Hanuman Tells Bharata He Is Dear to Rama as Life Breath
Uttara Kanda, Doha 3
Doha 3 · Movement 3 of 3
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Hanuman answers with the certainty Bharata could never give himself. You are dear to Rama as his own life breath, he says. My words are true.
Joy breaks every boundary in Bharata's heart. He embraces Hanuman repeatedly, returning again and again to the servant whose assurance has ended the last fear hidden inside the good news.
Hanuman bows his head at Bharata's feet and swiftly returns to Rama. He reports that all is well. The Lord hears of the waiting brother, rejoices, and mounts the celestial chariot to continue home. A single doha carries love in both directions: Rama's life breath toward Rama, and Rama toward the one whose thin body has guarded his sandals and promise.
The messenger joins two brothers across the final distance by revealing that each has lived as the other's breath.
Read the passage from the Manas
राम प्रान प्रिय नाथ तुम्ह सत्य बचन मम तात। पुनि पुनि मिलत भरत सुनि हरष न हृदयँ समात।।2(क)।। भरत चरन सिरु नाइ तुरित गयउ कपि राम पहिं। कही कुसल सब जाइ हरषि चलेउ प्रभु जान चढ़ि।।2(ख)।।
'O lord, you are as dear to Rama as His own life-breath. Father, my words are true.' Hearing this, Bharat embraced Hanuman again and again. The joy in his heart could not be contained. Bowing his head at Bharat's feet, the monkey hero swiftly returned to Rama and reported all was well. The Lord, delighted, mounted His celestial chariot and set forth.