Bharata Walks because Ram Walked
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 203
Doha 203 · Movement 1 of 2
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Guha leads the road while the mothers move in palanquins. Bharata calls Shatrughna beside him, the guru proceeds with the Brahmins, and the prince bows once more to Ganga, remembering Sita, Ram, and Lakshmana.
Then Bharata sets out on foot. Faithful servants repeatedly bring horses and beg him to mount, but he answers gently. Ram travelled this road walking. How could chariots, elephants, and horses be prepared for the servant when the master went without them?
Bharata says it would be more fitting to carry a burden upon his head. Of all obligations, the servant's path is hardest. His bare feet turn doctrine into distance endured step by step. The attendants hear the humility in his voice and are overcome with shame, while the royal vehicles continue beside a prince who refuses their height.
As horses wait beside him, Bharata chooses the dust because a servant cannot seek comfort upon the road his master crossed on foot.
Read the passage from the Manas
कियउ निषादनाथु अगुआईं। मातु पालकीं सकल चलाईं।। साथ बोलाइ भाइ लघु दीन्हा। बिप्रन्ह सहित गवनु गुर कीन्हा।। आपु सुरसरिहि कीन्ह प्रनामू। सुमिरे लखन सहित सिय रामू।। गवने भरत पयोदेहिं पाए। कोतल संग जाहिं डोरिआए।। कहहिं सुसेवक बारहिं बारा। होइअ नाथ अस्व असवारा।। रामु पयोदेहि पायँ सिधाए। हम कहँ रथ गज बाजि बनाए।। सिर भर जाउँ उचित अस मोरा। सब तें सेवक धरमु कठोरा।। देखि भरत गति सुनि मृदु बानी। सब सेवक गन गरहिं गलानी।।
The Nishaadnaath (chief of the Nishaads) led the way, while all the mothers were carried forward in palanquins. Bharat called his younger brother to walk beside him. The Guru set out accompanied by the Brahmins. Bharat himself bowed to the holy Surasari (Ganga) and remembered Sita, Rama, and Lakshman. Then Bharat set forth on foot, with only a few attendants walking alongside him. The faithful servants urged him again and again, 'O master, please mount a horse.' 'Rama went on foot,' Bharat replied. 'How then can chariots, elephants, and horses be prepared for me?' 'It is right that I should go bearing the load upon my head. Of all duties, the servant's dharma is the most demanding.' Seeing Bharat's humble state and hearing his gentle words, every servant was overcome with shame and tender feeling.