Rama and Bharata Discuss Duty and Kingship
Rama explains to Bharata the sacred obligations of obedience, public duty, and righteous kingship. Bharata listens with complete humility, though his heart remains wholly devoted to Rama’s service.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 46 / 49
Episode Text
सभा सकुच बस भरत निहारी। रामबंधु धरि धीरजु भारी॥ कुसमउ देखि सनेहु सँभारा। बढ़त बिंधि जिमि घटज निवारा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sabhā sakucha basa bharata nihārī। rāmabandhu dhari dhīraju bhārī॥ kusamaya dekhi sanehu saṃbhārā। baṛhat biṃdhi jimi ghaṭaja nivārā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing the assembly subdued by embarrassment, Bharata, the brother of Rama, held to great composure. Noticing the inopportune moment, he restrained his rising affection, just as Agastya restrained the growing Vindhya mountain.
सोक कनकलोचन मति छोनी। हरी बिमल गुन गन जगजोनी॥ भरत बिबेक बराहँ बिसाला। अनायास उधरी तेहि काला॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soka kanakalochana mati chonī। hārī bimala guna gana jagajonī॥ bharata bibeka barāhāṃ bisālā। anāyāsa uḍharī tehi kālā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The demon of sorrow, like Hiranyaksha, had carried off the earth of intelligence—the source of the pure host of virtues in the world. Bharata's great boar of discernment rescued it effortlessly at that moment.
करि प्रनामु सब कहँ कर जोरे। रामु राउ गुर साधु निहोरे॥ छमब आजु अति अनुचित मोरा। कहउँ बदन मृदु बचन कठोरा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kari pranāmu saba kahaṁ kara jore। rāmu rāu guru sādhū nihore॥ chamaba āju ati anucita morā। kahauṁ badana mṛdu bachana kaṭhorā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata bowed in reverence and folded his hands before everyone—Shri Ramachandra, King Janaka, Guru Vashistha, and all the saints—and pleaded, saying: Please forgive my extremely improper conduct today. I am speaking harsh words with a gentle mouth.
हियँ सुमिरी सारदा सुहाई। मानस तें मुख पंकज आई॥ बिमल बिबेक धरम नय साली। भरत भारती मंजु मराली॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hiyaṃ sumirī sāradā suhāī। mānasa teṁ mukha paṅkaja āī॥ bimala bibeka dharama naya sālī। bharata bhāratī manju marālī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Then he remembered the lovely goddess Saraswati in his heart. She came from the lake of his mind and rested upon his lotus face. Bharata's speech, endowed with pure discernment, dharma, and right conduct, is like a graceful swan.
निरखि बिबेक बिलोचनन्हि सिथिल सनेहँ समाजु। करि प्रनामु बोले भरतु सुमिरि सीय रघुराजु॥ २९७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nirakhi bibeka bilocananhī sithila sanehaṃ samāju। kari pranāmu bole bharatu sumiri sīya raghurāju॥ 297 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing the whole assembly softened by love through the eyes of discernment, and bowing to all, Bharata spoke while remembering Sita and the King of the Raghus.
प्रभु पितु मातु सुहृद गुर स्वामी। पूज्य परम हित अंतरजामी॥ सरल सुसाहिबु सील निधानू। प्रनतपाल सर्बग्य सुजानू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prabhu pitu mātu suhṛda guru svāmī। pūjya parama hita antarayāmī॥ sarala susāhibu sīla nidhānū। pranatapāla sarbagya sujānū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, you are father, mother, friend, guru, master, worthy of worship, supremely beneficent, and the indweller of all. You are simple-hearted, the noble lord, a storehouse of virtue, protector of the surrendered, omniscient, and wise.
समरथ सरनागत हितकारी। गुनगाहकु अवगुन अघ हारी॥ स्वामि गोसाँइहि सरिस गोसाईं। मोहि समान मैं साइँ दोहाईं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
samaratha saranāgata hitakārī। gunagāhaku avaguna agha hārī॥ svāmi gosāĩhi sarisa gosāī। mohi samāna maiṃ sāĩ dohāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
You are powerful, a benefactor of those who seek refuge, one who values virtues, and one who removes faults and sins. O Gosain, a master like you is indeed only you; and as for betraying one's lord, I alone am like myself in that.
प्रभु पितु बचन मोह बस पेली। आयउँ इहाँ समाजु सकेली॥ जग भल पोच ऊँच अरु नीचू। अमिअ अमरपद माहुरु मीचू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prabhu pitu bacana moha basa pelī। āyauṁ ihāṁ samāja sake lī॥ jaga bhala pochi ūṁcha aru nīchū। amia amarapada māhuru mīchū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Deluded, I have violated the words of my Lord and my father and gathered the assembly to come here. In the world there are the good and the bad, the high and the low, nectar and the state of immortality, poison and death, and so on.
