Bharata Honors the Counsel Yet Finds No Peace
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 177
Doha 177 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharata acknowledges the guru's excellent counsel, the agreement of subjects and ministers, and Kausalya's rightful command. Words from teacher, father, mother, and lord should be heard joyfully and followed with understanding.
To weigh such commands merely by personal ideas of right and wrong can let dharma depart and place sin upon the head. He therefore asks for the simple instruction that will truly bring his welfare.
Yet understanding has not produced contentment. Bharata asks the assembly to hear his plea and guide him according to his actual condition. If sorrow makes his response imperfect, the saintly should forgive, for they do not count faults in one overwhelmed by pain. Reverence remains complete even as conscience prepares another path.
Bharata bows to every voice in the hall, then admits that agreement in the mind has not brought one breath of peace to the heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
मोहि उपदेसु दीन्ह गुर नीका। प्रजा सचिव संमत सबही का।। मातु उचित धरि आयसु दीन्हा। अवसि सीस धरि चाहउँ कीन्हा।। गुर पितु मातु स्वामि हित बानी। सुनि मन मुदित करिअ भलि जानी।। उचित कि अनुचित किएँ बिचारू। धरमु जाइ सिर पातक भारू।। तुम्ह तौ देहु सरल सिख सोई। जो आचरत मोर भल होई।। जद्यपि यह समुझत हउँ नीकें। तदपि होत परितोषु न जी कें।। अब तुम्ह बिनय मोरि सुनि लेहू। मोहि अनुहरत सिखावनु देहू।। ऊतरु देउँ छमब अपराधू। दुखित दोष गुन गनहिं न साधू।।
My guru has given me good counsel, and all the subjects and ministers are in agreement with it. Mother has given a fitting command, which I must certainly accept and fulfill with my head bowed. The loving words of guru, father, mother and lord should be heard with a joyful heart and followed with full understanding. If one deliberates whether something is right or wrong, dharma departs and the heavy burden of paap falls upon the head. You all give me that simple instruction which, when followed, will bring about my true welfare. Though I understand this well, still my heart finds no peace, no santosha. Now please listen to my humble vinaya and give me guidance that befits my condition. I will give an answer. Please forgive any offense, for the saintly do not weigh faults when someone is stricken with grief.