Protective Love Makes Lakshmana Suspect the Army
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 228
Doha 228 · Movement 1 of 2
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Lakshmana reflects that worldly beings often reveal delusion when power comes into their hands. Bharata is righteous, wise, saintly, and known everywhere for love of Ram's feet. Yet the army before them presses appearances against that knowledge.
Protective fear imagines a fall. Perhaps, having received Ram's position, Bharata now crosses the bounds of dharma. Perhaps schemers used the lonely exile as their opportunity and assembled chariots, horses, elephants, and both brothers to secure an unobstructed reign.
Lakshmana multiplies possible deceits because he cannot explain military splendor upon a road of reconciliation. He admits the broader madness of royal power even while placing Bharata within its danger. Love for Ram has become a lens so fierce that it temporarily distorts another devotee's love.
Unable to fit chariots and elephants inside Bharata's known devotion, Lakshmana lets fear of power darken the brother he has just praised.
Read the passage from the Manas
बिषई जीव पाइ प्रभुताई। मूढ़ मोह बस होहिं जनाई।। भरतु नीति रत साधु सुजाना। प्रभु पद प्रेम सकल जगु जाना।। तेऊ आजु राम पदु पाई। चले धरम मरजाद मेटाई।। कुटिल कुबंध कुअवसरु ताकी। जानि राम बनवास एकाकी।। करि कुमंत्रु मन साजि समाजू। आए करै अकंटक राजू।। कोटि प्रकार कलपि कुटलाई। आए दल बटोरि दोउ भाई।। जौं जियँ होति न कपट कुचाली। केहि सोहाति रथ बाजि गजाली।। भरतहि दोसु देइ को जाएँ। जग बौराइ राज पदु पाएँ।।
Worldly souls, once they gain lordship, reveal themselves as fools enslaved by delusion. Bharata is devoted to righteousness, virtuous and wise. The whole world knows his love for the Lord's feet. Yet even he, having now attained Rama's position, has come trampling the bounds of dharma. The wicked and scheming, watching for their moment, know that Rama dwells alone in forest exile. With evil counsel and forces assembled in mind, he comes to rule a kingdom free of obstacles. Devising cruelty in a million forms, both brothers have come gathering their armies. If there were no treachery and cunning in their hearts, why would they need chariots, horses, and rows of elephants? Who can cast blame on Bharata? The whole world loses its senses upon gaining royal power.