राम रजाइ मेट मन माहीं। देखा सुना कतहुँ कोउ नाहीं॥ सो मैं सब बिधि कीन्हि ढिठाई। प्रभु मानी सनेह सेवकाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma rajāya miṭa mana māhīṃ। dekhā sunā katahuṁ kou nāhīṃ॥ so maiṃ saba bidhi kīnhī ḍhiṭhāī। prabhu mānī saneha sevakāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I have neither seen nor heard of anyone anywhere who would erase Shri Ramachandra's command even in thought. I behaved in utter insolence in every way, yet the Lord accepted that insolence as affection and service.
कृपाँ भलाईं आपनी नाथ कीन्ह भल मोर। दूषन भे भूषन सरिस सुजसु चारु चहु ओर॥ २९८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kṛpāṁ bhalāīṃ āpanī nātha kīnh bhala mora। dūṣana bhe bhūṣana sarisa sujasu cāru cahu ora॥ 298 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, by your grace and kindness you have done me good, so that even my faults have become like ornaments, and my beautiful fame has spread everywhere in all four directions.
राउरि रीति सुबानि बड़ाई। जगत बिदित निगमागम गाई॥ कूर कुटिल खल कुमति कलंकी। नीच निसील निरीस निसंकी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāuri rīti subāni baṛāī। jagata bidita nigamāgama gāī॥ kūra kuṭila khala kumati kalaṃkī। nīca nisīla nirīsa nisaṃkī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, the greatness of your conduct and noble nature is renowned throughout the world and sung by the Vedas and scriptures. [You also accept those who are] cruel, crooked, wicked, of evil intellect, stained, base, immoral, godless, and fearless.
तेउ सुनि सरन सामुहें आए। सकृत प्रनामु किहें अपनाए॥ देखि दोष कबहुँ न उर आने। सुनि गुन साधु समाज बखाने॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
teu suni saraṇa sāmuhẽ āe। sakṛta pramānu kihẽ apanāe॥ dekhi doṣa kabahuṁ na ura āne। suni guna sādhu samāja bakhāne॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Even them, when they came to you seeking refuge, you accepted with only a single bow. Though you saw their faults, you never brought them to your heart; and when you heard their virtues, you praised them in the company of the saints.
को साहिब सेवकहि नेवाजी। आपु समाज साज सब साजी॥ निज करतूति न समुझिअ सपनें। सेवक सकुच सोचु उर अपनें॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ko sāhiba sevakahi nevājī। āpu samāja sāja saba sājī॥ nija karatūti na samujhia sapanẽ। sevaka sakuca socu ura apane॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Who is that lord who so favors a servant that he himself arranges all the servant's needs, and without even thinking of it in a dream as any deed of his own, still keeps in his heart the thought that the servant may feel shy?
सो गोसाइँ नहिं दूसर कोपी। भुजा उठाइ कहउँ पन रोपी॥ पसु नाचत सुक पाठ प्रबीना। गुन गति नट पाठक आधीना॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so gosāĩṃ nahi dūsara kopī। bhujā uṭhāi kahauṁ pana ropī॥ pasu nācata suka pāṭha prabīnā। guna gati naṭa pāṭhaka ādhīnā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I raise my arm and declare with solemn insistence: there is no other master like you. Animals such as monkeys dance, and parrots become skilled in reciting learned passages. But the parrot's skill in recitation and the animal's dancing are respectively under the control of the teacher and the trainer.
यों सुधारि सनमानि जन किए साधु सिरमोर। को कृपाल बिनु पालिहै बिरिदावलि बरजोर॥ २९९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
yoṃ sudhāri sanamāni jana kie sādhū siramora। āyasu deiʌ deva aba saba i sudhārī mori॥ 299 ॥
Meaning:
Thus, by correcting your servants' faults and honoring them, you have made them the crown-jewels of the saints. Who except the Compassionate One would uphold his own line of vows and fame so firmly?
सोक सनेहँ कि बाल सुभाएँ। आयउँ लाइ रजायसु बाएँ॥ तबहुँ कृपाल हेरि निज ओरा। सबहि भाँति भल मानेउ मोरा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soka sanehẽ ki bāla subhāẽ। āyauṁ lāi rajāyasu bāẽ॥ tabahūṁ kṛpāla heri nija orā। sabahi bhāṁti bhala māneu morā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Whether out of sorrow, affection, or childishness, I brought your command to the left and came here; yet you, being compassionate, looked toward me and considered my deed good in every way.
