Prakarana 4

Verse 62 (चौपाई)

एहि बिधि राउ मनहिं मन झाँखा। देखि कुभाँति कुमति मन माखा।। भरतु कि राउर पूत न होहीं। आनेहु मोल बेसाहि कि मोही।। जो सुनि सरु अस लाग तुम्हारें। काहे न बोलहु बचनु सँभारे।। देहु उतरु अनु करहु कि नाहीं। सत्यसंध तुम्ह रघुकुल माहीं।। देन कहेहु अब जनि बरु देहू। तजहुँ सत्य जग अपजसु लेहू।। सत्य सराहि कहेहु बरु देना। जानेहु लेइहि मागि चबेना।। सिबि दधीचि बलि जो कछु भाषा। तनु धनु तजेउ बचन पनु राखा।। अति कटु बचन कहति कैकेई। मानहुँ लोन जरे पर देई।।

In this manner the king gazed within his heart, and seeing her evil nature, his mind was filled with darkness. Is Bharata not your own son? Have you brought him by purchase or exchange, that you are so attached to him? When you hear such words from me, why do you not speak a measured reply? Give an answer, or say you will not; you are known for truthfulness in the house of Raghu. If you say now that you will not grant the boon, you will abandon truth and earn ill fame in the world. Praise truth and say you will grant the boon; know that you will reap what you ask. Whatever Shibi and Dadhichi and Bali declared, they gave up body and wealth, but kept their word and honor. Kaikeyi speaks such harsh words; it is as if she pours salt on a burn.

Verse 63 (दोहा/सोरठा)

धरम धुरंधर धीर धरि नयन उघारे रायँ। सिरु धुनि लीन्हि उसास असि मारेसि मोहि कुठायँ।।30।।

The king, steadfast in dharma, patient and resolute, opened his eyes, shook his head, and sighed; you have struck me with a club.

Verse 64 (चौपाई)

आगें दीखि जरत रिस भारी। मनहुँ रोष तरवारि उघारी।। मूठि कुबुद्धि धार निठुराई। धरी कूबरीं सान बनाई।। लखी महीप कराल कठोरा। सत्य कि जीवनु लेइहि मोरा।। बोले राउ कठिन करि छाती। बानी सबिनय तासु सोहाती।। प्रिया बचन कस कहसि कुभाँती। भीर प्रतीति प्रीति करि हाँती।। मोरें भरतु रामु दुइ आँखी। सत्य कहउँ करि संकरू साखी।। अवसि दूतु मैं पठइब प्राता। ऐहहिं बेगि सुनत दोउ भ्राता।। सुदिन सोधि सबु साजु सजाई। देउँ भरत कहुँ राजु बजाई।।

Seeing before him her blazing wrath, it was as if she had drawn the sword of anger. The wicked woman, cruel and pitiless, had drawn near and made ready her assault. The king saw her fierce and hard of heart; would she take my very life? The king spoke, striking his chest, his words humble yet befitting him. My beloved, why do you speak so harshly? You are destroying trust and love like a coward. Bharata and Rama are my two eyes; I speak the truth, with Shiva as my witness. I shall surely send a messenger at dawn; let both brothers hear this without delay. I shall choose an auspicious day, prepare all things, and give the kingdom to Bharata with proclamation.

Verse 65 (दोहा/सोरठा)

लोभु न रामहि राजु कर बहुत भरत पर प्रीति। मैं बड़ छोट बिचारि जियँ करत रहेउँ नृपनीति।।31।।

I had no greed for the kingdom, nor did Rama; I bore great love for Bharata. Considering myself very small at heart, I was practicing the ways of kings.

Verse 66 (चौपाई)

राम सपथ सत कहुउँ सुभाऊ। राममातु कछु कहेउ न काऊ।। मैं सबु कीन्ह तोहि बिनु पूँछें। तेहि तें परेउ मनोरथु छूछें।। रिस परिहरू अब मंगल साजू। कछु दिन गएँ भरत जुबराजू।। एकहि बात मोहि दुखु लागा। बर दूसर असमंजस मागा।। अजहुँ हृदय जरत तेहि आँचा। रिस परिहास कि साँचेहुँ साँचा।। कहु तजि रोषु राम अपराधू। सबु कोउ कहइ रामु सुठि साधू।। तुहूँ सराहसि करसि सनेहू। अब सुनि मोहि भयउ संदेहू।। जासु सुभाउ अरिहि अनुकूला। सो किमि करिहि मातु प्रतिकूला।।

I call Rama to witness, and I speak the truth of his nature: Rama’s mother has said nothing whatsoever to me. I have done everything of my own accord, without being asked; therefore my purpose has been left empty and unfulfilled. Lay aside your anger now, and prepare for the auspicious ceremony; in a few days Bharata shall be crowned as the heir apparent. One thing alone has caused me pain: that I asked for a second boon, which was improper. Even now my heart burns with the heat of that; whether in anger or in jest, I speak the very truth. I say, cast away your wrath against Rama; everyone declares that Rama is truly a righteous soul. You too praise him and bear him love; but now, hearing this, a doubt has arisen in me. He whose nature is favorable even to his enemies, how could he act contrary toward his mother?

