Vasishtha Offers Bharata a Kingdom Held in Trust
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 175
Doha 175 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Vasishtha asks Bharata to fulfill Dasharatha's promise, protect the people, and release sorrow. The king will find peace in heaven, while the son earns merit and unstained fame. Veda and public custom agree that the one crowned by the father receives the throne.
Kausalya, the mothers, and the citizens will gain stability. Ram and Vaidehi will hear of Bharata's righteous rule and feel happiness, and no wise person will call the action wrong.
Most importantly, the kingdom need not become possession. When Ram returns, Bharata may place it back in his hands and serve with beautiful affection. Vasishtha reframes rule as guardianship across fourteen years, a burden carried for Ram rather than a prize taken from him.
The guru offers Bharata not ownership of Ayodhya, but a kingdom to protect until it can be returned intact to Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
अवसि नरेस बचन फुर करहू। पालहु प्रजा सोकु परिहरहू।। सुरपुर नृप पाइहि परितोषू। तुम्ह कहुँ सुकृत सुजसु नहिं दोषू।। बेद बिदित संमत सबही का। जेहि पितु देइ सो पावइ टीका।। करहु राजु परिहरहु गलानी। मानहु मोर बचन हित जानी।। सुनि सुखु लहब राम बैदेहीं। अनुचित कहब न पंडित केहीं।। कौसल्यादि सकल महतारीं। तेउ प्रजा सुख होहिं सुखारीं।। परम तुम्हार राम कर जानिहि। सो सब बिधि तुम्ह सन भल मानिहि।। सौंपेहु राजु राम कै आएँ। सेवा करेहु सनेह सुहाएँ।।
You must fulfill the king's promise. Rule the people and set aside all sorrow. The king will find peace in the heavenly realm, and you will earn merit and fair renown, free of any fault. The Vedas declare, and all agree: whomever the father crowns receives the throne. Accept the kingdom and cast off dejection. Take my words to heart, knowing them to be for your good. Hearing this, Rama and Vaidehi will find happiness. No wise person will call it wrong. Kausalya and every mother, together with the people, will become content and at ease. Rama will know your supreme devotion and will be pleased with you in every way. When Rama returns, hand the kingdom over to him and serve him with tender, beautiful love.