Rama, Bharata, and the Others Enter into Dialogue
Rama, Bharata, and the assembled elders discuss dharma, kingship, and obedience to their father’s command. Bharata’s humility and Rama’s unwavering righteousness make this exchange especially profound.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 41 / 49
Episode Text
सुनि मुनि बचन राम रुख पाई। गुरु साहिब अनुकूल अघाई॥ लखि अपनें सिर सबु छरु भारू। कहि न सकहिं कछु करहिं बिचारू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni muni bacana rāma rukha pāī। guru sāhiba anukūla aghāī॥ lakhi apaneṃ sira sabu chharu bhārū। kahi na sakahiṃ kachu karahiṃ bicārū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the sage's words and seeing Rama's favorable mood, Bharat felt that the guru and master were fully on his side. Seeing the whole burden as resting on his own head, he could say nothing and began to think.
पुलकि सरीर सभाँ भए ठाढ़े। नीरज नयन नेह जल बाढ़े॥ कहब मोर मुनिनाथ निबाहा। एहि तें अधिक कहौं मैं काहा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pulaki sarīra sabhāṃ bhae ṭhāṛhe। nīraja nayana neha jala bāṛhe॥ kahaba mora muninātha nibāhā। ehi teṃ adhika kahauṃ maiṃ kāhā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Thrilled throughout the body, he stood up in the assembly. Tears of love flooded his lotus-like eyes. He said, 'The sage, O Lord, has already fulfilled my words; what more can I say?'
मैं जानउँ निज नाथ सुभाऊ। अपराधिहु पर कोह न काऊ॥ मो पर कृपा सनेहु बिसेषी। खेलत खुनिस न कबहूँ देखी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
maiṃ jānauṃ nija nātha subhāū। aparādhihu para koha na kāū॥ mo para kṛpā saneha biśeṣī। khelata khunisa na kabahuṃ dekhī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
I know my Lord's nature: he never grows angry even with the offender. On me his grace and affection are especially great; I have never even seen his displeasure in play.
सिसुपन तें परिहरेउँ न संगू। कबहुँ न कीन्ह मोर मन भंगू॥ मैं प्रभु कृपा रीति जियँ जोही। हारेहुँ खेल जितावहिं मोही॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sisupana teṃ parihaṛeuṃ na saṃgū। kabhahuṃ na kīna mora mana bhaṃgū॥ maiṃ prabhu kṛpā rīti jiyam johī। hārehuṃ khel jitāvahiṃ mohī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
From childhood I never left his side, and he never broke my heart or went against my wishes. I have come to know well in my heart the way of the Lord's grace. Even when I lost at play, the Lord kept making me win.
महूँ सनेह सकोच बस सनमुख कही न बैन। दरसन तृपित न आजु लगि पेम पिआसे नैन॥ २६० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mahūṃ saneha sakocha basa sanamukha kahī na baina। darasana tṛpita na āju laga pema piyāse naina॥ 260 ॥
Meaning:
Out of love and modesty I too never spoke openly before him. My eyes, thirsty for love, have still not been satisfied by the Lord's sight, even to this day.
बिधि न सकेउ सहि मोर दुलारा। नीच बीचु जननी मिस पारा॥ यहउ कहत मोहि आजु न सोभा। अपनीं समुझि साधु सुचि को भा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bidhi na sakeu sahi mora dulārā। nīca bīcu jananī misa pārā॥ ehau kahata mohi āju na sobhā। apanīṃ samujhi sādhu suci ko bhā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
But Providence could not bear my darling. Under the pretext of a lowly mother, it put a gap between us. Even this is not fitting for me to say today. For by one's own judgment, who has become truly saintly and pure? Only the one whom others regard as saintly is saintly.
मातु मंदि मैं साधु सुचाली। उर अस आनत कोटि कुचाली॥ फरइ कि कोदव बालि सुसाली। मुकता प्रसव कि संबुक काली॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mātu mandi maiṃ sādhu sucālī। ura asa ānata koṭi kuchālī॥ pharai ki kodava bāli susālī। muktā prasava ki sambuka kālī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
If the mother is lowly and I am righteous and saintly, then even entertaining such a thought in the heart is like committing millions of sins. Can a kodo stalk bear fine grain? Can a black shell produce pearls?