देखेउँ पाय सुमंगल मूला। जानेउँ स्वामि सहज अनुकूला॥ बड़ें समाज बिलोकेउँ भागू। बड़ीं चूक साहिब अनुरागू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dekheuṁ pāya sumaṅgala mūlā। jāneuṁ svāmi sahaja anukūlā॥ baṛẽ samāja bilokeuṁ bhāgū। baṛīṃ cūka sāhiba anurāgū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
I have seen your feet, the root of all auspiciousness, and have understood that the Lord is naturally inclined toward me. In this great assembly I have seen my fortune: despite such a grave mistake, how much affection the Lord still has for me!
कृपा अनुग्रहु अंगु अघाई। कीन्हि कृपानिधि सब अधिकाई॥ राखा मोर दुलार गोसाईं। अपनें सील सुभायँ भलाईं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kṛpā anugrahu aṅga aghāī। kīnhī kṛpānidhi saba adhikāī॥ rākhā mora dulāra gosāĩṃ। apaneṃ sīla subhāyaṁ bhalāīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The treasure of mercy has bestowed grace and favor upon me in full measure, and even beyond that—far more than I was in any way worthy of. O Gosain, by your own character, nature, and goodness, you have kept me lovingly cherished.
नाथ निपट मैं कीन्हि ढिठाई। स्वामि समाज सकोच बिहाई॥ अबिनय बिनय जथारुचि बानी। छमिहि देउ अति आरति जानी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nātha nipaṭa maiṃ kīnhī ḍhiṭhāī। svāmi samāja sakocha bihāī॥ abinaya binaya jathāruci bānī। chamihi deu ati ārati jānī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, I have acted with complete boldness, setting aside both the master's and the assembly's reserve, and speaking in whatever manner seemed fitting—respectful or otherwise. O God, knowing my distress, you will surely forgive me.
सुहृद सुजान सुसाहिबहि बहुत कहब बड़ि खोरि। आयसु देइअ देव अब सबइ सुधारी मोरि॥ ३०० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suhṛda sujāna susāhibahi bahuta kahaba baḍi khori। āyasu deiʌ deva aba saba i sudhārī mori॥ 300 ॥
Meaning:
To say much to such a friend, wise one, and noble master would be a great offense. Therefore, O Lord, give me your command now; you have already set everything of mine right.
प्रभु पद पदुम पराग दोहाई। सत्य सुकृत सुख सीवँ सुहाई॥ सो करि कहउँ हिए अपने की। रुचि जागत सोवत सपने की॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prabhu pada paduma parāga dohāī। satya sukṛta sukha sīvaṃ suhāī॥ so kari kahauṃ hiye apane kī। ruci jāgata sovata sapane kī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
By invoking the dust of the Lord's lotus feet—which is the lovely culmination of truth, merit, and bliss—I speak of the desire that remains in my heart while awake, asleep, and even in dreams.
सहज सनेहँ स्वामि सेवकाई। स्वारथ छल फल चारि बिहाई॥ अग्या सम न सुसाहिब सेवा। सो प्रसादु जन पावै देवा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sahaja sanehaṃ svāmi sevakāī। svāratha chala phala cāri bihāī॥ agyā sama na susāhiba sevā। so prasādu jana pāvai devā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
That inclination is this: serving one's master with natural affection, after abandoning deceit, selfishness, and the four fruits. There is no service to a good master greater than obedience. O Lord, may that blessing of obedience now be granted to the servant.
अस कहि प्रेम बिबस भए भारी। पुलक सरीर बिलोचन बारी॥ प्रभु पद कमल गहे अकुलाई। समउ सनेहु न सो कहि जाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asa kahi prema bibasa bhae bhārī। pulaka sarīra bilochana bārī॥ prabhu pada kamala gahe akulāī। samau sanehu na so kahi jāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Saying this, Bharata became utterly overwhelmed by love. His body thrilled, and tears filled his eyes. In distress, he clasped the Lord's lotus feet. That moment and that affection cannot be described.
कृपासिंधु सनमानि सुबानी। बैठाए समीप गहि पानी॥ भरत बिनय सुनि देखि सुभाऊ। सिथिल सनेहँ सभा रघुराऊ॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kṛpāsindhu sanamāni subānī। baiṭhāe samīpa gahi pānī॥ bharata binaya suni dekhi subhāū। sithila sanehaṃ sabhā raghurāū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The ocean of compassion, honoring Bharata with gracious words, seated him near Himself, taking him by the hand. Hearing Bharata's plea and seeing his noble nature, the whole assembly and Raghurama were softened by affection.
