Reflecting on my past deeds and my descent and again considering the greatness of the Lord, any man in the world who adores not the feet of Raghubir must be under supernatural delusion.
False, cowardly, low-minded and low-born as I am, an utter outcast by the laws both of God and society; since the time that Rama took me for his own, I have become the glory of the world.” After witnessing his devotion and hearing his graceful humility, Lakshman’s younger brother next embraced him.
Then the Nishad introduced himself by name and respectfully saluted the royal dames, who received him even as they would Lakshman and gave him their blessing: “May you live happily for millions of years.” The citizens too were as glad to see him as if he had been Lakshman and cried: “Here is one who has loved to some purpose; whom Rama’s own brother has taken to his arms and embraced.” When the Nishad heard them thus magnify his good fortune, he was glad at heart as he showed them the way.
Dohâ 189
At a signal all his attendants, having learnt their master’s will, went on and made ready tents under the trees and rest-houses by the ponds, gardens and groves.
Chaupâi
When Bharat beheld the city of Sringavera he was overcome by emotion and was unnerved in every limb. As he leant upon the Nishad it was as goodly a sight as though embodied Humility and Love had met together. In this manner Bharat with all his army went to see the earth-purifying stream of the Ganges. As he made his obeisance to the ford where Rama had crossed, he was as entranced as though he had met Rama himself. The citizens bowing low gazed upon the divine stream with rapture, and after bathing prayed with clasped hands: “May our love to Ramchandra’s feet never grow less.” Bharat exclaimed: “Thy sands, O Ganga, are the bestowers of all happiness, the very cow of plenty to thy votaries: with folded hands I beg this boon, unalterable devotion to Sita and Rama.”
False, cowardly, low-minded and low-born as I am, an utter outcast by the laws both of God and society; since the time that Rama took me for his own, I have become the glory of the world.” After witnessing his devotion and hearing his graceful humility, Lakshman’s younger brother next embraced him.
Then the Nishad introduced himself by name and respectfully saluted the royal dames, who received him even as they would Lakshman and gave him their blessing: “May you live happily for millions of years.” The citizens too were as glad to see him as if he had been Lakshman and cried: “Here is one who has loved to some purpose; whom Rama’s own brother has taken to his arms and embraced.” When the Nishad heard them thus magnify his good fortune, he was glad at heart as he showed them the way.
Dohâ 189
At a signal all his attendants, having learnt their master’s will, went on and made ready tents under the trees and rest-houses by the ponds, gardens and groves.
Chaupâi
When Bharat beheld the city of Sringavera he was overcome by emotion and was unnerved in every limb. As he leant upon the Nishad it was as goodly a sight as though embodied Humility and Love had met together. In this manner Bharat with all his army went to see the earth-purifying stream of the Ganges. As he made his obeisance to the ford where Rama had crossed, he was as entranced as though he had met Rama himself. The citizens bowing low gazed upon the divine stream with rapture, and after bathing prayed with clasped hands: “May our love to Ramchandra’s feet never grow less.” Bharat exclaimed: “Thy sands, O Ganga, are the bestowers of all happiness, the very cow of plenty to thy votaries: with folded hands I beg this boon, unalterable devotion to Sita and Rama.”
Dohâ 190
When Bharat had thus bathed and knew that all his mothers had bathed, too, he received the Guru’s permission and took them to their tents.
Chaupâi
Wherever the people had pitched their tents, Bharat took every care of them all. After paying homage to the Guru and obtaining his permission, the two brothers went to Rama’s mother. Then Bharat, after kissing their feet, with many tender phrases did reverence to all the queens, and having left them to the dutiful care of his brother, went away with the Nishad. Hand-in-hand they went, his body fainting with excess of love, as he begged his companion to show him the spot that the fierce longing of his eyes and soul might be a little assuaged—where Sita, Rama and Lakshman had spent the night. As he spoke, his eyes overflowed with tears, and the Nishad in great distress at his speech led him at once to the place,
Dohâ 191
where Raghubar had rested under the sacred sinsipa tree. With great reverence and devotion Bharat prostrated himself.
