Prakarana 28

Verse 551 (चौपाई)

भरत बचन सुचि सुनि सुर हरषे। साधु सराहि सुमन सुर बरषे।। असमंजस बस अवध नेवासी। प्रमुदित मन तापस बनबासी।। चुपहिं रहे रघुनाथ सँकोची। प्रभु गति देखि सभा सब सोची।। जनक दूत तेहि अवसर आए। मुनि बसिष्ठँ सुनि बेगि बोलाए।। करि प्रनाम तिन्ह रामु निहारे। बेषु देखि भए निपट दुखारे।। दूतन्ह मुनिबर बूझी बाता। कहहु बिदेह भूप कुसलाता।। सुनि सकुचाइ नाइ महि माथा। बोले चर बर जोरें हाथा।। बूझब राउर सादर साईं। कुसल हेतु सो भयउ गोसाईं।।

Hearing Bharata’s pure words, the gods rejoiced; the saints praised him, and the gods rained down flowers. Overcome by perplexity, the dwellers of Ayodhya were glad at heart, and the ascetics dwelling in the forest were filled with joy. The Lords of the Raghus, being modest, remained silent; seeing the Lord’s condition, the whole assembly was filled with anxiety. At that very moment, Janaka’s messengers arrived; the sage Vashishtha, hearing of it, quickly summoned them. They made obeisance and gazed upon Rama; seeing his attire, they were utterly distressed. The messengers asked the great sage the news; he said, “Tell me the welfare of the king of Videha.” Hearing this, they bowed their heads to the ground in shame, and spoke, joining their hands in supplication. “Your servant will inquire with all reverence; for the sake of welfare, the Lord has sent us.”

Verse 552 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नाहि त कोसल नाथ कें साथ कुसल गइ नाथ। मिथिला अवध बिसेष तें जगु सब भयउ अनाथ।।270।।

If there is no welfare with the Lord of Kosala, then, O Lord, welfare has departed with the Lord. Because of the special bond between Mithila and Ayodhya, the whole world has become orphaned.

Verse 553 (चौपाई)

कोसलपति गति सुनि जनकौरा। भे सब लोक सोक बस बौरा।। जेहिं देखे तेहि समय बिदेहू। नामु सत्य अस लाग न केहू।। रानि कुचालि सुनत नरपालहि। सूझ न कछु जस मनि बिनु ब्यालहि।। भरत राज रघुबर बनबासू। भा मिथिलेसहि हृदयँ हराँसू।। नृप बूझे बुध सचिव समाजू। कहहु बिचारि उचित का आजू।। समुझि अवध असमंजस दोऊ। चलिअ कि रहिअ न कह कछु कोऊ।। नृपहि धीर धरि हृदयँ बिचारी। पठए अवध चतुर चर चारी।। बूझि भरत सति भाउ कुभाऊ। आएहु बेगि न होइ लखाऊ।।

Hearing of the fate of the Lord of Kosala, the daughter of Janaka and all the people were maddened with grief. Whoever saw Videha at that time, to him the name “Videha” seemed a mockery, for he was truly without a body. When the queens heard the news of the king, they lost all sense, like a snake without its gem. Bharata became king, and the Best of the Raghus went into exile; this caused despair to enter the heart of the Lord of Mithila. The king consulted the wise men and his counselors, saying, “Consider and tell me what is right to do now.” Understanding that both Ayodhya and Mithila were in turmoil, they said, “Should we go or stay?” But no one gave a clear answer. The king, composing himself and reflecting in his heart, sent a clever messenger to Ayodhya. “Having learned of Bharata’s conduct, whether good or ill, come quickly; do not delay.”

Verse 554 (दोहा/सोरठा)

गए अवध चर भरत गति बूझि देखि करतूति। चले चित्रकूटहि भरतु चार चले तेरहूति।।271।।

The messengers went to Ayodhya, learned of Bharata’s conduct, and seeing his actions, returned. Bharata set out for Chitrakoot, and the messengers returned to Mithila.

