That which seems a reproach to you, Bharat, is a lesson to all of us; it is an event which inaugurates a new flood of passionate devotion.
Chaupai
Your glory, my son, is a newly created and spotless moon; its lotuses and partridges are Rama's servants; it is ever rising and never sets, nor wanes in the world its heaven, but increases day by day; the three spheres, like the chakwas, are exceedingly enamoured of it, and the sun of Rama's majesty never robs it of splendour, but by day as well as night it is ever bountiful to all, and Kaikeyi's evil deeds cannot eclipse it. Full of the nectar of devotion to Rama, and unsullied by any stain of wrong done to the guru, you are saturated with the nectar of faith, and have brought this nectar within the reach of everyone.
The Fairies bowed to his commands and thought themselves most highly favoured, saying one to another: “Rama’s brother is indeed a guest beyond compare.” Then, kissing the saint’s feet, they said, “To-day we will do such things that the whole of the king’s party shall be pleased.” So saying, a number of such charming pavilions were erected that the equipages of the gods were put out of countenance at the sight of them. They were furnished with so much luxury and magnificence that the immortals beheld them longingly. Men-servants and maid-servants with every appliance were in attendance and gave their whole mind to their work. In an instant of time the Fairies completed all their arrangements, though no dream of heaven was ever so beautiful. First the people were assigned their quarters, all bright and pleasant and in accordance with their taste.
Chaupai
Your glory, my son, is a newly created and spotless moon; its lotuses and partridges are Rama's servants; it is ever rising and never sets, nor wanes in the world its heaven, but increases day by day; the three spheres, like the chakwas, are exceedingly enamoured of it, and the sun of Rama's majesty never robs it of splendour, but by day as well as night it is ever bountiful to all, and Kaikeyi's evil deeds cannot eclipse it. Full of the nectar of devotion to Rama, and unsullied by any stain of wrong done to the guru, you are saturated with the nectar of faith, and have brought this nectar within the reach of everyone.
The Fairies bowed to his commands and thought themselves most highly favoured, saying one to another: “Rama’s brother is indeed a guest beyond compare.” Then, kissing the saint’s feet, they said, “To-day we will do such things that the whole of the king’s party shall be pleased.” So saying, a number of such charming pavilions were erected that the equipages of the gods were put out of countenance at the sight of them. They were furnished with so much luxury and magnificence that the immortals beheld them longingly. Men-servants and maid-servants with every appliance were in attendance and gave their whole mind to their work. In an instant of time the Fairies completed all their arrangements, though no dream of heaven was ever so beautiful. First the people were assigned their quarters, all bright and pleasant and in accordance with their taste.
Doha 206.
Then, as the saint had ordered, Bharat and his family had theirs assigned them, which astonished even the Creator by their magnificence; so great was the power of the holy ascetic’s penance.
Chaupai.
When Bharat beheld the saint’s power, the realms of all the rulers of the spheres seemed to him as trifles. The luxuries that had been prepared cannot be described; any philosopher would forget his self-restraint on seeing them. Thrones, couches, drapery and canopies; groves and gardens; birds and beasts; sweet-scented flowers, fruits like nectar, and many a lake of limpid water; with luscious food and drinks of innumerable kinds, so that the people were quite put out of countenance by what they saw, as though they had been ascetics. Each one had, as it were, his own cow of plenty and tree of paradise. Indra and Sachi grew covetous at the sight. The season, spring; the air soft, cool, and fragrant; all the great objects of life ready at hand; garlands, perfumes, dancing-girls and delights of every kind to charm and astonish the spectator.
Doha 207.
Affluence, like the chakwa, and Bharat as her mate, by compulsion of the saint’s order were prisoned together that night, as by a fowler, in the cage of the hermitage, till dawn broke.
Chaupai.
Then he bathed at the holy place and with his host bowed the head to the sage. Having submissively received his commands and blessing, he prostrated himself and made much supplication. Then taking guides well acquainted with the road, he set out resolutely for Chitra-kut; supported on the arm of Rama’s friend, he seemed, as he went, the very incarnation of Love. With no shoes and no shelter for his head, in the fulfilment of his loving vow and his unfeigned integrity, he asked his companion for a history of the wanderings of Rama, Sita and Lakshman. In soothing accents he told it. When he saw the tree where Rama had rested, his heart could not contain its emotion. At the sight of his condition, the gods rained down flowers, and the path that he trod grew smooth and pleasant.
Then, as the saint had ordered, Bharat and his family had theirs assigned them, which astonished even the Creator by their magnificence; so great was the power of the holy ascetic’s penance.
