The Sarayu Pyre Becomes a Stairway to Heaven
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 170
Doha 170 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dasharatha's body is bathed according to sacred ordinance and placed upon a wondrous bier. Bharata holds the feet of every mother, restraining queens who long for one final sight of their lord.
Loads of sandalwood, aloewood, and fragrant offerings arrive at the Sarayu. The pyre rises upon the bank like a beautiful stair ascending toward the city of the gods. Fire receives the king while river, fragrance, family, and Vedic sound surround his departure.
After bathing, Bharata offers sesame and water. He searches memory, Veda, and Purana to complete the ten days of rites, following every instruction of the sages with exact care. When purification ends, gifts flow outward in cows, horses, elephants, and vehicles, turning mourning into generosity.
Beside the Sarayu, sandalwood fire becomes Dasharatha's stairway upward and Bharata's grief becomes precise sacred service.
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नृपतनु बेद बिदित अन्हवावा। परम बिचित्र बिमानु बनावा।। गहि पद भरत मातु सब राखी। रहीं रानि दरसन अभिलाषी।। चंदन अगर भार बहु आए। अमित अनेक सुगंध सुहाए।। सरजु तीर रचि चिता बनाई। जनु सुरपुर सोपान सुहाई।। एहि बिधि दाह क्रिया सब कीन्ही। बिधिवत न्हाइ तिलांजुलि दीन्ही।। सोधि सुमृति सब बेद पुराना। कीन्ह भरत दसगात बिधाना।। जहँ जस मुनिबर आयसु दीन्हा। तहँ तस सहस भाँति सबु कीन्हा।। भए बिसुद्ध दिए सब दाना। धेनु बाजि गज बाहन नाना।।
The king's body was bathed according to Vedic rites, and a most wondrous celestial bier was prepared. Bharat clasped the feet of every mother and kept them close; the queens lingered, longing for one final sight of their lord. Great loads of sandalwood, aloewood, and countless sweet-smelling offerings were brought. On the bank of the Sarayu, a funeral pyre was raised so splendid it seemed like beautiful stairs ascending to heaven. In this manner, all the cremation rites were performed. After bathing as prescribed, offerings of sesame and water were made. Searching through the Smritis, all the Vedas, and the Puranas, Bharat carried out the full ten-day (dasagaat) ceremonies. Whatever the great sages instructed, wherever they instructed it, Bharat fulfilled it all in a thousand careful ways. When purification was complete, abundant gifts were given: cows, horses, elephants, and vehicles of every kind.