Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— वसिष्ठवामदेवाद्यैर्जाबालिप्रमुखैर्द्विजैः। मातृभिर्भ्रातृस्वजनैः सुहृद्भिश्चैव बन्धुभिः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Accompanied by brāhmaṇas headed by Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and Jābāli, by his mothers, brothers, kinsmen, well-wishers, and relatives—
Passage 2
सहितो भरतश्चक्रे चित्रकूटं प्रदक्षिणम्। धातुभिर्मण्डितान्यस्य शृङ्गाणि सुमहान्ति सः॥२॥
—Bharata circumambulated Citrakūṭa, beholding its immense peaks adorned with many-colored minerals.
Passage 3
वीक्षमाणो नदीर्दिव्याः शुभ्रा मन्दाकिनीमुखाः। गह्वराणि दरीर्दीर्घा निकुञ्जानि वनानि च॥३॥
He gazed upon divine, clear rivers headed by the Mandākinī, upon caves and long valleys, bowers, and forests.
Passage 4
आधित्यका उपत्यकाश्च लताभूरुहभूषिताः। विकसत्कुसुमामोदप्रमोदितमधुव्रताः॥४॥
The plateaus and foothills were adorned with vines and trees; bees delighted in the fragrance of blossoming flowers.
Passage 5
मधुस्रवैर्विटपिभिः पल्लवारुणकान्तिभिः। शीतलच्छायसुभगैर्वल्लीमण्डपमण्डितैः॥५॥
The trees streamed honey, their young leaves glowing red. Their cool, lovely shade was adorned with pavilions of climbing vines.
Passage 6
स्रवन्निर्झरसन्दोहशीतलानिलसेविताः। प्रोद्गारिचन्दनामोदवासिताः सुभगाः स्थलीः॥६॥
Cool breezes from hosts of flowing waterfalls served the lovely grounds, which were perfumed by the outpouring fragrance of sandalwood.
Passage 7
तीर्थानि च मनोज्ञानि कोटितीर्थमयानि च। देवगन्धर्वसन्दोहसेवितानि शुभानि च॥७॥
He saw charming and auspicious holy places, each embodying ten million pilgrimage sites and served by hosts of gods and Gandharvas.
Passage 8
अटमानः ससैन्योऽद्रिं मुमुदे भूपतेः सुतः। वाल्मीकेराश्रमं दृष्ट्वा प्रजहर्ष महामतिः॥८॥
Roaming the mountain with his army, the king's son rejoiced. The wise Bharata was thrilled when he saw Vālmīki's hermitage.
Passage 9
अनसूयापतेः पुण्यं स्थानं मन्दाकिनीतटे। समागम्य तरून् पश्यन्नुत्फुल्लकुसुमव्रजान्॥९॥
He reached the sacred dwelling of Anasūyā's husband upon the Mandākinī's bank and looked upon trees laden with masses of fully opened flowers.
Passage 10
गुञ्जद्भ्रमरसन्धृष्टान् कोकिलाकाकलीयुतान्। अनङ्गदीपनं मन्त्रं पठतीः शुकसारिकाः॥१०॥
Bees hummed around them and cuckoos filled them with melodious calls. Parrots and mynahs recited a mantra that kindled love.
Passage 11
पश्यन्नत्यन्तमुदितो न हातुं चकमे गिरिम्। स्वादूनि फलमूलानि भुञ्जानो हर्षसंयुतः॥११॥
Seeing all this, Bharata became so delighted that he did not wish to leave the mountain. Filled with joy, he ate its sweet fruits and roots. Bharata Reports to Bharadvāja
Passage 12
ततः प्रतस्थौ मतिमान् भारद्वाजाश्रमोन्मुखः। महत्या सेनया युक्तः कृतार्थो रामदर्शनात्॥१२॥
His purpose fulfilled by seeing Rāma, wise Bharata then departed with the great army toward Bharadvāja's hermitage.
Passage 13
श्रीरामपादुकायुग्मसनाथीकृतमस्तकः। त्रिवेणीसङ्गमं प्राप्य भारद्वाजाश्रमं तथा॥१३॥
His head made blessed by Śrī Rāma's pair of sandals, he reached the confluence of the three rivers and Bharadvāja's hermitage.
Passage 14
रथादवततारैष द्रष्टुं मुनिवरं पुनः। अथानमद् रघुश्रेष्ठो मुनेश्चरणयुग्मकम्॥१४॥
He descended from the chariot to see the eminent sage again, and the foremost Raghu bowed to the sage's two feet.