देखि दुखारी दीन दुहु समाज नर नारि सब। मघवा महा मलीन मुए मारि मंगल चहत॥ ३०१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dekhi dukhārī dīna duhu samāja nara nāri saba। maghavā mahā malīna mue māri maṃgala cahata॥ 301 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing all the men and women of both groups sorrowful and distressed, Indra, darkened in mind, seeks his own good by striking down the dead.
कपट कुचालि सीवँ सुरराजू। पर अकाज प्रिय आपन काजू॥ काक समान पाकरिपु रीती। छली मलीन कतहुँ न प्रतीती॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kapaṭa kuchāli sīvaṃ surarājū। para akāja priya āpana kājū॥ kāka samāna pākaripu rītī। chhalī malīna katahuṃ na pratītī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Indra, king of the gods, is the very limit of deceit and crooked counsel. He loves others' loss and his own gain. His conduct is like that of a crow: deceitful and impure, never trustworthy anywhere.
प्रथम कुमत करि कपटु सँकेला। सो उचाटु सब कें सिर मेला॥ सुरमायाँ सब लोग बिमोहे। राम प्रेम अतिसय न बिछोहे॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prathama kumata kari kapaṭu saṃkelā। so uchāṭu saba keṃ sira melā॥ suramāyāṃ saba loga bimohē। rāma prema atisaya na bichohē॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
First, having formed a wicked intent, he gathered deceit together. Then he cast that disturbing unrest upon everyone. By divine illusion all the people were bewildered, yet they were not completely severed from love for Rama.
भय उचाट बस मन थिर नाहीं। छन बन रुचि छन सदन सोहाहीं॥ दुबिध मनोगति प्रजा दुखारी। सरित सिंधु संगम जनु बारी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhaya uchāṭa basa mana thira nāhīṃ। chana bana ruci chana sadana sohāhīṃ॥ dubidhi manogati prajā dukhārī। sarita sindhu saṃgama janu bārī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Under the sway of fear and restlessness, the mind remains unsettled. In one moment they long for the forest, and in the next their homes seem pleasant. The people are distressed by this divided state of mind, as though the waters at the meeting of river and ocean were being churned and disturbed.
दुचित कतहुँ परितोषु न लहहीं। एक एक सन मरमु न कहहीं॥ लखि हियँ हँसि कह कृपानिधानू। सरिस स्वान मघवान जुबानू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
duchita katahuṃ paritoṣu na lahahīṃ। eka eka sana maramu na kahahīṃ॥ lakhi hiyaṃ haṃsi kaha kṛpānidhānū। sarisa svāna maghavāna jubānū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
When the mind is divided, one finds satisfaction nowhere and cannot reveal the heart's secret to anyone. Seeing this, the ocean of mercy smiled within and said, 'A dog, Indra, and a young man are alike.' [In Pāṇini's grammar, the forms of the words śvan, yuvan, and maghavan are similarly patterned.]
भरतु जनकु मुनिजन सचिव साधु सचेत बिहाइ। लागि देवमाया सबहि जथाजोगु जनु पाइ॥ ३०२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharatu janaku munijana saciva sādhu saceta bihāi। lāgi devamāyā sabahi jathājogu janu pāi॥ 302 ॥
Meaning:
Leaving Bharata, Janaka, the sages, the ministers, and the wise saints aside, divine illusion took hold of everyone else according to each one's nature and condition.
कृपासिंधु लखि लोग दुखारे। निज सनेहँ सुरपति छल भारे॥ सभा राउ गुर महिसुर मंत्री। भरत भगति सब कै मति जंत्री॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kṛpāsindhu lakhi loga dukhāre। nija sanehaṃ surapati chala bhāre॥ sabhā rāu guru mahisura maṃtrī। bharata bhagati saba kai mati jaṃtrī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The ocean of compassion, Rama, saw the people distressed by His own affection and by the great deceit of Indra. The minds of the assembly, the king, the guru, the brahmins, and the ministers were all held fast by Bharata's devotion.
रामहि चितवत चित्र लिखे से। सकुचत बोलत बचन सिखे से॥ भरत प्रीति नति बिनय बड़ाई। सुनत सुखद बरनत कठिनाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmahi chitavata chitra likhe se। sakuchata bolata bachana sikhe se॥ bharata prīti nati binaya baṛāī। sunata sukhada baranata kaṭhināī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
All were looking toward Rama as if painted in a picture, speaking words as if they had been taught. Bharata's affection, humility, courtesy, and greatness are delightful to hear of, but hard to describe.