सपनेहुँ दोसक लेसु न काहू। मोर अभाग उदधि अवगाहू॥ बिनु समुझें निज अघ परिपाकू। जारिउँ जायँ जननि कहि काकू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sapanehuṃ dosa ka lesu na kāhū। mora abhāga udadhi avagāhū॥ binu samujheṃ nija agha paripākū। jāriuṃ jāyaṃ janani kahi kākū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
There is not even the slightest fault in anyone, even in dreams. My misfortune is an unfathomable ocean. Without understanding the ripening of my own sins, I burned my mother in vain by speaking harsh words.
हृदयँ हेरि हारेउँ सब ओरा। एकहि भाँति भलेहिं भल मोरा॥ गुर गोसाइँ साहिब सिय रामू। लागत मोहि नीक परिनामू॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hṛdayaṃ heri hāreuṃ saba orā। ekahi bhāṃti bhalehiṃ bhala morā॥ guru gosāīṃ sāhiba siya rāmu। lāgata mohi nīka parināmu॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I searched my heart in every direction and found no way out. In only one sense is my good truly good: Guru Gosain and Lord Sita-Rama are my masters. Therefore the outcome seems good to me.
साधु सभाँ गुर प्रभु निकट कहउँ सुथल सतिभाउ। प्रेम प्रपंचु कि झूठ फुर जानहिं मुनि रघुराउ॥ २६१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sādhu sabhāṃ guru prabhu nikaṭa kahauṃ suthala satibhāu। prema prapaṃcu ki jhūṭha fura jānahiṃ muni raghurāu॥ 261 ॥
Meaning:
In the assembly of saints, near the guru and the Lord, in this sacred place I speak with sincere feeling. Is this love, or is it deception? Is it false or true? The omniscient sage Vasistha and Lord Raghunath know.
भूपति मरन पेम पनु राखी। जननी कुमति जगतु सबु साखी॥ देखि न जाहिं बिकल महतारीं। जरहिं दुसह जर पुर नर नारीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhūpati marana pema panu rākhī। jananī kumati jagatu sabu sākhī॥ dekhi na jāhiṃ bikala mahatārīṃ। jarahiṃ dusaha jara pura nara nārīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The death of the king while keeping his vow of love, and the evil counsel of the mother—both are witnessed by the whole world. The mothers are distraught and cannot be borne to look upon. The men and women of Ayodhya are burning in unbearable grief.
महीं सकल अनरथ कर मूला। सो सुनि समुझि सहिउँ सब सूला॥ सुनि बन गवनु कीन्ह रघुनाथा। करि मुनि बेष लखन सिय साथा॥ बिनु पानहिन्ह पयादेहि पाएँ। संकरु साखि रहेउँ एहि घाएँ॥ बहुरि निहारि निषाद सनेहू। कुलिस कठिन उर भयउ न बेहू॥ २-३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mahīṃ sakala anaratha kara mūlā। so suni samujhi sahiuṃ saba sūlā॥ suni bana gavanu kīnha raghunāthā। kari muni beṣa lakhana siya sāthā॥ binu pānahinha payādehi pāeṃ। saṃkaru sākhi raheuṃ ehi ghāeṃ॥ bahuri nihāri niṣāda sanehū। kulisa kaṭhina ura bhayau na behū॥ 2-3 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing and understanding that I myself am the root of all these calamities, I have endured every pain. Lord Raghunath, together with Lakshman and Sita, went to the forest dressed like ascetics and barefoot; hearing that, Shiva is my witness, I still survived this wound (my life did not leave me then). Then, even after seeing the affection of the Nishad king, my heart, though harder than thunderbolt, did not break.
अब सबु आँखिन्ह देखेउँ आई। जिअत जीव जड़ सबइ सहाई॥ जिन्हहि निरखि मग साँपिनि बीछी। तजहिं बिषम बिषु तामस तीछी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba sabu āṅkhinha dekheuṃ āī। jiat jīva jaḍa sabai sahāī॥ jinhahi nirakhi maga sāṃpini bīchī। tajahiṃ biṣama biṣu tāmasa tīchī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Now I have seen it all with my own eyes. Even a living being, though dull and inert, helps everyone. Seeing such a one, even the snakes and scorpions on the path abandon their dreadful poison and fierce malice.
