Prakarana 23

Verse 449 (चौपाई)

सत्यसंध प्रभु सुर हितकारी। भरत राम आयस अनुसारी।। स्वारथ बिबस बिकल तुम्ह होहू। भरत दोसु नहिं राउर मोहू।। सुनि सुरबर सुरगुर बर बानी। भा प्रमोदु मन मिटी गलानी।। बरषि प्रसून हरषि सुरराऊ। लगे सराहन भरत सुभाऊ।। एहि बिधि भरत चले मग जाहीं। दसा देखि मुनि सिद्ध सिहाहीं।। जबहिं रामु कहि लेहिं उसासा। उमगत पेमु मनहँ चहु पासा।। द्रवहिं बचन सुनि कुलिस पषाना। पुरजन पेमु न जाइ बखाना।। बीच बास करि जमुनहिं आए। निरखि नीरु लोचन जल छाए।।

The Lord is true to his word and the benefactor of the gods; Bharata follows the command of Rama. You are bewildered and distressed by self-interest; there is no fault in Bharata, either in yours or in mine. Hearing these excellent words of the preceptor of the gods, the king of the gods rejoiced, and his shame was dispelled. Raining down flowers, the king of the gods rejoiced and began to praise Bharata’s noble nature. In this manner Bharata set forth on his way; seeing his condition, the sages and the Siddhas were amazed. Whenever they spoke of Rama, they drew a long breath; love surged up on every side within their hearts. Hearing their words, even thunderbolts and rocks would melt; the love of the townsfolk cannot be told. Halting midway, they came to the Yamuna; gazing upon the water, their eyes were flooded with tears.

Verse 450 (दोहा/सोरठा)

रघुबर बरन बिलोकि बर बारि समेत समाज। होत मगन बारिधि बिरह चढ़े बिबेक जहाज।।220।।

Seeing the Lord of the Raghus, the excellent one, along with the assembly and the Brahmins, the Ocean of Mercy was filled with joy, and the ship of discernment set sail to cross the ocean of separation.

Verse 451 (चौपाई)

जमुन तीर तेहि दिन करि बासू। भयउ समय सम सबहि सुपासू।। रातहिं घाट घाट की तरनी। आईं अगनित जाहिं न बरनी।। प्रात पार भए एकहि खेंवाँ। तोषे रामसखा की सेवाँ।। चले नहाइ नदिहि सिर नाई। साथ निषादनाथ दोउ भाई।। आगें मुनिबर बाहन आछें। राजसमाज जाइ सबु पाछें।। तेहिं पाछें दोउ बंधु पयादें। भूषन बसन बेष सुठि सादें।। सेवक सुह्रद सचिवसुत साथा। सुमिरत लखनु सीय रघुनाथा।। जहँ जहँ राम बास बिश्रामा। तहँ तहँ करहिं सप्रेम प्रनामा।।

They passed that night on the banks of the Yamuna, and all fared well as the time was auspicious. At night, countless boats beyond numbering came to every landing place along the river. By morning they had all crossed over in a single passage, fulfilling the service of Rama's friend. They went to bathe, bowing their heads at the river; the Lord of the Nishadas accompanied the two brothers. Ahead went the great sage upon his mount, while the royal company followed behind. Behind them walked the two brothers on foot, in simple ornaments, garments, and attire. Servants, friends, counselors, and sons accompanied them, while Lakshmana kept remembering Sita and the Lord of the Raghus. Wherever Rama rested or made his dwelling, there they offered him reverent salutations with love.

Verse 452 (दोहा/सोरठा)

मगबासी नर नारि सुनि धाम काम तजि धाइ। देखि सरूप सनेह सब मुदित जनम फलु पाइ।।221।।

Hearing of his dwelling there, men and women left their homes and hastened to him, abandoning all other concerns. Beholding his form, they were filled with love and joy, having attained the fruit of their birth.

