Whatever You Ask, I Shall Do Today
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 264
Doha 264 · Movement 2 of 2
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Rama asks Bharata to make his heart glad and abandon the final veil of hesitation. The permission is complete, immediate, and spoken before the whole assembly.
Whatever you say, I shall do today. These are not the courteous words of a king postponing action behind ceremony. Truth itself has taken a vow before love and placed the present day in Bharata's hands.
Joy moves through the gathered society. After so much grief, a door appears to have opened. Yet the listeners do not know what Bharata will ask, and the gods themselves tremble beyond human sight. The promise shines over the forest clearing, vast enough to change the direction of the kingdom.
Rama gives Bharata the power of an immediate promise, and hope stirs through the assembly before the request is even heard.
Read the passage from the Manas
मनु प्रसन्न करि सकुच तजि कहहु करौं सोइ आजु। सत्यसंध रघुबर बचन सुनि भा सुखी समाजु।।264।।
Gladden your heart, set aside all hesitation, and speak freely. Whatever you say, I shall do this very day. Hearing the truthful words of the noble Raghubar, the whole assembly was filled with joy.