Love for Rama's Feet Is Bharata's Path and His Arrival
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 289
Doha 289 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka says that every attempt to describe Bharata leaves language gasping like a fish upon dry earth. Rama alone knows the full expanse of his brother's glory, yet even Rama does not bring it within the enclosure of words.
The king considers Kausalya's proposal that Lakshmana return and Bharata enter the forest. The welfare of all may be desired, but the bond between Bharata and Raghuvara cannot be weighed by argument. Bharata marks the furthest boundary of affection, just as Rama marks the furthest boundary of impartiality.
Neither worldly advantage, spiritual gain, nor personal happiness enters Bharata's dream. Love for Rama's feet is not one practice among others, undertaken to reach a later fulfillment. It is his practice and fulfillment together, the road and the destination made one within his heart.
Bharata seeks no fruit beyond devotion, for love of Rama's feet is already both his journey and his arrival.
Read the passage from the Manas
अगम सबहि बरनत बरबरनी। जिमि जलहीन मीन गमु धरनी।। भरत अमित महिमा सुनु रानी। जानहिं रामु न सकहिं बखानी।। बरनि सप्रेम भरत अनुभाऊ। तिय जिय की रुचि लखि कह राऊ।। बहुरहिं लखनु भरतु बन जाहीं। सब कर भल सब के मन माहीं।। देबि परंतु भरत रघुबर की। प्रीति प्रतीति जाइ नहिं तरकी।। भरतु अवधि सनेह ममता की। जद्यपि रामु सीम समता की।। परमारथ स्वारथ सुख सारे। भरत न सपनेहुँ मनहुँ निहारे।। साधन सिद्ध राम पग नेहू।।मोहि लखि परत भरत मत एहू।।
All attempt to describe his incomparable nature, yet stumble like a fish stranded on dry land. Listen, O Queen: Bharata's mahima is without limit. Even Rama knows it fully, yet cannot find words to express it. Having described Bharata's noble qualities with deep prem, the king spoke on, seeing the delight in the hearts of the women. "Whether Lakshmana returns and Bharata goes to the forest, the welfare of all rests in everyone's heart. But, O Devi, the priti and the pratiti between Bharata and Raghuvara cannot be weighed by any tarka. Bharata is the very limit of sneha and mamata, just as Rama is the very boundary of samata. Paramartha, svartha, worldly sukh: Bharata has not glanced at these even in a dream. Love for Rama's feet is both his sadhana and his siddhi. This, as far as I can see, is Bharata's settled conviction."