The Poet Shrinks before the Cruelty of Describing Separation
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 318
Doha 318 · Movement 1 of 2
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Where even Janaka and the guru's wisdom becomes bewildered, it would be a grave fault to dismiss the brothers' bond as ordinary attachment. Yet to describe their separation feels equally dangerous, for listeners might call the poet cruel for making them witness it.
The sweetness and hesitation of the hour cannot be spoken. Language itself grows shy before time and love. Rama embraces and consoles Bharata, then joyfully draws Shatrughna to his heart.
Servants and ministers read Bharata's intention and begin their duties. Both societies prepare to depart beneath terrible sorrow. Bharata and Shatrughna bow at Rama's lotus feet, place his command upon their heads, and repeatedly honor sages, ascetics, and forest deities. Service begins moving even while the heart remains behind.
Speech falters, embraces loosen, and the brothers begin to walk beneath Rama's command while their love still kneels at his feet.
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जहाँ जनक गुर मति भोरी। प्राकृत प्रीति कहत बड़ि खोरी।। बरनत रघुबर भरत बियोगू। सुनि कठोर कबि जानिहि लोगू।। सो सकोच रसु अकथ सुबानी। समउ सनेहु सुमिरि सकुचानी।। भेंटि भरत रघुबर समुझाए। पुनि रिपुदवनु हरषि हियँ लाए।। सेवक सचिव भरत रुख पाई। निज निज काज लगे सब जाई।। सुनि दारुन दुखु दुहूँ समाजा। लगे चलन के साजन साजा।। प्रभु पद पदुम बंदि दोउ भाई। चले सीस धरि राम रजाई।। मुनि तापस बनदेव निहोरी। सब सनमानि बहोरि बहोरी।।
Where even the wisdom of Janak's Guru grows bewildered, calling such natural love (praakrit preeti) a grievous fault would be a great error. To describe the separation of Raghubar and Bharat is so painful that those who hear it would call even the hardiest poet cruel. That tender hesitation, that unspeakable sweetness of emotion. Remembering the time and the love, even graceful speech (subaani) grows shy. Meeting Bharat, Raghubar consoled him, then joyfully pressed Ripudavan (the slayer of foes, Shatrughna) to His heart. The servants and ministers, sensing Bharat's disposition, quietly went away to attend to their respective tasks. Hearing of the grievous sorrow in both gatherings, all began making preparations for the departure. Both brothers bowed at the Lord's lotus feet (prabhu pad padum), then departed, bearing Rama's command upon their heads. To the sages, the ascetics, and the forest deities they offered salutations again and again, honouring each one with care.