Verse 453 (चौपाई)

कहहिं सपेम एक एक पाहीं। रामु लखनु सखि होहिं कि नाहीं।। बय बपु बरन रूप सोइ आली। सीलु सनेहु सरिस सम चाली।। बेषु न सो सखि सीय न संगा। आगें अनी चली चतुरंगा।। नहिं प्रसन्न मुख मानस खेदा। सखि संदेहु होइ एहिं भेदा।। तासु तरक तियगन मन मानी। कहहिं सकल तेहि सम न सयानी।। तेहि सराहि बानी फुरि पूजी। बोली मधुर बचन तिय दूजी।। कहि सपेम सब कथाप्रसंगू। जेहि बिधि राम राज रस भंगू।। भरतहि बहुरि सराहन लागी। सील सनेह सुभाय सुभागी।।

They asked one another with love: "Are Rama and Lakshmana with their friend, or are they not?" "His body, caste, and form are the same; his character, love, and gait are alike." "But that is not his attire, and Sita is not with him; yet he moves ahead with the fourfold army." "His face shows no gladness, only sorrow; there is doubt in this, my friend." The women accepted this reasoning in their hearts; they all said there was none so wise as he. They praised his speech and at once worshipped him; the woman spoke sweet words to him. With love they related the whole story, how Rama's royal fortune had been broken. Then they began to praise Bharata, his character, love, nature, and good fortune.

Verse 454 (दोहा/सोरठा)

चलत पयादें खात फल पिता दीन्ह तजि राजु। जात मनावन रघुबरहि भरत सरिस को आजु।।222।।

Walking on foot, eating fruits, having renounced the kingdom given by his father, he goes to bring back the Lord of the Raghus; who is like Bharata this day?

Verse 455 (चौपाई)

भायप भगति भरत आचरनू। कहत सुनत दुख दूषन हरनू।। जो कछु कहब थोर सखि सोई। राम बंधु अस काहे न होई।। हम सब सानुज भरतहि देखें। भइन्ह धन्य जुबती जन लेखें।। सुनि गुन देखि दसा पछिताहीं। कैकइ जननि जोगु सुतु नाहीं।। कोउ कह दूषनु रानिहि नाहिन। बिधि सबु कीन्ह हमहि जो दाहिन।। कहँ हम लोक बेद बिधि हीनी। लघु तिय कुल करतूति मलीनी।। बसहिं कुदेस कुगाँव कुबामा। कहँ यह दरसु पुन्य परिनामा।। अस अनंदु अचिरिजु प्रति ग्रामा। जनु मरुभूमि कलपतरु जामा।।

Brotherly devotion was Bharata's conduct; speaking and hearing it removes all sorrows and blemishes. Whatever little I shall say, my friend, is this: why should it not be that Rama is my brother? We all, along with our younger brothers, look upon Bharata alone; blessed are they who count him as a worthy man. Hearing his virtues and seeing his condition, they repent; Kaikeyi's mother is not fit to be a mother. Some say there is no blemish in the queen; fate has done all this, and we are the sufferers. Where are we, devoid of the world, the Vedas, and righteousness? The conduct of a low-born woman's family is impure. They dwell in wicked lands, wicked villages, wicked houses; where is this sight the fruit of merit? Such joy is rare in every village; it is as if a wish-fulfilling tree has appeared in a desert.

Verse 456 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भरत दरसु देखत खुलेउ मग लोगन्ह कर भागु। जनु सिंघलबासिन्ह भयउ बिधि बस सुलभ प्रयागु।।223।।

At the sight of Bharata, the fortune in the hands of the people was revealed; it was as if, by the will of Providence, Prayaga became easily accessible to the dwellers of Simhala.

