Rama Lays Down His Bow and Lifts Bharata From the Dust
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 5
Doha 5ख · Movement 1 of 3
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Bharata arrives with the people, every body thinned by separation. Rama sees the great sages Vamadeva and Vasishtha, lays bow and arrows upon the earth, and runs with his brothers to clasp the Guru's lotus feet.
The sages embrace them and ask after their welfare. All is well through your grace, Rama replies. Lord of Raghu's line and bearer of dharma, he bows to every brahmin before turning toward the brother who has kept his kingdom through renunciation.
Bharata falls upon Rama's lotus feet, worshiped by gods, sages, Shiva, and Brahma. He will not rise even when urged. The ocean of compassion takes him by force into his heart. Goosebumps cover Rama's dark body and tears swell in fresh lotus eyes. The warrior has put his weapons down, and the homecoming begins not through royal procession but through Guru's feet, a brother in dust, and an embrace beyond speech.
Rama's first act upon touching home soil is to lay down the bow, bow to the Guru, and lift Bharata into his heart.
Read the passage from the Manas
आए भरत संग सब लोगा। कृस तन श्रीरघुबीर बियोगा।। बामदेव बसिष्ठ मुनिनायक। देखे प्रभु महि धरि धनु सायक।। धाइ धरे गुर चरन सरोरुह। अनुज सहित अति पुलक तनोरुह।। भेंटि कुसल बूझी मुनिराया। हमरें कुसल तुम्हारिहिं दाया।। सकल द्विजन्ह मिलि नायउ माथा। धर्म धुरंधर रघुकुलनाथा।। गहे भरत पुनि प्रभु पद पंकज। नमत जिन्हहि सुर मुनि संकर अज।। परे भूमि नहिं उठत उठाए। बर करि कृपासिंधु उर लाए।। स्यामल गात रोम भए ठाढ़े। नव राजीव नयन जल बाढ़े।।
Bharat came with all the people, their bodies grown thin from separation from Sri Raghuvira. The great sages Vamadeva and Vasishtha saw the Lord, who had laid His bow and arrows upon the ground. Rama rushed forward and clasped His Guru's lotus feet, along with His brothers, their bodies thrilling with joy. Embracing them, the chief of sages asked after their welfare. 'All is well with us now that we have Your grace,' they replied. Then Rama bowed at the feet of all the brahmins and received their heartfelt blessings. Seeing Bharat, emaciated and wearing bark-cloth and matted hair, the Lord's eyes welled with tears. The Compassionate One drew Bharat close but could not speak, for love had stolen all words. The citizens watched, and their own eyes overflowed. All of Ayodhya was drenched in the rain of reunion.