Bharata Departs at the Guru's Summons
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 157
Doha 157 · Movement 2 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
The messengers reach Bharata while anxiety consumes his mind. Their explanation is spare: Guru Vasishtha has called him and Shatrughna to Ayodhya.
Bharata does not delay for fuller information. The teacher's summons is sufficient, and the dread already moving beneath his thoughts gives urgency to every preparation.
Before setting out, he invokes Ganesha, remover of obstacles. Prayer stands at the threshold of a journey whose true purpose remains concealed. Bharata leaves under an auspicious name while the road ahead leads directly toward death, exile, accusation, and the testing of his own spotless love.
Knowing only that the guru calls, Bharata remembers Ganesha and enters the road toward a sorrow no messenger has named.
Read the passage from the Manas
एहि बिधि सोचत भरत मन धावन पहुँचे आइ। गुर अनुसासन श्रवन सुनि चले गनेसु मनाइ।।157।।
In this way, as Bharata's mind was consumed with worry, the messengers arrived. Hearing the Guru's summons, he set out at once, first invoking Lord Ganesha's blessing.