Verse 457 (चौपाई)

निज गुन सहित राम गुन गाथा। सुनत जाहिं सुमिरत रघुनाथा।। तीरथ मुनि आश्रम सुरधामा। निरखि निमज्जहिं करहिं प्रनामा।। मनहीं मन मागहिं बरु एहू। सीय राम पद पदुम सनेहू।। मिलहिं किरात कोल बनबासी। बैखानस बटु जती उदासी।। करि प्रनामु पूँछहिं जेहिं तेही। केहि बन लखनु रामु बैदेही।। ते प्रभु समाचार सब कहहीं। भरतहि देखि जनम फलु लहहीं।। जे जन कहहिं कुसल हम देखे। ते प्रिय राम लखन सम लेखे।। एहि बिधि बूझत सबहि सुबानी। सुनत राम बनबास कहानी।।

With their own virtues, they sing the praises of Rama; listening, they go forth remembering the Lord of the Raghus. Pilgrimages, sages' hermitages, and divine abodes; beholding them, they immerse themselves and offer obeisance. In their hearts they ask for this one boon: love for the lotus feet of Sita and Rama. They meet Kiratas, Kolas, forest dwellers, Vaikhanasas, ascetics, and detached ones. Making obeisance, they ask each one: in which forest have you seen Lakshmana, Rama, and the daughter of Videha? They all tell the news of the Lord; seeing Bharata, they obtain the fruit of their birth. Those who say, "We have seen them well," they consider as dear as Rama and Lakshmana. In this way, everyone asks in every direction, listening to the story of Rama's exile in the forest.

Verse 458 (दोहा/सोरठा)

तेहि बासर बसि प्रातहीं चले सुमिरि रघुनाथ। राम दरस की लालसा भरत सरिस सब साथ।।224।।

Passing that night there, at dawn they set forth, remembering the Lord of the Raghus; all the company, equal to Bharata in their longing for the sight of Rama.

Verse 459 (चौपाई)

मंगल सगुन होहिं सब काहू। फरकहिं सुखद बिलोचन बाहू।। भरतहि सहित समाज उछाहू। मिलिहहिं रामु मिटहि दुख दाहू।। करत मनोरथ जस जियँ जाके। जाहिं सनेह सुराँ सब छाके।। सिथिल अंग पग मग डगि डोलहिं। बिहबल बचन पेम बस बोलहिं।। रामसखाँ तेहि समय देखावा। सैल सिरोमनि सहज सुहावा।। जासु समीप सरित पय तीरा। सीय समेत बसहिं दोउ बीरा।। देखि करहिं सब दंड प्रनामा। कहि जय जानकि जीवन रामा।। प्रेम मगन अस राज समाजू। जनु फिरि अवध चले रघुराजू।।

Auspicious signs appear for everyone; their joy-giving eyes and arms tremble. Bharata along with the whole assembly is filled with eagerness; they will meet Rama, and their sorrow and burning will be dispelled. Fulfilling the desire that is in each one's heart, they are all immersed in love like the gods. Their limbs and steps are weak; they stagger and sway on the path; overwhelmed, they speak words under the sway of love. At that time, Rama's friends showed them a place, the crest-jewel of mountains, naturally beautiful. Near which flows a river with its banks; there dwell the two heroes along with Sita. Seeing them, all offer obeisance with folded hands, proclaiming victory to Janaki and Rama, who are life itself. Thus the royal assembly, immersed in love, seemed as if the Lord of the Raghus had returned to Ayodhya.

Verse 460 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भरत प्रेमु तेहि समय जस तस कहि सकइ न सेषु। कबिहिं अगम जिमि ब्रह्मसुखु अह मम मलिन जनेषु।।225।

At that moment Bharata's love was such that neither glory nor infamy could describe it; even Shesh cannot tell it. It is like the bliss of Brahman, which the poet cannot reach; alas, among my humble kin it is sullied.

