The Brothers Look toward Hanuman when Their Question Will Not Cross Their Lips
Uttara Kanda, Chaupai 34
Doha 36 · Movement 1 of 2
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After the sages depart for Brahmaloka, Rama's brothers bow at his feet. Each wishes to ask something, yet reverence closes every mouth. They glance toward Hanuman, asking the servant who knows nearness to become their voice.
The indwelling Lord already understands. He asks Hanuman what remains in their minds. With joined hands, Hanuman explains that Bharata wishes to ask a question but feels too shy to place it before Rama.
Rama answers the hesitation before the question itself. You know my nature, he tells Hanuman. Is there any difference between Bharata and me? Hearing this, Bharata grasps the Lord's feet and begins. The space between devotee and Lord is dissolved by Rama's own declaration, yet Bharata's humility remains. Non-separation does not make reverence disappear. It gives reverence its most intimate ground.
Hanuman carries Bharata's silence to Rama, and Rama answers by declaring no distance between himself and his devotee.
Read the passage from the Manas
सनकादिक बिधि लोक सिधाए। भ्रातन्ह राम चरन सिरु नाए।। पूछत प्रभुहि सकल सकुचाहीं। चितवहिं सब मारुतसुत पाहीं।। सुनि चहहिं प्रभु मुख कै बानी। जो सुनि होइ सकल भ्रम हानी।। अंतरजामी प्रभु सभ जाना। बूझत कहहु काह हनुमाना।। जोरि पानि कह तब हनुमंता। सुनहु दीनदयाल भगवंता।। नाथ भरत कछु पूँछन चहहीं। प्रस्न करत मन सकुचत अहहीं।। तुम्ह जानहु कपि मोर सुभाऊ। भरतहि मोहि कछु अंतर काऊ।। सुनि प्रभु बचन भरत गहे चरना। सुनहु नाथ प्रनतारति हरना।।
The Sanakadik sages departed for Brahmaloka. Rama's brothers bowed their heads at His lotus feet. All wished to ask the Lord something, yet each felt too shy to speak. They all looked toward Hanuman. They longed to hear words from the Lord's own mouth, words whose hearing would destroy every delusion. The all-knowing Lord understood everything. He asked: 'Tell me, Hanumaan, what is on their minds.' Joining his palms, Hanumaan then spoke: 'Listen, O compassionate Lord, friend of the lowly. O Master, Bharat wishes to ask something, but his heart shrinks from posing the question.' 'You know, O Hanumaan, my very nature. Is there any difference between Bharat and Me?' Hearing the Lord's words, Bharat clasped His feet and said: 'Listen, O Lord, you who take away the suffering of those who surrender.'