तेइ रघुनंदनु लखनु सिय अनहित लागे जाहि। तासु तनय तजि दुसह दुख दैउ सहावइ काहि॥ २६२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tei raghunandanu lakhanu siya anahita lāge jāhi। tāsu tanaya taji dusaha dukha daiu sahāvai kāhi॥ 262 ॥
Meaning:
To whoever Rama, Lakshman, and Sita seem hostile, if even such a one is left aside, then whom else would fate make endure unbearable sorrow?
सुनि अति बिकल भरत बर बानी। आरति प्रीति बिनय नय सानी॥ सोक मगन सब सभाँ खभारू। मनहुँ कमल बन परेउ तुसारू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni ati bikala bharata bara bānī। ārati prīti binaya naya sānī॥ soka magana saba sabhāṃ khabhārū। manahuṃ kamala bana pareu tusārū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Bharata's noble words, full of distress, love, humility, and righteous conduct, everyone sank into grief, and sorrow spread through the whole assembly. It was as though frost had fallen upon a grove of lotuses.
कहि अनेक बिधि कथा पुरानी। भरत प्रबोधु कीन्ह मुनि ग्यानी॥ बोले उचित बचन रघुनंदू। दिनकर कुल कैरव बन चंदू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahi aneka bidhi kathā purānī। bharata prabodhu kīnha muni gyānī॥ bole ucita bacana raghunandū। dinakara kula kairava bana candū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then the wise sage comforted Bharata by recounting many ancient stories in various ways. After that, Sri Raghunandana, the moon that causes the lotus-cluster of the सूर्यवंश to bloom, spoke fitting words.
तात जायँ जियँ करहु गलानी। ईस अधीन जीव गति जानी॥ तीनि काल तिभुअन मत मोरें। पुन्यसिलोक तात तर तोरें॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāta jāyaṃ jiyaṃ karahu galānī। īsa adhīna jīva gati jānī॥ tīni kāla tibhuana mata moreṃ। punyasiloka tāta tara toreṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O father, do not grieve needlessly in your heart. Know that the fate of all beings is under God's control. In my view, in all three times and all three worlds, all the virtuous people, father, are beneath you.
उर आनत तुम्ह पर कुटिलाई। जाइ लोकु परलोकु नसाई॥ दोसु देहिं जननिहि जड़ तेई। जिन्ह गुर साधु सभा नहिं सेई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ura ānata tumha para kuṭilāī। jāi loku paraloku nasāī॥ dosu dehiṃ jananihi jaḍa teī। jinha gura sādhu sabhā nahiṃ seī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Even harboring a crooked thought against you destroys both this world and the next. Those fools blame mother Kaikeyi only because they have not attended the company of saints and preceptors.
मिटिहहिं पाप प्रपंच सब अखिल अमंगल भार। लोक सुजसु परलोक सुखु सुमिरत नामु तुम्हार॥ २६३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
miṭihahiṃ pāpa prapaṃca saba akhila amaṃgala bhāra। loka sujasu paraloka sukhu sumirata nāmu tumhāra॥ 263 ॥
Meaning:
O Bharata, by remembering your name, all sins, delusion, and the entire burden of inauspiciousness will be removed, and one will gain good fame in this world and happiness in the next.
कहउँ सुभाउ सत्य सिव साखी। भरत भूमि रह राउरि राखी॥ तात कुतरक करहु जनि जाएँ। बैर पेम नहिं दुरइ दुराएँ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahauṃ subhāu satya siva sākhī। bharata bhūmi raha rāuri rākhī॥ tāta kutaraka karahu jani jāeṃ। baira pema nahiṃ durai durāeṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O Bharata, by my nature I speak the truth; Shiva is my witness. The land of Bharata has remained yours alone. O dear one, do not argue in vain. Enmity and love cannot be hidden.
मुनिगन निकट बिहग मृग जाहीं। बाधक बधिक बिलोकि पराहीं॥ हित अनहित पसु पच्छिउ जाना। मानुष तनु गुन ग्यान निधाना॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
munigana nikaṭa bihaga mṛga jāhīṃ। bādhaka badhika biloki parāhīṃ॥ hita anahita pasu pacchiu jānā। mānuṣa tanu guna gyāna nidhānā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Birds and deer go near the sages, but seeing hunters and slaughterers, they flee. Even animals and birds can distinguish friend from foe. Then the human body is surely a treasury of virtue and knowledge.