Verse 555 (चौपाई)

दूतन्ह आइ भरत कइ करनी। जनक समाज जथामति बरनी।। सुनि गुर परिजन सचिव महीपति। भे सब सोच सनेहँ बिकल अति।। धरि धीरजु करि भरत बड़ाई। लिए सुभट साहनी बोलाई।। घर पुर देस राखि रखवारे। हय गय रथ बहु जान सँवारे।। दुघरी साधि चले ततकाला। किए बिश्रामु न मग महीपाला।। भोरहिं आजु नहाइ प्रयागा। चले जमुन उतरन सबु लागा।। खबरि लेन हम पठए नाथा। तिन्ह कहि अस महि नायउ माथा।। साथ किरात छ सातक दीन्हे। मुनिबर तुरत बिदा चर कीन्हे।।

The messengers came and did as Bharata bade them; they related the matter to the assembly of Janaka according to their understanding. Hearing it, the guru, kinsmen, counselors and the king were all filled with anxious thought and overwhelmed with love. Bharata, composing himself and showing his greatness, took valiant warriors and called for the charioteer. He set guards over houses, city and realm; horses, cattle, chariots and many conveyances he made ready. Having made all arrangements, they set forth at once; the king did not rest even a moment on the way. This morning they bathed at Prayaga; they all set out to cross the Yamuna. "We have sent word to our lord," they said; thus they spoke, bowing their heads to the ground. They gave six thousand Kiratas as escort; the sage immediately took leave and departed.

Verse 556 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनत जनक आगवनु सबु हरषेउ अवध समाजु। रघुनंदनहि सकोचु बड़ सोच बिबस सुरराजु।।272।।

When Janaka heard of the approach, the whole assembly of Ayodhya rejoiced; but the son of the Raghus felt great unease, and the king of the gods was overcome with anxious thought.

Verse 557 (चौपाई)

गरइ गलानि कुटिल कैकेई। काहि कहै केहि दूषनु देई।। अस मन आनि मुदित नर नारी। भयउ बहोरि रहब दिन चारी।। एहि प्रकार गत बासर सोऊ। प्रात नहान लाग सबु कोऊ।। करि मज्जनु पूजहिं नर नारी। गनप गौरि तिपुरारि तमारी।। रमा रमन पद बंदि बहोरी। बिनवहिं अंजुलि अंचल जोरी।। राजा रामु जानकी रानी। आनँद अवधि अवध रजधानी।। सुबस बसउ फिरि सहित समाजा। भरतहि रामु करहुँ जुबराजा।। एहि सुख सुधाँ सींची सब काहू। देव देहु जग जीवन लाहू।।

The deceitful Kaikeyi suffered disgrace; whom could she blame, to whom could she impute fault? With such thoughts in mind, the men and women were joyful again, and the days passed. In this manner that day went by; at dawn everyone began to bathe. Having bathed, men and women worshipped Ganesha, Gauri, the enemy of Tripura, and the Sun. They bowed at the feet of Lakshmi and Vishnu, and with folded hands and joined palms they prayed. "May King Rama and Queen Janaki bring boundless joy to the city of Ayodhya." The whole assembly turned again in gladness; "May Rama make Bharata the crown prince." With this nectar of happiness they nourished everyone; the gods gave the world the wealth of life.

Verse 558 (दोहा/सोरठा)

गुर समाज भाइन्ह सहित राम राजु पुर होउ। अछत राम राजा अवध मरिअ माग सबु कोउ।।273।।

With the guru, the assembly and his brothers, let Rama be king in the city; while Rama reigns in Ayodhya, let all our desires be fulfilled.

Verse 559 (चौपाई)

सुनि सनेहमय पुरजन बानी। निंदहिं जोग बिरति मुनि ग्यानी।। एहि बिधि नित्यकरम करि पुरजन। रामहि करहिं प्रनाम पुलकि तन।। ऊँच नीच मध्यम नर नारी। लहहिं दरसु निज निज अनुहारी।। सावधान सबही सनमानहिं। सकल सराहत कृपानिधानहिं।। लरिकाइहि ते रघुबर बानी। पालत नीति प्रीति पहिचानी।। सील सकोच सिंधु रघुराऊ। सुमुख सुलोचन सरल सुभाऊ।। कहत राम गुन गन अनुरागे। सब निज भाग सराहन लागे।। हम सम पुन्य पुंज जग थोरे। जिन्हहि रामु जानत करि मोरे।।

Hearing the loving words of the citizens, the yogis, the dispassionate munis and the wise censured them. In this way the citizens performed their daily rites and made obeisance to Rama, their bodies thrilling with devotion. High and low, middling and great, men and women, each obtained a sight of him according to his own merit. All paid him honor attentively; everyone praised the treasure-house of mercy. Though he spoke to them like a child, the best of the Raghus observed the rules of conduct and recognized their love. The Lord of the Raghus, an ocean of modesty and virtue, was fair-faced, lotus-eyed, simple and gracious in nature. All spoke of Rama's virtues with deep affection; each began to praise his own good fortune. "Few in this world have such a heap of merit as we, who know Rama as our own."

Verse 560 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्रेम मगन तेहि समय सब सुनि आवत मिथिलेसु। सहित सभा संभ्रम उठेउ रबिकुल कमल दिनेसु।।274।।

Hearing all this, the Lord of Mithila came, filled with love; and the Sun of the Solar race, the Sun of the world, rose with all his assembly in wonder.