Verse 461 (चौपाई)

सकल सनेह सिथिल रघुबर कें। गए कोस दुइ दिनकर ढरकें।। जलु थलु देखि बसे निसि बीतें। कीन्ह गवन रघुनाथ पिरीतें।। उहाँ रामु रजनी अवसेषा। जागे सीयँ सपन अस देखा।। सहित समाज भरत जनु आए। नाथ बियोग ताप तन ताए।। सकल मलिन मन दीन दुखारी। देखीं सासु आन अनुहारी।। सुनि सिय सपन भरे जल लोचन। भए सोचबस सोच बिमोचन।। लखन सपन यह नीक न होई। कठिन कुचाह सुनाइहि कोई।। अस कहि बंधु समेत नहाने। पूजि पुरारि साधु सनमाने।।

All love grew faint within the Lord of the Raghus; the sun had set, and two kos had been traversed. They saw water and land, the night passed; the Lord of the Raghus journeyed on, driven by love. There Rama spent the remainder of the night; Sita woke and saw such a dream: Bharata had come with all his company, and the fever of separation from the Lord had worn down his body. All were downcast at heart, wretched and sorrowful; she saw her mother-in-law come, weeping. Hearing Sita's dream, her eyes filled with water; she was overcome by thought, she who releases from thought. Lakshmana said, "This dream is not good; someone will tell of a harsh and evil matter." So saying, he bathed with his brothers, worshipped Shiva, and honored the sages.

Verse 462 (छंद)

सनमानि सुर मुनि बंदि बैठे उत्तर दिसि देखत भए। नभ धूरि खग मृग भूरि भागे बिकल प्रभु आश्रम गए।। तुलसी उठे अवलोकि कारनु काह चित सचकित रहे। सब समाचार किरात कोलन्हि आइ तेहि अवसर कहे।।

Honoring the gods and sages, they sat and gazed toward the north. The birds and deer fled in confusion, and the Lord went to the ashram. Tulsidas rose, observing the cause; they remained anxious in heart. All the news the Kiratas and Kolis came and told at that time.

Verse 463 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुनत सुमंगल बैन मन प्रमोद तन पुलक भर। सरद सरोरुह नैन तुलसी भरे सनेह जल।।226।।

Hearing the auspicious words, her heart rejoiced, her body thrilled; Tulsidas's eyes, like autumn lotuses, filled with tears of love.

Verse 464 (चौपाई)

बहुरि सोचबस भे सियरवनू। कारन कवन भरत आगवनू।। एक आइ अस कहा बहोरी। सेन संग चतुरंग न थोरी।। सो सुनि रामहि भा अति सोचू। इत पितु बच इत बंधु सकोचू।। भरत सुभाउ समुझि मन माहीं। प्रभु चित हित थिति पावत नाही।। समाधान तब भा यह जाने। भरतु कहे महुँ साधु सयाने।। लखन लखेउ प्रभु हृदयँ खभारू। कहत समय सम नीति बिचारू।। बिनु पूँछ कछु कहउँ गोसाईं। सेवकु समयँ न ढीठ ढिठाई।। तुम्ह सर्बग्य सिरोमनि स्वामी। आपनि समुझि कहउँ अनुगामी।।

Again Sita's mother fell into thought: what could be the reason for Bharata's coming? One came and said this again: his army with its fourfold divisions was not small. Hearing this, Rama was filled with great anxiety; on one side was his father's word, on the other his brother's hesitation. Understanding Bharata's nature in his heart, the Lord's mind found no rest for his welfare. Then this resolution came to him: Bharata would speak among the wise and good. Lakshmana perceived the Lord's heart was heavy; he spoke at the right time, with fitting judgment. "Without being asked, I say something, O Lord; a servant is not bold at such a time. You are the crest-jewel of all-knowing ones, the Master; I speak as a follower, having understood for myself."

Verse 465 (दोहा/सोरठा)

नाथ सुह्रद सुठि सरल चित सील सनेह निधान।। सब पर प्रीति प्रतीति जियँ जानिअ आपु समान।।227।।

O Lord, he is truly a good friend, of simple heart, virtuous, and a treasure of affection. He bears love and trust toward all; know him as your own self.