तात तुम्हहि मैं जानउँ नीकें। करौं काह असमंजस जीकें॥ राखेउ रायँ सत्य मोहि त्यागी। तनु परिहरेउ पेम पन लागी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāta tumhahiṃ maiṃ jānaūṃ nīkeṃ। karauṃ kāha asamaṃjasa jīkeṃ॥ rākheu rāyaṃ satya mohi tyāgī। tanu parihareu pema pana lāgī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O father, I know you well. What am I to do? There is great confusion in my mind. The king abandoned me and upheld truth, and for the sake of his vow of love, he gave up his body.
तासु बचन मेटत मन सोचू। तेहि तें अधिक तुम्हार सँकोचू॥ ता पर गुर मोहि आयसु दीन्हा। अवसि जो कहहु चहउँ सोइ कीन्हा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāsu bacana meṭata mana socū। tehi teṃ adhika tumhāra saṃkochū॥ tā para gura mohi āyasu dīnhā। avasi jo kahahu cahauṃ soi kīnhā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
To set aside his words causes anxiety in my heart. Even greater than that is your hesitation. Moreover, the Guru has given me command. Therefore, whatever you now say, I certainly wish to do that alone.
मनु प्रसन्न करि सकुच तजि कहहु करौं सोइ आजु। सत्यसंध रघुबर बचन सुनि भा सुखी समाजु॥ २६४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
manu prasanna kari sakuca taji kahahu karauṃ soi āju। satyasaṃdha raghubara bacana suni bhā sukhī samāju॥ 264 ॥
Meaning:
Make your mind cheerful and cast aside hesitation; whatever you say, I shall do that very day. Hearing this vow of truth from Raghubar, the entire assembly became joyful.
सुर गन सहित सभय सुरराजू। सोचहिं चाहत होन अकाजू॥ बनत उपाउ करत कछु नाहीं। राम सरन सब गे मन माहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sura gana sahita sabhaya surarājū। socahiṃ cāhata hona akājū॥ banata upāu karata kachu nāhīṃ। rāma sarana saba ge mana māhīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Indra, lord of the gods, together with the host of gods, became fearful and thought that the matter, already nearly settled, was about to fail. No remedy seemed possible. Then they all took refuge in Sri Rama in their hearts.
बहुरि बिचारि परस्पर कहहीं। रघुपति भगत भगति बस अहहीं॥ सुधि करि अंबरीष दुरबासा। भे सुर सुरपति निपट निरासा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bahuri bicāri paraspara kahahīṃ। raghupati bhagata bhagati basa ahahīṃ॥ sudhi kari aṃbarīṣa durabāsā। bhe sura surapati nipaṭa nirāsā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Thinking further, they said among themselves that Lord Raghupati is under the power of a devotee's devotion. Remembering the story of Ambarisha and Durvasa, the gods and Indra became utterly despondent.
सहे सुरन्ह बहु काल बिषादा। नरहरि किए प्रगट प्रहलादा॥ लगि लगि कान कहहिं धुनि माथा। अब सुर काज भरत के हाथा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sahe suranha bahu kāla biṣādā। narahari kie pragaṭa prahlādā॥ lagi lagi kāna kahahiṃ dhuni māthā। aba sura kāja bharata ke hāthā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The gods had long borne sorrow. It was the devotee Prahlad who caused Lord Narhari to manifest. The gods, whispering one to another and shaking their heads, say that now the gods' cause lies in Bharata's hands.
आन उपाउ न देखिअ देवा। मानत रामु सुसेवक सेवा॥ हियँ सपेम सुमिरहु सब भरतहि। निज गुन सील राम बस करतहि॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āna upāu na dekhi'a devā। mānata rāmu susevaka sevā॥ hiyaṃ sapema sumirahu saba bharatahi। nija guna sīla rāma basa karatahi॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O gods, no other remedy appears. Sri Rama values the service rendered to His devoted servants. Therefore, remember Bharata in your hearts with love, for by his virtues and noble conduct he wins Rama’s grace.
सुनि सुरमत सुरगुर कहेउ भल तुम्हार बड़ भागु। सकल सुमंगल मूल जग भरत चरन अनुरागु॥ २६५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni suramata suragura kaheu bhala tumhāra baḍa bhāgu। sakala sumaṃgala mūla jaga bharata carana anurāgu॥ 265 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the gods' counsel, the divine preceptor said, 'Well spoken; your thought is greatly blessed. In this world, devotion to Bharata's feet is the root of all auspiciousness.'
