Indra Showers Flowers as Bharata Reaches Yamuna
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 220
Doha 220 · Movement 1 of 2
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Brihaspati reminds Indra that truthful Ram works for the gods' welfare and Bharata follows Ram's command. The king's agitation arose from self-interest, not from any fault in the pilgrim.
Shame loosens and joy returns. Indra showers flowers from heaven and begins praising the very nature he had feared. Below, Bharata continues along the road while sages and perfected beings marvel whenever a sigh carrying Ram's name releases love on every side.
His words could melt thunderbolt and stone, and the citizens' love cannot be spoken. After a halt along the way, the company reaches Yamuna. The river's dark water recalls Ram's complexion, and eyes already filled by separation answer the current with tears.
As Indra's flowers fall behind him, Bharata reaches the dark Yamuna and beholds Ram's color moving through water.
Read the passage from the Manas
सत्यसंध प्रभु सुर हितकारी। भरत राम आयस अनुसारी।। स्वारथ बिबस बिकल तुम्ह होहू। भरत दोसु नहिं राउर मोहू।। सुनि सुरबर सुरगुर बर बानी। भा प्रमोदु मन मिटी गलानी।। बरषि प्रसून हरषि सुरराऊ। लगे सराहन भरत सुभाऊ।। एहि बिधि भरत चले मग जाहीं। दसा देखि मुनि सिद्ध सिहाहीं।। जबहिं रामु कहि लेहिं उसासा। उमगत पेमु मनहँ चहु पासा।। द्रवहिं बचन सुनि कुलिस पषाना। पुरजन पेमु न जाइ बखाना।। बीच बास करि जमुनहिं आए। निरखि नीरु लोचन जल छाए।।
The Lord is ever truthful and a benefactor of the gods. Bharat follows Rama's command with perfect faithfulness. You have grown distressed out of self-interest alone. There is no fault in Bharat, nor any delusion in you. Hearing these fine words from the foremost of gods and the divine Guru, joy arose in Indra's heart and his shame was lifted. Showering blossoms from heaven, the king of the gods rejoiced and began to praise Bharat's noble nature. In this way Bharat continued on his journey. Sages and perfected souls marveled at his state. Whenever he sighed, uttering Rama's name, love welled up and overflowed on every side. Hearing his words, even thunderbolts and stones would melt. The love of the citizens cannot be told in words. Resting along the way, the company arrived at the Yamuna. Seeing the dark waters, their eyes brimmed with tears.