Bharata's Wounded Feet Reach the Mingling Rivers
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 204
Doha 204 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Bharata's feet shine with tender swellings like lotus buds holding drops of dew. News that he has walked to Prayag grieves the whole company, even as the pilgrims bathe and come reverently before Triveni.
They enter the dark and luminous currents according to sacred order, offer gifts, and honor the learned. Bharata watches the blue and pale waves fold into one another. Thrill passes over his body, and his palms join before the sovereign of holy places whose glory the Vedas proclaim.
He knows his request will cross the ordinary boundary of his duty, yet anguish makes a beggar even of a prince. The wise and generous fulfill the speech of those who come seeking. With wounded feet at the mingling waters, Bharata prepares to ask for the one wealth no kingdom could supply.
Before the dark and luminous rivers become one, Bharata stands with dew-bright wounds upon his feet and a beggar's prayer in his hands.
Read the passage from the Manas
झलका झलकत पायन्ह कैंसें। पंकज कोस ओस कन जैसें।। भरत पयादेहिं आए आजू। भयउ दुखित सुनि सकल समाजू।। खबरि लीन्ह सब लोग नहाए। कीन्ह प्रनामु त्रिबेनिहिं आए।। सबिधि सितासित नीर नहाने। दिए दान महिसुर सनमाने।। देखत स्यामल धवल हलोरे। पुलकि सरीर भरत कर जोरे।। सकल काम प्रद तीरथराऊ। बेद बिदित जग प्रगट प्रभाऊ।। मागउँ भीख त्यागि निज धरमू। आरत काह न करइ कुकरमू।। अस जियँ जानि सुजान सुदानी। सफल करहिं जग जाचक बानी।।
His feet glistened as he walked, like lotus buds kissed by morning dew. Bharat had come on foot today. Hearing this, the whole gathering was stricken with sorrow. All the people bathed and received the news, then came to the Triveni and bowed in reverence. They bathed duly in the dark and luminous waters, offered gifts, and honored the learned ones. Watching the dark and white waves mingle, Bharat's body thrilled with devotion as he joined his palms. This sovereign among pilgrimage places fulfills every desire. Its glory is proclaimed in the Vedas and witnessed throughout the world. I set aside my own dharma and beg for grace. What will a soul in anguish not do? Knowing this in their hearts, the wise and generous ones fulfill the prayers of those who come seeking.