Prakarana 27

Verse 531 (चौपाई)

सुनि मुनि बचन राम रुख पाई। गुरु साहिब अनुकूल अघाई।। लखि अपने सिर सबु छरु भारू। कहि न सकहिं कछु करहिं बिचारू।। पुलकि सरीर सभाँ भए ठाढें। नीरज नयन नेह जल बाढ़ें।। कहब मोर मुनिनाथ निबाहा। एहि तें अधिक कहौं मैं काहा। मैं जानउँ निज नाथ सुभाऊ। अपराधिहु पर कोह न काऊ।। मो पर कृपा सनेह बिसेषी। खेलत खुनिस न कबहूँ देखी।। सिसुपन तेम परिहरेउँ न संगू। कबहुँ न कीन्ह मोर मन भंगू।। मैं प्रभु कृपा रीति जियँ जोही। हारेहुँ खेल जितावहिं मोही।।

Hearing the sage's words, Rama's heart was filled with love; his lord and master was wholly favorable to him. Seeing that the whole blame rested upon his own head, he could say nothing, but pondered within himself. His body thrilled with joy; all in the assembly stood motionless; their lotus eyes were filled with tears of love. "I shall speak, O lord of sages; why should I say more than this? I know my lord's nature: he bears no anger even toward the guilty. His mercy and love for me are beyond measure; never have I seen him play the part of an enemy. Even in childhood I did not shun his company; never did he cause my heart to break. I ever behold in my heart the manner of my lord's grace: though I lose the game, he makes me win."

Verse 532 (दोहा/सोरठा)

महूँ सनेह सकोच बस सनमुख कही न बैन। दरसन तृपित न आजु लगि पेम पिआसे नैन।।260।।

Through love and bashfulness I cannot speak a word before him; my eyes are not satisfied with his sight even now, but remain athirst with love.

Verse 533 (चौपाई)

बिधि न सकेउ सहि मोर दुलारा। नीच बीचु जननी मिस पारा। यहउ कहत मोहि आजु न सोभा। अपनीं समुझि साधु सुचि को भा।। मातु मंदि मैं साधु सुचाली। उर अस आनत कोटि कुचाली।। फरइ कि कोदव बालि सुसाली। मुकुता प्रसव कि संबुक काली।। सपनेहुँ दोसक लेसु न काहू। मोर अभाग उदधि अवगाहू।। बिनु समुझें निज अघ परिपाकू। जारिउँ जायँ जननि कहि काकू।। हृदयँ हेरि हारेउँ सब ओरा। एकहि भाँति भलेहिं भल मोरा।। गुर गोसाइँ साहिब सिय रामू। लागत मोहि नीक परिनामू।।

Even Brahma could not endure my fondness; my mother is like a low boat on the sea. This too I say: today there is no glory for me; I am accounted a virtuous and pure soul. My mother is dull-witted, and I am virtuous and pure; yet in my heart there dwell millions of wicked thoughts. Does the kodava bear a fine crop? Does the ocean yield pearls? Does the conch-shell produce blackness? Even in a dream I would not take another's fault; I am ill-starred, and plunge into the sea. Without understanding my own sins, I have burned the name of mother. Looking into my heart, I have lost on every side; in one way only is my good truly good. My lord and master, Sita and Rama, seem to me to bring a fair end."

Verse 534 (दोहा/सोरठा)

साधु सभा गुर प्रभु निकट कहउँ सुथल सति भाउ। प्रेम प्रपंचु कि झूठ फुर जानहिं मुनि रघुराउ।।261।।

Before the assembly of sages, my lord and master, I speak the truth with pure devotion; the sages and the Lord of the Raghus know whether this is love's display or falsehood.

Verse 535 (चौपाई)

भूपति मरन पेम पनु राखी। जननी कुमति जगतु सबु साखी।। देखि न जाहि बिकल महतारी। जरहिं दुसह जर पुर नर नारी।। 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 निहार निषाद सनेहू। कुलिस कठिन उर भयउ न बेहू।। अब सबु आँखिन्ह देखेउँ आई। जिअत जीव जड़ सबइ सहाई।। जिन्हहि निरखि मग साँपिनि बीछी। तजहिं बिषम बिषु तामस तीछी।।

The king kept his pledge of love even in death; his mother’s evil counsel had the whole world as witness. Seeing his mother in such distress, he could not bear to look upon her; the men and women of the city were consumed by an unbearable burning. The earth itself became the root of all calamity; hearing this and understanding it, I endured every pang. Hearing of his departure for the forest, the Lord of the Raghus took the guise of a sage, with Lakshmana and Sita as his companions. Without drinking, he gave water to the thirsty; Shiva remained a witness in this very matter. Again I looked upon the Nishada’s affection; my heart, hard as a thunderbolt, did not soften. Now all this has come before my very eyes; while I lived, all living beings, even the senseless, were my helpers. Those who, seeing me on the road, cast fierce and poisonous glances of dark malice, they have abandoned me.