जासु बिलोकि भगति लवलेसू। प्रेम मगन मुनिगन मिथिलेसू॥ महिमा तासु कहै किमि तुलसी। भगति सुभायँ सुमति हियँ हुलसी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāsu biloki bhagati lavalesū। prema magana munigana mithilesū॥ mahimā tāsu kahai kimi tulasī। bhagati subhāyaṃ sumati hiyaṃ hulasī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Just a tiny trace of whose devotion made the sages and Janaka, lord of Mithila, drown in love—how can Tulsidas speak of Bharata's greatness? By that devotion and noble feeling, good understanding is blossoming in the poet's heart.
आपु छोटि महिमा बड़ि जानी। कबिकुल कानि मानि सकुचानी॥ कहि न सकति गुन रुचि अधिकाई। मति गति बाल बचन की नाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āpu choṭi mahimā baṛi jānī। kabikula kāni māni sakuchānī॥ kahi na sakati guna ruci adhikāī। mati gati bāla bachana kī nāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
But that intellect, knowing itself small and Bharata's greatness vast, grew shy in deference to the poets' tradition and dared not describe him. It has great delight in his virtues, yet cannot put them into words; its movement has become like a child's speech.
भरत बिमल जसु बिमल बिधु सुमति चकोरकुमारि। उदित बिमल जन हृदय नभ एकटक रही निहारि॥ ३०३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata bimala jasa bimala bidhu sumati chakorakumāri। udita bimala jana hṛdaya nabha ekaṭaka rahī nihāri॥ 303 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata's stainless fame is the spotless moon, and pure intellect is a female chakor bird, which, seeing that moon rise in the clear sky of devotees' hearts, remains gazing at it without blinking. [Who can fully describe that?]
भरत सुभाउ न सुगम निगमहूँ। लघु मति चापलता कबि छमहूँ॥ कहत सुनत सति भाउ भरत को। सीय राम पद होइ न रत को॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata subhāu na sugama nigamahūṃ। laghu mati cāpalatā kabi chamahūṃ॥ kahata sunata sati bhāu bharata ko। sīya rāma pada hoi na rata ko॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata's nature is not easy to describe even for the Vedas. Therefore, let the poets forgive the restlessness of my humble intellect! Hearing and speaking of Bharata's noble feeling, who would not become devoted to the feet of Sita and Rama?
सुमिरत भरतहि प्रेमु राम को। जेहि न सुलभु तेहि सरिस बाम को॥ देखि दयाल दसा सबही की। राम सुजान जानि जन जी की॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sumirata bharatahi premu rāma ko। jehi na sulabhu tehi sarisa bāma ko॥ dekhi dayāla dasā sabahī kī। rāma sujāna jāni jana jī kī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
By remembering Bharata, whoever does not obtain Rama's love—who can be as unfortunate as that? Seeing everyone's condition, the compassionate and all-knowing Rama understood the state of the devotee's heart,
धरम धुरीन धीर नय नागर। सत्य सनेह सील सुख सागर॥ देसु कालु लखि समउ समाजू। नीति प्रीति पालक रघुराजू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dharama dhurīna dhīra naya nāgara। satya saneha sīla sukha sāgara॥ desu kālu lakhi samau samājū। nīti prīti pālaka raghurājū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Raghunatha, foremost in dharma and steady of mind, adept in policy; an ocean of truth, affection, character, and bliss; a protector of justice and love—He considers country, time, occasion, and society.
बोले बचन बानि सरबसु से। हित परिनाम सुनत ससि रसु से॥ तात भरत तुम्ह धरम धुरीना। लोक बेद बिद प्रेम प्रबीना॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bole bachana bāni sarabasu se। hita parināma sunata sasi rasu se॥ tāta bharata tumha dharama dhurīnā। loka beda bida prema prabīnā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
He spoke words that were as if the very essence of speech itself, beneficial in their outcome and as sweet to hear as moonlit nectar. 'Dear Bharata, you are the bearer of dharma, well versed in both worldly knowledge and the Vedas, and expert in love.'
करम बचन मानस बिमल तुम्ह समान तुम्ह तात। गुर समाज लघु बंधु गुन कुसमयँ किमि कहि जात॥ ३०४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
karama bachana mānasa bimala tumha samāna tumha tāt। guru samāja laghu bandhu guna kusamayaṃ kimi kahi jāta॥ 304 ॥
Meaning:
Dear child, in deed, word, and mind you are as pure as yourself alone can be. In the presence of elders, and at such an inauspicious time, how can a younger brother's virtues be adequately spoken of?