Verse 67 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्रिया हास रिस परिहरहि मागु बिचारि बिबेकु। जेहिं देखाँ अब नयन भरि भरत राज अभिषेकु।।32।।

My beloved, put away laughter and anger; ask for what you will, having reflected with discernment. For with these eyes I now see the coronation of Bharata as king.

Verse 68 (चौपाई)

जिऐ मीन बरू बारि बिहीना। मनि बिनु फनिकु जिऐ दुख दीना।। कहउँ सुभाउ न छलु मन माहीं। जीवनु मोर राम बिनु नाहीं।। समुझि देखु जियँ प्रिया प्रबीना। जीवनु राम दरस आधीना।। सुनि म्रदु बचन कुमति अति जरई। मनहुँ अनल आहुति घृत परई।। कहइ करहु किन कोटि उपाया। इहाँ न लागिहि राउरि माया।। देहु कि लेहु अजसु करि नाहीं। मोहि न बहुत प्रपंच सोहाहीं। रामु साधु तुम्ह साधु सयाने। राममातु भलि सब पहिचाने।। जस कौसिलाँ मोर भल ताका। तस फलु उन्हहि देउँ करि साका।।

A fish may live, but without water it perishes; a serpent without its jewel lives in misery. I speak my true nature, with no deceit in my heart; my life is nothing without Rama. Understand and see, my wise and beloved heart: my life is wholly dependent on the sight of Rama. Hearing these gentle words, the wicked woman burns exceedingly, as if fire were fed with clarified butter. She says, “By what millions of means shall I act? Your wiles will not avail here.” Give or take, I shall not be shamed; much elaborate pretense does not suit me. Rama is righteous, and you are righteous and wise; Rama’s mother knows well what is good. As Kaikeyi is to me, so is she to him; I shall give him the fruit of it, bearing witness.”

Verse 69 (दोहा/सोरठा)

होत प्रात मुनिबेष धरि जौं न रामु बन जाहिं। मोर मरनु राउर अजस नृप समुझिअ मन माहिं।।33।।

If Rama does not go to the forest in the guise of an ascetic at daybreak, then understand in your heart that my death and your dishonor, O king, will surely come to pass.

Verse 70 (चौपाई)

अस कहि कुटिल भई उठि ठाढ़ी। मानहुँ रोष तरंगिनि बाढ़ी।। पाप पहार प्रगट भइ सोई। भरी क्रोध जल जाइ न जोई।। दोउ बर कूल कठिन हठ धारा। भवँर कूबरी बचन प्रचारा।। ढाहत भूपरूप तरु मूला। चली बिपति बारिधि अनुकूला।। लखी नरेस बात फुरि साँची। तिय मिस मीचु सीस पर नाची।। गहि पद बिनय कीन्ह बैठारी। जनि दिनकर कुल होसि कुठारी।। मागु माथ अबहीं देउँ तोही। राम बिरहँ जनि मारसि मोही।। राखु राम कहुँ जेहि तेहि भाँती। नाहिं त जरिहि जनम भरि छाती।।

Having spoken thus, the deceitful one rose and stood, as if the river of wrath had swollen with waves. That very one became manifest as a mountain of sin, filled with the waters of anger, which no one could cross. Both shores were hard and unyielding in their obstinacy; she spread her words like a whirlwind. Uprooting the very foundation of the king’s being, she went forth, a calamity favorable to the ocean of misfortune. The king perceived that her words were indeed true; death was dancing upon his head in such a manner. He took hold of her feet and made her sit, saying, “Do not become the axe that destroys the solar dynasty.” “Ask for my head even now, I shall give it to you; but do not slay me with the separation from Rama.” Keep Rama in some way or other; otherwise, the fire of separation will burn within my breast for my whole life.”

Verse 71 (दोहा/सोरठा)

देखी ब्याधि असाध नृपु परेउ धरनि धुनि माथ। कहत परम आरत बचन राम राम रघुनाथ।।34।।

Seeing this incurable malady, the king fell to the ground, striking his head upon the earth, and in utter anguish he uttered the words, “Rama, Rama, Lord of the Raghus.”