सीतापति सेवक सेवकाई। कामधेनु सय सरिस सुहाई॥ भरत भगति तुम्हरें मन आई। तजहु सोचु बिधि बात बनाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sītāpati sevaka sevakāī। kāmadheṇu saya sarisa suhāī॥ bharata bhagati tumhareṃ mana āī। tajahu socu bidhi bāta banāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Service to the servant of Sita’s Lord, Sri Rama, is as delightful as hundreds of wish-fulfilling cows. Since devotion to Bharata has arisen in your heart, cast aside your worries. Providence has arranged everything.
देखु देवपति भरत प्रभाऊ। सहज सुभायँ बिबस रघुराऊ॥ मन थिर करहु देव डरु नाहीं। भरतहि जानि राम परिछाहीं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dekhu devapati bharata prabhāū। sahaja subhāyaṃ bibasa raghurāū॥ mana thira karahu deva ḍaru nāhīṃ। bharatahi jāni rāma parichāhīṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
O lord of the gods, see Bharata's influence. By His very nature, Sri Raghunath is completely under his sway. O gods, regard Bharata as Rama's shadow and steady your minds; there is nothing to fear.
सुनि सुरगुर सुर संमत सोचू। अंतरजामी प्रभुहि सकोचू॥ निज सिर भारु भरत जियँ जाना। करत कोटि बिधि उर अनुमाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni suragura sura samata socū। aṃtarajāmī prabhuhi sakochū॥ nija sira bhāru bharata jiyaṃ jānā। karata koṭi bidhi ura anumānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the counsel of Brihaspati and the gods, the all-knowing Lord felt a sense of hesitation. Bharata took the entire burden upon his own head in his heart and began making countless calculations and reflections.
करि बिचारु मन दीन्ही ठीका। राम रजायस आपन नीका॥ निज पन तजि राखेउ पनु मोरा। छोहु सनेहु कीन्ह नहिं थोरा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kari bicāru mana dīnhī ṭhīkā। rāma rajāyasa āpana nīkā॥ nija pana taji rākheu panu morā। chohu sanehu kīnha nahiṃ thorā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
After considering everything, he finally resolved in his mind that Rama’s command alone is his own welfare. He gave up his own vow and upheld mine. He showed no little grace and affection; rather, he showed immense kindness and love.
कीन्ह अनुग्रह अमित अति सब बिधि सीतानाथ। करि प्रनामु बोले भरतु जोरि जलज जुग हाथ॥ २६६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kīnha anugraha amita ati saba bidhi sītānātha। kari pranāmu bole bharatu jori jalaja juga hātha॥ 266 ॥
Meaning:
Lord Janakinath has bestowed upon me boundless grace in every way. Then Bharata joined his lotus-hands in reverence and spoke.
कहौं कहावौं का अब स्वामी। कृपा अंबुनिधि अंतरजामी॥ गुर प्रसन्न साहिब अनुकूला। मिटी मलिन मन कलपित सूला॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahauṃ kahāvauṃ kā aba svāmī। kṛpā aṃbunidhi aṃtarjāmī॥ gura prasanna sāhiba anukūlā। miṭī malina mana kalpita sūlā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord! O ocean of mercy! O indwelling knower of all! What more can I say now? Knowing my Guru to be pleased and my Lord to be favorable, the imagined sorrow of my impure mind has been removed.
अपडर डरेउँ न सोच समूलें। रबिहि न दोसु देव दिसि भूलें॥ मोर अभागु मातु कुटिलाई। बिधि गति बिषम काल कठिनाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
apaḍara ḍareuṃ na soca samūleṃ। rabihi na dosu deva disi bhūleṃ॥ mora abhāgu mātu kuṭilāī। bidhi gati biṣama kāla kaṭhināī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
I had been frightened only by a false fear; there was no real cause for my anxiety. If one loses the direction, O Lord, the sun is not at fault. It is my ill fortune, my mother’s crookedness, the uneven course of fate, and the harshness of time.
