Janaka and Vashishtha Deliberate, While Saraswati Calms Indra
Janaka, Vashishtha, and the other wise elders deliberate on the righteous course ahead. Meanwhile, Indra grows uneasy, but Saraswati dispels his doubts and restores his calm.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 45 / 49
Episode Text
राम बचन गुरु नृपहि सुनाए। सील सनेह सुभायँ सुहाए॥ महाराज अब कीजिअ सोई। सब कर धरम सहित हित होई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma bacana guru nṛpahi sunāe। sīla saneha subhāyaṃ suhāe॥ mahārāja aba kījia soī। saba kara dharama sahita hita hoī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The guru told King Janaka Rama's beautiful words, made lovely by courtesy and affection, and said, 'O Maharaja, now do only that in which the welfare of all, together with righteousness, is secured.'
ग्यान निधान सुजान सुचि धरम धीर नरपाल। तुम्ह बिनु असमंजस समन को समरथ एहि काल॥ २९१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gyāna nidhāna sujāna suci dharama dhīra narapāla। tumha binu asamaṃjasa samana ko samaratha ehi kāla॥ 291 ॥
Meaning:
O king, you are a storehouse of knowledge, wise, pure, and steadfast in righteousness. In this age, who besides you is capable of resolving this dilemma?
सुनि मुनि बचन जनक अनुरागे। लखि गति ग्यानु बिरागु बिरागे॥ सिथिल सनेहँ गुनत मन माहीं। आए इहाँ कीन्ह भल नाहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni muni bacana janaka anurāge। lakhi gati gyānu birāgu birāge॥ sithila sanehṃ gunata mana māhīṃ। āe ihāṃ kīnh bhala nāhīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the sage's words, Janaka became absorbed in love. Seeing his condition, even knowledge and dispassion seemed to become dispassionate themselves. Softened by affection, he reflected in his mind, 'Coming here was not a good thing for us.'
रामहि रायँ कहेउ बन जाना। कीन्ह आपु प्रिय प्रेम प्रवाना॥ हम अब बन तें बनहि पठाई। प्रमुदित फिरब बिबेक बड़ाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmahi rāyaṃ kaheu bana jānā। kīnh āpu priya prema pravānā॥ hama aba bana teṃ banahi paṭhāī। pramudita phiraba bibeka baṛāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
King Dasharatha told Rama to go to the forest and thus proved the truth of his own love for his beloved (by giving up his life in separation). But we shall now send him from the forest into still deeper forest and return, delighted in our own 'wisdom and greatness' [as if to say: we have no attachment at all; we left Rama in the forest and came back alive, unlike Dasharatha].
तापस मुनि महिसुर सुनि देखी। भए प्रेम बस बिकल बिसेषी॥ समउ समुझि धरि धीरजु राजा। चले भरत पहिं सहित समाजा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāpasa muni mahisura suni dekhī। bhae prema basa bikala viseṣī॥ samau samujhi dhari dhīraju rājā। chale bharata pahiṃ sahita samājā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The ascetics, sages, and Brahmins, hearing and seeing all this, became greatly distressed with love. Considering the time and circumstance, King Janaka composed himself and went with the assembly to Bharata.
भरत आइ आगें भइ लीन्हे। अवसर सरिस सुआसन दीन्हे॥ तात भरत कह तेरहुति राऊ। तुम्हहि बिदित रघुबीर सुभाऊ॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata āi āgeṃ bhai līnhe। avasara sarisa suāsana dīnhe॥ tāta bharata kaha terahuti rāū। tumhahi vidita raghubīra subhāū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata came forward and received them, offering seats appropriate to the occasion. King Janaka of Tirhut said, 'Dear Bharata, you know Rama's nature well.'