जानहु तात तरनि कुल रीती। सत्यसंध पितु कीरति प्रीती॥ समउ समाजु लाज गुरजन की। उदासीन हित अनहित मन की॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jānahu tāta tarani kula rītī। satyasaṃdha pitu kīrati prītī॥ samau samāju lāja gurajana kī। udāsīna hita anahita mana kī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Dear child, you know the custom of the सूर्यवंश, the fame and affection of your truth-bound father, the honor due to time, society, and elders, and the thoughts of every mind—whether impartial, friendly, or hostile.
तुम्हहि बिदित सबही कर करमू। आपन मोर परम हित धरमू॥ मोहि सब भाँति भरोस तुम्हारा। तदपि कहउँ अवसर अनुसारा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tumhahi bidita sabahī kara karamū। āpana mora parama hita dharamū॥ mohi saba bhāṃti bharosa tumhārā। tadapi kahauṃ avasara anusārā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
You know everyone's duties and also the supreme and beneficial duty for both you and me. Though I trust you in every way, still I speak according to the occasion.
तात तात बिनु बात हमारी। केवल गुरकुल कृपाँ सँभारी॥ नतरु प्रजा परिजन परिवारू। हमहि सहित सबु होत खुआरू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāta tāta binu bāta hamārī। kevala gurakula kṛpāṃ saṃbhārī॥ nataru prajā parijana parivārū। hamahi sahita sabu hota khuārū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Dear child, without Father, our affairs have been preserved only by the grace of the guru's household; otherwise, all of us—including the people, relatives, and family—would have been ruined.
जौं बिनु अवसर अथवँ दिनेसू। जग केहि कहहु न होइ कलेसू॥ तस उतपातु तात बिधि कीन्हा। मुनि मिथिलेस राखि सबु लीन्हा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaṃu binu avasara athavaṃ diner sū। jaga kehi kahahu na hoi kalesū॥ tasa utapātu tāta bidhi kīnhā। muni mithilesa rākhi sabu līnhā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
If the sun were to set without due time—before evening—who in the world would not suffer distress? Dear child, the Creator has caused a similar calamity here, in the untimely death of the father. Yet the sage and the lord of Mithila saved everyone.
राज काज सब लाज पति धरम धरनि धन धाम। गुर प्रभाउ पालिहि सबहि भल होइहि परिनाम॥ ३०५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāja kāja saba lāja pati dharama dharani dhana dhāma। guru prabhāu pālihi sabahi bhala hoiha parināma॥ 305 ॥
Meaning:
The affairs of state, honor, reputation, dharma, the earth, wealth, and home—all will be protected by the guru's influence, and the outcome will be good.
सहित समाज तुम्हार हमारा। घर बन गुर प्रसाद रखवारा॥ मातु पिता गुर स्वामि निदेसू। सकल धरम धरनीधर सेसू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sahita samāja tumhāra hamārā। ghara bana guru prasāda rakhavārā॥ mātu pitā guru svāmi nidesū। sakala dharama dharanīdhara sesū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
By Guru's grace, in both home and forest, your company and ours are protected. The observance of the commands of mother, father, guru, and master is like Shesha sustaining the earth, upholding all dharma.
सो तुम्ह करहु करावहु मोहू। तात तरनिकुल पालक होहू॥ साधक एक सकल सिधि देनी। कीरति सुगति भूतिमय बेनी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so tumha karahu karāvahu mohū। tāta taranikula pālaka hohū॥ sādhaka eka sakala sidhi denī। kīrati sugati bhūtimaya benī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Father, do that yourself and have me do it as well, and be the protector of the solar dynasty. For the seeker, this one thing—this discipline of obedience—is the giver of all attainments, a river of fame, good destiny, and prosperity.
सो बिचारि सहि संकटु भारी। करहु प्रजा परिवारु सुखारी॥ बाँटी बिपति सबहिं मोहि भाई। तुम्हहि अवधि भरि बड़ि कठिनाई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
so bicāri sahi saṅkaṭu bhārī। karahu prajā parivāru sukhārī॥ bāṇṭī bipati sabahiṃ mohi bhāī। tumhahiṃ avadhi bhari baṛi kaṭhināī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Reflect on this and, even bearing great hardship, make the people and your family happy. O brother, everyone has shared my suffering, but for you there is still great difficulty throughout the whole exile period.