पाउ रोपि सब मिलि मोहि घाला। प्रनतपाल पन आपन पाला॥ यह नइ रीति न राउरि होई। लोकहुँ बेद बिदित नहिं गोई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pāu ropi saba mili mohi gholā। pranatapāla pana āpana pālā॥ yaha nai rīti na rāuri hoī। lokahuṃ beda bidita nahiṃ goī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
All of them together had surrounded me, as if planting their feet firmly against me. But You, the protector of the surrendered, kept Your own pledge. This is not any new way of Yours; it is known in the world and in the Veda.
जगु अनभल भल एकु गोसाईं। कहिअ होइ भल कासु भलाईं॥ देउ देवतरु सरिस सुभाऊ। सनमुख बिमुख न काहुहि काऊ॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jagu anabhaḷa bhala eku gosāīṃ। kahia hoi bhala kāsu bhalāīṃ॥ deu devataru sarisa subhāū। sanamukha bimukha na kāhuhi kāū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Let the whole world be hostile; but if You alone, O Lord, are gracious, then tell me—by whose goodness can goodness come? O God, Your nature is like the wish-fulfilling tree: it is neither inclined toward anyone nor hostile to anyone.
जाइ निकट पहिचानि तरु छाहँ समनि सब सोच। मागत अभिमत पाव जग राउ रंकु भल पोच॥ २६७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jāi nikaṭa pahicāni taru chāhaṃ samani saba soca। māgata abhimata pāva jaga rāu raṃku bhala poca॥ 267 ॥
Meaning:
Whoever goes near and recognizes that tree (the wish-fulfilling tree), its shade alone removes all worries. In this world, kings and paupers alike, good and bad, all obtain whatever they desire by asking it.
लखि सब बिधि गुर स्वामि सनेहू। मिटेउ छोभु नहिं मन संदेहू॥ अब करुनाकर कीजिअ सोई। जन हित प्रभु चित छोभु न होई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
lakhi saba bidhi gura svāmi sanehū। miṭeu chobhu nahiṃ mana saṃdehū॥ aba karunākara kījia soī। jana hita prabhu cita chobhu na hoī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Seeing the affection of both Guru and Lord in every way, my agitation has vanished and there is no doubt left in my mind. O ocean of compassion, now do that by which no disturbance arises in the Lord’s heart for the good of His people.
जो सेवकु साहिबहि सँकोची। निज हित चहइ तासु मति पोची॥ सेवक हित साहिब सेवकाई। करै सकल सुख लोभ बिहाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jo sevaku sāhibahi saṃkocī। nija hita cahai tāsu mati pocī॥ sevaka hita sāhiba sevakāī। karai sakala sukha lobha bihāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The servant who puts his Lord to inconvenience and seeks only his own welfare has a base mind. The servant’s true good lies in serving the Lord alone, abandoning all pleasures and all greed.
स्वारथु नाथ फिरें सबही का। किएँ रजाइ कोटि बिधि नीका॥ यह स्वारथ परमारथ सारू। सकल सुकृत फल सुगति सिंगारू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
svārathu nātha phireṃ sabahī kā। kieṃ rajāi koṭi bidhi nīkā॥ yaha svāratha paramāratha sārū। sakala sukṛta phala sugati siṅgārū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, everyone’s self-interest lies in Your return, and obeying Your command is beneficial in countless ways. This is the essence of both worldly good and spiritual good—the fruit of all merit and the ornament of all blessed destinies.
देव एक बिनती सुनि मोरी। उचित होइ तस करब बहोरी॥ तिलक समाजु साजि सबु आना। करिअ सुफल प्रभु जौं मनु माना॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
deva eka binatī suni morī। ucita hoi tasa karaba bahorī॥ tilaka samāju sāji sabu ānā। kariā suphala prabhu jauṃ manu mānā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, hear this one request of mine and then do whatever is fitting. All the arrangements for the tilak have been made; if it pleases the Lord, let it be made fruitful.
सानुज पठइअ मोहि बन कीजिअ सबहि सनाथ। नतरु फेरिअहिं बंधु दोउ नाथ चलौं मैं साथ॥ २६८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sānuj paṭhaia mohi bana kījia sabahi sanātha। nataru pheriahiṃ bandhu dou nātha calauṃ maiṃ sātha॥ 268 ॥
Meaning:
Send me to the forest with my younger brother and make everyone in Ayodhya sheltered and secure. Otherwise, if You are not ready to go to Ayodhya, O Lord, then send both brothers back, and I shall go with You.
