Part - 44 — Ancient Knowledge

Dialogue between king Janaka and his wife; Bharata’s glory

Dohas

bāra bāra mili bhēṃṭa siya bidā kīnha sanamāni.
kahī samaya sira bharata gati rāni subāni sayāni..287.. [2-287]

Meeting and embracing Sītā again and again they politely allowed Her to depart and availing herself of this opportunity the clever queen eloquently told the king all about Bharata’s condition.

Chaupais

suni bhūpāla bharata byavahārū. sōna sugaṃdha sudhā sasi sārū..
mūdē sajala nayana pulakē tana. sujasu sarāhana lagē mudita mana.. [2-287-1]
sāvadhāna sunu sumukhi sulōcani. bharata kathā bhava baṃdha bimōcani..
dharama rājanaya brahmabicārū. ihāom jathāmati mōra pracārū.. [2-287-2]
sō mati mōri bharata mahimāhī. kahai kāha chali chuati na chāomhī..
bidhi ganapati ahipati siva sārada. kabi kōbida budha buddhi bisārada.. [2-287-3]
bharata carita kīrati karatūtī. dharama sīla guna bimala bibhūtī..
samujhata sunata sukhada saba kāhū. suci surasari ruci nidara sudhāhū.. [2-287-4]

When the king heard of Bharata’s conduct, which was rare as a combination of gold with fragrance or as nectar extracted from the moon, the king closed his tearful eyes and a thrill ran through his body as he broke out into ecstatic praises of his bright glory. “Listen attentively, O fair-faced and bright-eyed lady; the story of Bharata loosens the bounds of worldly existence. Religion, statecraft and an enquiry about Brahma (the Infinite) are domains to which I have some access according to my own poor lights. But thought acquainted with these subjects, my wits cannot touch the shadow of Bharata’s glory even by trick, much less describe it. To Brahmā (the Creator), Lord Gaṇapati (Gaṇeśa) Śeṣa (the king of serpents), Lord Śiva, Śāradā (the goddess of learning), seers, sages and wise men and others who are clever in judgment, the story, fame, doings, piety, amiability, goodness and unsullied glory of Bharata are delightful to hear and appreciate. They surpass the celestial stream in purity and even nectar in taste.

Nectar as found in the region of Nāgas etc., is itself rare, but that, which forms the essence of the moon is even rarer. Hence the conduct of Bharata has been likened to the same.

Dohas

niravadhi guna nirupama puruṣu bharatu bharata sama jāni.
kahia sumēru ki sēra sama kabikula mati sakucāni..288.. [2-288]

“Possessed of infinite virtues and a man above comparison, know Bharata alone to be the like of Bharata. Can Mount Sumeru be likened to a seer? Hence the wit of the race of poets was confused (in finding a comparison for him).

An Indian weight, nearly aquivalent to 2 pounds.

Chaupais

agama sabahi baranata barabaranī. jimi jalahīna mīna gamu dharanī..
bharata amita mahimā sunu rānī. jānahiṃ rāmu na sakahiṃ bakhānī.. [2-288-1]
barani saprēma bharata anubhāū. tiya jiya kī ruci lakhi kaha rāū..
bahurahiṃ lakhanu bharatu bana jāhīṃ. saba kara bhala saba kē mana māhīṃ.. [2-288-2]
dēbi paraṃtu bharata raghubara kī. prīti pratīti jāi nahiṃ tarakī..
bharatu avadhi sanēha mamatā kī. jadyapi rāmu sīma samatā kī.. [2-288-3]
paramāratha svāratha sukha sārē. bharata na sapanēhu manahu nihārē..
sādhana siddha rāma paga nēhū..mōhi lakhi parata bharata mata ēhū.. [2-288-4]

“The greatness of Bharata, O fair lady, baffles all who attempt to describe it, even as a fish cannot glide on dry land. Listen, O beloved queen: Bharata’s inestimable glory is known to Śrī Rāma alone; but he too cannot describe it.” Having thus lovingly described Bharata’s glory the king, who knew his queen’s mind, continued, “If Lakṣmaṇa returns to Ayodhyā and Bharata accompanies Śrī Rāma to the woods, it will be well for all and that is what everyone wants. But the mutual affection and confidence, O good lady, of Bharata and Śrī Rāma (the chief of Raghus) are beyond one’s conception. Even though Śrī Rāma is the highest example of even-mindedness, Bharata is the perfection of love and attachment. Bharata has never bestowed any thought on his spiritual or worldly interests or personal comforts. Devotion to Śrī Rāma’s feet is at once the means and the end; to my mind this appears to sum up Bharata’s creed.

