Rama Names Bharata the Upholder of Dharma
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 304
Doha 304 · Movement 1 of 2
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Even the Vedas cannot easily reach Bharata's nature, and the poet asks forgiveness for a small mind daring to approach it. Whoever speaks or hears Bharata's true devotion is drawn toward the feet of Sita and Rama. Whoever remembers his love finds Rama's grace near.
Rama sees the distressed condition of everyone and knows the private movement within each heart. He weighs land, hour, occasion, and assembly as the patient guardian of both policy and love.
Then words emerge like the essence of gracious speech, cooling the listeners like moon nectar. Rama addresses Bharata as the bearer of dharma, learned in worldly responsibility and Vedic truth, and accomplished in love. The Lord begins the command by revealing the servant's capacity to carry it.
Before giving Bharata a burden, Rama names the strength already within him: dharma, worldly wisdom, scripture, and perfected love.
Read the passage from the Manas
भरत सुभाउ न सुगम निगमहूँ। लघु मति चापलता कबि छमहूँ।। कहत सुनत सति भाउ भरत को। सीय राम पद होइ न रत को।। सुमिरत भरतहि प्रेमु राम को। जेहि न सुलभ तेहि सरिस बाम को।। देखि दयाल दसा सबही की। राम सुजान जानि जन जी की।। धरम धुरीन धीर नय नागर। सत्य सनेह सील सुख सागर।। देसु काल लखि समउ समाजू। नीति प्रीति पालक रघुराजू।। बोले बचन बानि सरबसु से। हित परिनाम सुनत ससि रसु से।। तात भरत तुम्ह धरम धुरीना। लोक बेद बिद प्रेम प्रबीना।।
Bharat subhaau na sugam nigamahoon. Even the Vedas struggle to fathom Bharat's noble nature. O poet, forgive my small mind and its restlessness. Kahat sunat sati bhaau bharat ko. Who can speak or hear of Bharat's true devotion without falling in love with the feet of Sita and Rama? Sumirat bharatahi premu raam ko. Remembering Bharat's love for Rama, who would not find grace within easy reach? What heart could remain unmoved? Dekhi dayaal dasaa sabahee kee. Seeing the tender state of all who were gathered, wise Rama understood what lay in every heart. Dharam dhureen dheer nay naagar. He is the pillar of dharma, patient, gracious, and worldly-wise. He is an ocean of truth, love, goodness, and joy. Desu kaal lakhi samau samaajoo. Perceiving the place, the hour, the moment, and the assembly before him, Raghuraja, guardian of righteousness and love, spoke. Bole bachan baani sarabasu se. He spoke words so full of sweetness and grace, so rich in their blessing, that hearing them was like tasting the nectar of moonlight. Taat bharat tumh dharam dhureenaa. Dear Bharat, you are the upholder of dharma, learned in the ways of the world and the Vedas, and accomplished in love.