The Glory of Being Ram's Brother Becomes Bharata's Shame
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 181
Doha 181 · Movement 1 of 2
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The wise Creator gave Kaikeyi's son precisely what suited him, Bharata says. Yet the same providence also made him younger brother to Dasharatha's son Ram, a glory beyond words that now feels wasted.
The assembly speaks of applying the royal mark and fulfilling the king's command. Bharata asks them to set him and his mother aside, then judge whether any good can be named. What creature besides him does not hold Sita and Ram dearer than life?
What is supreme loss to all has become his apparent gain. He calls this his unique misfortune and blames no one else. He recognizes that doubt, virtue, and affection bind the assembly's counsel, so he does not call their words improper. His refusal preserves respect even while rejecting their conclusion.
Bharata honors the assembly's love, yet sees his own advantage as the single dark exception in a world that treasures Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
कैकइ सुअन जोगु जग जोई। चतुर बिरंचि दीन्ह मोहि सोई।। दसरथ तनय राम लघु भाई। दीन्हि मोहि बिधि बादि बड़ाई।। तुम्ह सब कहहु कढ़ावन टीका। राय रजायसु सब कहँ नीका।। उतरु देउँ केहि बिधि केहि केही। कहहु सुखेन जथा रुचि जेही।। मोहि कुमातु समेत बिहाई। कहहु कहिहि के कीन्ह भलाई।। मो बिनु को सचराचर माहीं। जेहि सिय रामु प्रानप्रिय नाहीं।। परम हानि सब कहँ बड़ लाहू। अदिनु मोर नहि दूषन काहू।। संसय सील प्रेम बस अहहू। सबुइ उचित सब जो कछु कहहू।।
Whatever is fitting for Kaikeyi's son in this world, the wise Creator has given exactly that to me. Dasharatha's son Rama is my elder brother. The Creator gave me this kinship, a glory beyond all telling. You all speak of anointing me with the tilak; you say the king's command is good for everyone. How shall I answer, and to whom? Speak freely, each according to your own heart. Set me aside along with my wicked mother. Tell me, who will say that any good was done? Who else in all creation, moving or still, is there for whom Sita and Rama are not dearer than life? What is supreme loss for all has become a great gain for me. This is my misfortune alone; the fault belongs to no one else. You are all bound by doubt, virtue, and love. Whatever you say is entirely fitting.