The Streets Debate Dasharatha and Defend Bharata
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 48
Doha 48 · Movement 1 of 2
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Ayodhya's people argue through their sorrow. Some blame Dasharatha for yielding without reflection, while others see the supreme demand of dharma and recall Shibi, Dadhichi, and Harishchandra, who preserved truth through sacrifice.
Then suspicion touches Bharata. Some speak in his defence; others cover their ears and bite their tongues, calling any accusation utterly false and spiritually ruinous.
Ram and Bharata are dearer to each other than life. The city's debate may divide around king and queen, oath and judgment, but it refuses to invent rivalry between the brothers. In grief, this certainty remains unshaken ground.
Even while Ayodhya questions its king, it will not allow sorrow to place Bharata against Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
का सुनाइ बिधि काह सुनावा। का देखाइ चह काह देखावा।। एक कहहिं भल भूप न कीन्हा। बरु बिचारि नहिं कुमतिहि दीन्हा।। जो हठि भयउ सकल दुख भाजनु। अबला बिबस ग्यानु गुनु गा जनु।। एक धरम परमिति पहिचाने। नृपहि दोसु नहिं देहिं सयाने।। सिबि दधीचि हरिचंद कहानी। एक एक सन कहहिं बखानी।। एक भरत कर संमत कहहीं। एक उदास भायँ सुनि रहहीं।। कान मूदि कर रद गहि जीहा। एक कहहिं यह बात अलीहा।। सुकृत जाहिं अस कहत तुम्हारे। रामु भरत कहुँ प्रानपिआरे।।
What shall I tell you, and what shall I make you hear? What shall I show you, and what is it you wish to see? Some say the king did not act wisely; he gave in to evil counsel without proper reflection. He who stubbornly became the vessel of all sorrows, overpowered by a woman, lost his wisdom and virtue. Others, recognizing the supreme limits of dharma, do not fault the king at all. They tell the stories of Shibi, Dadhichi, and Harishchandra, narrating each tale in full detail. Some speak in defense of Bharat, while others listen in sorrowful silence. Covering their ears and biting their tongues, some declare: this talk is utterly false! Your merit is destroyed by speaking so. Rama and Bharat are dearer to each other than life itself.