नतरु जाहिं बन तीनिउ भाई। बहुरिअ सीय सहित रघुराई॥ जेहि बिधि प्रभु प्रसन्न मन होई। करुना सागर कीजिअ सोई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nataru jāhiṃ bana tīniu bhāī। bahuria sīya sahita raghurāī॥ jehi bidhi prabhu prasanna mana hoī। karuṇā sāgara kījia soī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Or let the three of us brothers go to the forest, and You, O Raghunatha, return with Sita. O ocean of mercy, do whatever will please the Lord’s heart.
देवँ दीन्ह सबु मोहि अभारू। मोरें नीति न धरम बिचारू॥ कहउँ बचन सब स्वारथ हेतू। रहत न आरत कें चित चेतू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
devaṃ dīhna sabu mohi abhārū। moreṃ nīti na dharama bicārū॥ kahauṃ bacana saba svāratha hetū। rahata na ārata keṃ cita cetū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, You have placed the entire burden on me. Yet I have neither regard for policy nor for dharma. I speak only for my own interest. In the heart of a suffering person, awareness does not remain.
उतरु देइ सुनि स्वामि रजाई। सो सेवकु लखि लाज लजाई॥ अस मैं अवगुन उदधि अगाधू। स्वामि सनेहँ सराहत साधू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
utaru dei suni svāmi rajāī। so sevaku lakhi lāja lajāī॥ asa maiṃ avaguna udadhi agādhū। svāmi sanehaṃ sarāhata sādhū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
When a servant gives an answer after hearing the Lord’s command, even shame feels ashamed before such a servant. I am such an unfathomable ocean of faults that I dare answer the Lord—yet You, O Lord, praise me as a saint out of affection!
अब कृपाल मोहि सो मत भावा। सकुच स्वामि मन जाइँ न पावा॥ प्रभु पद सपथ कहउँ सति भाऊ। जग मंगल हित एक उपाऊ॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba kṛpāla mohi so mata bhāvā। sakuca svāmi mana jāiṃ na pāvā॥ prabhu pada sapatha kahauṃ sati bhāū। jaga maṃgala hita eka upāū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
O merciful Lord, now I favor only that opinion by which the Lord’s mind may not feel any hesitation. By the Lord’s feet I swear, I speak truthfully: for the welfare of the world, this is the only remedy.
प्रभु प्रसन्न मन सकुच तजि जो जेहि आयसु देब। सो सिर धरि धरि करिहि सबु मिटिहि अनट अवरेब॥ २६९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prabhu prasanna mana sakuca taji jo jehi āyasu deba। so sira dhari dhari karihi sabu miṭihi anaṭa avareba॥ 269 ॥
Meaning:
If the Lord, with a pleased heart and abandoning hesitation, gives anyone any command, everyone will receive it with reverence and obey it, and all troubles and obstacles will disappear.
भरत बचन सुचि सुनि सुर हरषे। साधु सराहि सुमन सुर बरषे॥ असमंजस बस अवध नेवासी। प्रमुदित मन तापस बनबासी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata bacana suci suni sura haraṣe। sādhū sarāhi sumana sura baraṣe॥ asamaṃjasa basa avadha nevāsī। pramudita mana tāpasa banabāsī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Bharata’s pure words, the gods were delighted. Praising him with cries of ‘Excellent! Excellent!’ they showered flowers. The residents of Ayodhya fell into uncertainty, while the ascetics and forest dwellers were filled with joy.
चुपहिं रहे रघुनाथ सँकोची। प्रभु गति देखि सभा सब सोची॥ जनक दूत तेहि अवसर आए। मुनि बसिष्ठँ सुनि बेगि बोलाए॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
cupahiṃ rahe raghunātha saṃkocī। prabhu gati dekhi sabhā saba socī॥ janaka dūta tehi avasara āe। muni basiṣṭhaṃ suni begi bolāe॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
But the reserved Lord Raghunatha remained silent. Seeing the Lord’s condition, the whole assembly became thoughtful. At that very moment the messengers of King Janaka arrived, and hearing this, Sage Vasistha immediately had them called in.
