Bharadvaja Invites the Pilgrims to Be His Beloved Guests
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 212
Doha 212 · Movement 2 of 2
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Having consoled Bharata, Bharadvaja turns from teaching toward hospitality. The assembly before him has travelled far under grief, vows, and the weight of longing.
He asks them to become guests beloved to his heart. Roots, tubers, fruits, and flowers are the hermitage's offering, simple foods gathered from the life around them.
The invitation carries affection rather than display. Bharata has come seeking Ram, not comfort, yet the sage asks him to receive care without mistaking it for distraction. To accept what love offers can itself become humility. The forest hermitage opens its hands, and nourishment enters the pilgrimage as another form of grace before the road to Chitrakoot resumes.
Bharadvaja places roots, fruits, and flowers before the weary pilgrims and asks them to accept affection as his beloved guests.
Read the passage from the Manas
करि प्रबोध मुनिबर कहेउ अतिथि पेमप्रिय होहु। कंद मूल फल फूल हम देहिं लेहु करि छोहु।।212।।
Consoling him with loving words, the best of sages (munibar) said: Be our beloved guest (atithi), dear to our hearts. Roots, bulbs (kand mool), fruits, and flowers we offer you. Accept them with affection (chhohu).