Verse 72 (चौपाई)

ब्याकुल राउ सिथिल सब गाता। करिनि कलपतरु मनहुँ निपाता।। कंठु सूख मुख आव न बानी। जनु पाठीनु दीन बिनु पानी।। पुनि कह कटु कठोर कैकेई। मनहुँ घाय महुँ माहुर देई।। जौं अंतहुँ अस करतबु रहेऊ। मागु मागु तुम्ह केहिं बल कहेऊ।। दुइ कि होइ एक समय भुआला। हँसब ठठाइ फुलाउब गाला।। दानि कहाउब अरु कृपनाई। होइ कि खेम कुसल रौताई।। छाड़हु बचनु कि धीरजु धरहू। जनि अबला जिमि करुना करहू।। तनु तिय तनय धामु धनु धरनी। सत्यसंध कहुँ तृन सम बरनी।।

The king was distraught, his whole body grown weak, as if the wish-fulfilling tree had been felled. His throat was parched, and no speech came to his mouth, like a poor fish without water. Then Kaikeyi spoke harsh and cruel words, as if rubbing salt into a wound. “If this was your intention from the beginning, why did you not ask, why did you not tell me by some means?” Can both exist at one time? You will become a laughingstock, mocked and ridiculed. You will be called generous and yet a miser; will there be any welfare or good fortune for the king?” Abandon such words and be patient; do not show compassion like a helpless woman. Body, wife, son, home, wealth, and kingdom are all as trivial as straw to one who is true to his word.”

Verse 73 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मरम बचन सुनि राउ कह कहु कछु दोषु न तोर। लागेउ तोहि पिसाच जिमि कालु कहावत मोर।।35।।

Hearing these words that pierced his heart, the king said, “There is no fault in you; it seems to me that you have been possessed by a demon, as if fate itself has become my enemy.”

Verse 74 (चौपाई)

चहत न भरत भूपतहि भोरें। बिधि बस कुमति बसी जिय तोरें।। सो सबु मोर पाप परिनामू। भयउ कुठाहर जेहिं बिधि बामू।। सुबस बसिहि फिरि अवध सुहाई। सब गुन धाम राम प्रभुताई।। करिहहिं भाइ सकल सेवकाई। होइहि तिहुँ पुर राम बड़ाई।। तोर कलंकु मोर पछिताऊ। मुएहुँ न मिटहि न जाइहि काऊ।। अब तोहि नीक लाग करु सोई। लोचन ओट बैठु मुहु गोई।। जब लगि जिऔं कहउँ कर जोरी। तब लगि जनि कछु कहसि बहोरी।। फिरि पछितैहसि अंत अभागी। मारसि गाइ नहारु लागी।।

Bharat does not desire the kingship even in his dreams; by the will of Providence, delusion has taken hold of your mind. All this is the fruit of my own sins; it has turned out in an evil manner. Under good influence, Ayodhya will again become beautiful, the abode of all virtues, with Rama’s sovereignty. All the brothers will serve, and in all three worlds Rama’s greatness will be proclaimed. Your disgrace will be my regret; even if I die, it will not be erased, nor will it go away. Now do what seems good to you; sit with your face hidden behind your eyes. As long as I live, I say with folded hands, until then do not say anything further. In the end you will repent, unfortunate one; you will slay the cow and then be consumed by remorse.”

Verse 75 (दोहा/सोरठा)

परेउ राउ कहि कोटि बिधि काहे करसि निदानु। कपट सयानि न कहति कछु जागति मनहुँ मसानु।।36।।

The king fell down saying, "In a million ways, why do you bring about this end?" The wise do not speak deceit; they remain awake even as if in a cremation ground.

Verse 76 (चौपाई)

राम राम रट बिकल भुआलू। जनु बिनु पंख बिहंग बेहालू।। हृदयँ मनाव भोरु जनि होई। रामहि जाइ कहै जनि कोई।। उदउ करहु जनि रबि रघुकुल गुर। अवध बिलोकि सूल होइहि उर।। भूप प्रीति कैकइ कठिनाई। उभय अवधि बिधि रची बनाई।। बिलपत नृपहि भयउ भिनुसारा। बीना बेनु संख धुनि द्वारा।। पढ़हिं भाट गुन गावहिं गायक। सुनत नृपहि जनु लागहिं सायक।। मंगल सकल सोहाहिं न कैसें। सहगामिनिहि बिभूषन जैसें।। तेहिं निसि नीद परी नहि काहू। राम दरस लालसा उछाहू।।

Distraught and repeating "Rama, Rama," he wandered, like a bird without wings, utterly bewildered. "Let not dawn break in my heart," he thought; "let no one go and tell Rama." "O sun, do not rise; O guru of the Raghu race, seeing Ayodhya will pierce my heart with sorrow." The king's love for Kaikeyi was a hard thing; both limits were contrived by Brahma. Lamenting, the king became like a withered tree; the lute, flute, conch, and drum were all silent. Bards recited virtues, singers sang; hearing them, the king felt as if pierced by arrows. All auspicious signs seemed beautiful no more, like ornaments on a woman whose husband is dead. That night no one found sleep; there was eager longing for the sight of Rama.