राम सत्यब्रत धरम रत सब कर सीलु सनेहु। संकट सहत सकोच बस कहिअ जो आयसु देहु॥ २९२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma satyabrat dharama rata saba kara sīlu sanehu। saṃkaṭa sahata sakocha basa kahia jo āyasu dehu॥ 292 ॥
Meaning:
Rama is steadfast in truth and devoted to righteousness, and he cherishes the good will and affection of all. Thus, out of modesty, he is bearing hardship; now whatever command you give should be conveyed to him.
सुनि तन पुलकि नयन भरि बारी। बोले भरतु धीर धरि भारी॥ प्रभु प्रिय पूज्य पिता सम आपू। कुलगुरु सम हित माय न बापू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni tana pulaki nayana bhari bārī। bole bharatu dhīra dhari bhārī॥ prabhu priya pūjya pitā sama āpū। kulaguru sama hita māya na bāpū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing this, Bharata's body thrilled and his eyes filled with tears. Gathering great composure, he said, 'O Lord, you are dear and worthy of worship like our father. Even parents are not as beneficent as the family preceptor.'
कौसिकादि मुनि सचिव समाजू। ग्यान अंबुनिधि आपुनु आजू॥ सिसु सेवकु आयसु अनुगामी। जानि मोहि सिख देइअ स्वामी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kausikādi muni saciva samājū। gyāna ambunidhi āpunu ājū॥ sisu sevaku āyasu anugāmī। jāni mohi sikha deia svāmī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
There are sages beginning with Kausika, ministers, and this assembly; and today you yourself are here, the ocean of knowledge. O Lord, regard me as your child, your servant, and one who follows your command, and instruct me.
एहिं समाज थल बूझब राउर। मौन मलिन मैं बोलब बाउर॥ छोटे बदन कहउँ बड़ि बाता। छमब तात लखि बाम बिधाता॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ehiṃ samāja thala būjhaba rāura। mauna malina maiṃ bolaba bāura॥ choṭe badana kahauṃ baṛi bātā। chamaba tāta lakhi bāma bidhātā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
In this assembly and sacred place, for you to ask me? If I remain silent, I would be seen as dull; if I speak, it would seem madness. Yet I speak a great matter from a small mouth. Forgive me, dear one, recognizing that fate may be unfavourable.
आगम निगम प्रसिद्ध पुराना। सेवाधरमु कठिन जगु जाना॥ स्वामि धरम स्वारथहि बिरोधू। बैरु अंध प्रेमहि न प्रबोधू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āgama nigama prasiddha purānā। sevādharamu kaṭhina jagu jānā॥ svāmi dharama svārathahi birodhū। bairu aṃdha premahi na prabodhū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
It is well known in the Vedas, the scriptures, and the Puranas that the duty of service is difficult. The duties of a servant and self-interest conflict with each other. Enmity is blind, and love does not permit clear judgment [so I may speak either from selfishness or from affection, and in either case there is danger of error].
राखि राम रुख धरमु ब्रतु पराधीन मोहि जानि। सब कें संमत सर्ब हित करिअ पेमु पहिचानि॥ २९३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rākhi rāma rukha dharamu bratu parādhīna mohi jāni। saba keṃ saṃmata sarba hita karia pemu pahicāni॥ 293 ॥
Meaning:
Therefore, taking me as dependent, and keeping Rama's preference, righteousness, and vow in view, do what is approved by all and beneficial to all, recognizing true love.
भरत बचन सुनि देखि सुभाऊ। सहित समाज सराहत राऊ॥ सुगम अगम मृदु मंजु कठोरे। अरथु अमित अति आखर थोरे॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata bacana suni dekhi subhāū। sahita samāja sarāhata rāū॥ sugama agama mṛdu mañju kaṭhore। arathu amita ati ākhara thōre॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Bharata's words and seeing his nature, King Janaka and the assembled company began to praise him. Bharata's words are at once simple and profound, soft, graceful, and forceful. There are few syllables, but they contain immeasurable meaning.
