Kausalya Raises Bharata into Her Arms
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 164
Doha 164 · Movement 2 of 2
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Kausalya listens to Bharata's repeated, gentle lament. Strength returns enough for her to rise and reach toward the son collapsed at her feet.
She lifts him from the floor and gathers him against her heart. Tears flow freely over the son who expected accusation, while no reproach finds a place within the embrace.
Bharata expected the mother of exiled Ram to recoil from the beneficiary of exile. Instead, her arms answer his self condemnation before argument can begin. Maternal love refuses the false identity he has assumed and restores him to the family through touch.
Where Bharata expects judgment, Kausalya answers with an embrace and lets her tears wash the imagined guilt between them.
Read the passage from the Manas
मातु भरत के बचन मृदु सुनि सुनि उठी सँभारि।। लिए उठाइ लगाइ उर लोचन मोचति बारि।।164।।
Hearing Bharata's gentle words again and again, the mother arose and steadied herself. She lifted him up and held him to her heart, tears flowing freely from her eyes.