Beneath the Banyan, Rama Remembers Bharata until All Chitrakoot Grieves
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 321
Doha 321 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Rama honors the Nishada chief and sends him away. Guha walks into the forest with separation burning in his heart. Kol, Kirat, Bhil, and other woodland people bow repeatedly before they too turn homeward, looking back until the beloved forms beneath the trees can no longer be seen.
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana sit in the shade of a banyan, grieving for the family now scattered along the road. Rama speaks to Sita and his younger brother of Bharata's affection, noble nature, gentle speech, unwavering faith, pure thought, and devoted action. Love itself seems to borrow the Lord's voice in order to praise its servant.
Birds grow quiet, deer wander sorrowfully, and even fish beneath the water share the dimness that covers every moving and unmoving being of Chitrakoot. The gods behold Raghubara's condition, shower flowers from heaven, and speak of the sorrow filling every home. Reassured by Rama, they bow and depart without fear.
As Rama praises Bharata beneath the banyan, grief passes through feather, leaf, water, and sky.
Read the passage from the Manas
बिदा कीन्ह सनमानि निषादू। चलेउ हृदयँ बड़ बिरह बिषादू।। कोल किरात भिल्ल बनचारी। फेरे फिरे जोहारि जोहारी।। प्रभु सिय लखन बैठि बट छाहीं। प्रिय परिजन बियोग बिलखाहीं।। भरत सनेह सुभाउ सुबानी। प्रिया अनुज सन कहत बखानी।। प्रीति प्रतीति बचन मन करनी। श्रीमुख राम प्रेम बस बरनी।। तेहि अवसर खग मृग जल मीना। चित्रकूट चर अचर मलीना।। बिबुध बिलोकि दसा रघुबर की। बरषि सुमन कहि गति घर घर की।। प्रभु प्रनामु करि दीन्ह भरोसो। चले मुदित मन डर न खरो सो।।
Rama respectfully honoured the Nishada chief and bade him farewell. Nishada departed, carrying in his heart the great sorrow of separation. The Kol, Kirat, Bhil, and other forest dwellers all returned to their homes, bowing again and again in salutation. The Lord, Sita, and Lakshmana sat beneath the cool shade of a banyan tree, grieving over the separation from their beloved family. To His dear wife and His younger brother, Rama spoke at length of Bharata's affection, noble nature, and sweet words. From His blessed lips, Rama described Bharata's love, faith, words, thoughts, and deeds, all flowing from the depths of devotion. At that moment, the birds, the deer, the fish in the water, and every moving and unmoving being of Chitrakoot grew sorrowful. The gods, witnessing the state of Shri Raghubara, showered flowers from the sky and spoke of the fate that had visited every household. Bowing before the Lord and receiving His loving assurance, the celestials departed with joyful and fearless hearts.