ज्यों मुखु मुकुर मुकुरु निज पानी। गहि न जाइ अस अदभुत बानी॥ भूप भरतु मुनि सहित समाजू। गे जहँ बिबुध कुमुद द्विजराजू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jyoṃ mukhu mukuru mukuru nija pānī। gahi na jāi asa adabhuta bānī॥ bhūpa bharatu muni sahita samājū। ge jahaṃ bibudha kumuda dvijarājū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Just as a face seen in a mirror, though the mirror is in one's own hand, cannot be grasped, so this wondrous speech too cannot be seized. Then the king, Bharata, and the sage company went to where Rama was—the moon among the gods, the one who opens the kumuda lilies.
सुनि सुधि सोच बिकल सब लोगा। मनहुँ मीनगन नव जल जोगा॥ देवँ प्रथम कुलगुर गति देखी। निरखि बिदेह सनेह बिसेषी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni sudhi soca bikala saba logā। manahuṃ mīnagana nava jala jogā॥ devaṃ prathama kulaguru gati dekhī। nirakhi videha saneha viseṣī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the news, everyone was troubled with concern, like fish in newly arriving water. The gods first saw the state of the family preceptor, then observed the special affection of the king of Videha.
राम भगतिमय भरतु निहारे। सुर स्वारथी हहरि हियँ हारे॥ सब कोउ राम पेममय पेखा। भए अलेख सोच बस लेखा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma bhagatimaya bharatu nihāre। sura svārathī hahari hiyaṃ hāre॥ saba kou rāma pemamaya pekhā। bhae alekha soca basa lekhā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Then they saw Bharata, filled with devotion to Rama. Seeing all this, the self-interested gods were dismayed and felt defeated in their hearts. They saw everyone immersed in love for Rama. So overwhelmed were the gods with thought that it was beyond measure.
रामु सनेह सकोच बस कह ससोच सुरराजु। रचहु प्रपंचहि पंच मिलि नाहिं त भयउ अकाजु॥ २९४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmu saneha sakocha basa kaha sasoca surarāju। racahu prapaṃcahi paṃca mili nāhiṃ ta bhayau akāju॥ 294 ॥
Meaning:
King Indra, in sorrow, said, 'Rama is bound by affection and modesty. Therefore, all of you together devise some stratagem; otherwise, the effort will surely fail.'
सुरन्ह सुमिरि सारदा सराही। देबि देव सरनागत पाही॥ फेरि भरत मति करि निज माया। पालु बिबुध कुल करि छल छाया॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suranha sumiri sāradā sarāhī। debi deva saranāgata pāhī॥ pheri bharata mati kari nija māyā। pālu bibudha kula kari chala chāyā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The gods remembered Sarasvati and praised her, saying, 'O goddess, the gods have taken refuge in you; protect them. Turn Bharata's mind by your own illusion, and shelter the host of gods by casting the shade of deception.'
बिबुध बिनय सुनि देबि सयानी। बोली सुर स्वारथ जड़ जानी॥ मो सन कहहु भरत मति फेरू। लोचन सहस न सूझ सुमेरू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bibudha binaya suni debi sayānī। bolī sura svāratha jaḍa jānī॥ mo sana kahahu bharata mati pherū। locana sahasa na sūjha sumerū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the gods' request, and knowing them to be foolish through selfishness, wise Sarasvati said, 'You ask me to turn Bharata's mind? Even with a thousand eyes, you cannot see Mount Sumeru!'
बिधि हरि हर माया बड़ि भारी। सोउ न भरत मति सकइ निहारी॥ सो मति मोहि कहत करु भोरी। चंदिनि कर कि चंडकर चोरी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bidhi hari hara māyā baṛi bhārī। sou na bharata mati sakai nihārī॥ so mati mohi kahata karu bhorī। candini kara ki caṇḍakara corī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The illusion of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva is very great, yet even it cannot look upon Bharata's mind. And you ask me to cloud that mind with delusion? Can moonlight ever steal the blazing sun?
