Bharata Finds Sita's Golden Traces upon the Grass
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 199
Doha 199 · Movement 1 of 2
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Beneath the shinsupa tree Bharata sees the beautiful bed of kusa grass. He bows, circles it in reverence, and lifts the dust marked by sacred feet to his eyes. Love has entered a depth no speech can measure.
Among the pale blades he notices a few golden particles left by Sita. He places them upon his head as though receiving Sita herself. Tears fill his eyes, and his heart melts as he turns toward Guha and tries to speak gently.
Janaka's daughter, born to one who holds enjoyment and yoga alike within his mastery, was cherished in the solar dynasty and loved by Raghunath, source of every greatness. Yet separation has stripped radiance from her just as Ayodhya's citizens have faded. The tiny grass bed reveals the cost of exile more powerfully than any royal lament.
A few golden traces among kusa grass become Sita herself upon Bharata's bowed head, and the forest floor becomes a palace of grief.
Read the passage from the Manas
कुस साँथरीनिहारि सुहाई। कीन्ह प्रनामु प्रदच्छिन जाई।। चरन रेख रज आँखिन्ह लाई। बनइ न कहत प्रीति अधिकाई।। कनक बिंदु दुइ चारिक देखे। राखे सीस सीय सम लेखे।। सजल बिलोचन हृदयँ गलानी। कहत सखा सन बचन सुबानी।। श्रीहत सीय बिरहँ दुतिहीना। जथा अवध नर नारि बिलीना।। पिता जनक देउँ पटतर केही। करतल भोगु जोगु जग जेही।। ससुर भानुकुल भानु भुआलू। जेहि सिहात अमरावतिपालू।। प्राननाथु रघुनाथ गोसाई। जो बड़ होत सो राम बड़ाई।।
Beholding Sita's lovely bed of kush grass, Bharat bowed low and walked around it in reverent pradakshina. He pressed the dust of those sacred charan rekha to his eyes. No words could capture the depth of his prema. He noticed a few golden drops of tears and placed them upon his head, holding them as precious as Siya herself. With eyes brimming and a heart melting in tenderness, he spoke gentle words to his sakha. "Siya, radiant jewel among pativrata wives, has lost her shri in the ache of viraha, just as the people of Avadh have withered in sorrow. Her father is Raja Janaka. To whom could one compare him? He who holds bhoga and yoga in the palm of his hand. Her father-in-law is the very sun of the Bhanukul, the Surya Vansha, before whom even Indra, lord of Amaravati, trembles. And her praananath is Raghunath Gosain himself. Whoever attains greatness does so only through Rama's glory."