Bharat had never heard mention of pain, the king cherished him like the tree of life, and day and night all his mothers guarded him as the eyelids guard the eyes, and as a serpent guards the jewel in its head. And now he is roaming on foot through the woods, with nothing to eat but wild roots and fruits. A curse on Thee, Kaikeyi, root of all evil, Thou hast undone my best beloved: cursed be my wretched self, that ocean of iniquity, on whose account all these calamities have come to pass. God created me to disgrace my family, and my wicked mother has made me the ruin of my lord.” Hearing these words the Nishad affectionately implored him: “Why, my lord, make these vain laments? Rama is dear to You, and You are dear to Rama; even she is blameless; the blame rests with adverse fate.”
Chhand 8.
The ways of adverse fate are cruel; it has made your mother mad. That very night Rama again and again broke out into respectful praise of You. There is no one so dearly beloved by Rama as You. I declare this on oath: be assured that all will be well in the end, and take comfort to your soul.
Sorathâ 7.
“Rama is omniscient, full of meekness, tenderness and compassion; of this make firm assurance in your heart; and come, take rest.”
Chhand 8.
The ways of adverse fate are cruel; it has made your mother mad. That very night Rama again and again broke out into respectful praise of You. There is no one so dearly beloved by Rama as You. I declare this on oath: be assured that all will be well in the end, and take comfort to your soul.
Sorathâ 7.
“Rama is omniscient, full of meekness, tenderness and compassion; of this make firm assurance in your heart; and come, take rest.”
Chaupâi
Hearing his companion’s speech he took comfort and with his thoughts directed to Raghu-bir went to his tent. When the citizens were informed, heavy with woe they too came to see. Having reverently paced around, they made obeisance and cursed Kaikeyi to their hearts’ content. Their eyes streamed with tears as they reproached the cruelty of fate. One would praise Bharat for his devotion, another would say the king had shown the greatest love; they reproached themselves and praised the Nishad; who can describe their agitation and distress? In this manner they all kept watch throughout the night and at daybreak began the passage. First the guru was put on a fine handsome boat, and then all the queens on another boat newly built. In an hour and a half all had crossed over; as they came to land Bharat took count of them all.
After performing his morning rites and reverencing his mother’s feet and bowing the head to the guru, he sent the Nishads on ahead and started the host.
Chaupâi.
He made the Nishad king lead the van and started all the queens in their palanquins. He charged his younger brother with their escort; and made the guru go with the Brahmans. He himself bowed reverently to the Ganges, and invoking Rama, Sita and Lakshman, set forth on foot, while his horse was led by the bridle. Again and again his faithful servants cried: “Be pleased, my lord, to mount your horse.” “Rama,” he answered, “has gone on foot, and are chariots, elephants and horses made for me? It would be right for me to walk on my head; a servant’s work should always be the hardest.” When they saw his behaviour and heard his tender speech, all his servants melted away for pity.
Hearing his companion’s speech he took comfort and with his thoughts directed to Raghu-bir went to his tent. When the citizens were informed, heavy with woe they too came to see. Having reverently paced around, they made obeisance and cursed Kaikeyi to their hearts’ content. Their eyes streamed with tears as they reproached the cruelty of fate. One would praise Bharat for his devotion, another would say the king had shown the greatest love; they reproached themselves and praised the Nishad; who can describe their agitation and distress? In this manner they all kept watch throughout the night and at daybreak began the passage. First the guru was put on a fine handsome boat, and then all the queens on another boat newly built. In an hour and a half all had crossed over; as they came to land Bharat took count of them all.
After performing his morning rites and reverencing his mother’s feet and bowing the head to the guru, he sent the Nishads on ahead and started the host.
Chaupâi.
He made the Nishad king lead the van and started all the queens in their palanquins. He charged his younger brother with their escort; and made the guru go with the Brahmans. He himself bowed reverently to the Ganges, and invoking Rama, Sita and Lakshman, set forth on foot, while his horse was led by the bridle. Again and again his faithful servants cried: “Be pleased, my lord, to mount your horse.” “Rama,” he answered, “has gone on foot, and are chariots, elephants and horses made for me? It would be right for me to walk on my head; a servant’s work should always be the hardest.” When they saw his behaviour and heard his tender speech, all his servants melted away for pity.