Rama Places the Grief of Two Kingdoms before His Guru
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 290
Doha 290 · Movement 1 of 2
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Janaka and Sunaina pass the night recounting Rama and Bharata's virtues, and the hours vanish like the closing of an eyelid. At dawn both royal societies rise, bathe, and begin their worship.
Rama also bathes and goes to Vasishtha. Bowing at the guru's feet, he speaks only after receiving leave. Bharata, the citizens, and the mothers are broken by the grief of his exile. Janaka and all Mithila have carried the same pain for many days.
Rama asks the sage to do whatever is right, for the welfare of everyone rests in his hands. Having said this, Rama falls quiet in modest reserve. Vasishtha thrills at the character before him, then confesses that without Rama every comfort of both kingdoms feels like hell to those who love him.
At dawn Rama lays the sorrow of Ayodhya and Mithila at Vasishtha's feet, asking the guru to choose the good for all.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम भरत गुन गनत सप्रीती। निसि दंपतिहि पलक सम बीती।। राज समाज प्रात जुग जागे। न्हाइ न्हाइ सुर पूजन लागे।। गे नहाइ गुर पहीं रघुराई। बंदि चरन बोले रुख पाई।। नाथ भरतु पुरजन महतारी। सोक बिकल बनबास दुखारी।। सहित समाज राउ मिथिलेसू। बहुत दिवस भए सहत कलेसू।। उचित होइ सोइ कीजिअ नाथा। हित सबही कर रौरें हाथा।। अस कहि अति सकुचे रघुराऊ। मुनि पुलके लखि सीलु सुभाऊ।। तुम्ह बिनु राम सकल सुख साजा। नरक सरिस दुहु राज समाजा।।
Raam spent the night lovingly recounting Bharat's virtues, and for the divine couple the whole night passed like the blinking of an eye. At dawn the royal assembly awoke. After bathing, all began the worship of the gods. Raghuraai too bathed and went to his Guru. He bowed at Vashishtha's feet and, receiving permission, spoke. 'O master, Bharat, the people of the city, and my mothers are all stricken with grief on account of my forest exile. The king of Mithilaa and his entire family have been bearing this sorrow for many days. Whatever you judge to be right, please do that, O master. The welfare of everyone rests in your hands.' Saying this, Raghuraau became very quiet, full of his own gentle modesty. The sage felt a thrill of joy, witnessing such nobility of character. The sage replied, 'Without you, Raam, every comfort and the splendour of both kingdoms feels no better than hell to all who love you.'