Kausalya Asks That Bharata Take Lakshmana's Forest Place
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 284
Doha 284 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kausalya asks Sunaina to speak with Janaka when the right moment comes. If the king considers it fitting, let Lakshmana remain and let Bharata go into the forest. The proposal rises not from preference between brothers, but from a mother's grave reading of Bharata's heart.
His love is deep, hidden, and held under immense restraint. Kausalya fears that leaving it compressed beneath obedience will not end well. She asks for careful effort because concern for Bharata has become too heavy for her to carry silently.
The queens hear her simple words and sink into compassion. Flowers fall from heaven, voices proclaim the blessedness of her love, and even siddhas, yogis, and sages soften. The women remain astonished until Sumitra notices that two watches of night have passed. Rama's mother rises, still filled with affection.
Kausalya reads the peril in Bharata's buried love and asks that service, not silence, be given room to save his heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
रानि राय सन अवसरु पाई। अपनी भाँति कहब समुझाई।। रखिअहिं लखनु भरतु गबनहिं बन। जौं यह मत मानै महीप मन।। तौ भल जतनु करब सुबिचारी। मोरें सौचु भरत कर भारी।। गूढ़ सनेह भरत मन माही। रहें नीक मोहि लागत नाहीं।। लखि सुभाउ सुनि सरल सुबानी। सब भइ मगन करुन रस रानी।। नभ प्रसून झरि धन्य धन्य धुनि। सिथिल सनेहँ सिद्ध जोगी मुनि।। सबु रनिवासु बिथकि लखि रहेऊ। तब धरि धीर सुमित्राँ कहेऊ।। देबि दंड जुग जामिनि बीती। राम मातु सुनी उठी सप्रीती।।
Finding the right moment with the king, the queen would speak to him gently, making him understand in her own way. Let Lakshmana remain here and let Bharata go to the forest, if the king's heart agrees to this counsel. Then with careful thought I shall do my best, for the weight of concern I carry for Bharata is very great. The deep, hidden love within Bharata's heart troubles me; if it stays pent up, I fear it will not be well. Seeing his nature and hearing his simple, guileless words, all the queens became steeped in the rasa of compassion. Flowers rained from the sky with cries of "Dhanya! Dhanya!" and even Siddhas, Yogis, and Munis grew tender with love. All the women of the palace watched in silent wonder. Then Sumitra, gathering her composure, spoke. O Devi, two watches of the night have already passed. Hearing this, Rama's mother rose at once, her heart full of affection.