Verse 536 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तेइ रघुनंदनु लखनु सिय अनहित लागे जाहि। तासु तनय तजि दुसह दुख दैउ सहावइ काहि।।262।।

Therefore, the delight of the Raghus, Lakshmana, and Sita have become a source of harm to me; having abandoned my son, I endure an unbearable sorrow. Who else can help me?

Verse 537 (चौपाई)

सुनि अति बिकल भरत बर बानी। आरति प्रीति बिनय नय सानी।। सोक मगन सब सभाँ खभारू। मनहुँ कमल बन परेउ तुसारू।। कहि अनेक बिधि कथा पुरानी। भरत प्रबोधु कीन्ह मुनि ग्यानी।। बोले उचित बचन रघुनंदू। दिनकर कुल कैरव बन चंदू।। तात जाँय जियँ करहु गलानी। ईस अधीन जीव गति जानी।। तीनि काल तिभुअन मत मोरें। पुन्यसिलोक तात तर तोरे।। उर आनत तुम्ह पर कुटिलाई। जाइ लोकु परलोकु नसाई।। दोसु देहिं जननिहि जड़ तेई। जिन्ह गुर साधु सभा नहिं सेई।।

Hearing Bharata’s excellent words, filled with distress, love, humility, and modesty, the entire assembly was overwhelmed with grief, as if frost had fallen upon a lotus grove. The wise sage related many ancient stories in various ways to instruct Bharata. The delight of the Raghus spoke fitting words, like the moon to the lotus forest of the solar race. “Father, go where your heart leads you; know that the soul is subject to the Lord’s will. In all three times and all three worlds, my mind is fixed on you; father, your fame is meritorious. You harbor crookedness in your heart against me, and thus you destroy both this world and the next. They lay the blame on their foolish mother, who do not serve the guru, the good, and the assembly.”

Verse 538 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मिटिहहिं पाप प्रपंच सब अखिल अमंगल भार। लोक सुजसु परलोक सुखु सुमिरत नामु तुम्हार।।263।।

All sins and delusions shall be effaced, and the whole burden of inauspiciousness. Remembering your name brings fame in this world and happiness in the next.

Verse 539 (चौपाई)

कहउँ सुभाउ सत्य सिव साखी। भरत भूमि रह राउरि राखी।। तात कुतरक करहु जनि जाएँ। बैर पेम नहि दुरइ दुराएँ।। मुनि गन निकट बिहग मृग जाहीं। बाधक बधिक बिलोकि पराहीं।। हित अनहित पसु पच्छिउ जाना। मानुष तनु गुन ग्यान निधाना।। तात तुम्हहि मैं जानउँ नीकें। करौं काह असमंजस जीकें।। राखेउ रायँ सत्य मोहि त्यागी। तनु परिहरेउ पेम पन लागी।। तासु बचन मेटत मन सोचू। तेहि तें अधिक तुम्हार सँकोचू।। ता पर गुर मोहि आयसु दीन्हा। अवसि जो कहहु चहउँ सोइ कीन्हा।।

“I speak the truth, with Shiva as my witness: Bharata, the earth has preserved your honor. Father, do not fall into error; enmity and love are not driven away by harsh words. Sages, birds, and deer draw near; seeing the hunter, they flee in fear. Animals and birds know what is helpful and what is harmful; the human body is a treasure of virtues and knowledge. Father, I know you well; why should I create such confusion? The king kept his pledge of truth to me; he gave up his body, bound by his pledge of love. His words dispel the sorrow in my heart; therefore I am even more abashed before you. Moreover, my guru has given me a command; whatever you say, I shall surely do.””

Verse 540 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मनु प्रसन्न करि सकुच तजि कहहु करौं सोइ आजु। सत्यसंध रघुबर बचन सुनि भा सुखी समाजु।।264।।

Make my heart glad, cast aside all hesitation, and tell me what I should do today. Hearing the words of the truth-plighted Lord of the Raghus, the whole assembly became filled with joy.

