Only the Bare Feet in the Forest Cause Bharata Sorrow
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 211
Doha 211 · Movement 1 of 2
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Before the sages and sacred Prayag, Bharata swears to speak without ornament. Falsehood at such a place would be the deepest baseness. The all-knowing assembly and Raghuraj within every heart already know his true feeling.
He does not grieve over Kaikeyi's deed, the world's condemnation, danger to the next life, or even Dasharatha's death. His father gained sons like Ram and Lakshmana and left his body in separation from Ram, a departure crowned by love and noble fame.
One image alone burns without relief: Sita, Ram, and Lakshmana wandering barefoot from forest to forest in ascetic dress. Bharata strips away every grievance centered upon himself until only their hardship remains. His sorrow is pure because it has forgotten its own injury.
Bharata releases reputation, afterlife, and personal loss, keeping only the wound of three beloved figures walking barefoot through the forest.
Read the passage from the Manas
मुनि समाजु अरु तीरथराजू। साँचिहुँ सपथ अघाइ अकाजू।। एहिं थल जौं किछु कहिअ बनाई। एहि सम अधिक न अघ अधमाई।। तुम्ह सर्बग्य कहउँ सतिभाऊ। उर अंतरजामी रघुराऊ।। मोहि न मातु करतब कर सोचू। नहिं दुखु जियँ जगु जानिहि पोचू।। नाहिन डरु बिगरिहि परलोकू। पितहु मरन कर मोहि न सोकू।। सुकृत सुजस भरि भुअन सुहाए। लछिमन राम सरिस सुत पाए।। राम बिरहँ तजि तनु छनभंगू। भूप सोच कर कवन प्रसंगू।। राम लखन सिय बिनु पग पनहीं। करि मुनि बेष फिरहिं बन बनही।।
Before this assembly of sages and Teerathraaju, the king of holy places, I swear in truth: this evil deed (akaaju) brings nothing but ruin. If anything false were spoken at this sacred ground, there would be no sin or baseness (adhamaaee) greater than that. You are all-knowing (sarbagy). I speak with a truthful heart (satibhaaoo). Raghuraau, the Lord of the Raghus, dwells within every heart as the inner witness (antarjaami). I carry no sorrow for my mother's actions. Nor do I grieve that the world will call me lowly (pochoo). I have no fear that the next world will be ruined. Nor do I mourn my father's death. Through meritorious deeds (sukrit) and noble fame (sujas) that beautify all the worlds, he gained sons like Rama and Lakshmana. The king gave up his body in a single moment of separation from Rama. What cause is there for grief over such a departure? Rama, Lakhana, and Siya wander barefoot from forest to forest, wearing the garb of munis.