Prakarana 24

Verse 470 (चौपाई)

उठि कर जोरि रजायसु मागा। मनहुँ बीर रस सोवत जागा।। बाँधि जटा सिर कसि कटि भाथा। साजि सरासनु सायकु हाथा।। आजु राम सेवक जसु लेऊँ। भरतहि समर सिखावन देऊँ।। राम निरादर कर फलु पाई। सोवहुँ समर सेज दोउ भाई।। आइ बना भल सकल समाजू। प्रगट करउँ रिस पाछिल आजू।। जिमि करि निकर दलइ मृगराजू। लेइ लपेटि लवा जिमि बाजू।। तैसेहिं भरतहि सेन समेता। सानुज निदरि निपातउँ खेता।। जौं सहाय कर संकरु आई। तौ मारउँ रन राम दोहाई।।

He rose and joined his palms in supplication, as if a warrior roused from sleep by the thrill of battle. He bound his matted locks, girded his loins tightly, and readied his bow with arrows in hand. "Today I shall win glory as Rama's servant, and give Bharat a lesson in warfare. Rama has received the fruit of his disrespect; now both brothers shall sleep on the bed of battle. Let the whole host come to the forest; today I shall reveal my long-held wrath. As a lion tears apart a herd of elephants, as a hawk swoops and carries off its prey Even so shall I strike down Bharat with all his army, and slay him together with his brothers, fearless on the field. If Shiva himself comes to his aid, still will I slay him in battle, calling upon Rama's name."

Verse 471 (दोहा/सोरठा)

अति सरोष माखे लखनु लखि सुनि सपथ प्रवान। सभय लोक सब लोकपति चाहत भभरि भगान।।230।।

Filled with exceeding wrath, Lakshman uttered his oath; hearing and seeing it, all were convinced. The whole world was seized with fear, and all the lords of the world wished to flee in terror.

Verse 472 (चौपाई)

जगु भय मगन गगन भइ बानी। लखन बाहुबलु बिपुल बखानी।। तात प्रताप प्रभाउ तुम्हारा। को कहि सकइ को जाननिहारा।। अनुचित उचित काजु किछु होऊ। समुझि करिअ भल कह सबु कोऊ।। सहसा करि पाछैं पछिताहीं। कहहिं बेद बुध ते बुध नाहीं।। सुनि सुर बचन लखन सकुचाने। राम सीयँ सादर सनमाने।। कही तात तुम्ह नीति सुहाई। सब तें कठिन राजमदु भाई।। जो अचवँत नृप मातहिं तेई। नाहिन साधुसभा जेहिं सेई।। सुनहु लखन भल भरत सरीसा। बिधि प्रपंच महँ सुना न दीसा।।

The world was lost in fear, and the sky resounded with cries; Lakshman's mighty arm was praised far and wide. "Father, your power and influence, who can describe it, who can know it? Whether a deed be fitting or unfitting, let it be done; everyone speaks what he thinks best after due thought. Those who act in haste afterward repent; so say the Vedas, and the wise know no greater wisdom than this. Hearing the gods' words, Lakshman felt ashamed, and Rama and Sita honored him with reverence. He said, "Father, you have spoken fitting wisdom; royal pride, brother, is the hardest thing of all. Those kings who are intoxicated by pride, there is no gathering of the good where they are present. Hear, Lakshman: Bharat is truly good; such a one has never been seen in the world's delusion."

Verse 473 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भरतहि होइ न राजमदु बिधि हरि हर पद पाइ।। कबहुँ कि काँजी सीकरनि छीरसिंधु बिनसाइ।।231।।

Bharat will never be possessed of royal pride, for he has attained the feet of Hari and Hara. Can the sheath of a sword ever dry up the ocean of milk?

Verse 474 (चौपाई)

तिमिरु तरुन तरनिहि मकु गिलई। गगनु मगन मकु मेघहिं मिलई।। गोपद जल बूड़हिं घटजोनी। सहज छमा बरु छाड़ै छोनी।। मसक फूँक मकु मेरु उड़ाई। होइ न नृपमदु भरतहि भाई।। लखन तुम्हार सपथ पितु आना। सुचि सुबंधु नहिं भरत समाना।। सगुन खीरु अवगुन जलु ताता। मिलइ रचइ परपंचु बिधाता।। भरतु हंस रबिबंस तड़ागा। जनमि कीन्ह गुन दोष बिभागा।। गहि गुन पय तजि अवगुन बारी। निज जस जगत कीन्हि उजिआरी।। कहत भरत गुन सीलु सुभाऊ। पेम पयोधि मगन रघुराऊ।।

The darkness swallows the sun; the sky merges with a mustard seed; a cloud is held in a mustard seed. The creatures of the water drown in a drop; the Creator naturally forgives, but he abandons his own creation. A gnat blows away Mount Meru with its breath; yet, brother, royal pride will never arise in Bharat. Lakshman, your oath brings shame upon your father; there is no friend so pure as Bharat. Good qualities are like milk, and faults are like water, father; the Creator mixes them together in his design. Bharat is a swan in the sun-lake of the Solar dynasty; from birth he has separated the good from the bad. Taking the milk of virtue and leaving the water of vice, he has illumined the world with his own glory. They speak of Bharat's virtues, his nature and character; the Lord of the Raghus is immersed in the ocean of love.

