Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— अपश्यन् भरतं सर्वे मन्त्रिणो दुःखकर्शितम्। शोकार्तं हीनवर्णं च विलपन्तं पुनः पुनः॥१॥
Brahmā said: All the ministers saw Bharata wasted by sorrow, pale with grief, and lamenting again and again.
Passage 2
प्रवासं रामचन्द्रस्य शोकाच्च समाधिं पितुः। मातुर्धर्मातिक्रमं च चिन्तयन्तं पुनः पुनः॥२॥
He repeatedly pondered Rāmacandra’s exile, his father’s death from grief, and his mother’s transgression of dharma.
Passage 3
शोकपारमपश्यन्तं वीक्ष्य निःशरणाः प्रजाः। अपापमपि चात्मानं जनन्या दुष्टकर्मणा॥३॥
The helpless people saw that he could find no end to his grief. Though innocent, because of his mother’s wicked deed he regarded himself—
Passage 4
पापिष्ठमिव मन्वानं भृशं सम्मूढचेतसम्। प्राणानप्यवहेलन्तं जीवितेऽप्यकृतादरम्॥४॥
—as the worst of sinners. His mind utterly bewildered, he neglected even his life-breath and had no regard for living.
Passage 5
तादृक्सुखिनमात्मानमकस्माद् दुःखभाजनम्। शोचन्तं भृशमुद्विग्नं वनबद्धमिव द्विपम्॥५॥
Once so blessed, he had suddenly become a vessel of suffering. He grieved in deep agitation like an elephant captured in the forest.
Passage 6
वनेऽपि गत्वा रामस्य पादसंवाहनोत्सुकम्। शोकं विनेतुमिच्छन्तं रामवक्त्रेन्दुदर्शनात्॥६॥
He longed to go to the forest, massage Rāma’s feet, and dispel his grief by beholding the moon of Rāma’s face.
Passage 7
ते तं तथाविधं वीक्ष्य विलपन्तमचेतनम्। मन्त्रिणो रुरुदुः सर्वे दुःखार्ता अश्रुलोचनाः॥७॥
Seeing him senseless and lamenting in that condition, all the ministers wept, afflicted by sorrow and their eyes full of tears.
Passage 8
तमुवाच वशिष्ठोऽथ कृत्यज्ञो धीमतां वरः। अद्य त्वं व्यसनं घोरं शोकेन प्राप्तवानसि॥८॥
Vasiṣṭha, foremost among the wise and knower of every duty, then said, “Today grief has plunged you into a dreadful calamity.
Passage 9
मा भूर्विमूढहृदयः कृत्यं साधय चोत्तरम्। त्वादृशाः पुरुषाधीरा नैवं सीदन्ति शोकतः॥९॥
“Do not remain bewildered at heart; accomplish the duty that lies ahead. Steadfast men like you do not collapse beneath grief in this way.
Passage 10
तस्मान्निगृह्य त्वं शोकं संस्तभ्य हृदयं तथा। धृत्या युक्तः स्वपितरं शीघ्रं निहर्तुमर्हसि॥१०॥
“Therefore restrain your sorrow, steady your heart, and with fortitude quickly carry your father forth for the final rites.
Passage 11
न त्वां विनास्य संस्कारं कश्चित्कर्तुमिहार्हति। त्वां प्रतीक्षद्भिरस्माभिस्तातस्य तव विग्रहः॥११॥
“No one here may perform his funeral without you. While we waited for you, your father’s body—
Passage 12
तैलकोष्ठे विनिःक्षिप्तो राममातुर्निकेतने। तस्यौर्ध्वदेहिकं कर्म भवान् शीघ्रतरं कुरु॥१२॥
“—was placed in a vessel of oil at Rāma’s mother’s residence. Perform his post-death rites without delay.
Passage 13
इमाश्च राजमहिषीर्दुःखिताः शोककर्शिताः। नोपेक्षतां भवान् वत्स ह्यनाथा नाथतां गताः॥१३॥
“Son, do not neglect these royal queens, distressed and wasted by grief. Left without their lord, they now look to you for protection.
Passage 14
प्रजाश्चेमा लोकनाथे मृते पितरि तेऽधुना। अनाथाः पालयामूषां नाथोऽसि खलु साम्प्रतम्॥१४॥
“Now that your father, protector of the people, is dead, these subjects are also orphaned. Protect them, for at present you are truly their guardian.”
Passage 15
स एवमुक्तो मुनिना भरतो धर्मवित्तमः। उवाच नितरां क्लिष्टो नीचैः समभिवीक्ष्य तम्॥१५॥
Thus addressed by the sage, Bharata, foremost knower of dharma, looked down in deep anguish and replied.
Passage 16
प्राजापत्य मुनिश्रेष्ठ त्वय्यप्येवं प्रजल्पति। दीर्यते शोकशल्येनान्तःस्थेन हृदयं मम॥१६॥
“Descendant of Prajāpati, best of sages, even as you speak thus, my heart is torn by the barb of grief lodged within it.
