Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 111

Meaning

Having spoken to Śrī Rāma as aforesaid on that occasion, the said Vasiṣṭha, the family-priest of the king, addressed to him once more the following words in consonance with righteousness : (1)

Meaning

“The preceptor, O scion of Kakutstha, as well as one’s father and mother, O descendant of Raghu, ever come to be the adored of a man from the time he is born in this world. (2)

Meaning

“The father only procreates and the mother brings forth a human being, O jewel among men; the preceptor, on the other hand, bestows wisdom on him, hence he is spoken of as Guru (superior even to the parents). (3)

Meaning

“I, for my part, am the preceptor not only of your father but yours too, O chastiser of foes ! Doing my bidding, therefore, you will not be transgressing the path of the virtuous. (4)

Meaning

“Here indeed are your subjects, kinsmen and tributary princes too. Discharging your duty by them, you will not be transgressing the path of the virtuous. (5)

Meaning

“You ought not to fail in your duty towards your aged mother, who is given to piety. Doing her bidding you will certainly not be transgressing the path of the virtuous. (6)

Meaning

“Granting the prayer of Bharata, who is supplicating you, you will not be overstepping your bounds, O scion of Raghu, who are ever united with truthfulness, piety and valour !” (7)

Meaning

Instructed thus in sweet words by his preceptor himself, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu), a jewel among men, replied as follows to Vasiṣṭha, who was sitting at ease there : (8)

Meaning

“The service that the parents render to their son by giving him whatever they can, as well as by putting him to bed and rubbing his body with oil etc., nay, by speaking kindly to him every moment and, even so, by nourishing him, nay, whatever good is done by them cannot be easily requited. (9-10)

Meaning

“Indeed that which the celebrated King Daśaratha, my father, who brought me into being, has asked me to do shall not prove untrue.” (11)

Meaning

When Śrī Rāma had spoken thus, Bharata for his part, who was distinguished by a broad chest, and felt extremely sad at heart, commanded as follows Sumantra, the charioteer, who stood nearest to him : (12)

Meaning

“Speedily spread for your part blades of Kuśa grass on this piece of level ground, O charioteer ! I shall sit at the door of my elder brother in order to exert pressure on him until he gets fully propitiated and grants my request. (13)

Meaning

“Like a destitute Brāhmaṇa, who has been deprived of his fortune by a debtor, failing to repay the debt as stipulated, I shall remain lying down in front of Śrī Rāma’s hut without food or drink and depriving myself of light by covering my face until he returns to Ayodhyā as a concession to me.” (14)

Meaning

Perceiving Sumantra awaiting the pleasure of Śrī Rāma, Bharata for his part sat down disconsolate on the ground, spreading a mat of Kuśa grass with his own hands. (15)

Meaning

To him the highly glorious Śrī Rāma, the foremost of royal sages, said, “What wrong have I done to you, O Bharata, that you will sit at my door to exert pressure on me, my darling? (16)

Meaning

“A Brāhmaṇa alone ought to restrain people oppressing him by lying on one side at their door. Kṣatriyas, however, who are or deserve to be sprinkled with holy water on the head (when being installed as the head of a state) are not enjoined to sit at the door of anyone in this way. (17)

Meaning

“Get up, O tiger among men ! Giving up this terrible vow, return, O scion of Raghu, speedily to Ayodhyā, the foremost of cities, from this place.” (18)

Meaning

Gazing on all sides, Bharata, even while sitting, said to the citizens as well as to the people of the countryside, “Wherefore do you not plead with my elder brother?” (19)

Meaning

The people of the city as well as of the countryside then replied as follows to Bharata, an exalted soul : “We know full well that you, a scion of Raghu, speak aright to Śrī Rāma, a scion of Kakutstha. (20)

Meaning

“This highly blessed prince, Śrī Rāma, too sincerely abides by the command of his father. For this very reason we are, truly speaking, not easily able to divert him from his purpose.” (21)

Meaning

Hearing their submission Śrī Rāma addressed the following words to Bharata : “Listen to the foregoing words of our friends, who have their eyes fixed on what is right. (22)

Meaning

“Nay, hearing both these utterances (mine as well as that of these people) weigh them fully, O scion of Raghu. Get you up, O mighty-armed prince, and touch water in order to sip it as well as myself as an indication of your resolve to break the vow that you have just taken.” (23)

Meaning

Getting up immediately and touching water, Bharata spoke as follows : “Let all the members of this assembly hear me. Let the king’s counsellors too listen. (24)

Meaning

“I never begged sovereignty of my father nor did I instruct my mother to do it on my behalf. Nor did I approve of this step of Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu), viz., that he should go into exile for fourteen years, he knows best what is right. (25)

Meaning

“If the behest of our father must be carried out and if one must live in the forest at all events, I myself shall do so for a period of fourteen years.” (26)

Meaning

Fixing his gaze on the citizens of Ayodhyā as well as on the people of the countryside, Śrī Rāma, whose mind is set on righteousness and who felt astonished at the sincere vow of his aforesaid brother, said “The sale, deposit or purchase effected by our father while alive cannot be nullified either by me or even by Bharata. (27-28)

Meaning

“No proxy should be sent by me into exile in the woods; for that would be a matter for reproach, since a proxy is allowed only in case the man replaced by him is unable to discharge the obligation imposed on him. The demand of Kaikeyī was but reasonable inasmuch as it was based firstly on the stipulation made by the king while marrying Kaikeyī that a son born to her alone would succeed him on the throne, and secondly on the debt the former owed to her for the invaluable service rendered by her on the field of battle; and only a virtuous act was done by our father in granting the boons asked by her. (29)

Meaning

“I know Bharata to be forgiving by nature and fond of paying respects to his elders. Indeed, all will be well with this high-souled prince, who is true to his promise. (30)

Meaning

“When returned from the forest I shall indeed become the paramount ruler of the earth with this pious brother of mine. (31)

Meaning

“As the king was solicited for a boon by Kaikeyī, his pledge given to her has been implemented by me by being in exile in the forest. Now, acquit the said king, our father, of the charge of falsehood by ruling over Ayodhyā and thereby discharging your part of the obligation.” (32)