Verse 475 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनि रघुबर बानी बिबुध देखि भरत पर हेतु। सकल सराहत राम सो प्रभु को कृपानिकेतु।।232।।

Hearing the words of the Lord of the Raghus and seeing the love Bharata bore for him, all the gods praised Rama, who is the abode of mercy.

Verse 476 (चौपाई)

जौं न होत जग जनम भरत को। सकल धरम धुर धरनि धरत को।। कबि कुल अगम भरत गुन गाथा। को जानइ तुम्ह बिनु रघुनाथा।। लखन राम सियँ सुनि सुर बानी। अति सुखु लहेउ न जाइ बखानी।। इहाँ भरतु सब सहित सहाए। मंदाकिनीं पुनीत नहाए।। सरित समीप राखि सब लोगा। मागि मातु गुर सचिव नियोगा।। चले भरतु जहँ सिय रघुराई। साथ निषादनाथु लघु भाई।। समुझि मातु करतब सकुचाहीं। करत कुतरक कोटि मन माहीं।। रामु लखनु सिय सुनि मम नाऊँ। उठि जनि अनत जाहिं तजि ठाऊँ।।

If Bharata had not been born into the world, the whole earth would have lacked one to uphold the path of righteousness. Who, save you, O Lord of the Raghus, could know the endless story of Bharata's virtues, beyond the reach of poets? Lakshmana, Rama and Sita, hearing the gods' words, felt a joy beyond all telling. Meanwhile Bharata, with all his retinue, bathed in the sacred waters of the Mandakini. He stationed all the people near the riverbank, and having sought leave of his mother, his guru and his counselors, he set forth. Bharata went to where Sita and the Lord of the Raghus were, accompanied by the lord of the Nishadas and his younger brother. Understanding his mother's conduct, he felt ashamed; a thousand misgivings arose in his heart. Hearing my name, may Rama, Lakshmana and Sita rise and not go elsewhere, leaving this place.

Verse 477 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मातु मते महुँ मानि मोहि जो कछु करहिं सो थोर। अघ अवगुन छमि आदरहिं समुझि आपनी ओर।।233।।

O mother, whatever you do, holding me as your own, I count as little; forgive my sins and faults, and show me honor, taking me as your own.

Verse 478 (चौपाई)

जौं परिहरहिं मलिन मनु जानी। जौ सनमानहिं सेवकु मानी।। मोरें सरन रामहि की पनही। राम सुस्वामि दोसु सब जनही।। जग जस भाजन चातक मीना। नेम पेम निज निपुन नबीना।। अस मन गुनत चले मग जाता। सकुच सनेहँ सिथिल सब गाता।। फेरत मनहुँ मातु कृत खोरी। चलत भगति बल धीरज धोरी।। जब समुझत रघुनाथ सुभाऊ। तब पथ परत उताइल पाऊ।। भरत दसा तेहि अवसर कैसी। जल प्रबाहँ जल अलि गति जैसी।। देखि भरत कर सोचु सनेहू। भा निषाद तेहि समयँ बिदेहू।।

If you cast aside your clouded heart and honor me as your servant, then I take refuge in Rama; Rama is my true master, and all the fault is mine. The world's glory is a vessel, the chataka bird and the fish follow their own laws; they are skilled in their own ways and ever fresh. Thus thinking in his heart, he went on his way; shame, love and weariness loosened all his limbs. He turned his mind from what his mother had done, and walked on, borne by devotion, strength and patience. When he recalled the nature of the Lord of the Raghus, then his foot found the path. What was Bharata's state at that hour? Like the motion of a bee in the flow of water. Seeing Bharata's sorrow and love, the Nishada at that moment became as one without a body.

Verse 479 (दोहा/सोरठा)

लगे होन मंगल सगुन सुनि गुनि कहत निषादु। मिटिहि सोचु होइहि हरषु पुनि परिनाम बिषादु।।234।।

Good omens began to appear; hearing them, the Nishada spoke of their meaning: sorrow shall vanish, joy shall come, and in the end there shall be gladness.

