Bharata Enters the Forest Kingdom of Wisdom
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 235
Doha 235 · Movement 1 of 2
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The omens prove true as the hermitage draws near. Bharata beholds forest and mountain like a starving person receiving nourishing grain, or a people escaping calamity and threefold suffering into a well-governed land.
Ram's woodland shines with its own wealth. Detachment serves as minister, wisdom reigns as king, and the pure forest becomes a beautiful country. Self-restraint and discipline stand as warriors, while the mountains form its capital.
Peace, pure understanding, and beauty preside as queen. Every element of this inward kingdom is complete, and its citizens rest in eager dependence upon Ram's feet. Bharata approaches no impoverished exile. He enters a realm where qualities have taken visible office and consciousness is governed without thorns.
Beyond Mandakini, Bharata finds Ram ruling a forest kingdom where wisdom is sovereign and peace sits beside the throne.
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सेवक बचन सत्य सब जाने। आश्रम निकट जाइ निअराने।। भरत दीख बन सैल समाजू। मुदित छुधित जनु पाइ सुनाजू।। ईति भीति जनु प्रजा दुखारी। त्रिबिध ताप पीड़ित ग्रह मारी।। जाइ सुराज सुदेस सुखारी। होहिं भरत गति तेहि अनुहारी।। राम बास बन संपति भ्राजा। सुखी प्रजा जनु पाइ सुराजा।। सचिव बिरागु बिबेकु नरेसू। बिपिन सुहावन पावन देसू।। भट जम नियम सैल रजधानी। सांति सुमति सुचि सुंदर रानी।। सकल अंग संपन्न सुराऊ। राम चरन आश्रित चित चाऊ।।
All recognised the servant's words as true. They drew near and approached the ashram. Bharata beheld the forest and the gathering of hills, and felt the delight of a starving soul who has found nourishing food. Like people burdened by calamity and fear, afflicted by the threefold suffering and ill fortune of the stars. Who then arrive in a land of good governance and happiness: such was Bharata's state as he drew close. The forest where Rama dwelt shone with a wealth all its own. The people felt as happy as subjects who have found a righteous king. Detachment serves as minister, wisdom reigns as sovereign, and the lovely, holy woodland is the land itself. Self-restraint and discipline stand guard as warriors, the mountains form the capital, and peace, pure and beautiful, presides as queen. This kingdom is complete in every part, and every heart within it rests devoted at the feet of Rama.