Flowers Fall as Rama Answers Bharata with Silence
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 270
Doha 270 · Movement 1 of 2
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The gods rejoice at Bharata's stainless words. Saints praise him, and flowers descend through the forest air. Yet below that celestial shower, the human assembly remains divided between wonder and uncertainty. Ayodhya's people cannot see what will happen, while the forest ascetics delight in the purity of the surrender they have heard.
Rama says nothing. Gentle hesitation holds him still, and the entire gathering begins to read the silence of the Lord. At that charged moment, messengers from Janaka arrive. Vasishtha summons them quickly, and they bow before Rama.
The sight of his ascetic dress strikes them with grief. When Vasishtha asks after the welfare of King Janaka, their foreheads touch the earth and their hands join. The question is gracious, but their hesitation reveals that no ordinary report of well-being can survive before the bark garments of Ayodhya's rightful king.
Heaven scatters flowers over Bharata, Rama remains silent, and Janaka's messengers enter carrying the grief of another kingdom.
Read the passage from the Manas
भरत बचन सुचि सुनि सुर हरषे। साधु सराहि सुमन सुर बरषे।। असमंजस बस अवध नेवासी। प्रमुदित मन तापस बनबासी।। चुपहिं रहे रघुनाथ सँकोची। प्रभु गति देखि सभा सब सोची।। जनक दूत तेहि अवसर आए। मुनि बसिष्ठँ सुनि बेगि बोलाए।। करि प्रनाम तिन्ह रामु निहारे। बेषु देखि भए निपट दुखारे।। दूतन्ह मुनिबर बूझी बाता। कहहु बिदेह भूप कुसलाता।। सुनि सकुचाइ नाइ महि माथा। बोले चर बर जोरें हाथा।। बूझब राउर सादर साईं। कुसल हेतु सो भयउ गोसाईं।।
Hearing Bharat's pure and selfless words, the gods rejoiced. The saints praised him, and the devas showered flowers from the sky. The people of Ayodhya stood bewildered by this turn of events, while the forest-dwelling sages felt delight in their hearts. Raghunath remained silent, held back by His own gentle modesty. Seeing the Lord's stillness, the entire assembly fell into deep reflection. Just then, messengers sent by King Janak arrived. Hearing of their coming, Sage Vashishtha quickly summoned them. They bowed in reverence and then beheld Raam. Seeing His hermit's garb, they were overcome with sorrow. The great sage asked the messengers their tidings: 'Tell us of the welfare of King Videh.' Hearing this, they hesitated, bowed their foreheads to the earth, and spoke with folded hands: 'Your gracious inquiry itself has become our welfare, O master. But in truth, welfare departed with the lord of Kosal. Without him, Mithilaa and Ayodhya above all, and indeed the whole world, have become orphaned.'