Messengers Race toward an Unknowing Bharata
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 157
Doha 157 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dasharatha's body is preserved in oil while messengers receive a guarded command. They must reach Bharata swiftly but reveal nothing of the king's death. They may say only that the guru has summoned both brothers.
The runners depart with speed that shames the finest horses. Far away in Kekaya, Bharata has already felt calamity through ominous signs and dreadful dreams. Waking brings waves of bitter speculation that no ordinary reassurance can settle.
Each day he feeds brahmins, gives charity, and performs many forms of Shiva worship and ritual bathing. Inwardly he entreats Mahesh for the welfare of mothers, father, brothers, and kin. Before the message arrives, devotion has begun preparing his heart for news it does not yet know.
While royal messengers race under a command of silence, Bharata pours water over Shiva and prays for the family already broken.
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तेल नाँव भरि नृप तनु राखा। दूत बोलाइ बहुरि अस भाषा।। धावहु बेगि भरत पहिं जाहू। नृप सुधि कतहुँ कहहु जनि काहू।। एतनेइ कहेहु भरत सन जाई। गुर बोलाई पठयउ दोउ भाई।। सुनि मुनि आयसु धावन धाए। चले बेग बर बाजि लजाए।। अनरथु अवध अरंभेउ जब तें। कुसगुन होहिं भरत कहुँ तब तें।। देखहिं राति भयानक सपना। जागि करहिं कटु कोटि कलपना।। बिप्र जेवाँइ देहिं दिन दाना। सिव अभिषेक करहिं बिधि नाना।। मागहिं हृदयँ महेस मनाई। कुसल मातु पितु परिजन भाई।।
They preserved the king's body by filling it with oil. Then the messengers were called and given these instructions. "Rush swiftly and go to Bharata at once. Do not speak of the king's fate to anyone, anywhere." "Tell Bharata only this much: the Guru has summoned both brothers and sent for them." Hearing the sage's command, the runners set forth. They moved so swiftly that even the finest horses felt shame at their pace. Ever since calamity took hold in Ayodhya, ill omens have been appearing to Bharata. At night he sees dreadful dreams, and upon waking, his mind churns with bitter, countless anxieties. Each day he feeds the Brahmins and gives charity. He performs worship and abhisheka to Lord Shiva in many ways. In his heart he beseeches Lord Mahesh, praying for the well-being of his mothers, father, family, and brothers.