Prakarana 16

Verse 306 (चौपाई)

पुनि पुनि पूँछत मंत्रहि राऊ। प्रियतम सुअन सँदेस सुनाऊ।। करहि सखा सोइ बेगि उपाऊ। रामु लखनु सिय नयन देखाऊ।। सचिव धीर धरि कह मुदु बानी। महाराज तुम्ह पंडित ग्यानी।। बीर सुधीर धुरंधर देवा। साधु समाजु सदा तुम्ह सेवा।। जनम मरन सब दुख भोगा। हानि लाभ प्रिय मिलन बियोगा।। काल करम बस हौहिं गोसाईं। बरबस राति दिवस की नाईं।। सुख हरषहिं जड़ दुख बिलखाहीं। दोउ सम धीर धरहिं मन माहीं।। धीरज धरहु बिबेकु बिचारी। छाड़िअ सोच सकल हितकारी।।

Again and again the king asked his counselors: 'Make haste, dear friends, and show me Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita with my own eyes.' The counselors, restraining themselves, spoke gentle words: 'Great king, you are a wise and learned man, a hero, prudent and steadfast, a lord among the gods; the assembly of the good ever serves you. Birth and death, all sorrows, loss and gain, union with the beloved and separation from him, are all under the sway of time and destiny, O Lord; they come of their own accord like night and day. The foolish rejoice in happiness and weep in sorrow; the steadfast hold both alike in their hearts. Be firm in patience, reflecting with discernment; cast off all anxiety, for it is harmful in every way.'

Verse 307 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्रथम बासु तमसा भयउ दूसर सुरसरि तीर। न्हाई रहे जलपानु करि सिय समेत दोउ बीर।।150।।

The first halt was made on the bank of the Tamasa; the second was on the shore of the divine river. Having bathed and taken their meal, the two heroes remained there with Sita.

Verse 308 (चौपाई)

केवट कीन्हि बहुत सेवकाई। सो जामिनि सिंगरौर गवाँई।। होत प्रात बट छीरु मगावा। जटा मुकुट निज सीस बनावा।। राम सखाँ तब नाव मगाई। प्रिया चढ़ाइ चढ़े रघुराई।। लखन बान धनु धरे बनाई। आपु चढ़े प्रभु आयसु पाई।। बिकल बिलोकि मोहि रघुबीरा। बोले मधुर बचन धरि धीरा।। तात प्रनामु तात सन कहेहु। बार बार पद पंकज गहेहू।। करबि पायँ परि बिनय बहोरी। तात करिअ जनि चिंता मोरी।। बन मग मंगल कुसल हमारें। कृपा अनुग्रह पुन्य तुम्हारें।।

The boatman rendered much service; he would not accept the crossing fee. At dawn he brought milk to the banyan tree and fashioned a crown of matted locks upon his own head. Then he asked Rama and his companions to board the boat; he made his beloved embark first, and then the Lord of the Raghus. Lakshmana took his bow and arrows and stood ready; he too embarked when the Lord gave him leave. Seeing me distressed, the Hero of the Raghus spoke sweet words, composing himself. 'Father, convey my salutations to my father; again and again I clasp his lotus feet. I will fall at his feet and make entreaty once more; let my father have no anxiety concerning me. Our journey to the forest is blessed and safe, through your grace and the merit of your good deeds.'

Verse 309 (छंद)

तुम्हरे अनुग्रह तात कानन जात सब सुखु पाइहौं। प्रतिपालि आयसु कुसल देखन पाय पुनि फिरि आइहौं।। जननीं सकल परितोषि परि परि पायँ करि बिनती घनी। तुलसी करेहु सोइ जतनु जेहिं कुसली रहहिं कोसल धनी।।

By your grace, father, I shall obtain all happiness as I go to the forest. Obeying your command and seeing your welfare, I shall return again.

Verse 310 (दोहा/सोरठा)

गुर सन कहब सँदेसु बार बार पद पदुम गहि। करब सोइ उपदेसु जेहिं न सोच मोहि अवधपति।।151।।

I will convey the message to the Guru again and again, clasping his lotus feet. I will follow that counsel which causes the Lord of Ayodhya no anxiety.