Verse 541 (चौपाई)

सुर गन सहित सभय सुरराजू। सोचहिं चाहत होन अकाजू।। बनत उपाउ करत कछु नाहीं। राम सरन सब गे मन माहीं।। बहुरि बिचारि परस्पर कहहीं। रघुपति भगत भगति बस अहहीं। सुधि करि अंबरीष दुरबासा। भे सुर सुरपति निपट निरासा।। सहे सुरन्ह बहु काल बिषादा। नरहरि किए प्रगट प्रहलादा।। लगि लगि कान कहहिं धुनि माथा। अब सुर काज भरत के हाथा।। आन उपाउ न देखिअ देवा। मानत रामु सुसेवक सेवा।। हियँ सपेम सुमिरहु सब भरतहि। निज गुन सील राम बस करतहि।।

The gods along with their king, though assembled together, were lost in thought, wishing to prevent what seemed an unfitting deed. They could devise no expedient, and in their hearts they all took refuge in Rama. Then, reflecting further, they said to one another that the Lord of the Raghus is devoted to his devotees, and is ever under the sway of their devotion. They called to mind the story of Ambarisha and Durvasa, and the gods and their lord were utterly disheartened. The gods endured great sorrow for a long time, until the Lord in the form of a lion manifested himself for Prahlada. They whispered in one another's ears, shaking their heads, that now the gods' task lay in Bharata's hands. They saw no other means, O gods; for Rama accepts the service of a true servant. In your hearts, therefore, remember Bharata with faith; by his own nature and virtue he remains ever under Rama's sway.

Verse 542 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनि सुर मत सुरगुर कहेउ भल तुम्हार बड़ भागु। सकल सुमंगल मूल जग भरत चरन अनुरागु।।265।।

Hearing the counsel of the gods, the preceptor of the gods said, "Great indeed is your good fortune. The root of all blessings in the world is love for the feet of Bharata."

Verse 543 (चौपाई)

सीतापति सेवक सेवकाई। कामधेनु सय सरिस सुहाई।। भरत भगति तुम्हरें मन आई। तजहु सोचु बिधि बात बनाई।। देखु देवपति भरत प्रभाऊ। सहज सुभायँ बिबस रघुराऊ।। मन थिर करहु देव डरु नाहीं। भरतहि जानि राम परिछाहीं।। सुनो सुरगुर सुर संमत सोचू। अंतरजामी प्रभुहि सकोचू।। निज सिर भारु भरत जियँ जाना। करत कोटि बिधि उर अनुमाना।। करि बिचारु मन दीन्ही ठीका। राम रजायस आपन नीका।। निज पन तजि राखेउ पनु मोरा। छोहु सनेहु कीन्ह नहिं थोरा।।

The Lord of Sita is the servant of his servants; he is like the wish-granting cow, beautiful as a graceful doe. Since devotion to Bharata has entered your hearts, cast aside your care; Brahma has spoken the truth. Behold, O king of the gods, the power of Bharata; by his very nature he holds the Lord of the Raghus in thrall. Set your minds at rest, O gods, and have no fear; know that Rama is wholly devoted to Bharata. Hear, O preceptor of the gods, the counsel approved by the gods; the Lord is the knower of all hearts, therefore approach him with reverence. He has laid the burden of his own head upon Bharata's heart, and he esteems him in countless ways. Having reflected, he has given his heart to him; he is wholly pleasing to Rama. He has set aside his own ways and kept his promise; he has not shown a little love, but boundless affection.

Verse 544 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कीन्ह अनुग्रह अमित अति सब बिधि सीतानाथ। करि प्रनामु बोले भरतु जोरि जलज जुग हाथ।।266।।

The Lord of Sita showed boundless grace in every way. Joining his lotus hands, Bharata bowed and spoke.

Verse 545 (चौपाई)

कहौं कहावौं का अब स्वामी। कृपा अंबुनिधि अंतरजामी।। गुर प्रसन्न साहिब अनुकूला। मिटी मलिन मन कलपित सूला।। अपडर डरेउँ न सोच समूलें। रबिहि न दोसु देव दिसि भूलें।। मोर अभागु मातु कुटिलाई। बिधि गति बिषम काल कठिनाई।। पाउ रोपि सब मिलि मोहि घाला। प्रनतपाल पन आपन पाला।। यह नइ रीति न राउरि होई। लोकहुँ बेद बिदित नहिं गोई।। जगु अनभल भल एकु गोसाईं। कहिअ होइ भल कासु भलाईं।। देउ देवतरु सरिस सुभाऊ। सनमुख बिमुख न काहुहि काऊ।।

What shall I say, and to whom shall I speak now, O Master? You are an ocean of mercy, the inner knower of all hearts. The Guru is pleased, the Lord is favorable; the stain is gone, and the sorrow that afflicted my mind has vanished. I was not afraid of the forest, nor did I worry at all; I found no fault with the sun, nor did I err regarding the gods. My misfortune, my mother's crookedness, the cruel fate ordained by Brahma, the harshness of time, these were the cause. They all joined together and set me to wandering on foot; O Protector of the surrendered, you have kept your own pledge. This is no new custom, nor is it yours; it is unknown in the world and in the Vedas. The world is ungrateful; the good one is the Lord alone. Tell me, what good comes from doing good to anyone? The Lord is like a tree that gives shade; his nature is the same toward all; he turns his face neither toward nor away from anyone.

