Two Kingdoms Praise Rama and Bharata through Joy and Sorrow
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 309
Doha 309 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Blessed is Bharata, victorious is Lord Rama. The gods voice their delight, while sages, Janaka, and the whole assembly rise inwardly at Bharata's words. The king of Videha thrills as he praises the younger brother's love for Rama's boundless virtues.
Master and servant reveal a bond whose discipline and affection are pure beyond purity. Ministers and courtiers praise according to their understanding, but every voice is warmed by the same love.
As the dialogue is repeated, joy and grief move together through both societies. Rama's mother holds happiness and sorrow with equal steadiness and consoles the queens by speaking of his qualities. Some praise Raghuvira, others Bharata, until the forest camp becomes a many-voiced contemplation of the Lord and the servant who cannot be separated in the heart.
Ayodhya and Mithila answer the brothers' dialogue with one mingled tide, praising Rama through Bharata and Bharata through Rama.
Read the passage from the Manas
धन्य भरत जय राम गोसाईं। कहत देव हरषत बरिआई। मुनि मिथिलेस सभाँ सब काहू। भरत बचन सुनि भयउ उछाहू।। भरत राम गुन ग्राम सनेहू। पुलकि प्रसंसत राउ बिदेहू।। सेवक स्वामि सुभाउ सुहावन। नेमु पेमु अति पावन पावन।। मति अनुसार सराहन लागे। सचिव सभासद सब अनुरागे।। सुनि सुनि राम भरत संबादू। दुहु समाज हियँ हरषु बिषादू।। राम मातु दुखु सुखु सम जानी। कहि गुन राम प्रबोधीं रानी।। एक कहहिं रघुबीर बड़ाई। एक सराहत भरत भलाई।।
"Dhanya Bharat! Jaya Rama Gosaaeen!" So the gods exclaimed, their voices ringing with heavenly delight. The sages, King Janaka of Mithila, and every soul in the assembly felt a surge of joy upon hearing Bharat's words. King Videha praised, his body thrilling with emotion, the depth of Bharat's love for Rama's boundless virtues. How beautiful is the bond between servant and master; their sacred devotion and pure love are the holiest of the holy. Each according to his own understanding began to praise them. Ministers and courtiers alike overflowed with affection. As they listened again and again to the dialogue between Rama and Bharat, both assemblies felt joy and sorrow mingled in their hearts. Rama's mother, regarding sorrow and happiness as equal, consoled the queen by recounting Rama's divine qualities. Some sang the greatness of Raghuvira, while others praised the goodness of Bharat.