Verse 311 (चौपाई)

पुरजन परिजन सकल निहोरी। तात सुनाएहु बिनती मोरी।। सोइ सब भाँति मोर हितकारी। जातें रह नरनाहु सुखारी।। कहब सँदेसु भरत के आएँ। नीति न तजिअ राजपदु पाएँ।। पालेहु प्रजहि करम मन बानी। सेएहु मातु सकल सम जानी।। ओर निबाहेहु भायप भाई। करि पितु मातु सुजन सेवकाई।। तात भाँति तेहि राखब राऊ। सोच मोर जेहिं करै न काऊ।। लखन कहे कछु बचन कठोरा। बरजि राम पुनि मोहि निहोरा।। बार बार निज सपथ देवाई। कहबि न तात लखन लरिकाई।।

Having entreated all the citizens and kinsfolk, convey my humble petition to my father. He is my well-wisher in every way; through him the king remains at peace. When Bharat arrives, I shall deliver my message; having received the royal throne, one must not abandon propriety. Protect the subjects in thought, word, and deed; serve all mothers equally. Maintain proper conduct with your brothers, fulfilling the duties of father, mother, friends, and servants. Father, in this manner keep the king in that state which causes me no anxiety whatsoever. Lakshmana spoke some harsh words; Rama checked him and again entreated me. Again and again he made me swear by his own self: 'I will not speak, father, in a childish manner.'

Verse 312 (दोहा/सोरठा)

कहि प्रनाम कछु कहन लिय सिय भइ सिथिल सनेह। थकित बचन लोचन सजल पुलक पल्लवित देह।।152।।

Having conveyed his salutations and taken leave to speak, Sita was overcome with tenderness; her words faltered, her eyes were moist, and her body trembled with emotion.

Verse 313 (चौपाई)

तेहि अवसर रघुबर रूख पाई। केवट पारहि नाव चलाई।। रघुकुलतिलक चले एहि भाँती। देखउँ ठाढ़ कुलिस धरि छाती।। मैं आपन किमि कहौं कलेसू। जिअत फिरेउँ लेइ राम सँदेसू।। अस कहि सचिव बचन रहि गयऊ। हानि गलानि सोच बस भयऊ।। सुत बचन सुनतहिं नरनाहू। परेउ धरनि उर दारुन दाहू।। तलफत बिषम मोह मन मापा। माजा मनहुँ मीन कहुँ ब्यापा।। करि बिलाप सब रोवहिं रानी। महा बिपति किमि जाइ बखानी।। सुनि बिलाप दुखहू दुखु लागा। धीरजहू कर धीरजु भागा।।

At that moment the Lord of the Raghus found a boat; the boatman ferried it across. Thus the Ornament of the Raghu dynasty departed; I stood watching, bearing a thunderbolt upon my breast. How shall I describe my own anguish? I wander about living, bearing Rama's message. Having spoken thus, the minister remained silent; he was overcome with loss, shame, and sorrow. Hearing his son's words, the king fell to the ground, his heart burning with a terrible fire. He writhed in dreadful delusion; his mind was seized as if by a fish-hook. All the queens lamented in grief; how can such great calamity be described? Hearing their lamentation, sorrow upon sorrow arose; even fortitude forsook the hand of patience.

Verse 314 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भयउ कोलाहलु अवध अति सुनि नृप राउर सोरु। बिपुल बिहग बन परेउ निसि मानहुँ कुलिस कठोरु।।153।।

Hearing of the king's death, a great tumult arose in Ayodhya; countless birds fell to the forest floor that night, as if struck down by a cruel thunderbolt.

Verse 315 (चौपाई)

प्रान कंठगत भयउ भुआलू। मनि बिहीन जनु ब्याकुल ब्यालू।। इद्रीं सकल बिकल भइँ भारी। जनु सर सरसिज बनु बिनु बारी।। कौसल्याँ नृपु दीख मलाना। रबिकुल रबि अँथयउ जियँ जाना। उर धरि धीर राम महतारी। बोली बचन समय अनुसारी।। नाथ समुझि मन करिअ बिचारू। राम बियोग पयोधि अपारू।। करनधार तुम्ह अवध जहाजू। चढ़ेउ सकल प्रिय पथिक समाजू।। धीरजु धरिअ त पाइअ पारू। नाहिं त बूड़िहि सबु परिवारू।। जौं जियँ धरिअ बिनय पिय मोरी। रामु लखनु सिय मिलहिं बहोरी।।

The king’s life-breath rose to his throat; he lay like a serpent bereft of its jewel, utterly distraught. All his senses were grievously disordered, as if a lotus-pond were without water. Kausalya saw the king grown pale; the sun of the Solar race had set, she knew in her heart. Rama’s mother took courage in her heart and spoke words suited to the occasion. “Lord, understand and reflect in your mind: the ocean of separation from Rama is boundless. You are the helmsman, and Ayodhya is the ship; all your dear subjects have embarked upon it. If we take heart, we shall reach the farther shore; otherwise the whole family will drown. If you hold my humble prayer in your heart, Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita will meet us again.”

Verse 316 (दोहा/सोरठा)

प्रिया बचन मृदु सुनत नृपु चितयउ आँखि उघारि। तलफत मीन मलीन जनु सींचत सीतल बारि।।154।।

Hearing his beloved’s gentle words, the king opened his eyes and gazed; he was like a gasping fish grown pale, while she poured cool water over him.

