Ram Put on Bark without Sorrow or Surprise
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 165
Doha 165 · Movement 2 of 2
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Kausalya recounts the moment that still lives before her eyes. At Dasharatha's command, Raghubir laid aside royal garments and ornaments.
No astonishment, grief, or elation disturbed his heart. He simply put on bark cloth, meeting the reversal of coronation into exile with perfect inward balance.
The mother offers Bharata this memory not as accusation but as witness to Ram's nature. The prince did not leave in hatred toward the beneficiary of the throne. His serenity removes rivalry from the story and places the event within obedience, leaving Bharata free to love rather than defend himself.
Kausalya remembers bark replacing silk while Ram's face remained clear, untouched by resentment toward the brother far away.
Read the passage from the Manas
पितु आयस भूषन बसन तात तजे रघुबीर। बिसमउ हरषु न हृदयँ कछु पहिरे बलकल चीर। 165।।
At the father's command, dear son, Raghuvira set aside his ornaments and royal garments. No trace of sorrow or joy stirred in his heart; he simply donned garments of bark.