Bharata Leaves the Army beside Mandakini
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 233
Doha 233 · Movement 1 of 2
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The heavenly voice declares that without Bharata, no one could bear the full weight of dharma upon earth, and only Raghunath can know virtues beyond every poet. Ram, Sita, and Lakshmana receive the praise with inexpressible joy.
At Mandakini, Bharata and the company bathe in sacred water. He leaves the multitude beside the river and asks permission from mother, guru, and minister before going forward with Guha and Shatrughna.
As the meeting nears, shame returns. Kaikeyi's deed breeds a million anxious arguments within him. He fears that hearing his very name may cause Sita, Ram, and Lakshmana to abandon their dwelling. The brother whom Ram has just praised as unsurpassed approaches believing his presence may drive Ram farther away.
Bharata leaves kingdom and army beside Mandakini, carrying only two companions and the fear that his name may make Ram depart.
Read the passage from the Manas
जौं न होत जग जनम भरत को। सकल धरम धुर धरनि धरत को।। कबि कुल अगम भरत गुन गाथा। को जानइ तुम्ह बिनु रघुनाथा।। लखन राम सियँ सुनि सुर बानी। अति सुखु लहेउ न जाइ बखानी।। इहाँ भरतु सब सहित सहाए। मंदाकिनीं पुनीत नहाए।। सरित समीप राखि सब लोगा। मागि मातु गुर सचिव नियोगा।। चले भरतु जहँ सिय रघुराई। साथ निषादनाथु लघु भाई।। समुझि मातु करतब सकुचाहीं। करत कुतरक कोटि मन माहीं।। रामु लखनु सिय सुनि मम नाऊँ। उठि जनि अनत जाहिं तजि ठाऊँ।।
If Bharata had not taken birth in this world, who else could have upheld the whole weight of dharma upon the earth? The glory of Bharata's virtues lies beyond the reach of any poet. Who can know them, O Raghunatha, apart from You? Hearing the voice of the gods, Lakshmana, Rama and Sita felt a joy so deep it cannot be described in words. Here Bharata, together with all his companions, bathed in the sacred waters of the Mandakini. Keeping all the people near the riverbank, he sought leave from his mother, his guru and his minister. Then Bharata set out toward the place where Sita and Shri Rama dwelt, with Nishadraj and his younger brother at his side. Remembering his mother's actions, he shrank with shame, turning over a million anxious thoughts within his heart. He feared that on hearing his very name, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita might rise and abandon that place altogether.