Verse 561 (चौपाई)

भाइ सचिव गुर पुरजन साथा। आगें गवनु कीन्ह रघुनाथा।। गिरिबरु दीख जनकपति जबहीं। करि प्रनाम रथ त्यागेउ तबहीं।। राम दरस लालसा उछाहू। पथ श्रम लेसु कलेसु न काहू।। मन तहँ जहँ रघुबर बैदेही। बिनु मन तन दुख सुख सुधि केही।। आवत जनकु चले एहि भाँती। सहित समाज प्रेम मति माती।। आए निकट देखि अनुरागे। सादर मिलन परसपर लागे।। लगे जनक मुनिजन पद बंदन। रिषिन्ह प्रनामु कीन्ह रघुनंदन।। भाइन्ह सहित रामु मिलि राजहि। चले लवाइ समेत समाजहि।।

With his brothers, ministers, guru, and the citizens as his companions, the Lord of the Raghus set forth on his journey. When the mountain was seen by the Lord of Janaka, he offered obeisance and at once abandoned his chariot. Filled with eager longing for the sight of Rama, he felt no weariness or distress from the journey. His mind was there where Rama and the daughter of Videha were; without his mind, his body knew neither pain nor pleasure. Thus Janaka came, advancing with his entire company, his heart overcome with love. When they drew near and saw each other's affection, they met one another with reverence. Janaka began to bow at the feet of the sages, and the delight of the Raghus offered obeisance to the rishis. Rama, together with his brothers, met the king, and they set out, taking the entire assembly with them.

Verse 562 (दोहा/सोरठा)

आश्रम सागर सांत रस पूरन पावन पाथु। सेन मनहुँ करुना सरित लिएँ जाहिं रघुनाथु।।275।।

The hermitage was a sea, tranquil, filled with the nectar of peace, perfect and purifying; and the Lord of the Raghus went toward it as if borne by a river of compassion.

Verse 563 (चौपाई)

बोरति ग्यान बिराग करारे। बचन ससोक मिलत नद नारे।। सोच उसास समीर तंरगा। धीरज तट तरुबर कर भंगा।। बिषम बिषाद तोरावति धारा। भय भ्रम भवँर अबर्त अपारा।। केवट बुध बिद्या बड़ि नावा। सकहिं न खेइ ऐक नहिं आवा।। बनचर कोल किरात बिचारे। थके बिलोकि पथिक हियँ हारे।। आश्रम उदधि मिली जब जाई। मनहुँ उठेउ अंबुधि अकुलाई।। सोक बिकल दोउ राज समाजा। रहा न ग्यानु न धीरजु लाजा।। भूप रूप गुन सील सराही। रोवहिं सोक सिंधु अवगाही।।

They were crossing the stream of knowledge and detachment; their words, filled with sorrow, mingled like rivers and streams.

Verse 564 (छंद)

अवगाहि सोक समुद्र सोचहिं नारि नर ब्याकुल महा। दै दोष सकल सरोष बोलहिं बाम बिधि कीन्हो कहा।। सुर सिद्ध तापस जोगिजन मुनि देखि दसा बिदेह की। तुलसी न समरथु कोउ जो तरि सकै सरित सनेह की।।

Plunging into the sea of grief, the men and women thought in great distress; blaming all, they spoke in anger, saying, "What has the wicked Creator done?"

Verse 565 (दोहा/सोरठा)

किए अमित उपदेस जहँ तहँ लोगन्ह मुनिबरन्ह। धीरजु धरिअ नरेस कहेउ बसिष्ठ बिदेह सन।।276।।

He gave countless teachings here and there to the people and to the great sages. "Be patient," the king said, and Vashishtha spoke to Videha.

Verse 566 (चौपाई)

जासु ग्यानु रबि भव निसि नासा। बचन किरन मुनि कमल बिकासा।। तेहि कि मोह ममता निअराई। यह सिय राम सनेह बड़ाई।। बिषई साधक सिद्ध सयाने। त्रिबिध जीव जग बेद बखाने।। राम सनेह सरस मन जासू। साधु सभाँ बड़ आदर तासू।। सोह न राम पेम बिनु ग्यानू। करनधार बिनु जिमि जलजानू।। मुनि बहुबिधि बिदेहु समुझाए। रामघाट सब लोग नहाए।। सकल सोक संकुल नर नारी। सो बासरु बीतेउ बिनु बारी।। पसु खग मृगन्ह न कीन्ह अहारू। प्रिय परिजन कर कौन बिचारू।।

He whose knowledge is the sun that dispels the night of worldly existence, whose words are rays that cause the lotuses of the sages to bloom; to him, how could delusion and attachment draw near? This is the greatness of Sita and Rama's love. The wise know that the seeker, the perfected one, and the clever one are the three kinds of souls described in the Vedas. He whose heart is filled with the nectar of love for Rama is greatly honored in the assembly of the holy. Without love for Rama, knowledge does not shine, just as a water lily does not bloom without the sun. The sage Videha instructed them in many ways; all the people bathed at the Rama-ghat. All the men and women were filled with grief and sorrow; that day passed without any festive celebration. The beasts, birds, and deer took no food, nor did their dear ones give thought to any other matter.

