Nothing in Bharata's Heart Is Hidden from Rama
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 264
Doha 264 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama invokes Shiva as witness and tells Bharata that he has faithfully guarded the kingdom. Love and enmity cannot remain concealed, however deeply they are covered. The forest gives its own simple proof: birds and deer approach sages without fear, yet flee the instant a hunter appears.
If even animals know friend from foe, how could human discernment fail before a heart like Bharata's? Rama knows him completely. There is no need for arguments that turn transparent love into confusion.
Still, two sacred bonds meet in Rama's breast. Dasharatha preserved truth by sending him away and then gave up his body, bound by love. To erase that word would bring Rama sorrow. Yet Bharata's hesitation also causes him pain, and above both stands Vasishtha's command. Rama therefore opens his will entirely: whatever Bharata asks, he is ready to do.
Seen through by Rama, Bharata stands where a father's vow, a guru's command, and a brother's love converge.
Read the passage from the Manas
कहउँ सुभाउ सत्य सिव साखी। भरत भूमि रह राउरि राखी।। तात कुतरक करहु जनि जाएँ। बैर पेम नहि दुरइ दुराएँ।। मुनि गन निकट बिहग मृग जाहीं। बाधक बधिक बिलोकि पराहीं।। हित अनहित पसु पच्छिउ जाना। मानुष तनु गुन ग्यान निधाना।। तात तुम्हहि मैं जानउँ नीकें। करौं काह असमंजस जीकें।। राखेउ रायँ सत्य मोहि त्यागी। तनु परिहरेउ पेम पन लागी।। तासु बचन मेटत मन सोचू। तेहि तें अधिक तुम्हार सँकोचू।। ता पर गुर मोहि आयसु दीन्हा। अवसि जो कहहु चहउँ सोइ कीन्हा।।
I speak my heart's truth with Shiv as my witness: Bharat, you have guarded the kingdom faithfully. Dear brother, do not fall into fruitless arguments. Neither enmity nor love can ever be concealed. Birds and deer draw close to the company of munis, yet the moment they spot a hunter, they flee. Even animals and birds can tell friend from foe. How much more so the human body, that treasury of wisdom and virtue. Dear brother, I know you through and through. Why should I create confusion for one such as you? The king kept his vow of truth and let me go; he then surrendered his body, bound by the cord of love. The thought of undoing his word fills my heart with sorrow, yet your hesitation pains me even more. Above all, my Guru has given me his command. Whatever you ask, I am wholly willing to do.