Passage 15
सत्कृत्याभिनतो विद्वान् मन्त्रसिद्धो मुनीश्वरः। उवाच तं महाराजकुमारं मारसुन्दरम्॥१५॥
The learned lord of sages, perfected in mantra, honored the deeply bowed prince and addressed him, beautiful as Kāma.
Passage 16
अपि सिद्धाभिलाषोऽसि रामदर्शनतः सुधीः। प्रसन्नस्ते रघुपतिः सीतापतिरुदारधीः॥१६॥
"Wise prince, was your desire fulfilled by seeing Rāma? Was the noble-minded Lord of Sītā, chief of the Raghus, gracious to you?
Passage 17
कच्चिन्मनोऽनुकूलं ते प्रजानां चानुकूलकम्। साधितं कार्यमार्येण धार्मिकेण मनीषिणा॥१७॥
"Did your righteous and wise elder brother accomplish the matter agreeable to your heart and beneficial to the subjects?"
Passage 18
इत्युक्तस्तेन भरतो भरद्वाजेन योगिना। उवाच तं महाभागो भक्तिश्रद्धासुसंवृतः॥१८॥
Thus questioned by the yogi Bharadvāja, noble Bharata, filled with devotion and faith, replied.
Passage 19
बहुधाभ्यर्थितो ब्रह्मज्ञार्यः स गुरुभिर्मया। नोररीकृतवान् बद्धप्रतिज्ञो दृढनिश्चयः॥१९॥
"Although the noble knower of Brahman was repeatedly entreated by his gurus and by me, he would not consent. He is bound to his promise and firm in resolve.
Passage 20
यदूचे तद्वदिष्यामि भवते श्रूयतां मुने। पितुराज्ञां करिष्यामि प्रतिज्ञामात्मना कृताम्॥२०॥
"Sage, hear what he told me: 'I shall obey Father's command and fulfill the promise I myself made.
Passage 21
न हास्यामि महाबाहो उपायानां शतैरपि। चतुर्दशसमा यावद्वने वत्स्याम्यसंशयः॥२१॥
"'Mighty-armed Bharata, I shall not abandon it despite a hundred devices. I will certainly live in the forest until fourteen years have passed.'
Passage 22
वचः प्रतिवचश्चासीदावयोस्तत्र भूरिशः। आर्यस्य सम्प्रतिज्ञातं विनेतुं कोऽपि नाशकत्॥२२॥
"We exchanged many words and replies there, but no one could turn my noble brother from what he had solemnly vowed.
Passage 23
देवताश्चापि गन्धर्वा मुनयश्च तपोधनाः। आर्यमेवान्ववर्तन्त स्वार्थसंसाधनोन्मुखाः॥२३॥
"The gods, Gandharvas, and ascetic sages themselves supported my brother, intent upon accomplishing their purpose.
Passage 24
प्रायो दशग्रीवमुखा दुष्टचित्ता निशाचराः। जगदुद्द्रावकास्तेन हन्तव्या इति निश्चितम्॥२४॥
"It is settled that he must slay the wicked night-roamers headed by ten-necked Rāvaṇa, who terrorize the world.
Passage 25
एषा प्रवृत्तिरार्यस्य लक्ष्यते वनवासिनः। तदिष्टं सर्वजगतामुपहन्तुं क ईश्वरः॥२५॥
"Such appears to be the purpose of my forest-dwelling brother. Who has the power to obstruct what all the worlds desire?
Passage 26
अराजकं च राष्ट्रं तन्नाहं पालयितुं क्षमः। अतो वसिष्ठो भगवान् पादुके समयाचत॥२६॥
"I am not capable of governing that kingdom without its king. Therefore the venerable Vasiṣṭha requested the sandals.
Passage 27
ते अहं शिरसि न्यस्य कृतार्थो न्यवृतं ततः। करिष्येते महीराज्यं ते एव मम मूर्धनि॥२७॥
"Placing them upon my head, I returned with my purpose fulfilled. Resting upon my head, those very sandals will govern the great kingdom.
Passage 28
सोऽहमार्येणानुज्ञातो गच्छामि किल कोसलाम्। गृहीत्वा पादुकायुग्ममार्यस्याखिलमङ्गलम्॥२८॥
"Thus permitted by my noble brother, I now go to Kosala, bearing his pair of sandals, the source of every blessing."
Passage 29
भरतस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भरद्वाजो महामुनिः। साधुवादं पुरस्कृत्य बभाषे मुदिताशयः॥२९॥
Hearing Bharata's words, the great sage Bharadvāja joyfully exclaimed his approval and spoke.