Dohas

bhōrēhu bharata na pēlihahiṃ manasahu rāma rajāi.
karia na sōcu sanēha basa kahēu bhūpa bilakhāi..289.. [2-289]

“Bharata would never think of flouting Śrī Rāma’s orders even unwittingly. We need not, therefore, in our affection give way to anxiety,” said the king in choked accents.

Chaupais

rāma bharata guna ganata saprītī. nisi daṃpatihi palaka sama bītī..
rāja samāja prāta juga jāgē. nhāi nhāi sura pūjana lāgē.. [2-289-1]
gē nahāi gura pahīṃ raghurāī. baṃdi carana bōlē rukha pāī..
nātha bharatu purajana mahatārī. sōka bikala banabāsa dukhārī.. [2-289-2]
sahita samāja rāu mithilēsū. bahuta divasa bhaē sahata kalēsū..
ucita hōi sōi kījia nāthā. hita sabahī kara raurēṃ hāthā.. [2-289-3]
asa kahi ati sakucē raghurāū. muni pulakē lakhi sīlu subhāū..
tumha binu rāma sakala sukha sājā. naraka sarisa duhu rāja samājā.. [2-289-4]

As the king and queen (Janaka and Sunayanā) were thus fondly recounting the virtues of Śrī Rāma and Bharata the night passed like an instant. At daybreak both the royal camps awoke and after finishing their ablutions proceeded to worship gods. Performing His ablutions the Lord of Raghus called on His Guru and after adoring his feet and receiving his tacit permission said,“Holy sir, Bharata, the citizens and my mothers are all stricken with grief and inconvenienced by their sojourn in the woods. The king of Mithilā too and his followers have been enduring hardships for many days past. Therefore, my lord, do what is advisable under the circumstances. The welfare of all lies in your hands.” So saying Śrī Rāma felt much embarrassed. And the sage was thrilled with joy when he saw His amiability and kind disposition. “Without you, Rāma, all amenities of life are like hell to both the royal camps.

Dohas

prāna prāna kē jīva kē jiva sukha kē sukha rāma.
tumha taji tāta sōhāta gṛha jinhahi tinhahiṃ bidhi bāma..290.. [2-290]

“Rāma! you are the life of life, the soul of soul and the joy of joy.” Those who like to be in their home away from you, my child, are under the influence of an adverse fate.

Chaupais

sō sukhu karamu dharamu jari jāū. jahaom na rāma pada paṃkaja bhāū..
jōgu kujōgu gyānu agyānū. jahaom nahiṃ rāma pēma paradhānū.. [2-290-1]
tumha binu dukhī sukhī tumha tēhīṃ. tumha jānahu jiya jō jēhi kēhīṃ..
rāura āyasu sira sabahī kēṃ. bidita kṛpālahi gati saba nīkēṃ.. [2-290-2]
āpu āśramahi dhāria pāū. bhayau sanēha sithila munirāū..
kari pranāma taba rāmu sidhāē. riṣi dhari dhīra janaka pahiṃ āē.. [2-290-3]
rāma bacana guru nṛpahi sunāē. sīla sanēha subhāyaom suhāē..
mahārāja aba kījia sōī. saba kara dharama sahita hita hōī. [2-290-4]

“Perish the happiness, ritual and piety in which there is no devotion to the lotus feet of Rāma (yourself). That Yoga (discipline conducive to union with God) is an abominable Yoga and that wisdom unwisdom, in which love for Rāma yourself) is not supreme. Whosoever is unhappy is unhappy without you and even so whoever is happy is happy through you. You know what exists in the mind of a particular individual. Your command holds sway over all and your gracious self knows all the ways full well. You may return to your hermitage now.” The lord of sages was overpowered with emotion. Śrī Rāma then made obeisance and departed, while the sage collected himself and called on King Janaka. The preceptor repeated to the king Śrī Rāma’s naturally graceful words, which were full of amiability and affection, and added, “O great monarch, now do that which may do good to all without prejudice to religion.”