Chaupai.
When Bharat beheld the saint’s power, the realms of all the rulers of the spheres seemed to him as trifles. The luxuries that had been prepared cannot be described; any philosopher would forget his self-restraint on seeing them. Thrones, couches, drapery and canopies; groves and gardens; birds and beasts; sweet-scented flowers, fruits like nectar, and many a lake of limpid water; with luscious food and drinks of innumerable kinds, so that the people were quite put out of countenance by what they saw, as though they had been ascetics. Each one had, as it were, his own cow of plenty and tree of paradise. Indra and Sachi grew covetous at the sight. The season, spring; the air soft, cool, and fragrant; all the great objects of life ready at hand; garlands, perfumes, dancing-girls and delights of every kind to charm and astonish the spectator.
Doha 207.
Affluence, like the chakwa, and Bharat as her mate, by compulsion of the saint’s order were prisoned together that night, as by a fowler, in the cage of the hermitage, till dawn broke.
Chaupai.
Then he bathed at the holy place and with his host bowed the head to the sage. Having submissively received his commands and blessing, he prostrated himself and made much supplication. Then taking guides well acquainted with the road, he set out resolutely for Chitra-kut; supported on the arm of Rama’s friend, he seemed, as he went, the very incarnation of Love. With no shoes and no shelter for his head, in the fulfilment of his loving vow and his unfeigned integrity, he asked his companion for a history of the wanderings of Rama, Sita and Lakshman. In soothing accents he told it. When he saw the tree where Rama had rested, his heart could not contain its emotion. At the sight of his condition, the gods rained down flowers, and the path that he trod grew smooth and pleasant.
Doha 208.
“The clouds afford him shade and the air breathes soft and refreshingly: Rama’s road was not thus, as it is now for Bharat.”
Chaupai.
All created things, whether living or lifeless, that saw the Lord, or were seen by him, were rendered fit for salvation, and the sight of Bharat has now healed them of the curse of transmigration. This is no great thing for Bharat, whom Rama is mindful to remember. A single mention of the name of Rama on earth makes a man safe and a saviour of others. But Bharat is Rama’s beloved and own brother; why should he not bring a blessing on the road he treads?” As saints, sages and hermits thus reasoned and gazed upon Bharat, they rejoiced at heart. Indra was troubled by the sight of his power: “In the world things turn out well for the good and badly for the bad.” Then turning to his guru (Vrihaspati), he said, “Something must be done, sir, to prevent the meeting between Rama and Bharat.”
Doha 209.
“Rama is so modest and sympathetic, and Bharat such an ocean of affection; our scheme threatens to be spoilt; we must bestir ourselves and devise some new stratagem.”
Chaupai.
Hearing the speech, the teacher of the gods smiled, to find the thousand-eyed so blind, and said: “Leave tricks alone; it will be all trouble in vain; any deception here would be absurd. O king of heaven, any delusion practised on
“The clouds afford him shade and the air breathes soft and refreshingly: Rama’s road was not thus, as it is now for Bharat.”
Chaupai.
All created things, whether living or lifeless, that saw the Lord, or were seen by him, were rendered fit for salvation, and the sight of Bharat has now healed them of the curse of transmigration. This is no great thing for Bharat, whom Rama is mindful to remember. A single mention of the name of Rama on earth makes a man safe and a saviour of others. But Bharat is Rama’s beloved and own brother; why should he not bring a blessing on the road he treads?” As saints, sages and hermits thus reasoned and gazed upon Bharat, they rejoiced at heart. Indra was troubled by the sight of his power: “In the world things turn out well for the good and badly for the bad.” Then turning to his guru (Vrihaspati), he said, “Something must be done, sir, to prevent the meeting between Rama and Bharat.”
Doha 209.
“Rama is so modest and sympathetic, and Bharat such an ocean of affection; our scheme threatens to be spoilt; we must bestir ourselves and devise some new stratagem.”
Chaupai.
Hearing the speech, the teacher of the gods smiled, to find the thousand-eyed so blind, and said: “Leave tricks alone; it will be all trouble in vain; any deception here would be absurd. O king of heaven, any delusion practised on
a servant of the Lord of devotion must recoil on the contriver. I interfered once, knowing it was Râma’s wish, but any underhand work now would only do harm. Listen, O king: it is Râma’s nature never to be angry at any sin against himself, but whoever sins against one of His servants is consumed in the fire of His wrath. Popular tradition and the Vedas abound in such legends; Durvâsas knows well this great trait in His character. And is there any one so faithful to Râma as Bharat, who is ever repeating Râma’s name and Râma His?