The Gods Place Their Cause in Bharata's Hands
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 265
Doha 265 · Movement 1 of 2
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High above the human council, Indra and the gods watch with fear. Rama's promise seems capable of undoing the forest course on which their own deliverance depends. They conceive plan after plan, but none takes form. Inwardly, even the anxious gods can do nothing but seek refuge in Rama.
Their memories offer no easy comfort. Ambarisha's devotion left Durvasa powerless before the Lord's protection, and Prahlada's love drew Narahari into manifestation after the gods had endured long sorrow. Again and again, the Divine has allowed devotion to command what celestial strategy could not control.
The gods strike their heads in helplessness and confess that their cause now rests with Bharata. Rama honors the service of a true servant. No other device remains. Their only recourse is to remember with love the brother whose virtue and character hold Rama himself in willing captivity.
Unable to govern Rama through heaven's designs, the gods turn in prayer toward Bharata, whose devotion already governs the Lord through love.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुर गन सहित सभय सुरराजू। सोचहिं चाहत होन अकाजू।। बनत उपाउ करत कछु नाहीं। राम सरन सब गे मन माहीं।। बहुरि बिचारि परस्पर कहहीं। रघुपति भगत भगति बस अहहीं। सुधि करि अंबरीष दुरबासा। भे सुर सुरपति निपट निरासा।। सहे सुरन्ह बहु काल बिषादा। नरहरि किए प्रगट प्रहलादा।। लगि लगि कान कहहिं धुनि माथा। अब सुर काज भरत के हाथा।। आन उपाउ न देखिअ देवा। मानत रामु सुसेवक सेवा।। हियँ सपेम सुमिरहु सब भरतहि। निज गुन सील राम बस करतहि।।
The king of the gods, together with all the celestial beings, trembles with fear, dreading that some great calamity may come to pass. They devise plan after plan, yet accomplish nothing. In their hearts, all have quietly taken refuge in Rama. Reflecting among themselves, they say: the devotees of Raghupati live entirely under the sway of devotion. Remembering the story of Ambarisha and Durvasa, the gods and Indra fell into utter hopelessness. For ages the gods endured deep sorrow, until Narahari (Narasimha) manifested Himself for the sake of Prahlada. Clapping their hands to their ears and beating their heads, they cry: now the cause of the gods rests entirely in Bharata's hands. O gods, no other remedy can be found. Rama honors the loving service of His faithful servants. With tender love in your hearts, all of you remember Bharata, whose virtues and noble character hold even Rama in their gentle sway.