Passage 17
दासोऽहं रामचन्द्रस्य भृत्यः प्रेष्यश्च सन्ततम्। स एव लोकनाथोऽद्य पितर्युपरते मुने॥१७॥
“I am always Rāmacandra’s servant, attendant, and messenger. Sage, now that Father has died, Rāma alone is lord of the people.
Passage 18
कोऽहं नाथः सुदीनात्मा मा भून्मे तादृशी मतिः। यादृशं विहितं घोरं कैकेय्या बत पातकम्॥१८॥
“Who am I, a wretched soul, to be their lord? May such a thought never be mine, especially after the dreadful sin Kaikeyī has committed.
Passage 19
यदाह मां त्वं नृपतेः कर्तुं कर्मौर्ध्वदेहिकम्। शक्यं तत्तु मया कर्तुं दीर्यते हृदयं न चेत्॥१९॥
“You tell me to perform the king’s post-death rites. I can do so only if my heart does not break.” Bharata Sees Daśaratha’s Body
Passage 20
श्रुत्वा धर्म्यं वचस्तस्य भरतस्य महात्मनः। तस्मै दशरथस्येते कलेवरमदर्शयन्॥२०॥
Hearing noble Bharata’s righteous words, they showed him Daśaratha’s body.
Passage 21
तैलकोष्ठस्थितं प्रेतं हीनवर्णं गतत्विषम्। ददर्श भरतो राज्ञः कलेवरमनिन्दितम्॥२१॥
Bharata saw the blameless king’s corpse resting in the oil-vessel, its color faded and radiance gone.
Passage 22
राजावरोधनिब्रहमग्रे कृत्वाश्रुवर्षणम्। रुदन्तं ताडयन्तं च दोर्भ्यां वक्षांसि दारुणम्॥२२॥
The royal household wept before him, pouring tears, crying bitterly, and beating their chests with both hands.
Passage 23
दृष्ट्वा तु भरतस्तातं प्रमीतं शोकमूर्छितः। निपपात महीपृष्ठे शत्रुघ्नसहितस्तदा॥२३॥
Seeing his father dead, Bharata fainted from grief and fell upon the earth together with Śatrughna.
Passage 24
विलप्य करुणं भूय उवाच पितरं पुनः। जीवन्तमिव सम्प्रेक्ष्य भक्तिनम्रः कृताञ्जलिः॥२४॥
He lamented piteously and addressed his father again. Gazing upon him as if he were alive, Bharata bowed devotionally with joined palms.
Passage 25
किमिमां दारुणां निद्रां भजसे मीलितेक्षणः। उत्थाय पूर्ववत्तात किं परिष्वजसे न माम्॥२५॥
“Father, why do you lie with closed eyes in this terrible sleep? Why do you not rise and embrace me as before?
Passage 26
अयं तव सुतः स्निग्धः परप्रेमैकभाजनम्। शत्रुघ्नो दूयते शोकात्किमेतं नाभिभाषसे॥२६॥
“Here is your affectionate son Śatrughna, the singular vessel of your love, tormented by grief. Why do you not speak to him?
Passage 27
आरामक्रीडनादेत्य तवाङ्कमधितिष्ठतः। मम मूर्धन्युपाध्याय परिरम्भमदाः पुरा॥२७॥
“Teacher and father, when I returned from playing in the gardens and climbed upon your lap, you once embraced me and drew my head close.
Passage 28
सोऽहं चिरान्मातुलेषु प्रोष्यापावृत्त उत्सुकः। विनापराधं भवता नाभिभाष्यः कथं कृतः॥२८॥
“Now I have eagerly returned after staying long with my maternal relatives. Though I have committed no offense, why do you refuse to speak to me?
Passage 29
समुत्तिष्ठ महाराज दण्ड्यान् दण्डेन योजय। अकण्टकं निजं राज्यं भुङ्क्ष्व निद्रां विहाय भोः॥२९॥
“Rise, great king! Punish those who deserve punishment. Abandon this sleep and enjoy your own kingdom without obstruction.
Passage 30
धन्यः स एव धर्मात्मा रामो लक्ष्मण एव च। यस्तवाज्ञामुपादाय राज्यं त्यक्त्वा वनं गतः॥३०॥
“Blessed indeed are righteous Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, who obeyed your command, abandoned the kingdom, and went to the forest.
Passage 31
हतभाग्याऽस्म्यधन्याऽहं यत्कृते राजसत्तमः। कैकेय्या वचनादेवं प्राणानुत्सृष्टवान् भवान्॥३१॥
“I am unfortunate and accursed: for my sake, best of kings, Kaikeyī’s words caused you to cast away your life.”
Passage 32
इत्थं भृशं विलपति भरते राजयोषितः। अत्यर्थं रुरुदुः सर्वा दीप्तशोकहुताशनाः॥३२॥
As Bharata lamented intensely in this way, all the royal women wept without restraint, the fire of their grief blazing. The Sages Restrain Excessive Mourning
Passage 33
विलपन्तं मुहुर्वीक्ष्य महाराजकुमारकम्। वशिष्ठजाबालिमुखा इदमूचुर्मुनिद्विजाः॥३३॥
Seeing the great king’s son repeatedly lament, the sages and brāhmaṇas led by Vasiṣṭha and Jābāli spoke.
