Hanuman Speaks the News for Which Bharata Finds No Equal Gift
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 2
Doha 3 · Movement 1 of 3
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Hanuman beholds Bharata and joy overwhelms him. His skin thrills and tears rain from his eyes before words sweet as nectar begin. The crown of Raghu's line, whose virtues Bharata repeats day and night, has conquered the enemy. Rama comes safely with Sita and Lakshmana while heaven sings his fame.
All Bharata's sorrow vanishes like thirst before nectar. He asks who this beloved messenger is. Hanuman reveals himself as the son of the Wind and servant of Raghupati. Bharata rises, embraces him, and says that seeing the messenger has ended every grief and brought Rama's beloved presence near.
He asks again and again about the Lord and searches the world in thought for a gift equal to the message. Nothing exists. Bharata admits he can never repay Hanuman, then asks for the whole account of Rama's deeds. Hanuman bows and narrates, until Bharata's humility reaches one trembling question: does the compassionate Lord ever remember me as his servant?
Bharata receives the wealth of Rama's return and discovers that all the worlds together cannot repay the mouth that brought it.
Read the passage from the Manas
देखत हनूमान अति हरषेउ। पुलक गात लोचन जल बरषेउ।। मन महँ बहुत भाँति सुख मानी। बोलेउ श्रवन सुधा सम बानी।। जासु बिरहँ सोचहु दिन राती। रटहु निरंतर गुन गन पाँती।। रघुकुल तिलक सुजन सुखदाता। आयउ कुसल देव मुनि त्राता।। रिपु रन जीति सुजस सुर गावत। सीता सहित अनुज प्रभु आवत।। सुनत बचन बिसरे सब दूखा। तृषावंत जिमि पाइ पियूषा।। को तुम्ह तात कहाँ ते आए। मोहि परम प्रिय बचन सुनाए।। मारुत सुत मैं कपि हनुमाना। नामु मोर सुनु कृपानिधाना।। दीनबंधु रघुपति कर किंकर। सुनत भरत भेंटेउ उठि सादर।। मिलत प्रेम नहिं हृदयँ समाता। नयन स्त्रवत जल पुलकित गाता।। कपि तव दरस सकल दुख बीते। मिले आजु मोहि राम पिरीते।। बार बार बूझी कुसलाता। तो कहुँ देउँ काह सुनु भ्राता।। एहि संदेस सरिस जग माहीं। करि बिचार देखेउँ कछु नाहीं।। नाहिन तात उरिन मैं तोही। अब प्रभु चरित सुनावहु मोही।। तब हनुमंत नाइ पद माथा। कहे सकल रघुपति गुन गाथा।। कहु कपि कबहुँ कृपाल गोसाईं। सुमिरहिं मोहि दास की नाईं।।
Seeing Hanuman, Bharat was overcome with joy. His body thrilled with goosebumps and tears of happiness rained from his eyes. His heart felt happiness in countless ways, and he spoke words that were like nectar poured into the ears. 'He for whose separation you grieve day and night, whose stream of glories you ceaselessly chant; 'Raghukula Tilaka, the jewel of the solar line, the giver of happiness to the virtuous: He has come safely, O friend of the gods! 'Hear the blessed tidings, O prince: the Lord of all compassion is near.' Bharat listened, trembling with love, unable to speak. He clasped Hanuman to his heart again and again.