Verse 480 (चौपाई)

सेवक बचन सत्य सब जाने। आश्रम निकट जाइ निअराने।। भरत दीख बन सैल समाजू। मुदित छुधित जनु पाइ सुनाजू।। ईति भीति जनु प्रजा दुखारी। त्रिबिध ताप पीड़ित ग्रह मारी।। जाइ सुराज सुदेस सुखारी। होहिं भरत गति तेहि अनुहारी।। राम बास बन संपति भ्राजा। सुखी प्रजा जनु पाइ सुराजा।। सचिव बिरागु बिबेकु नरेसू। बिपिन सुहावन पावन देसू।। भट जम नियम सैल रजधानी। सांति सुमति सुचि सुंदर रानी।। सकल अंग संपन्न सुराऊ। राम चरन आश्रित चित चाऊ।।

Knowing all the servant's words to be true, he went and drew near to the hermitage. Bharata beheld the forest's gathering of hills, joyful as if he had found a treasure, yet hungry at heart. He was filled with fear and longing, like a distressed people, tormented by the threefold afflictions and struck by the planets. He went to a well-ruled land, a happy country, and his state became like that of Bharata. Rama's dwelling in the forest shone with wealth, and the people were happy, as if they had gained a good king. The king's minister was detached and wise; the forest was lovely, a holy land. The soldiers were like Yama, disciplined; the mountain was like a capital; peace, wisdom, purity, and beauty were like a queen. Every limb was perfect, like a good king; his heart's desire was refuge at the feet of Rama.

Verse 481 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जीति मोह महिपालु दल सहित बिबेक भुआलु। करत अकंटक राजु पुरँ सुख संपदा सुकालु।।235।।

Conquering delusion, the king, with his host, became a bee of wisdom; he ruled the city without obstacle, in happiness, prosperity, and a fair season.

Verse 482 (चौपाई)

बन प्रदेस मुनि बास घनेरे। जनु पुर नगर गाउँ गन खेरे।। बिपुल बिचित्र बिहग मृग नाना। प्रजा समाजु न जाइ बखाना।। खगहा करि हरि बाघ बराहा। देखि महिष बृष साजु सराहा।। बयरु बिहाइ चरहिं एक संगा। जहँ तहँ मनहुँ सेन चतुरंगा।। झरना झरहिं मत्त गज गाजहिं। मनहुँ निसान बिबिधि बिधि बाजहिं।। चक चकोर चातक सुक पिक गन। कूजत मंजु मराल मुदित मन।। अलिगन गावत नाचत मोरा। जनु सुराज मंगल चहु ओरा।। बेलि बिटप तृन सफल सफूला। सब समाजु मुद मंगल मूला।।

In the forest region many sages dwelt, as if in cities, towns, and countless villages. There were multitudes of strange birds and deer of many kinds; the gathering of creatures cannot be described. Peacocks, Hari, tigers, and boars were seen; seeing the buffalo and bull, he praised their beauty. Enemies passed by, grazing together; here and there it seemed like a fourfold army. Waterfalls cascaded, maddened elephants trumpeted; it was as if drums and various instruments were playing. Chakoras, chatakas, parrots, and cuckoos sang; swans rejoiced with gladdened hearts. Bees danced and peacocks danced, as if there were good fortune on every side. Creepers, trees, and grass bore fruit and flower; all the gathering was the root of joy and blessing.

Verse 483 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम सैल सोभा निरखि भरत हृदयँ अति पेमु। तापस तप फलु पाइ जिमि सुखी सिरानें नेमु।।236।।

Beholding the beauty of Rama's mountain, Bharata's heart was filled with exceeding love; even as an ascetic gains the fruit of his penance, he was happy, and his vow was fulfilled.

Verse 484 (चौपाई)

तब केवट ऊँचें चढ़ि धाई। कहेउ भरत सन भुजा उठाई।। नाथ देखिअहिं बिटप बिसाला। पाकरि जंबु रसाल तमाला।। जिन्ह तरुबरन्ह मध्य बटु सोहा। मंजु बिसाल देखि मनु मोहा।। नील सघन पल्ल्व फल लाला। अबिरल छाहँ सुखद सब काला।। मानहुँ तिमिर अरुनमय रासी। बिरची बिधि सँकेलि सुषमा सी।। ए तरु सरित समीप गोसाँई। रघुबर परनकुटी जहँ छाई।। तुलसी तरुबर बिबिध सुहाए। कहुँ कहुँ सियँ कहुँ लखन लगाए।। बट छायाँ बेदिका बनाई। सियँ निज पानि सरोज सुहाई।।

Then the Kevat climbed up and ran, and with raised arm he said to Bharata. "Lord, behold the great trees, the mango, the jambu, the tamala. Among those trees the banyan shone; seeing its beauty and greatness, his heart was entranced. Its leaves were dark and dense, its fruits were red; its shade was unbroken, giving comfort at all times. It was like a mass of darkness made of dawn, as if the Creator had fashioned it with concentrated beauty. This tree is near the river, where the Lord of the Raghus has his leaf-hut. Tulsi trees of various kinds grew there; here and there Sita, here and there Lakshmana had planted them. Under the banyan's shade Sita had made a platform, beautifying it with her own lotus hand.

