Bharata Readies Horses Swift as Fire
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 295
Doha 298 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dasharatha calls Bharata and orders horses, elephants, and chariots prepared for Raghuvira's wedding procession. Bharata and Shatrughna thrill at the command, and attendants rush outward beneath the younger prince's instructions.
Fine saddles and trappings are fitted to magnificent horses of many colours and breeds. Spirited hooves seem like fire stepping upon earth, and the steeds challenge the wind as though longing to fly.
Young princes of Bharata's age mount them, handsome and ornamented, carrying bows, arrows, and heavy quivers. The procession is not yet moving, but speed, youth, martial grace, and brotherly longing already gather beyond the palace gates, all pointed toward Mithila.
Under Bharata's command, the fire-footed horses turn every restless movement toward Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
भूप भरत पुनि लिए बोलाई। हय गय स्यंदन साजहु जाई।। चलहु बेगि रघुबीर बराता। सुनत पुलक पूरे दोउ भ्राता।। भरत सकल साहनी बोलाए। आयसु दीन्ह मुदित उठि धाए।। रचि रुचि जीन तुरग तिन्ह साजे। बरन बरन बर बाजि बिराजे।। सुभग सकल सुठि चंचल करनी। अय इव जरत धरत पग धरनी।। नाना जाति न जाहिं बखाने। निदरि पवनु जनु चहत उड़ाने।। तिन्ह सब छयल भए असवारा। भरत सरिस बय राजकुमारा।। सब सुंदर सब भूषनधारी। कर सर चाप तून कटि भारी।।
King Dasharatha then called Bharata and commanded, 'Go and prepare the horses, elephants, and chariots.' 'Set out swiftly with Raghuvira's wedding procession.' Hearing this, both brothers were filled with thrilling joy (pulaka). Bharata summoned all the attendants and gave them orders. They rose with delight and rushed to carry them out. With great care they adorned the horses with fine saddles and trappings. Excellent steeds of every color stood gleaming in their splendor. All were beautiful and supremely spirited in movement, as though fire itself were taking steps upon the earth. Horses of countless breeds, beyond all telling, seemed to scorn the wind and long to take flight. Upon these steeds rode handsome young princes, all of Bharata's age and valor. All were fair, all wore fine ornaments, bearing arrows and bows with heavy quivers at their waists.