The Palace Becomes the Dwelling of Sorrow
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 166
Doha 166 · Movement 2 of 2
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Kausalya's remembrance spreads through the royal women and reaches Bharata with renewed force. Voices break open, and the palace fills again with uncontrollable weeping.
The building no longer merely contains sorrow. It appears to be sorrow's own chosen residence, every corridor darkened and every chamber prepared for grief to inhabit without end.
Bharata stands amid mothers mourning husband and sons, carrying a cause he did not will but cannot separate from his name. The walls return every cry, turning private anguish into one vast household atmosphere from which no person can step outside.
Through Kausalya's words, grief occupies every royal chamber until the whole palace becomes sorrow's home.
Read the passage from the Manas
कौसल्या के बचन सुनि भरत सहित रनिवास। ब्याकुल बिलपत राजगृह मानहुँ सोक नेवासु।।166।।
Hearing Kausalya's words, Bharata and all the royal women began weeping in anguish; the palace became the very dwelling-place of sorrow.