Bharata Asks Guha to Show Him Where Ram Slept
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 198
Doha 198 · Movement 1 of 2
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Camps rise wherever space allows, and Bharata personally asks after the welfare of all. After worship and permission, he and Shatrughna visit Ram's mothers, press their feet, and speak so gently that every queen feels honored.
Bharata entrusts their service to Shatrughna, then calls Guha. The friends walk hand in hand, Bharata's body loosened by love. Administration, worship, and family care have been completed; now a private ache draws him toward the trace Ram left upon the earth.
Show me that place, he asks, so the burning of my eyes and heart may cool for a moment. He can barely say where Sita, Ram, and Lakshmana slept before tears fill his eyes. Guha feels the sorrow and leads him immediately toward the sacred ground.
Hand in hand with Guha, Bharata follows his tears toward the small patch of earth that once held Sita, Ram, and Lakshmana.
Read the passage from the Manas
जहँ तहँ लोगन्ह डेरा कीन्हा। भरत सोधु सबही कर लीन्हा।। सुर सेवा करि आयसु पाई। राम मातु पहिं गे दोउ भाई।। चरन चाँपि कहि कहि मृदु बानी। जननीं सकल भरत सनमानी।। भाइहि सौंपि मातु सेवकाई। आपु निषादहि लीन्ह बोलाई।। चले सखा कर सों कर जोरें। सिथिल सरीर सनेह न थोरें।। पूँछत सखहि सो ठाउँ देखाऊ। नेकु नयन मन जरनि जुड़ाऊ।। जहँ सिय रामु लखनु निसि सोए। कहत भरे जल लोचन कोए।। भरत बचन सुनि भयउ बिषादू। तुरत तहाँ लइ गयउ निषादू।।
People set up their camps wherever they found space. Bharat personally asked after the welfare of each one. After worshipping the gods and receiving permission, both brothers went to pay respects to Rama's mothers. Pressing their feet and speaking tender words, Bharat honoured every mother with care. Entrusting the mothers' service to his brother Shatrughna, he called the Nishada chief to his side. The two friends set out hand in hand, Bharat's body limp with love beyond measure. He asked his companion, "Show me that place. Let my burning eyes and heart find even a moment's relief." "Where Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana slept that night..." Even as he spoke, tears filled the corners of his eyes. Hearing Bharat's words, Nishada was struck with sorrow and led him at once to that sacred spot.