Janaka Calls Bharata's Story a Path out of Bondage
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 288
Doha 288 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka hears of Bharata's conduct, radiant with the essence of gold, fragrance, nectar, and moonlight. He closes tear-filled eyes, his body thrilled, and begins praising the younger prince whose actions have transformed a crisis of succession into a revelation of devotion.
He asks Sunaina to listen carefully. Bharata's story releases the bonds of becoming. Janaka may speak of dharma, royal policy, and Brahman according to his understanding, yet before Bharata's greatness that understanding cannot touch even a shadow.
Brahma, Ganesha, Shesha, Shiva, Sarasvati, poets, scholars, and the wisest minds would forget their skill while describing Bharata's character, fame, action, righteousness, gentleness, virtue, and stainless glory. Merely hearing and contemplating them gives joy, pure as Ganga and sweeter than nectar.
The sage king who can speak of Brahman falls silent before Bharata, whose lived devotion teaches a freedom beyond the reach of praise.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनि भूपाल भरत ब्यवहारू। सोन सुगंध सुधा ससि सारू।। मूदे सजल नयन पुलके तन। सुजसु सराहन लगे मुदित मन।। सावधान सुनु सुमुखि सुलोचनि। भरत कथा भव बंध बिमोचनि।। धरम राजनय ब्रह्मबिचारू। इहाँ जथामति मोर प्रचारू।। सो मति मोरि भरत महिमाही। कहै काह छलि छुअति न छाँही।। बिधि गनपति अहिपति सिव सारद। कबि कोबिद बुध बुद्धि बिसारद।। भरत चरित कीरति करतूती। धरम सील गुन बिमल बिभूती।। समुझत सुनत सुखद सब काहू। सुचि सुरसरि रुचि निदर सुधाहू।।
Hearing of Bharata's noble conduct, which holds the essence of gold, of fragrance, of amrit, and of the moon's own light, the king closed his tear-filled eyes, his body thrilling with pulak, and with a delighted heart began to praise Bharata's bright fame. "Listen with care, O Sumukhi, O Sulochani. The katha of Bharata is the very liberator from the bonds of bhava. Dharma, rajaniti, and the contemplation of Brahman: here I shall set forth what my poor understanding can grasp. Yet that understanding of mine, before Bharata's mahima, what can it say? It cannot touch even the shadow of his greatness. Brahma, Ganapati, Ahipati, Shiva, Sarada, every kavi, every kovid, every sage of deepest buddhi, Bharata's charitra, his keerti, his deeds, his dharma, his sheela, his guna, his spotless vibhuti: to comprehend them and to hear them gives sukh to all. They are as pure as Ganga, and in sweetness they surpass even amrit."