Passage 30
धन्योऽसि भरत श्रीमन् यस्य ते मतिरीदृशी। शुभं तव सदा भूयाद् धर्मिष्ठस्य महात्मनः॥३०॥
"Glorious Bharata, blessed are you to possess such understanding. May good always attend you, supremely righteous and great-hearted prince.
Passage 31
रघुवंशेऽतिविमले जाता जातागुणाधिकाः। प्रायेण तव चरित्रेण रामानुज महामते॥३१॥
"In the utterly pure Raghu lineage each generation has surpassed the last in virtue—most evidently through your conduct, wise younger brother of Rāma.
Passage 32
यथा रामस्तथा वीर भवन्तो भ्रातरस्त्रयः। येषां शुभवती बुद्धिर्विभाति भुवनं सदा॥३२॥
"Hero, as Rāma is, so are you three brothers, whose auspicious understanding forever illumines the world.
Passage 33
मृतोऽपि ते पिता तात जीवत्येव यशस्तनुः। यस्यास्ति त्वादृशः पुत्रो धार्मिकः कुलनन्दनः॥३३॥
"Dear Bharata, though dead, your father lives in the body of his fame, for he has a righteous son like you, delight of the family." From Prayāga to Ayodhyā
Passage 34
इत्युक्तो भरतस्तेन तमामन्त्र्य मुनीश्वरम्। कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा ययाचे गन्तुमुत्सुकः॥३४॥
Thus addressed, Bharata took leave of the lordly sage. Folding his hands, he asked permission to depart.
Passage 35
ततो मुनिवरं विद्वान् भक्त्या कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम्। प्रतस्थौ कोसलां वीरो मन्त्रिभिः परिवारितः॥३५॥
The learned hero devoutly circumambulated the eminent sage and set out for Kosala surrounded by his ministers.
Passage 36
पुनर्निववृते सेना गजाश्वरथपत्तिभिः। सङ्कुला सर्वतो व्याप्ता छादयन्ती दिशो दश॥३६॥
The army turned back, crowded with elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers, spreading everywhere and covering the ten directions.
Passage 37
इभानां घोरचीत्कारैरश्वानां प्लवनक्रमैः। रथानां घर्घरारावैर्घोषयन्ती समन्ततः॥३७॥
It resounded on every side with the elephants' dreadful cries, the horses' leaping strides, and the rumbling roar of chariots.
Passage 38
समुत्तीर्य यथापूर्वं गङ्गां तुङ्गोर्मिवेगिनीम्। उच्छलद्ग्राहमकरप्रकरैरतिभीषणाम्॥३८॥
As before, they crossed the Gaṅgā, rushing with high waves and terrifying with leaping hosts of crocodiles and sea-creatures.
Passage 39
शृङ्गवेरपुरं प्राप भरतः सहितो बलैः। सम्मानितो गुहेनोच्चैरयोध्यां स ततोऽव्रजत्॥३९॥
Bharata and his forces reached Śṛṅgaverapura. Greatly honored by Guha, he then continued to Ayodhyā. The Joyless City
Passage 40
दृष्ट्वा दूरात्पुरीं तां तु शून्यप्रायजनालयाम्। आनन्दनादरहितां निरुत्साहजनावृताम्॥४०॥
From afar he saw the city: its homes almost empty of people, devoid of joyful sound, and filled with dispirited inhabitants.
Passage 41
अदर्शयत् सुमन्त्राय सूतायाभ्याशवर्तिने। पश्य सूत पुरीमेतामार्येण रहितां ततः॥४१॥
He pointed it out to the charioteer Sumantra beside him: "Charioteer, behold this city bereft of my noble brother.
Passage 42
सर्वतस्तिमिरस्तोमव्याप्तामिव कुहूनिशाम्। प्रोषितोत्साहविभवां परास्तमुखसम्पदम्॥४२॥
"It is like the moonless night, enveloped on every side by masses of darkness. Its wealth of enthusiasm has departed and its splendor has turned away.
Passage 43
दीनां दरिद्रप्रतिमां गतमानामिवाबलाम्। राज्ञा राजकुमारेण वर्जितां लुण्ठितामिव॥४३॥
"Wretched and resembling poverty itself, it is like a powerless woman stripped of honor. Deprived of king and prince, it appears plundered.
Passage 44
नाहमेतां पुरीं सूत सम्प्रति द्रष्टुमुत्सहे। अन्यादृशीव मे भाति सर्वतः शोकसंवृता॥४४॥
"Charioteer, I cannot bear to look upon the city now. Surrounded everywhere by grief, it appears entirely changed to me."