जानि तुम्हहि मृदु कहउँ कठोरा। कुसमयँ तात न अनुचित मोरा॥ होहिं कुठायँ सुबंधु सहाए। ओड़िअहिं हाथ असनिहु के घाए॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāni tumhahiṃ mṛdu kahauṃ kaṭhorā। kusamayaṃ tāta na anuucita morā॥ hohiṃ kuṭhāyaṃ subandhu sahāe। oṛiahiṃ hātha asanihu ke ghāe॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Knowing you to be gentle, I am speaking a harsh thing. Father, in an evil time, this is not improper for me. In a bad place, noble brothers are the ones who help. Even lightning's blows are warded off by the hand.
सेवक कर पद नयन से मुख सो साहिबु होइ। तुलसी प्रीति कि रीति सुनि सुकबि सराहहिं सोइ॥ ३०६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sevaka kara pada nayana se mukha so sāhibu hoi। tulasī prīti ki rīti suni sukabi sarāhahiṃ soi॥ 306 ॥
Meaning:
The servant should be like the hands, feet, and eyes, and the master like the mouth. Tulsidas says that hearing such a rule of loving service between servant and master, discerning poets praise it.
सभा सकल सुनि रघुबर बानी। प्रेम पयोधि अमिअँ जनु सानी॥ सिथिल समाज सनेह समाधी। देखि दसा चुप सारद साधी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sabhā sakala suni raghubara bānī। prema payodhi amiaṃ janu sānī॥ sithila samāja saneha samādhī। dekhi dasā cupa sārada sādhī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Rama's words, which seemed steeped in the nectar of the ocean of love, the entire assembly became motionless, as if absorbed in a trance of affection. Seeing this condition, Saraswati remained silent.
भरतहि भयउ परम संतोषू। सनमुख स्वामि बिमुख दुख दोषू॥ मुख प्रसन्न मन मिटा बिषादू। भा जनु गूँगेहि गिरा प्रसादू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharatahi bhayau parama santoṣū। sanmukha svāmi bimukha dukha doṣū॥ mukha prasanna mana miṭā biṣādū। bhā janu gūṃgehi girā prasādū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Bharata was filled with supreme contentment. As soon as he stood before his Lord, sorrow and fault turned away from him. His face became joyful and the grief of his mind vanished. It was as though speech had been granted to a mute.
कीन्ह सप्रेम प्रनामु बहोरी। बोले पानि पंकरुह जोरी॥ नाथ भयउ सुखु साथ गए को। लहेउँ लाहु जग जनमु भए को॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kīnha saprema pramāmu bahorī। bole pāni paṃkaruha jorī॥ nātha bhayau sukhu sātha gae ko। laheūṃ lāhu jaga janamu bhae ko॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
He once again bowed with love and, joining his lotus hands, said: 'Lord, I have obtained the joy of going with you, and I have also gained the true fruit of being born into this world.'
अब कृपाल जस आयसु होई। करौं सीस धरि सादर सोई॥ सो अवलंब देव मोहि देई। अवधि पारु पावौं जेहि सेई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba kṛpāla jasa āyasu hoī। karauṃ sīsa dhari sādara soī॥ so avalamba deva mohi deī। avadhi pāru pāvāuṃ jehi seī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O merciful one, whatever command you give, I shall place it upon my head and obey with reverence. But, O Lord, grant me that support, serving which I may cross over this period of exile.
देव देव अभिषेक हित गुर अनुसासनु पाइ। आनेउँ सब तीरथ सलिलु तेहि कहँ काह रजाइ॥ ३०७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
deva deva abhiṣeka hita guru anusāsanu pāi। āneūṃ saba tīratha salilu tehi kahaṃ kāha rajāi॥ 307 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, for the sake of your consecration, I have brought the waters of all the holy places, having received the guru's command. What further order is there regarding this?
एकु मनोरथु बड़ मन माहीं। सभयँ सकोच जात कहि नाहीं॥ कहहु तात प्रभु आयसु पाई। बोले बानि सनेह सुहाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
eku manorathu baḍa mana māhīṃ। sabhayaṃ sakocha jāta kahi nāhīṃ॥ kahahu tāta prabhu āyasu pāī। bole bāni saneha suhāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
There is another great desire in my heart, but fear and hesitation prevent me from speaking it. [Rama said:] 'Brother, speak.' Then, having received the Lord's permission, Bharata spoke with loving, sweet words.
चित्रकूट सुचि थल तीरथ बन। खग मृग सर सरि निर्झर गिरिगन॥ प्रभु पद अंकित अवनि बिसेषी। आयसु होइ त आवौं देखी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
citrakūṭa suci thala tīratha bana। khaga mṛga sara sari nirjhara girigan॥ prabhu pada aṅkita avani biseṣī। āyasu hoi ta āvāuṃ dekhī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
If you permit, I wish to go and behold Chitrakoot—the sacred places, forests, birds and beasts, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and hills—and especially the land marked by your footprints.
