Bharadvaja Raises Bharata from Full Prostration
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 206
Doha 206 · Movement 1 of 2
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Prayag's hermits, students, householders, and renunciants rejoice in groups, speaking of Bharata's true love, noble character, and purity. The praise of Ram's virtues leads the company toward Bharadvaja's hermitage.
Bharata and his companions fall in full prostration. The sage sees them as his own good fortune taking visible form. He runs forward, raises them, holds them to his heart, pours blessings over them, and offers seats. They sit with heads bowed, shy as unexpected grace entering a home.
Bharadvaja perceives Bharata's hesitation before any question is asked. He already knows the whole account and begins where healing is needed. No one commands the workings of the Creator. The sage's welcome gives bodily form to the absolution his words are about to unfold.
Before Bharata can defend or condemn himself, Bharadvaja lifts him from the earth and receives him as fortune made flesh.
Read the passage from the Manas
प्रमुदित तीरथराज निवासी। बैखानस बटु गृही उदासी।। कहहिं परसपर मिलि दस पाँचा। भरत सनेह सीलु सुचि साँचा।। सुनत राम गुन ग्राम सुहाए। भरद्वाज मुनिबर पहिं आए।। दंड प्रनामु करत मुनि देखे। मूरतिमंत भाग्य निज लेखे।। धाइ उठाइ लाइ उर लीन्हे। दीन्हि असीस कृतारथ कीन्हे।। आसनु दीन्ह नाइ सिरु बैठे। चहत सकुच गृहँ जनु भजि पैठे।। मुनि पूँछब कछु यह बड़ सोचू। बोले रिषि लखि सीलु सँकोचू।। सुनहु भरत हम सब सुधि पाई। बिधि करतब पर किछु न बसाई।।
The dwellers of Prayag, king among holy places, were filled with delight. Hermits, young students, householders, and renunciants all rejoiced. Gathering in groups of ten and fifteen, they spoke lovingly to one another: "Bharata's affection, his noble conduct, his purity, all of it is true." Hearing the sweet clusters of Rama's virtues, they came before the great sage Bharadvaja. When the sage saw them bowing in full prostration, he counted them as his own good fortune come alive in human form. He rushed forward, raised them up, and drew them close to his heart. He showered blessings upon them and made them feel utterly fulfilled. He offered them seats, and they sat with heads bowed low, shy as though blessed fortune had quietly slipped into their homes. The sage felt a tender concern about what to ask them. Then, perceiving their modesty and gentle hesitation, the rishi spoke. "Listen, Bharata. I have learned everything. Over the workings of the Creator, no one holds any power."