Bharata Demands to Know Who His Mother Has Become
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 162
Doha 162 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharata asks how Kaikeyi's heart did not shatter when the cruel resolve formed within it. When she demanded the boons, did remorse not pierce her? How could she break the trust of a king so simple, noble, and devoted to dharma?
He concludes that death's hour stole Dasharatha's discernment and left him unable to perceive the danger before him. Grief drives Bharata into bitter words about deception and the unfathomable movement of the heart.
Then his accusation narrows again to Ram. What creature does not hold Raghunath dearer than life? If even Ram became her enemy, who is she now? The son no longer recognizes the mother standing before him. Her deed has made identity itself feel false within the chamber.
Bharata searches Kaikeyi's face and asks how any heart could turn Ram, beloved of every living creature, into an enemy.
Read the passage from the Manas
जब तैं कुमति कुमत जियँ ठयऊ। खंड खंड होइ ह्रदउ न गयऊ।। बर मागत मन भइ नहिं पीरा। गरि न जीह मुहँ परेउ न कीरा।। भूपँ प्रतीत तोरि किमि कीन्ही। मरन काल बिधि मति हरि लीन्ही।। बिधिहुँ न नारि हृदय गति जानी। सकल कपट अघ अवगुन खानी।। सरल सुसील धरम रत राऊ। सो किमि जानै तीय सुभाऊ।। अस को जीव जंतु जग माहीं। जेहि रघुनाथ प्रानप्रिय नाहीं।। भे अति अहित रामु तेउ तोही। को तू अहसि सत्य कहु मोही।। जो हसि सो हसि मुहँ मसि लाई। आँखि ओट उठि बैठहिं जाई।।
Ever since you, O wicked one, fixed this evil resolve in your heart, how did your heart not shatter into a thousand pieces? When you asked for those boons, did your mind feel no sting of remorse? Did your tongue not wither, did worms not fill your mouth? How could you break the king's sacred trust? The hour of death had come, and Vidhi himself stole away your reason. Even Brahma cannot fathom the ways of a woman's heart, that deep mine of all deceit, sin, and failing. The king was simple, noble, and devoted to dharma. How could he ever perceive such a nature? What living creature exists anywhere in this world for whom Raghunath is not dearer than life itself? Yet even Rama became your bitter enemy. Tell me truly, who are you? Whoever laughs at this shall blacken their own face with soot and slink away, hiding from all sight.