Indra Fears the Meeting of Ram and Bharata
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 217
Doha 217 · Movement 1 of 2
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Living beings and even the seemingly inert forms along the road had been seen by Ram or had looked upon him. His glance made them fit for the highest state, and now Bharata's darshan cures the disease of worldly bondage.
Saints say this is natural for one who holds Ram constantly within. Even a child who utters Ram's name may cross and carry others across. Bharata is Ram's beloved younger brother, so the path must overflow with auspiciousness around him.
The perfected ones rejoice, but Indra watches the growing influence with anxiety. Goodness makes the world favorable to the good and troubling to the crooked. He turns to Brihaspati and asks for a way to prevent Bharata from ever meeting Ram. Heaven's king becomes afraid of two brothers' love.
While sages rejoice that Bharata heals the road by passing, Indra sees the same radiance and begins to fear an embrace at Chitrakoot.
Read the passage from the Manas
जड़ चेतन मग जीव घनेरे। जे चितए प्रभु जिन्ह प्रभु हेरे।। ते सब भए परम पद जोगू। भरत दरस मेटा भव रोगू।। यह बड़ि बात भरत कइ नाहीं। सुमिरत जिनहि रामु मन माहीं।। बारक राम कहत जग जेऊ। होत तरन तारन नर तेऊ।। भरतु राम प्रिय पुनि लघु भ्राता। कस न होइ मगु मंगलदाता।। सिद्ध साधु मुनिबर अस कहहीं। भरतहि निरखि हरषु हियँ लहहीं।। देखि प्रभाउ सुरेसहि सोचू। जगु भल भलेहि पोच कहुँ पोचू।। गुर सन कहेउ करिअ प्रभु सोई। रामहि भरतहि भेंट न होई।।
Countless beings lined the path, both living and inert. All those who beheld the Lord, and all those upon whom the Lord's gaze fell. Every one of them became worthy of the highest spiritual state. The mere sight of Bharat erased the disease of worldly bondage. This is no extraordinary thing for Bharat, in whose heart Rama dwells through constant remembrance. Even little children in this world who simply utter the name "Rama" become both liberated and liberators of others. Bharat is Rama's beloved, and moreover His younger brother. How could the path not overflow with auspiciousness through his presence? The perfected saints and great sages all declared this truth, and felt a surge of joy in their hearts upon beholding Bharat. Seeing this holy influence, Indra grew anxious. The world turns gracious for the good, and harsh for the wicked. He said to his guru, Brihaspati: "My lord, please arrange things so that Rama and Bharat never meet."