Verse 466 (चौपाई)

बिषई जीव पाइ प्रभुताई। मूढ़ मोह बस होहिं जनाई।। भरतु नीति रत साधु सुजाना। प्रभु पद प्रेम सकल जगु जाना।। तेऊ आजु राम पदु पाई। चले धरम मरजाद मेटाई।। कुटिल कुबंध कुअवसरु ताकी। जानि राम बनवास एकाकी।। करि कुमंत्रु मन साजि समाजू। आए करै अकंटक राजू।। कोटि प्रकार कलपि कुटलाई। आए दल बटोरि दोउ भाई।। जौं जियँ होति न कपट कुचाली। केहि सोहाति रथ बाजि गजाली।। भरतहि दोसु देइ को जाएँ। जग बौराइ राज पदु पाएँ।।

Poisonous creatures, gaining power, become foolish and remain under the sway of delusion. Bharata was devoted to right conduct, a good and wise man; the whole world knew his love for the Lord's feet. Yet today, having obtained the Lord's place, he set out to overturn righteousness and proper conduct. His was a crooked fate, an evil hour; knowing this, Rama went alone into forest exile. Having formed a wicked design in his heart and gathered his allies, he came to establish an unopposed rule. Contriving a million stratagems with cunning, he came gathering his forces, the two brothers. If there had been no deceit and wickedness in his heart, why would he need chariots, horses, and elephants? Who would go to blame Bharata? He has bewildered the world and seized the throne.

Verse 467 (दोहा/सोरठा)

ससि गुर तिय गामी नघुषु चढ़ेउ भूमिसुर जान। लोक बेद तें बिमुख भा अधम न बेन समान।।228।।

When the king mounted the chariot drawn by horses, the people knew him as a sovereign. He became averse to the world and the Vedas, a base man, not equal to a blade of grass.

Verse 468 (चौपाई)

सहसबाहु सुरनाथु त्रिसंकू। केहि न राजमद दीन्ह कलंकू।। भरत कीन्ह यह उचित उपाऊ। रिपु रिन रंच न राखब काऊ।। एक कीन्हि नहिं भरत भलाई। निदरे रामु जानि असहाई।। समुझि परिहि सोउ आजु बिसेषी। समर सरोष राम मुखु पेखी।। एतना कहत नीति रस भूला। रन रस बिटपु पुलक मिस फूला।। प्रभु पद बंदि सीस रज राखी। बोले सत्य सहज बलु भाषी।। अनुचित नाथ न मानब मोरा। भरत हमहि उपचार न थोरा।। कहँ लगि सहिअ रहिअ मनु मारें। नाथ साथ धनु हाथ हमारें।।

Sahasrabahu, the lord of gods, and Trishanku; who has not been stained by the intoxication of kingship? This was the proper course Bharata adopted; he would not keep the slightest debt to an enemy. Bharata did not do a single good deed; he considered Rama helpless and without support. Understanding this, that same one today became especially wrathful; he saw Rama's face filled with battle fury. Speaking thus much, he was deluded by the flavor of policy; like a forest tree in the flavor of battle, he blossomed with horripilation. Bowing at the Lord's feet, he kept the dust of his head upon his head; he spoke truth, naturally endowed with strength. "What is improper, O Lord, I will not accept; Bharata, my treatment of you is not slight. How long shall I endure, killing my heart? O Lord, the bow is in my hand."

Verse 469 (दोहा/सोरठा)

छत्रि जाति रघुकुल जनमु राम अनुग जगु जान। लातहुँ मारें चढ़ति सिर नीच को धूरि समान।।229।।

Of the warrior caste, born in the lineage of Raghu, devoted to Rama, the world knows him. Even if they strike him with kicks, he takes it upon his head, like dust from the lowly.