अवसि अत्रि आयसु सिर धरहू। तात बिगतभय कानन चरहू॥ मुनि प्रसाद बनु मंगल दाता। पावन परम सुहावन भ्राता॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
avasi atri āyasu sira dharahū। tāta bigatabhaya kānana carahū॥ muni prasāda bana maṅgala dātā। pāvana parama suhāvana bhrātā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
[Rama said:] 'Certainly, bear Atri's command on your head, and, father, wander in the forest without fear. By the grace of the sage, the forest is a giver of blessings, supremely pure and wonderfully lovely, O brother.'
रिषिनायकु जहँ आयसु देहीं। राखेहु तीरथ जलु थल तेहीं॥ सुनि प्रभु बचन भरत सुखु पावा। मुनि पद कमल मुदित सिरु नावा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
riṣināyaku jahaṃ āyasu dehīṃ। rākehu tīratha jalu thala tehīṃ॥ suni prabhu bacana bharata sukhu pāvā। muni pada kamala mudita siru nāvā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
And wherever the chief among the sages, Atri, gives his command, there you should place the waters of the holy places. Hearing the Lord's words, Bharata felt delight and, rejoicing, bowed his head at the sage's lotus feet.
भरत राम संबादु सुनि सकल सुमंगल मूल। सुर स्वारथी सराहि कुल बरषत सुरतरु फूल॥ ३०८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata rāma saṃbādu suni sakala sumaṅgala mūla। sura svārathī sarāhi kula baraṣata surataru phūla॥ 308 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the dialogue between Bharata and Rama, the source of all auspiciousness, the self-interested gods praised Raghu's line and showered flowers from the wish-fulfilling tree.
धन्य भरत जय राम गोसाईं। कहत देव हरषत बरिआईं॥ मुनि मिथिलेस सभाँ सब काहू। भरत बचन सुनि भयउ उछाहू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhanya bharata jaya rāma gosāīṃ। kahata deva haraṣata bariāīṃ॥ muni mithilesa sabhāṃ saba kāhū। bharata bacana suni bhayau uchāhū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
"Blessed is Bharata; victory to Lord Rama!" Saying this, the gods became greatly delighted. Hearing Bharata's words, the sage, Mithilesh, and everyone in the assembly felt great joy.
भरत राम गुन ग्राम सनेहू। पुलकि प्रसंसत राउ बिदेहू॥ सेवक स्वामि सुभाउ सुहावन। नेमु पेमु अति पावन पावन॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata rāma guna grāma sanehū। pulaki prasaṃsata rāu bidehū॥ sevaka svāmi subhāu suhāvana। nemu pemu ati pāvana pāvana॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
King Janaka of Videha, with hair standing on end, praises the multitude of virtues and the love shared by Bharata and Rama. The nature of servant and master is beautiful; their discipline and love make even the pure supremely pure.
मति अनुसार सराहन लागे। सचिव सभासद सब अनुरागे॥ सुनि सुनि राम भरत संबादू। दुहु समाज हियँ हरषु बिषादू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mati anusāra sarāhana lāge। saciva sabhāsada saba anurāge॥ suni suni rāma bharata sambādū। duhu samāja hiyaṃ haraṣu biṣādū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The ministers and assembly members, all filled with devotion, began to praise it according to their understanding. Hearing again and again the conversation between Rama and Bharata, both assemblies felt joy and sorrow in their hearts.
राम मातु दुखु सुखु सम जानी। कहि गुन राम प्रबोधीं रानी॥ एक कहहिं रघुबीर बड़ाई। एक सराहत भरत भलाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāma mātu dukhu sukhu sama jānī। kahi guna rāma prabodhīṃ rānī॥ eka kahahiṃ raghubīra baṛāī। eka sarāhata bharata bhalāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Rama's mother, taking sorrow and joy as equal, comforted the other queens by speaking of Rama's virtues. Some speak of the greatness of Rama, while others praise Bharata's goodness.
अत्रि कहेउ तब भरत सन सैल समीप सुकूप। राखिअ तीरथ तोय तहँ पावन अमिअ अनूप॥ ३०९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
atri kaheu taba bharata sana saila samīpa sukūpa। rākhia tīratha toya tahaṃ pāvana amia anūpa॥ 309 ॥
Meaning:
Then Atri said to Bharata: 'Near this hill there is a beautiful well. Place this sacred, incomparable water of the holy places there.'