Rama Entrusts Ayodhya to Bharata beneath the Guru's Feet
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 315
Doha 315 · Movement 1 of 2
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Rama says that Bharata, Rama, and the whole family are guarded at home and in the forest by guru, sages, and Janaka. Under such protection, distress need not touch them even in dream.
Their shared highest endeavor, right welfare, noble fame, dharma, and spiritual good all lie in preserving Dasharatha's command. Those who follow guru, father, mother, and master do not fall even if the road itself bends toward danger.
Bharata must cast worry aside and protect Ayodhya for the appointed term. Country, treasury, relatives, and family rest upon the dust of the guru's feet. Guided by sages, mothers, and ministers, he is to guard earth, people, and capital. Rama makes governance an act of collective obedience, not a private throne.
Rama places Ayodhya in Bharata's care, but roots the entire kingdom first in the dust of the guru's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
तात तुम्हारि मोरि परिजन की। चिंता गुरहि नृपहि घर बन की।। माथे पर गुर मुनि मिथिलेसू। हमहि तुम्हहि सपनेहुँ न कलेसू।। मोर तुम्हार परम पुरुषारथु। स्वारथु सुजसु धरमु परमारथु।। पितु आयसु पालिहिं दुहु भाई। लोक बेद भल भूप भलाई।। गुर पितु मातु स्वामि सिख पालें। चलेहुँ कुमग पग परहिं न खालें।। अस बिचारि सब सोच बिहाई। पालहु अवध अवधि भरि जाई।। देसु कोसु परिजन परिवारू। गुर पद रजहिं लाग छरुभारू।। तुम्ह मुनि मातु सचिव सिख मानी। पालेहु पुहुमि प्रजा रजधानी।।
Dear Taat, neither you nor I nor our family need worry about the Guru, the King, or the welfare of home and forest. With the Guru, the sages, and Mithilesh (the Lord of Mithila) watching over us, neither you nor we shall face distress even in a dream. For you and me, the supreme human endeavour (param purusharth) encompasses rightful self-interest, noble fame, dharma, and the highest spiritual goal. Both brothers shall honour Father's command, and this will bring good to the world, accord with the Vedas, and serve the king's welfare. Those who follow the teachings of Guru, father, mother, and master never let their feet stray onto a crooked path. Reflecting thus, cast aside every worry and protect Ayodhya until the term of exile is fulfilled. The country, the treasury, kinfolk, and the extended family all rest upon the sacred dust of the Guru's feet. You, together with the sages, the mothers, and the ministers, heeding their counsel, should guard the earth, the subjects, and the royal capital.