Ram Mistakes the Coronation Omens for Bharata's Return
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 7
Doha 7 · Movement 1 of 2
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Every worker performs the assigned task as life's first duty. Dasharatha worships Brahmins, saints, and gods, and the news of Ram's coronation sends celebratory drums rolling through Ayodhya.
Auspicious tremors move through Ram and Sita's limbs. Yet neither thinks first of crown or throne. They look at one another and decide the signs must announce Bharata's return after long separation.
Who could be dearer than Bharata? Ram remembers his distant brother day and night, like a mother tortoise nourishing unseen eggs through loving attention. At the centre of a city preparing to exalt him, Ram's heart travels away from himself toward the absent beloved.
While Ayodhya prepares his crown, Ram receives every auspicious sign as a promise of his brother.
Read the passage from the Manas
जो मुनीस जेहि आयसु दीन्हा। सो तेहिं काजु प्रथम जनु कीन्हा।। बिप्र साधु सुर पूजत राजा। करत राम हित मंगल काजा।। सुनत राम अभिषेक सुहावा। बाज गहागह अवध बधावा।। राम सीय तन सगुन जनाए। फरकहिं मंगल अंग सुहाए।। पुलकि सप्रेम परसपर कहहीं। भरत आगमनु सूचक अहहीं।। भए बहुत दिन अति अवसेरी। सगुन प्रतीति भेंट प्रिय केरी।। भरत सरिस प्रिय को जग माहीं। इहइ सगुन फलु दूसर नाहीं।। रामहि बंधु सोच दिन राती। अंडन्हि कमठ ह्रदउ जेहि भाँती।।
Whatever task the sage assigned to each person, that person accomplished it as though it were the very first duty of their life. The king worshipped Brahmins, saints, and gods, performing every auspicious rite for Rama's welfare. When word of Rama's glorious coronation spread, drums of celebration thundered throughout Ayodhya. Auspicious signs appeared on the bodies of Rama and Sita; their beautiful limbs trembled with happy omens. Thrilled with love, they said to each other, 'Surely these signs herald Bharata's arrival.' 'So many days have passed in long separation. These omens promise a meeting with our beloved.' 'Who in all the world is as dear as Bharata? This alone must be the fruit of these signs; there is no other.' Rama thinks of his brother day and night, just as a mother tortoise nurtures her distant eggs through the power of her loving attention alone.