Passage 45
ततस्तां प्राविशद्वीरः पुरीं मलिनदर्शनाम्। बहलोलूकमार्जारव्यापृतप्रचुरालयाम्॥४५॥
The hero then entered the city, dismal to behold, where many houses were occupied by multitudes of owls and cats.
Passage 46
अस्तचन्द्रार्कतारौघां संवर्तरजनीमिव। प्रालेयपातनिहतां पद्मिनीमिव निष्प्रभाम्॥४६॥
With its hosts of moons, suns, and stars seemingly set, it resembled the night of cosmic dissolution, or a lusterless lotus pond struck down by frost.
Passage 47
ग्रीष्मशुष्कोदकां पङ्कलुठद्बककुलावृताम्। सरसीमिव वित्रस्तयादःकुलसमाकुलाम्॥४७॥
It was like a lake whose water summer had dried, covered with flocks of herons rolling in mud and crowded with terrified aquatic creatures.
Passage 48
राहुग्रस्तमिवार्केन्दुमुख्यनक्षत्रमण्डलाम्। विशीर्णजीर्णपर्णौघव्याप्तामिव वनस्थलीम्॥४८॥
It seemed a firmament whose sun, moon, and chief stars Rāhu had swallowed, or a forest floor covered with masses of scattered, withered leaves.
Passage 49
प्रातर्बलामिवोद्वाहरात्रेरम्बरकन्यकाम्। चन्द्रज्योत्स्नामिव प्रातश्चण्डांशुकरसन्द्भृताम्॥४९॥
It resembled the sky's maiden at dawn after her bridal night, her strength spent, or moonlight at sunrise overwhelmed by the fierce sun's rays.
Passage 50
अदर्शनोचिताकारामुत्सवध्वनिवर्जिताम्। देवेनैव हृतां विश्वशून्यप्रायाममङ्गलाम्॥५०॥
Its appearance was fit to be hidden from sight, bereft of festival sounds. As though robbed by fate, it was inauspicious and almost empty as a deserted world.
Passage 51
चिराय मलिनाकारां मौकुरीं पट्टिकामिव। निर्मण्डनैर्निरालेपैर्निःपानभोजनादरैः॥५१॥
Long discolored, it resembled a tarnished mirror plate. Its people had no ornaments or unguents and no concern for drinking or eating.
Passage 52
समस्तोत्साहरहितैर्जनैः समुपलक्षिताम्। मार्जनालेपचित्रादिरहितां रूपवर्जिताम्॥५२॥
It was marked by people devoid of all enthusiasm, and itself lacked sweeping, plaster, decoration, and every sign of beauty.
Passage 53
दर्शयंस्तां सुमन्त्राय प्रोवाच भरतः शुचा। पश्य निःस्तिमितामेतां पुरीं प्रोत्साहवर्जिताम्॥५३॥
Showing it to Sumantra, Bharata said sorrowfully: "See this motionless city, bereft of all vitality.
Passage 54
न श्रूयते क्वचिन्नारीगीतवादित्रसम्भवः। न चोपलभ्यते क्वापि रूपं नेत्रसुखावहम्॥५४॥
"Nowhere is heard the sound of women's songs and instruments. Nowhere can one find a beautiful sight that brings pleasure to the eyes.
Passage 55
न च पूर्वमिवावान्ति सौरभाणि समन्ततः। कादम्बरीमदोन्मत्ताः प्रतिकर्मसमुज्ज्वलाः॥५५॥
"Fragrances no longer waft from every side as before, nor do women intoxicated with wine shine in their adornments.
Passage 56
वेश्याजना न राजन्ते पुरेव प्रमुदान्विताः। न सञ्चरन्ति वेतण्डा मदमत्ताः समन्ततः॥५६॥
"Courtesans no longer appear radiant and joyful as before. Rut-maddened elephants no longer move about on every side.
Passage 57
न च संश्रूयते हेषा हयानां सुमनोहरा। इत्युक्त्वा प्राविशद् वीरस्तत्पितुर्भवनोत्तमम्॥५७॥
"Nor is the delightful neighing of horses heard." Having spoken thus, the hero entered his father's magnificent palace.
Passage 58
विलोक्य भरतो गृहं दशरथेन रामेण च श्रिया च रहितं तदाध्युषितमाचकाङ्क्षेण सः। विवर्ण इव दुर्मनाः परमशोकचिन्ताकुलो बभूव कुलमण्डनः किमपि चेतसा व्याकुलः॥५८॥
Seeing the residence bereft of Daśaratha, Rāma, and royal splendor, Bharata yearned to see it inhabited by them again. The ornament of his lineage grew pale and despondent, overwhelmed by profound grief and inwardly distraught.