Verse 77 (दोहा/सोरठा)

द्वार भीर सेवक सचिव कहहिं उदित रबि देखि। जागेउ अजहुँ न अवधपति कारनु कवनु बिसेषि।।37।।

At the door the servants and ministers in a crowd said, "The sun has risen; behold." Yet the Lord of Ayodhya has not awakened; what can be the special cause?

Verse 78 (चौपाई)

पछिले पहर भूपु नित जागा। आजु हमहि बड़ अचरजु लागा।। जाहु सुमंत्र जगावहु जाई। कीजिअ काजु रजायसु पाई।। गए सुमंत्रु तब राउर माही। देखि भयावन जात डेराहीं।। धाइ खाइ जनु जाइ न हेरा। मानहुँ बिपति बिषाद बसेरा।। पूछें कोउ न ऊतरु देई। गए जेंहिं भवन भूप कैकैई।। कहि जयजीव बैठ सिरु नाई। दैखि भूप गति गयउ सुखाई।। सोच बिकल बिबरन महि परेऊ। मानहुँ कमल मूलु परिहरेऊ।। सचिउ सभीत सकइ नहिं पूँछी। बोली असुभ भरी सुभ छूछी।।

In the last watch the king was always awake; today it seems very strange to us. "Go, Sumantra, and wake him; do what is needed to obtain his command." Sumantra went then to the king's presence; seeing the fearful state, he was dismayed. He rushed as if struck by a blow, as if disaster and sorrow had made their dwelling there. He asked, but no one gave an answer; he went as he had come to Kaikeyi's palace. Saying "Victory," he sat with bowed head; seeing the king, his state was one of joylessness. Distressed with grief, he fell upon the bare ground, like a lotus cast down from its root. The ministers were afraid and could not ask; she spoke ill-omened words, full of harshness.

Verse 79 (दोहा/सोरठा)

परी न राजहि नीद निसि हेतु जान जगदीसु। रामु रामु रटि भोरु किय कहइ न मरमु महीसु।।38।।

The king found no sleep that night, knowing the Lord of the world as its cause. Repeating "Rama, Rama," he made it dawn; the king spoke not the secret.

Verse 80 (चौपाई)

आनहु रामहि बेगि बोलाई। समाचार तब पूँछेहु आई।। चलेउ सुमंत्र राय रूख जानी। लखी कुचालि कीन्हि कछु रानी।। सोच बिकल मग परइ न पाऊ। रामहि बोलि कहिहि का राऊ।। उर धरि धीरजु गयउ दुआरें। पूछँहिं सकल देखि मनु मारें।। समाधानु करि सो सबही का। गयउ जहाँ दिनकर कुल टीका।। रामु सुमंत्रहि आवत देखा। आदरु कीन्ह पिता सम लेखा।। निरखि बदनु कहि भूप रजाई। रघुकुलदीपहि चलेउ लेवाई।। रामु कुभाँति सचिव सँग जाहीं। देखि लोग जहँ तहँ बिलखाहीं।।

Go and summon Rama quickly; then ask what tidings have come. Sumanttra set forth, knowing the king's mood; seeing the queen's evil conduct, he understood something. Distraught with grief, he could not find his footing on the path; how could he speak to Rama, O king? He took courage in his heart and went to the door; he questioned all, his mind stricken. He gave satisfaction to everyone, and went to where the ornament of the solar race dwelt. Rama saw Sumanttra approaching and honored him as he would his father. Observing his face, the king spoke to him, and went to bring the lamp of the Raghu race. As Rama went with the minister in sorry plight, the people, seeing him, lamented here and there.

Verse 81 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जाइ दीख रघुबंसमनि नरपति निपट कुसाजु।। सहमि परेउ लखि सिंघिनिहि मनहुँ बृद्ध गजराजु।।39।।

He went and saw the jewel of the Raghu race, the king utterly dejected; seeing the lioness, he stood trembling, like an old elephant king.