भरत हृदयँ सिय राम निवासू। तहँ कि तिमिर जहँ तरनि प्रकासू॥ अस कहि सारद गइ बिधि लोका। बिबुध बिकल निसि मानहुँ कोका॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata hṛdayaṃ siya rāma nivāsū। tahaṃ ki timira jahaṃ tarani prakāsū॥ asa kahi sārada gai bidhi lokā। bibudha bikala nisi mānahuṃ koka॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
In Bharata's heart dwell Sita and Rama. How can darkness exist where the sun is shining? Saying this, Sarasvati went to Brahmaloka. The gods were restless, like the chakravaka bird at night.
सुर स्वारथी मलीन मन कीन्ह कुमंत्र कुठाटु। रचि प्रपंच माया प्रबल भय भ्रम अरति उचाटु॥ २९५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sura svārathī malīna mana kīnha kumantra kuṭhāṭu। raci prapaṃca māyā prabala bhaya bhrama arati ucāṭu॥ 295 ॥
Meaning:
The selfish gods, with impure minds, devised a wicked counsel and a vile stratagem. By weaving a powerful illusion, they spread fear, confusion, aversion, and restlessness.
करि कुचालि सोचत सुरराजू। भरत हाथ सबु काजु अकाजू॥ गए जनकु रघुनाथ समीपा। सनमाने सब रबिकुल दीपा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kari kuchāli sochat surarājū। bharata hātha sabu kāju akājū॥ gae janaku raghunātha samīpā। sanamāne saba rabikula dīpā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
By resorting to a bad stratagem, Indra began to think that all success and failure were in Bharata's hands. Meanwhile King Janaka went with the sages and others to Shri Raghunatha. The lamp of the solar dynasty, Shri Ramachandra, honored everyone.
समय समाज धरम अबिरोधा। बोले तब रघुबंस पुरोधा॥ जनक भरत संबादु सुनाई। भरत कहाउति कही सुहाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
samaya samāja dharama abirodhā। bole taba raghuvaṃsa purodhā॥ janaka bharata saṃbādu sunāī। bharata kahauti kahī suhāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then Vashistha, the priest of the Raghu line, spoke words that were in harmony with time, the gathering, and dharma. He first recounted the conversation between Janaka and Bharata. Then he repeated the beautiful words spoken by Bharata.
तात राम जस आयसु देहू। सो सबु करै मोर मत एहू॥ सुनि रघुनाथ जोरि जुग पानी। बोले सत्य सरल मृदु बानी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāta rāma jasa āyasu dehū। so sabu karai mora mata ehū॥ suni raghunātha jori juga pānī। bole satya sarala mṛdu bānī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
[Then he said:] O dear Rama, my view is that whatever command you give, let all do exactly that. Hearing this, Shri Raghunatha joined both hands and spoke in a true, simple, and gentle voice.
बिद्यमान आपुनि मिथिलेसू। मोर कहब सब भाँति भदेसू॥ राउर राय रजायसु होई। राउरि सपथ सही सिर सोई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bidyamāna āpuni mithilesū। mora kahaba saba bhāṁti bhadesū॥ rāura rāya rajāyasu hoī। rāuri sapatha sahī sira soī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
While you and King Janaka of Mithila are both present, anything I say would be improper in every way. Whatever command you and the Maharaj give, I swear by you that it will be accepted by all as true.
राम सपथ सुनि मुनि जनकु सकुचे सभा समेत। सकल बिलोकत भरत मुखु बनइ न ऊतरु देत॥ २९६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma sapatha suni muni janaku sakuche sabhā sameta। sakala bilokata bharata mukhu banai na ūtara deta॥ 296 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Shri Rama's oath, the sage and Janaka, along with the assembly, were overcome with embarrassment and silence. No one was able to answer; all were looking at Bharata's face.