Verse 317 (चौपाई)

धरि धीरजु उठी बैठ भुआलू। कहु सुमंत्र कहँ राम कृपालू।। कहाँ लखनु कहँ रामु सनेही। कहँ प्रिय पुत्रबधू बैदेही।। बिलपत राउ बिकल बहु भाँती। भइ जुग सरिस सिराति न राती।। तापस अंध साप सुधि आई। कौसल्यहि सब कथा सुनाई।। भयउ बिकल बरनत इतिहासा। राम रहित धिग जीवन आसा।। सो तनु राखि करब मैं काहा। जेंहि न प्रेम पनु मोर निबाहा।। हा रघुनंदन प्रान पिरीते। तुम्ह बिनु जिअत बहुत दिन बीते।। हा जानकी लखन हा रघुबर। हा पितु हित चित चातक जलधर।

Taking courage, the king rose and sat up and said, “Tell me, Sumantra, where is the gracious Rama? Where is Lakshmana, where is the loving Rama? Where is my dear daughter-in-law, Vaidehi?” The king lamented in many ways, beside himself; the night seemed an age, and he found no rest. Then the curse of the blind sage came to mind, and he told Kausalya the whole story. He grew distraught as he recounted the tale: “Cursed be the hope of life without Rama. Why should I keep this body that has not fulfilled the pledge of love I made? Alas, Raghunandana, beloved of my soul! Many days have I lived without you. Alas, Janaki, Lakshmana, alas, O best of the Raghus! Alas, my heart that was devoted to my father’s welfare, like a chataka bird to the clouds!”

Verse 318 (दोहा/सोरठा)

राम राम कहि राम कहि राम राम कहि राम। तनु परिहरि रघुबर बिरहँ राउ गयउ सुरधाम।।155।।

Saying “Rama, Rama,” again and again, “Rama, Rama,” the king, in the agony of separation from Raghupati, gave up his body and went to the abode of the gods.

Verse 319 (चौपाई)

जिअन मरन फलु दसरथ पावा। अंड अनेक अमल जसु छावा।। जिअत राम बिधु बदनु निहारा। राम बिरह करि मरनु सँवारा।। सोक बिकल सब रोवहिं रानी। रूपु सील बलु तेजु बखानी।। करहिं बिलाप अनेक प्रकारा। परहीं भूमितल बारहिं बारा।। बिलपहिं बिकल दास अरु दासी। घर घर रुदनु करहिं पुरबासी।। अँथयउ आजु भानुकुल भानू। धरम अवधि गुन रूप निधानू।। गारीं सकल कैकइहि देहीं। नयन बिहीन कीन्ह जग जेहीं।। एहि बिधि बिलपत रैनि बिहानी। आए सकल महामुनि ग्यानी।।

Dasharatha attained the fruit of life and death; his spotless fame spread like the shade of a banyan tree. While living, he had gazed upon the moonlike face of Rama; and by dying in separation from Rama, he made his death a thing of beauty. All the queens, distraught with grief, wept; they were famed for beauty, virtue, strength, and splendor. They lamented in many ways, falling to the ground again and again. The servants, men and women, lamented in distraction; the townsfolk wept in every house. Today the sun of the Solar race had set, the treasure of righteousness, of virtue, and of beauty. All cursed Kaikeyi, who had made the world bereft of its eyes. Thus the night passed in lamentation; then all the great sages, full of wisdom, arrived.

Verse 320 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तब बसिष्ठ मुनि समय सम कहि अनेक इतिहास। सोक नेवारेउ सबहि कर निज बिग्यान प्रकास।।156।।

Then Sage Vashishtha, observing the proper time, recounted many ancient stories; by the light of his own wisdom he dispelled the sorrow of them all.

Verse 321 (चौपाई)

तेल नाँव भरि नृप तनु राखा। दूत बोलाइ बहुरि अस भाषा।। धावहु बेगि भरत पहिं जाहू। नृप सुधि कतहुँ कहहु जनि काहू।। एतनेइ कहेहु भरत सन जाई। गुर बोलाई पठयउ दोउ भाई।। सुनि मुनि आयसु धावन धाए। चले बेग बर बाजि लजाए।। अनरथु अवध अरंभेउ जब तें। कुसगुन होहिं भरत कहुँ तब तें।। देखहिं राति भयानक सपना। जागि करहिं कटु कोटि कलपना।। बिप्र जेवाँइ देहिं दिन दाना। सिव अभिषेक करहिं बिधि नाना।। मागहिं हृदयँ महेस मनाई। कुसल मातु पितु परिजन भाई।।

They filled a boat with oil and preserved the king's body therein; then summoning the envoys, he spoke to them again in these words. "Run swiftly to where Bharata is; but do not speak of the king's condition to anyone at all." "Go to Bharata and say only this: the Guru has sent for you, and both brothers are summoned." Hearing the sage's command, the runners set forth; they went, urging their excellent horses to speed. From that time, calamity began in Ayodhya; from that time, ill omens appeared to Bharata. At night they see terrifying dreams; waking, they devise a thousand bitter fancies. They give gifts to brahmins each day, and perform various rites of worship to Shiva. In their hearts they pray to Mahesha, asking for the well-being of mother, father, kinsmen and brothers.