Verse 567 (दोहा/सोरठा)

दोउ समाज निमिराजु रघुराजु नहाने प्रात। बैठे सब बट बिटप तर मन मलीन कृस गात।।277।।

Both hosts, King Nimi and the Lord of the Raghus, bathed in the morning. All sat beneath the banyan and other trees, their hearts dejected and their bodies grown thin.

Verse 568 (चौपाई)

जे महिसुर दसरथ पुर बासी। जे मिथिलापति नगर निवासी।। हंस बंस गुर जनक पुरोधा। जिन्ह जग मगु परमारथु सोधा।। लगे कहन उपदेस अनेका। सहित धरम नय बिरति बिबेका।। कौसिक कहि कहि कथा पुरानीं। समुझाई सब सभा सुबानीं।। तब रघुनाथ कोसिकहि कहेऊ। नाथ कालि जल बिनु सबु रहेऊ।। मुनि कह उचित कहत रघुराई। गयउ बीति दिन पहर अढ़ाई।। रिषि रुख लखि कह तेरहुतिराजू। इहाँ उचित नहिं असन अनाजू।। कहा भूप भल सबहि सोहाना। पाइ रजायसु चले नहाना।।

Those who were the great lords dwelling in Dasharatha's city, and those who were residents of the city of the Lord of Mithila; the family preceptor of the line of Janaka, who had inquired into the supreme goal of the world's path; they began to give many teachings, together with righteousness, policy, detachment, and discernment. Kushika told and retold ancient stories and instructed the whole assembly with good words. Then the Lord of the Raghus said to Kushika, "O Lord, without water all is parched." The sage said, "You speak fittingly," said the Lord of the Raghus. The day had passed, two and a half watches had gone by. Seeing the sage's distress, the King of Tirhut said, "Here it is not fitting to take food." "What can be done?" said the king. "All is well." Having obtained permission, they went to bathe.

Verse 569 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तेहि अवसर फल फूल दल मूल अनेक प्रकार। लइ आए बनचर बिपुल भरि भरि काँवरि भार।।278।।

At that time the forest dwellers brought fruits, flowers, leaves, and roots of many kinds, filling great baskets with abundant loads.

Verse 570 (चौपाई)

कामद मे गिरि राम प्रसादा। अवलोकत अपहरत बिषादा।। सर सरिता बन भूमि बिभागा। जनु उमगत आनँद अनुरागा।। बेलि बिटप सब सफल सफूला। बोलत खग मृग अलि अनुकूला।। तेहि अवसर बन अधिक उछाहू। त्रिबिध समीर सुखद सब काहू।। जाइ न बरनि मनोहरताई। जनु महि करति जनक पहुनाई।। तब सब लोग नहाइ नहाई। राम जनक मुनि आयसु पाई।। देखि देखि तरुबर अनुरागे। जहँ तहँ पुरजन उतरन लागे।। दल फल मूल कंद बिधि नाना। पावन सुंदर सुधा समाना।।

By Rama's grace, the mountain Chitrakuta became the fulfiller of desires, dispelling all sorrow at a glance. The lakes, rivers, forests, and regions of the earth seemed to overflow with joy and love. The creepers and trees were all laden with blossoms and fruits; the birds, deer, and bees spoke in sweet accord. At that time the forest was filled with heightened delight, and the breeze blew gently, bringing comfort to all. Its loveliness cannot be described; it was as if the earth were making herself a guest of Janaka. Then all the people bathed and bathed again; Rama, Janaka, and the sages received permission. Gazing with love at the trees, the citizens began to settle here and there. There were fruits, roots, and tubers of many kinds, pure, beautiful, and like nectar.

Verse 571 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सादर सब कहँ रामगुर पठए भरि भरि भार। पूजि पितर सुर अतिथि गुर लगे करन फरहार।।279।।

With reverence, Rama sent messengers everywhere, bearing loads upon loads. Having worshipped the ancestors, gods, guests, and teachers, they set about making merry.