Bharata Calls Every Sin upon Himself
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 167
Doha 167 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharata and Shatrughna weep while Kausalya holds them close. Then Bharata begins consoling the mothers through discernment and sacred stories, speaking with pure simplicity and folded hands.
He calls the gravest sins into witness: killing parent or child, burning places of sacred life, harming women and children, poisoning friend or king. He gathers transgressions of deed, word, and thought into one terrible invocation.
May every such consequence fall upon him if the plot was ever his wish or his mother's desire shared with him. Bharata does not offer a mild denial. He places his entire moral existence at stake, asking creation itself to judge the hidden intention of his heart.
With joined palms before the grieving mothers, Bharata stakes his soul against the claim that he ever desired Ram's exile.
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बिलपहिं बिकल भरत दोउ भाई। कौसल्याँ लिए हृदयँ लगाई।। भाँति अनेक भरतु समुझाए। कहि बिबेकमय बचन सुनाए।। भरतहुँ मातु सकल समुझाईं। कहि पुरान श्रुति कथा सुहाईं।। छल बिहीन सुचि सरल सुबानी। बोले भरत जोरि जुग पानी।। जे अघ मातु पिता सुत मारें। गाइ गोठ महिसुर पुर जारें।। जे अघ तिय बालक बध कीन्हें। मीत महीपति माहुर दीन्हें।। जे पातक उपपातक अहहीं। करम बचन मन भव कबि कहहीं।। ते पातक मोहि होहुँ बिधाता। जौं यहु होइ मोर मत माता।।
Both brothers, Bharat and Shatrughna, wept in deep distress, while Kausalya drew them close and held them to her heart. Bharat consoled everyone in many gentle ways, speaking words brimming with wisdom and discernment. Bharat also comforted all the mothers, recounting beautiful stories from the Puranas and the Vedas. Free from all deceit, pure, simple and sweet of speech, Bharat spoke with both hands folded in reverence. 'Whatever sins befall one who slays mother, father or son, or sets fire to cow-sheds and holy cities. Whatever sins come from killing women and children, or from poisoning a dear friend or a king. Whatever sins and lesser sins exist, born of deed, word and thought, as the poets declare. May all those sins fall upon me, O Creator, if this plot was ever my mother's wish, or mine.'