Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 90

Meaning

Having reached the precincts of the hermitage of Bharadwāja and leaving all his people only a couple of miles away on this side of the hermitage so as not to cause disturbance to the hermits living peacefully there, Bharata, a jewel among men, for his part, who knew what is right, proceeded further with his counsellors on foot, placing Sage Vasiṣṭha (his family-priest) ahead and putting on only a pair of silk garments (viz., a loin-cloth and an outer covering), laying aside his weapons and ornaments etc. (1-2)

Meaning

Bidding the aforesaid counsellors stay behind, the moment the celebrated Bharadwāja was clearly in sight, Bharata (a scion of Raghu) then proceeded at the heels of Vasiṣṭha, his family-priest. (3)

Meaning

At the very sight of Vasiṣṭha, Bharadwāja, who practised great austerities, at once hurriedly rose from his seat, asking his pupils to fetch water to wash the hands of the distinguished guest with. (4)

Meaning

Uniting in embrace with Vasiṣṭha and greeted by Bharata, the highly glorious sage inferred him to be a son of Daśaratha. (5)

Meaning

Offering to the two guests in order of seniority (one after another) water to wash their hands and feet with and also fruits afterwards, Bharadwāja, who knows what is right, made inquiries concerning the welfare of the family of each and also whether all was well with the city of Ayodhyā, the army, the exchequer, the king’s allies and ministers. Knowing, as he did, Daśaratha to be dead, he made no inquiries concerning the king. (6-7)

Meaning

Vasiṣṭha and Bharata in return inquired whether all was well with his body, sacred fires, pupils, trees, deer and birds. (8)

Meaning

Having admitted that it was so, the highly illustrious Bharadwāja for his part replied to Bharata as follows, impelled as he was by the ties of affection that he bore to Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu : (9)

Meaning

“What motive could you have in coming all the way to this place, busy as you must have been ruling the kingdom of Ayodhyā? Please tell me all this; for my mind is not getting cleared of doubts (about your intentions towards Śrī Rāma). (10)

Meaning

“Seeking to enjoy the kingdom rightfully belonging to Śrī Rāma without any thorn in your side, I hope, you do not intend to do any bodily harm in this forest to Lakṣmaṇa, his younger brother, and the highly illustrious prince, Śrī Rāma Himself, the destroyer of enemies and the promoter of joy in this world, whom Kausalyā gave birth to, and who, having been urged, they say, by his father through the instrumentality of the latter’s wife, Kaikeyī, in the following words : Dwell in the forest for fourteen years, was exiled to the forest with his younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa, and wife, Sītā, to the forest for a long term.” (11—13)

Meaning

Spoken to as aforesaid, Bharata, they say, replied as follows in a faltering tone with tears flowing from his eyes through agony : (14)

Meaning

“I am ruined if Your Holiness too who is omniscient, reckons me as such. I cannot even think of any harm having proceeded from me to Śrī Rāma. Therefore, please do not say much harsh words to me. (15)

Meaning

“Neither is that which my mother said during my absence (at my maternal grandfather’s) agreeable to me nor am I pleased with that which she has done, nor again have I even now accepted her word, asking me to enjoy the sovereignty of Ayodhyā. (16)

Meaning

“I have, on the other hand, come to take that tiger among men back to Ayodhyā after having propitiated him, and also to bow down at his feet. (17)

Meaning

“Believing me as such to have come with the aforesaid intention, you be gracious to me. Also kindly tell me, venerable Sir, where Emperor Rāma may at present be.” (18)

Meaning

Solicited by the priests (who had obviously joined the party in the meantime) headed by Vasiṣṭha, the venerable Bharadwāja thereupon graciously spoke to the celebrated Bharata as follows: (19)

Meaning

“Service to your elders as also self-control and walking in the footsteps of the virtuous—this is worthy of you, descended, as you are, in the line of Raghu, O tiger among men ! (20)

Meaning

“I already knew (by my yogic power) what existed in your mind. All the same I questioned you as though I knew nothing in order that your resolution may be strengthened and in order further to enchance your renown beyond measure. (21)

Meaning

“I know where Śrī Rāma, who knows what is right, is staying accompanied by Sītā and followed by Lakṣmaṇa. Your brother is dwelling at present on the great Citrakūṭa mountain. (22)

Meaning

“You will certainly proceed to that area tomorrow. Halt here with your counsellors today. Grant this desire of mine, O highly sagacious prince, knowing how to fulfil the desired object of your friends and well-wishers ! (23)

Meaning

Thereupon Bharata, who had a broad outlook and whose reality as a devotee of Śrī Rāma had now come to be known, replied as follows : “So be it.” Nay, the prince forthwith made up his mind to stay in that hermitage during the night. (24)