Janaka Travels without Rest toward Chitrakoot
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 272
Doha 272 · Movement 1 of 2
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The messengers describe Bharata's deeds before Janaka's court. Guru, family, ministers, and king are overcome by a mingling of sorrow and love. Bharata's purity does not remove their grief, but it gives that grief a direction.
Janaka praises him, summons warriors and attendants, appoints guardians over palace, city, and realm, and readies horses, elephants, chariots, and provisions. Within two watches the procession is moving. The king takes no rest upon the road, as if every pause would lengthen the distance between Mithila and the exiled children it loves.
The advance messengers have already bathed at Prayag that morning and report that the company has begun crossing the Yamuna. After they bow, Vasishtha gives them several Kirata guides and sends them onward at once. Forest knowledge now joins royal urgency, drawing Janaka's assembly toward Chitrakoot.
Once Bharata's truth is known, Janaka leaves throne and sleep behind and drives his whole court toward Rama's forest refuge.
Read the passage from the Manas
दूतन्ह आइ भरत कइ करनी। जनक समाज जथामति बरनी।। सुनि गुर परिजन सचिव महीपति। भे सब सोच सनेहँ बिकल अति।। धरि धीरजु करि भरत बड़ाई। लिए सुभट साहनी बोलाई।। घर पुर देस राखि रखवारे। हय गय रथ बहु जान सँवारे।। दुघरी साधि चले ततकाला। किए बिश्रामु न मग महीपाला।। भोरहिं आजु नहाइ प्रयागा। चले जमुन उतरन सबु लागा।। खबरि लेन हम पठए नाथा। तिन्ह कहि अस महि नायउ माथा।। साथ किरात छ सातक दीन्हे। मुनिबर तुरत बिदा चर कीन्हे।।
The messengers returned and described Bharat's actions to Janak's assembly as best they understood. Hearing their account, the guru, the family, the ministers, and the king himself were all overcome with a mingling of sorrow and deep affection. Steadying himself and praising Bharat's greatness, the king summoned his bravest warriors and attendants. He appointed guards for the palace, city, and kingdom, then readied horses, elephants, chariots, and many provisions. Preparing the journey at once, the king departed that very moment and took no rest upon the road. 'This very morning we bathed at Prayaag, and now all have begun crossing the Yamunaa.' 'We were sent ahead to bring you news, O lord.' Saying this, they bowed their foreheads to the ground. The great sage gave them six or seven Kiraat guides and at once sent the messengers on their way.