Bharata Leaves the Palace and Builds His Vigil at Nandigram
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 324
Doha 324 · Movement 1 of 2
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Bharata bows to Rama's mother and to the guru, receives their permission, and establishes the Lord's sandals upon the seat of rule. Then he turns away from the splendor that has been placed under his care and travels to Nandigram, where leaf-huts rise from the earth as the dwelling of a prince who will not live as king.
His hair becomes matted, bark-cloth covers his body, and a bed of kusha grass lies in a hollow he has dug. Food, garments, vessels, vows, and daily observances follow the severe discipline of the sages. Mind, speech, and body release ornaments, luxury, pleasure, and every comfort the palace could provide.
Ayodhya's wealth could rival heaven and make Kubera ashamed, yet Bharata remains unattached within its reach, like a bee among champaka blossoms that takes no delight in them. A lover of Rama, he casts away the pleasures of Lakshmi with complete revulsion. Nandigram becomes his watch-post until the exile ends.
While Rama wears bark in the forest, Bharata keeps the kingdom from a bed of grass.
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राम मातु गुर पद सिरु नाई। प्रभु पद पीठ रजायसु पाई।। नंदिगावँ करि परन कुटीरा। कीन्ह निवासु धरम धुर धीरा।। जटाजूट सिर मुनिपट धारी। महि खनि कुस साँथरी सँवारी।। असन बसन बासन ब्रत नेमा। करत कठिन रिषिधरम सप्रेमा।। भूषन बसन भोग सुख भूरी। मन तन बचन तजे तिन तूरी।। अवध राजु सुर राजु सिहाई। दसरथ धनु सुनि धनदु लजाई।। तेहिं पुर बसत भरत बिनु रागा। चंचरीक जिमि चंपक बागा।। रमा बिलासु राम अनुरागी। तजत बमन जिमि जन बड़भागी।।
Bharata bowed his head at the feet of Rama's mother and the guru, and received permission to place the Lord's holy sandals upon the sacred seat of authority. In Nandigram he built simple huts of leaves, and there that steadfast pillar of dharma established his dwelling. He wore matted locks upon his head and dressed in the bark-cloth of a sage. He dug the earth and spread a bed of kusha grass. In food, clothing, vessels, vows, and daily observances, he lovingly practised the rigorous dharma of the rishis. Ornaments, fine garments, pleasures, and abundant comforts: all of these he renounced completely in mind, body, and speech. The kingdom of Ayodhya outshone even Indra's heaven. Hearing of Dasharatha's wealth, even Kubera the lord of riches felt ashamed. Yet in that splendid city Bharata dwelt without the slightest attachment, like a bee that hovers in a champaka garden without clinging. That blessed devotee of Rama renounced all of Lakshmi's pleasures, just as a truly fortunate soul gives up worldly indulgence as easily as one discards what has been vomited.