Bharata Searches for the One Remedy That Leaves Rama Free
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 269
Doha 269 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharata offers another form of exchange. Let all three brothers enter the forest, he says, and let Rama return to Ayodhya with Sita. Yet even while proposing it, he places every arrangement beneath one higher condition: only what brings peace to Rama's heart should be done.
Grief has stripped him of reserve. He confesses that pain speaks through him with the urgency of self-interest, leaving little room for measured thought about policy or dharma. A servant who answers after hearing his master's will should feel ashamed, and Bharata sees himself as an ocean of faults whom Rama's affection alone has caused the saints to praise.
He therefore withdraws from every clever solution that might leave the Lord inwardly constrained. Swearing by Rama's feet, Bharata asks for the one counsel that will remove hesitation from his master's heart and serve the welfare of the whole world. His deepest request is that Rama remain free even before Bharata's love.
Bharata offers every possible exchange, then surrenders them all to the one remedy that leaves Rama's heart completely at peace.
Read the passage from the Manas
नतरु जाहिं बन तीनिउ भाई। बहुरिअ सीय सहित रघुराई।। जेहि बिधि प्रभु प्रसन्न मन होई। करुना सागर कीजिअ सोई।। देवँ दीन्ह सबु मोहि अभारु। मोरें नीति न धरम बिचारु।। कहउँ बचन सब स्वारथ हेतू। रहत न आरत कें चित चेतू।। उतरु देइ सुनि स्वामि रजाई। सो सेवकु लखि लाज लजाई।। अस मैं अवगुन उदधि अगाधू। स्वामि सनेहँ सराहत साधू।। अब कृपाल मोहि सो मत भावा। सकुच स्वामि मन जाइँ न पावा।। प्रभु पद सपथ कहउँ सति भाऊ। जग मंगल हित एक उपाऊ।।
Or else let all three brothers go to the forest, and let Raghurai return with Sita. Whatever pleases the Lord's heart, O ocean of mercy, let that alone be done. The gods have stripped me of all shame; I have no thought for duty or righteousness. I speak every word out of self-interest. One who is stricken with grief loses all composure of mind. That servant who speaks in reply after hearing his master's will finds himself ashamed on reflection. Though I am a fathomless ocean of faults, my master praises me as virtuous, moved only by love. Now, O gracious Lord, that counsel alone pleases me which removes all hesitation from the master's heart. I swear by the Lord's feet and speak with true feeling: there is one remedy for the welfare of the whole world.