Verse 546 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जाइ निकट पहिचानि तरु छाहँ समनि सब सोच। मागत अभिमत पाव जग राउ रंकु भल पोच।।267।।

Go, recognize the tree nearby, and under its shade let all your cares be laid to rest. The king and the beggar alike receive their heart's desire; the beggar, too, is held in good esteem.

Verse 547 (चौपाई)

लखि सब बिधि गुर स्वामि सनेहू। मिटेउ छोभु नहिं मन संदेहू।। अब करुनाकर कीजिअ सोई। जन हित प्रभु चित छोभु न होई।। जो सेवकु साहिबहि सँकोची। निज हित चहइ तासु मति पोची।। सेवक हित साहिब सेवकाई। करै सकल सुख लोभ बिहाई।। स्वारथु नाथ फिरें सबही का। किएँ रजाइ कोटि बिधि नीका।। यह स्वारथ परमारथ सारु। सकल सुकृत फल सुगति सिंगारु।। देव एक बिनती सुनि मोरी। उचित होइ तस करब बहोरी।। तिलक समाजु साजि सबु आना। करिअ सुफल प्रभु जौं मनु माना।।

Seeing all this, the Guru and the Master were filled with love; the sorrow was dispelled, and no doubt remained in the mind. Now, O Compassionate One, do that which is for the servant's good; O Lord, let no sorrow arise in your heart. If a servant is shy before his master, his understanding is poor, for he desires his own good. The master's servanthood lies in serving the servant; he bestows every happiness, setting aside all greed. O Master, self-interest moves everyone; but you have done your will in countless fair ways. This self-interest is the essence of the highest good; it is the fruit of all merit, the adornment of the right path. O Lord, hear this one prayer of mine; whatever is fitting, that I shall do thereafter. Let the assembly be gathered, let all be adorned, and let the Lord's purpose be fulfilled if his mind is pleased.

Verse 548 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सानुज पठइअ मोहि बन कीजिअ सबहि सनाथ। नतरु फेरिअहिं बंधु दोउ नाथ चलौं मैं साथ।।268।।

Send me to the forest with my brother, and make all of us secure. Otherwise, turn back both brothers, O Master, and I shall go with you.

Verse 549 (चौपाई)

नतरु जाहिं बन तीनिउ भाई। बहुरिअ सीय सहित रघुराई।। जेहि बिधि प्रभु प्रसन्न मन होई। करुना सागर कीजिअ सोई।। देवँ दीन्ह सबु मोहि अभारु। मोरें नीति न धरम बिचारु।। कहउँ बचन सब स्वारथ हेतू। रहत न आरत कें चित चेतू।। उतरु देइ सुनि स्वामि रजाई। सो सेवकु लखि लाज लजाई।। अस मैं अवगुन उदधि अगाधू। स्वामि सनेहँ सराहत साधू।। अब कृपाल मोहि सो मत भावा। सकुच स्वामि मन जाइँ न पावा।। प्रभु पद सपथ कहउँ सति भाऊ। जग मंगल हित एक उपाऊ।।

Otherwise, let the three brothers go to the forest, and then let the Lord of the Raghus return with Sita. In whatever way the Lord's mind is pleased, O Ocean of compassion, let that be done. The gods have given me everything without obligation; I have no thought of policy or of righteousness. I speak these words for my own self-interest; the heart of the distressed does not remain awake to anything else. The servant who hears his master's will and gives an answer, he is the servant who knows shame and acts with modesty. Thus I, a bottomless ocean of faults, am praised by the Master's love as a good man. Now, O Compassionate One, this is the counsel that pleases me; let no shyness enter the Master's heart. By the Lord's feet I swear, with true feeling: there is one means for the world's welfare.

Verse 550 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्रभु प्रसन्न मन सकुच तजि जो जेहि आयसु देब। सो सिर धरि धरि करिहि सबु मिटिहि अनट अवरेब।।269।।

The Lord is gracious; setting aside all hesitation, whatever command He gives, I shall bear it upon my head and fulfill it all, and all my troubles shall vanish.