Bharata Finds One Cure: Ram Must Return
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 212
Doha 212 · Movement 1 of 2
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The thought of forest hardship burns Bharata's chest by day, takes hunger from him, and takes sleep by night. He has searched the whole world within his mind and found no medicine for this disease.
His grief shapes a dark construction: Kaikeyi's counsel becomes an axe against welfare, the age of Kali builds a machine from cursed wood, and a cruel spell drives it into place. For Bharata's sake, he says, the scheme scattered the world in every direction.
Only Ram's return can end this evil conjunction. Ayodhya has no other restoration. Bharadvaja hears the single-minded resolve with joy, and the assembly praises Bharata. The sage tells him not to sink further into sorrow. The sight of Ram's feet will erase every pain his imagination cannot cure.
After searching every remedy, Bharata finds only one: Ram's feet must return to sight, and Ram must return to Ayodhya.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि दुख दाहँ दहइ दिन छाती। भूख न बासर नीद न राती।। एहि कुरोग कर औषधु नाहीं। सोधेउँ सकल बिस्व मन माहीं।। मातु कुमत बढ़ई अघ मूला। तेहिं हमार हित कीन्ह बँसूला।। कलि कुकाठ कर कीन्ह कुजंत्रू। गाड़ि अवधि पढ़ि कठिन कुमंत्रु।। मोहि लगि यहु कुठाटु तेहिं ठाटा। घालेसि सब जगु बारहबाटा।। मिटइ कुजोगु राम फिरि आएँ। बसइ अवध नहिं आन उपाएँ।। भरत बचन सुनि मुनि सुखु पाई। सबहिं कीन्ह बहु भाँति बड़ाई।। तात करहु जनि सोचु बिसेषी। सब दुखु मिटहि राम पग देखी।।
This grief (dukh daahan) burns my chest day after day. No hunger by daylight, no sleep at night. There is no medicine (aushadhu) for this terrible affliction (kurog). I have searched through all the world within my mind. My mother's wicked counsel (kumat) swelled into the very root of sin (agha moolaa). She has taken an axe (bansoolaa) to our welfare. The dark age of Kali fashioned a wicked contraption from cursed wood and planted harsh, cruel spells (kumantru) upon it. For my sake she contrived this wicked scheme (kuthaatu). She has scattered the whole world to the twelve winds (baarahabaataa). This evil conjunction (kujogu) will end only when Rama returns. Ayodhya cannot be restored by any other means. Hearing Bharata's words, the great sage felt joy. Everyone praised him in many ways. Dear child (taat), do not grieve so deeply. All sorrow will vanish the moment you behold Rama's feet.