Chaupâi
When he spied the delectable grassy couch, he again made obeisance and reverently paced round it. He put upon his eyes the dust of the footprints, with an enthusiasm of devotion beyond all telling. And seeing two or three golden spangles, he placed them upon his head as relics of Sita. With streaming eyes and aching heart he thus in gentle tones addressed his companion: “They are dim and lustreless through Sita’s absence, and all the people of Avadh are equally woe-begone. To whom can I compare her father, Janak, who was conversant at once with all life’s pleasures and all philosophy? Her father-in-law, the sun-like monarch of the solar race, was the envy of even the lord of heaven. Her husband is the beloved Raghunath, by whose greatness alone it is that any one is great.
When Bharat had thus bathed and knew that all his mothers had bathed, too, he received the Guru’s permission and took them to their tents.
Chaupâi
Wherever the people had pitched their tents, Bharat took every care of them all. After paying homage to the Guru and obtaining his permission, the two brothers went to Rama’s mother. Then Bharat, after kissing their feet, with many tender phrases did reverence to all the queens, and having left them to the dutiful care of his brother, went away with the Nishad. Hand-in-hand they went, his body fainting with excess of love, as he begged his companion to show him the spot that the fierce longing of his eyes and soul might be a little assuaged—where Sita, Rama and Lakshman had spent the night. As he spoke, his eyes overflowed with tears, and the Nishad in great distress at his speech led him at once to the place,
Dohâ 191
where Raghubar had rested under the sacred sinsipa tree. With great reverence and devotion Bharat prostrated himself.
Chaupâi
When he spied the delectable grassy couch, he again made obeisance and reverently paced round it. He put upon his eyes the dust of the footprints, with an enthusiasm of devotion beyond all telling. And seeing two or three golden spangles, he placed them upon his head as relics of Sita. With streaming eyes and aching heart he thus in gentle tones addressed his companion: “They are dim and lustreless through Sita’s absence, and all the people of Avadh are equally woe-begone. To whom can I compare her father, Janak, who was conversant at once with all life’s pleasures and all philosophy? Her father-in-law, the sun-like monarch of the solar race, was the envy of even the lord of heaven. Her husband is the beloved Raghunath, by whose greatness alone it is that any one is great.
Dohâ 192
I gaze on the couch of Sita, that devoted wife, that jewel of good women, and my heart breaks not with agitation; surely it is harder than a thunderbolt.
Chaupâi
Lakshman so young and comely and made to be fondled; never was there such a brother, nor is there, nor will be: so beloved by the people, the darling of his father and mother, and dear as their own life to Rama and Sita; the picture of delicacy, the daintiest of striplings, whose body has never been exposed to the hot wind, how can he bear the hardships of the forest? O my heart would shame for hardness a million thunderbolts! Rama at his birth was the light of the world, an ocean of beauty, of virtue, and all good qualities. Rama’s amiability was the delight of his subjects, his household, his Guru, his father and mother, and all. Even enemies would praise Rama; his courtesy of speech and manner stole every heart. Not a million Sarasvatis, not a hundred million Sesh-nags, could reckon up all my lord’s virtues.
Dohâ 193
The image of bliss, the jewel of the family of Raghus, the storehouse of all auspicious delights, slept on the ground on this littered grass: how wonderful are the ways of Providence!
Chaupâi
I gaze on the couch of Sita, that devoted wife, that jewel of good women, and my heart breaks not with agitation; surely it is harder than a thunderbolt.
Chaupâi
Lakshman so young and comely and made to be fondled; never was there such a brother, nor is there, nor will be: so beloved by the people, the darling of his father and mother, and dear as their own life to Rama and Sita; the picture of delicacy, the daintiest of striplings, whose body has never been exposed to the hot wind, how can he bear the hardships of the forest? O my heart would shame for hardness a million thunderbolts! Rama at his birth was the light of the world, an ocean of beauty, of virtue, and all good qualities. Rama’s amiability was the delight of his subjects, his household, his Guru, his father and mother, and all. Even enemies would praise Rama; his courtesy of speech and manner stole every heart. Not a million Sarasvatis, not a hundred million Sesh-nags, could reckon up all my lord’s virtues.
Dohâ 193
The image of bliss, the jewel of the family of Raghus, the storehouse of all auspicious delights, slept on the ground on this littered grass: how wonderful are the ways of Providence!
Chaupâi