Tulsi before Rama?
भरत चरित करि नेमु तुलसी जो सादर सुनहिं। सीय राम पद पेमु अवसि होइ भव रस बिरति॥ ३२६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata carita kari nemu tulasī jo sādara sunahiṁ। sīya rāma pada pemu avasi hoi bhava rasa birati॥ 326 ॥
Meaning:
Tulsidas says that whoever listens respectfully to the character of Bharata with due observance will surely develop love for the feet of Sita and Rama, and detachment from the taste of worldly life.