करि प्रनाम तिन्ह रामु निहारे। बेषु देखि भए निपट दुखारे॥ दूतन्ह मुनिबर बूझी बाता। कहहु बिदेह भूप कुसलाता॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kari pranāma tinha rāmu nihāre। bēṣu dekhi bhae nipaṭa dukhāre॥ dūtanha munibara būjhī bātā। kahahu bideha bhūpa kusalātā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
After bowing, they looked upon Shri Ramachandra. Seeing His appearance, they were deeply saddened. Sage Vasistha then asked the messengers about King Janaka’s welfare.
सुनि सकुचाइ नाइ महि माथा। बोले चरबर जोरें हाथा॥ बूझब राउर सादर साईं। कुसल हेतु सो भयउ गोसाईं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni sakucāi nāi mahi māthā। bole carabara joreṃ hāthā॥ būjhaba rāura sādara sāīṃ। kusala hetu so bhayau gosāīṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing this, the noble messengers grew bashful, bowed their heads to the earth, and with folded hands said: O Lord, your gracious inquiry itself has become the cause of our welfare, O Gosain!
नाहिं त कोसलनाथ कें साथ कुसल गइ नाथ। मिथिला अवध बिसेष तें जगु सब भयउ अनाथ॥ २७० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nāhiṃ ta kosalanātha keṃ sātha kusala gai nātha। mithilā avadha biśeṣa teṃ jagu saba bhayau anātha॥ 270 ॥
Meaning:
Otherwise, O Lord, well-being itself went away with the Lord of Kosala. With His departure, the whole world became orphaned, but Mithila and Ayodhya became especially bereft.
कोसलपति गति सुनि जनकौरा। भे सब लोक सोकबस बौरा॥ जेहिं देखे तेहि समय बिदेहू। नामु सत्य अस लाग न केहू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kosalapati gati suni janakaurā। bhe saba loka sokabasa baurā॥ jehiṃ dekhe tehi samaya videhū। nāmu satya asa lāga na kehū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing of the fate of the Lord of Kosala, all the people of Janakpur became crazed with grief, losing their senses. At that time, whoever saw Janaka—even though called Videha, the bodily-detached one—could not feel that his name was truly fulfilled, for how can one who is free from bodily identification grieve?
रानि कुचालि सुनत नरपालहि। सूझ न कछु जस मनि बिनु ब्यालहि॥ भरत राज रघुबर बनबासू। भा मिथिलेसहि हृदयँ हराँसू॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāni kucāli sunata narapālahi। sūjha na kacha jasu mani binu byālihi॥ bharata rāja raghubara banabāsū। bhā mithilesahi hṛdayaṃ harāṃsū॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the queen’s bad counsel, King Janaka could make out nothing, as a serpent cannot see without its jewel. Then, hearing of Bharata’s rule and Rama’s exile, great sorrow arose in the heart of the Lord of Mithila.
नृप बूझे बुध सचिव समाजू। कहहु बिचारि उचित का आजू॥ समुझि अवध असमंजस दोऊ। चलिअ कि रहिअ न कह कछु कोऊ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nṛpa būjhe budha saciva samājū। kahahu bicāri ucita kā ājū॥ samujhi avadha asamaṃjasa doū। calia ki rahia na kaha kacha koū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The king asked the assembly of scholars and ministers, saying: Think carefully and tell me—what is proper to do now? Understanding the situation in Ayodhya and seeing the matter as doubly uncertain—should one go or stay?—no one said anything.
नृपहिं धीर धरि हृदयँ बिचारी। पठए अवध चतुर चर चारी॥ बूझि भरत सति भाउ कुभाऊ। आएहु बेगि न होइ लखाऊ॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nṛpahiṃ dhīra dhari hṛdayaṃ bicārī। paṭhae avadha catura cara cārī॥ būjhi bharata sati bhāu kubhāū। āehu begi na hoi lakhāū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
When no one offered advice, the king gathered his courage, reflected in his heart, and sent four clever spies to Ayodhya, telling them: find out Bharata’s true feelings—whether goodwill or ill will—toward Shri Ram, and return quickly without letting anyone discover you.
गए अवध चर भरत गति बूझि देखि करतूति। चले चित्रकूटहि भरतु चार चले तेरहूति॥ २७१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gae avadha cara bharata gati būjhi dekhi kartūti। cale citrakūṭahi bharatu cāra cale terahūti॥ 271 ॥
Meaning:
The spies went to Ayodhya, understood Bharata’s conduct, and saw his actions. Then they went toward Chitrakoot. The four went off toward Tirhut along with Bharata.