Verse 322 (दोहा/सोरठा)

एहि बिधि सोचत भरत मन धावन पहुँचे आइ। गुर अनुसासन श्रवन सुनि चले गनेसु मनाइ।।157।।

Thus Bharata pondered in his mind, while the runners arrived and came before him; hearing the Guru's command with their ears, they set out, persuading their minds.

Verse 323 (चौपाई)

चले समीर बेग हय हाँके। नाघत सरित सैल बन बाँके।। हृदयँ सोचु बड़ कछु न सोहाई। अस जानहिं जियँ जाउँ उड़ाई।। एक निमेष बरस सम जाई। एहि बिधि भरत नगर निअराई।। असगुन होहिं नगर पैठारा। रटहिं कुभाँति कुखेत करारा।। खर सिआर बोलहिं प्रतिकूला। सुनि सुनि होइ भरत मन सूला।। श्रीहत सर सरिता बन बागा। नगरु बिसेषि भयावनु लागा।। खग मृग हय गय जाहिं न जोए। राम बियोग कुरोग बिगोए।। नगर नारि नर निपट दुखारी। मनहुँ सबन्हि सब संपति हारी।।

They went with the speed of the wind, urging on their horses; they crossed over rivers, hills and crooked forests. A great anxiety weighed upon their hearts and gave them no peace; they thought within themselves, "Let me fly onward." A single moment passed like a year; in this way Bharata drew near the city. Ill omens appeared as they entered the city; evil birds and beasts uttered harsh and dreadful cries. Jackals and foxes spoke inauspicious words; hearing them again and again, Bharata's heart was pierced with anguish. Lakes and rivers, gardens and woods had lost their beauty; the city seemed especially fearful. Birds, deer and horses went about, seeing nothing; they were all afflicted by the grievous malady of separation from Rama. The men and women of the city were utterly sorrowful; it was as if all had lost their entire fortune.

Verse 324 (दोहा/सोरठा)

पुरजन मिलिहिं न कहहिं कछु गवँहिं जोहारहिं जाहिं। भरत कुसल पूँछि न सकहिं भय बिषाद मन माहिं।।158।।

The citizens met one another but said nothing; they exchanged greetings and went their way. They could not even ask after Bharata's welfare, for fear and grief filled their hearts.

Verse 325 (चौपाई)

हाट बाट नहिं जाइ निहारी। जनु पुर दहँ दिसि लागि दवारी।। आवत सुत सुनि कैकयनंदिनि। हरषी रबिकुल जलरुह चंदिनि।। सजि आरती मुदित उठि धाई। द्वारेहिं भेंटि भवन लेइ आई।। भरत दुखित परिवारु निहारा। मानहुँ तुहिन बनज बनु मारा।। कैकेई हरषित एहि भाँति। मनहुँ मुदित दव लाइ किराती।। सुतहि ससोच देखि मनु मारें। पूँछति नैहर कुसल हमारें।। सकल कुसल कहि भरत सुनाई। पूँछी निज कुल कुसल भलाई।। कहु कहँ तात कहाँ सब माता। कहँ सिय राम लखन प्रिय भ्राता।।

She did not go to gaze at the market or the streets; it was as if a fire were burning the city and she stood at the door. Hearing that her son was coming, Kaikeyi’s daughter rejoiced, like the moon that gladdens the sun’s lineage. She prepared the arati and rose in joy and hastened forth; she met him at the very threshold and brought him into the house. Bharata beheld the sorrow-stricken household; it was as if a frost had blighted the forest grove. Kaikeyi was joyful in this manner, as though she were a huntress who had set a snare. Seeing her son with a troubled heart, she asked, “How fares your father’s house?” Bharata told her all was well and asked after the welfare of his own family. “Tell me, father, where are all my mothers? Where are Sita, Rama, and my dear brother Lakshmana?”

Verse 326 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनि सुत बचन सनेहमय कपट नीर भरि नैन। भरत श्रवन मन सूल सम पापिनि बोली बैन।।159।।

Hearing her son’s words, full of love, the sinful woman filled her eyes with false tears. She spoke words to Bharata that pierced his ear and heart like a spike.