Even Heaven Appears Small beside the Sage's Hospitality
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 215
Doha 215 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharata beholds Bharadvaja's power, and the domains of the guardians of worlds seem small. Seats, beds, fine garments, canopies, gardens, birds, deer, fragrant flowers, nectar-sweet fruits, and clear pools extend beyond description.
Food and drink appear pure as immortality. Divine cows and wish-fulfilling trees answer desire so completely that Indra and Shachi might long for what the pilgrims receive. Spring breathes through three gentle winds, and the four aims of life stand near at hand.
Garlands, sandalwood, beauty, and every refined pleasure fill the company with joy and wonder. Even sages might forget detachment at the sight. Yet the abundance remains framed by one night and one host's compassion. It is not a rival kingdom offered to Bharata, but hospitality made immeasurable.
For one night, the forest holds a hospitality so complete that heaven itself could look toward the hermitage with longing.
Read the passage from the Manas
मुनि प्रभाउ जब भरत बिलोका। सब लघु लगे लोकपति लोका।। सुख समाजु नहिं जाइ बखानी। देखत बिरति बिसारहीं ग्यानी।। आसन सयन सुबसन बिताना। बन बाटिका बिहग मृग नाना।। सुरभि फूल फल अमिअ समाना। बिमल जलासय बिबिध बिधाना। असन पान सुच अमिअ अमी से। देखि लोग सकुचात जमी से।। सुर सुरभी सुरतरु सबही कें। लखि अभिलाषु सुरेस सची कें।। रितु बसंत बह त्रिबिध बयारी। सब कहँ सुलभ पदारथ चारी।। स्त्रक चंदन बनितादिक भोगा। देखि हरष बिसमय बस लोगा।।
When Bharat beheld the sage's divine power, all the realms of the lokapatis (world-guardians) seemed small. The gathering of bliss was beyond all telling; even wise sages, seeing it, would forget their vairagya (detachment). There were fine seats and beds, beautiful garments and canopies, woodland gardens alive with birds and deer of every kind. Fragrant flowers and fruits sweet as amrit (nectar), and pure pools of water in many designs. Food and drink, spotless and nectar-like, were served so generously that onlookers felt humbled, bashful as the earth herself. Divine cows (Surabhi) and wish-fulfilling trees (Surataru) appeared for everyone; seeing this, even Indra and Shachi felt a stirring of longing. The season of Vasant (spring) blew with three kinds of gentle breezes, and the four aims of life, dharma, artha, kama, and moksha, became easily within reach for all. Garlands, sandalwood, and every delight of the senses were offered; beholding it all, the people were overcome with joy and wonder.