Verse 485 (दोहा/सोरठा)

जहाँ बैठि मुनिगन सहित नित सिय रामु सुजान। सुनहिं कथा इतिहास सब आगम निगम पुरान।।237।।

There, seated daily with the sages, Sita and wise Rama listen to the tales and histories of all the Agamas, Vedas and Puranas.

Verse 486 (चौपाई)

सखा बचन सुनि बिटप निहारी। उमगे भरत बिलोचन बारी।। करत प्रनाम चले दोउ भाई। कहत प्रीति सारद सकुचाई।। हरषहिं निरखि राम पद अंका। मानहुँ पारसु पायउ रंका।। रज सिर धरि हियँ नयनन्हि लावहिं। रघुबर मिलन सरिस सुख पावहिं।। देखि भरत गति अकथ अतीवा। प्रेम मगन मृग खग जड़ जीवा।। सखहि सनेह बिबस मग भूला। कहि सुपंथ सुर बरषहिं फूला।। निरखि सिद्ध साधक अनुरागे। सहज सनेहु सराहन लागे।। होत न भूतल भाउ भरत को। अचर सचर चर अचर करत को।।

Hearing his friend's words and gazing at the forest, Bharata's eyes brimmed with tears. The two brothers went forward making obeisance, and though shy, they spoke their love. They rejoiced at the sight of Rama's feet, as if a pauper had found the philosopher's stone. They bore dust upon their heads and pressed it to their hearts and eyes; they obtained joy equal to meeting the Lord of the Raghus. Seeing Bharata's state, beyond all telling, creatures were lost in love: deer, birds, and even the lowest beings. Lost in love, the friend strayed from the path; the gods, pointing out the right way, rained down flowers. Seeing this, the Siddhas and seekers grew devoted, and they began to praise his natural affection. There is no equal on earth to Bharata's love; he makes the moving and the unmoving, the sentient and the insentient, move with devotion.

Verse 487 (दोहा/सोरठा)

पेम अमिअ मंदरु बिरहु भरतु पयोधि गँभीर। मथि प्रगटेउ सुर साधु हित कृपासिंधु रघुबीर।।238।।

Love is nectar, separation a mountain; Bharata is the deep ocean. Churning them, the Ocean of Mercy, the Lord of the Raghus, revealed himself for the good of the gods and the saints.

Verse 488 (चौपाई)

सखा समेत मनोहर जोटा। लखेउ न लखन सघन बन ओटा।। भरत दीख प्रभु आश्रमु पावन। सकल सुमंगल सदनु सुहावन।। करत प्रबेस मिटे दुख दावा। जनु जोगीं परमारथु पावा।। देखे भरत लखन प्रभु आगे। पूँछे बचन कहत अनुरागे।। सीस जटा कटि मुनि पट बाँधें। तून कसें कर सरु धनु काँधें।। बेदी पर मुनि साधु समाजू। सीय सहित राजत रघुराजू।। बलकल बसन जटिल तनु स्यामा। जनु मुनि बेष कीन्ह रति कामा।। कर कमलनि धनु सायकु फेरत। जिय की जरनि हरत हँसि हेरत।।

With his friend, the charming Lakshmana could not see through the dense forest's screen. Bharata saw the Lord's ashram, holy, the abode of all auspiciousness, most lovely. As he entered, his sorrows fled, as if a yogi had attained the supreme goal. Bharata saw Lakshmana and the Lord ahead; he asked questions and spoke with love. Matted hair upon their heads, bark garments bound at their waists, they carried quivers on their shoulders and bows in their hands. On the altar sat a gathering of sage-saints; with Sita, the Lord of the Raghus shone resplendent. Dark-bodied, clad in bark, with matted locks, as if Love himself had taken the guise of a sage. With lotus hands he turned bow and arrow, destroying the heart's burning, smiling and gazing.

Verse 489 (दोहा/सोरठा)

लसत मंजु मुनि मंडली मध्य सीय रघुचंदु। ग्यान सभाँ जनु तनु धरे भगति सच्चिदानंदु।।239।।

Amidst the shining assembly of sages, Sita and Raghuchandra gleam; as if in the court of Knowledge he had taken bodily form, the embodiment of devotion, being, consciousness and bliss.