Hanuman Arrives Like a Boat Upon Bharata's Ocean of Separation
Uttara Kanda, Doha 2
Doha 2 · Movement 2 of 2
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Bharata's mind sinks beneath the ocean of separation from Rama. At that moment the son of the Wind approaches in the form of a brahmin, like a boat arriving beside one who has nearly disappeared under the waves.
Hanuman sees the prince seated upon kusha grass. Matted locks form his crown, his body has grown thin, and the signs of royal life have yielded to the austerity of waiting.
Rama, Rama, Raghupati, Bharata repeats. Tears stream from his eyes while the disguised messenger stands before him carrying the word that will return breath to the shore. The one who crossed the physical ocean now enters an ocean made of longing, and his first sight of Bharata reveals how fully another servant has crossed fourteen years without leaving Rama's name.
Hanuman crossed the sea for Sita and now becomes the boat that reaches Bharata beneath the waters of Rama's absence.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम बिरह सागर महँ भरत मगन मन होत। बिप्र रूप धरि पवन सुत आइ गयउ जनु पोत।।1(क)।। बैठि देखि कुसासन जटा मुकुट कृस गात। राम राम रघुपति जपत स्त्रवत नयन जलजात।।1(ख)।।
Bharat's mind was sinking in the ocean of separation from Rama. Just then, the Son of the Wind arrived, disguised as a brahmin, like a boat reaching one who drowns. Seated on a mat of kusha grass, wearing matted locks for a crown, his body grown thin, Bharat was chanting 'Rama, Rama, Raghupati,' and tears streamed ceaselessly from his eyes.