Bharata Bows before the Assembly Takes Its Seats
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 253
Doha 253 · Movement 2 of 2
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The morning council begins at the guru's feet. Bharata bows to the lotus feet of Vasishtha and waits for permission before taking his place.
Brahmins, leading citizens, ministers, and members of the court gather around him. The forest clearing assumes the gravity of a royal assembly without ceasing to be an ashram.
Every rank arrives beneath the same unresolved question: how may Ram's will, the people's need, filial duty, and the kingdom's welfare be held together? Bharata's first act places deliberation under reverence rather than political urgency. Only after bowing may counsel begin.
Before kingdom, grief, or strategy is discussed, Bharata places the entire assembly beneath the lotus feet of the guru.
Read the passage from the Manas
गुर पद कमल प्रनामु करि बैठे आयसु पाइ। बिप्र महाजन सचिव सब जुरे सभासद आइ।।253।।
Bowing to the kamal charan, the lotus feet of his guru, and receiving aagyaa to be seated, Bharat took his place. Brahmins, mahajans, sachivs, and all the sabhaasads gathered and came before the assembly.