Passage 34
अलं शोकेन ते भूयः किं शोचसि महीपतिम्। येनेष्टं बहुधा यज्ञैरश्वमेधैः शताधिकैः॥३४॥
“Enough of this grief. Why mourn a king who performed many sacrifices, including more than a hundred Aśvamedhas?
Passage 35
राजसूयैरनेकैश्च समैस्तु प्रतिवत्सरम्। दत्तानि येन दानानि मेरुतुल्यधनानि च॥३५॥
“Each year he performed numerous Rājasūyas and other rites, and gave gifts and wealth as vast as Mount Meru.
Passage 36
निहता दानवा येन शक्रः स्वर्गेऽधिरोपितः। ब्रह्मण्यो बहुदो यज्वा स न शोच्यः कदापि ते॥३६॥
“He slew demons and restored Indra to heaven. Devoted to brāhmaṇas, generous, and a sacrificer, he must never be mourned by you.
Passage 37
भवादृशाः सुता यस्य रामचन्द्रपुरोगमाः। सत्यसन्धा महाशूरा ब्रह्मण्या वेदपारगाः॥३७॥
“His sons, beginning with Rāmacandra and including you, are true to their word, supremely heroic, devoted to brāhmaṇas, and learned in the Veda.
Passage 38
श्रद्धावन्तो धर्मनिष्ठाः सूर्यसोमानलोपमाः। जीवन्नेव स भूपालः प्रमीतोऽर्जितवान् महः॥३८॥
“Faithful, established in dharma, and comparable to the sun, moon, and fire, you were his sons. Even while alive, that king gained the splendor of the departed blessed.
Passage 39
श्रद्दधते नातिशोकं च प्रमीतस्य पुराविदः। महीयमानो लोकेषु सत्कर्मोपार्जितेष्वलम्॥३९॥
“Those who know the ancient law do not approve excessive grief for one who has died and is greatly honored in worlds earned by righteous deeds.
Passage 40
बन्धूनां शोकबाष्पौघैः क्षीणपुण्यः पतेदिति। नियम्य शोकबाष्पौघं स्वर्गाच्च्यावनं पितुः॥४०॥
“It is taught that torrents of relatives’ mournful tears consume the departed’s merit and make him fall. Restrain those tears lest your father be dislodged from heaven.
Passage 41
कुर्वौर्ध्वदेहिकं सम्यक् प्रीयते स्वर्गतो यथा। अतिशोकेन बाष्पौघैः क्षीणपुण्यः पिता तव॥४१॥
“Perform the post-death rites properly so that he is pleased in heaven. If excessive grief and tears exhaust your father’s merit—
Passage 42
स्वर्गात्प्रच्यावितः क्रोधात् त्वां शपेत धार्मिकम्। पुण्येनोपार्जिता लोकाः पारमेष्ठ्यपदावधि॥४२॥
“—he might fall from heaven and angrily curse you, though righteous. Through merit he has earned worlds reaching even to Brahmā’s realm.” Funeral Preparations Are Ordered
Passage 43
इत्युक्त्वा विरतेष्वेषु मुनीन्द्रेषु महाशयः। धृत्या शोकं नियम्याशु भरतो मन्त्रिणोऽब्रवीत्॥४३॥
When the great sages had spoken and fallen silent, noble Bharata mastered his grief with fortitude and addressed the ministers.
Passage 44
आज्ञापितो मुनिश्रेष्ठैर्वशिष्ठाद्यैर्महात्मभिः। करिष्ये देहसंस्कारं यायजूकस्य मे पितुः॥४४॥
“Commanded by the noble and eminent sages led by Vasiṣṭha, I shall perform the funeral of my father, the constant sacrificer.
Passage 45
आनीयाः संविधाः सर्वा यथोदिष्टा मुनीश्वरैः। और्ध्वदेहिककर्मार्हा याभिः संस्करणं पितुः॥४५॥
“Bring every provision prescribed by the lordly sages, all that is required to prepare my father for the post-death rites.”
Passage 46
मुक्तशोकः करिष्यामि निदेशेन महात्मनाम्। इत्युक्ता मन्त्रिणस्तेन तथाचक्रुः प्रणम्य तम्॥४६॥
“Mastering grief, I shall act according to the great souls’ direction.” Thus addressed, the ministers bowed to him and did as ordered.
Passage 47
विप्राग्र्यैः कृतमतिभिर्महर्षिमुख्यैः सन्मन्त्रिप्रवरगणैः प्रभाषतोऽस्य। सा घोरा रजनिरवर्ततातिशोका दुष्पारा किमपि सहस्रवर्षतुल्या॥४७॥
As learned foremost brāhmaṇas, eminent sages, and excellent ministers counseled him, that dreadful night of extreme grief passed with immense difficulty, seeming somehow equal to a thousand years.