राम
Contemplative Interlude

Bharata Must Become the Hands, Feet, and Eyes of Rama's Rule

Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 306

Doha 306 · Movement 2 of 2

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The relationship between master and servant becomes one living body. The servant acts as hands, travels as feet, and watches as eyes. The master is the directing mouth from which purpose and command are spoken.

No part competes for independence. Hands do not resent the voice, and the voice does not despise the labor of hands. Their distinction makes coordinated life possible.

Tulsidas says that wise poets praise this way of love. Rama's forest vow and Bharata's royal service need not divide them. Bharata can extend Rama's care through the kingdom as the active limbs of a sovereignty whose conscious center remains with Rama.

Separated by forest and city, Rama and Bharata remain one royal body: the Lord as guiding voice, the servant as vigilant eyes and working limbs.

Read the passage from the Manas

सेवक कर पद नयन से मुख सो साहिबु होइ। तुलसी प्रीति कि रीति सुनि सुकबि सराहहिं सोइ।।306।।

Sevak kar pad nayan se mukh so saahibu hoi. The servant whose eyes cherish the master's feet, whose mouth speaks only what delights the Lord: Tulsidas says, hearing of such love and its ways, even the greatest poets sing its praise.