Bharata Rejoices to Exchange Places with Ram
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 256
Doha 256 · Movement 1 of 2
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Vasishtha says fulfillment depends entirely upon Ram's grace. Then, with hesitation, he proposes the wisdom of relinquishing half when all seems lost.
Let Bharata and Shatrughna remain in the forest while Lakshmana, Sita, and Raghuraj return. Both brothers brighten at once, their bodies radiant as though Ram had already been crowned within their hearts.
The exchange would give the people immense gain at small cost to the brothers, though the queens weep because love shares both joy and suffering. Bharata embraces the proposal completely. Let him dwell in the forest for life. No greater happiness could be offered than making his own exile the doorway through which Ram returns.
At the thought of taking Ram's forest years upon himself, Bharata shines as though the coronation has already begun.
Read the passage from the Manas
तात बात फुरि राम कृपाहीं। राम बिमुख सिधि सपनेहुँ नाहीं।। सकुचउँ तात कहत एक बाता। अरध तजहिं बुध सरबस जाता।। तुम्ह कानन गवनहु दोउ भाई। फेरिअहिं लखन सीय रघुराई।। सुनि सुबचन हरषे दोउ भ्राता। भे प्रमोद परिपूरन गाता।। मन प्रसन्न तन तेजु बिराजा। जनु जिय राउ रामु भए राजा।। बहुत लाभ लोगन्ह लघु हानी। सम दुख सुख सब रोवहिं रानी।। कहहिं भरतु मुनि कहा सो कीन्हे। फलु जग जीवन्ह अभिमत दीन्हे।। कानन करउँ जनम भरि बासू। एहिं तें अधिक न मोर सुपासू।।
Dear child, this matter finds fulfillment only through Rama's grace. Without Rama's favor, success cannot come even in a dream. Child, I hesitate to speak one thing. The wise let go of half when all is lost. You two brothers should go to the forest. Let Lakshmana, Sita, and Raghurai be brought home. Hearing these blessed words, both brothers were overjoyed, their limbs brimming with delight. Their minds grew radiant, their bodies glowed with splendor, as though in their hearts Rama had already been crowned king. Great gain for the people, small sacrifice for them. Sharing equally in sorrow and happiness, all the queens wept. Bharata said: the sage has done what he counseled, granting the world the fruit it most desired. I shall dwell in the forest my whole life long. There is no greater blessing for me than this.