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Sita and all the queens are distraught with love, and the guru, a man of knowledge, tells everyone to sit. When he gives the news that the king has gone to the city of the gods, Rama hears it and is utterly distraught. Later, in the council, Vasishtha proposes that Bharata and his brother go to the forest, and at it the queens weep. In the end the sage asks Bharata to tell the words of his heart.
In this episode of the Ramcharitmanas Rama keeps a fast without water, and at dawn he does all the sage orders and performs his father’s rites. He asks the guru to take everyone home, and the guru wishes the people two days of his sight. The people bathe three times a day and go to see Rama’s hill and forest. The Kols, Kiratas, and Bhils fill leaf cups with honey and will take no price. Sita serves every mother-in-law alike, and Kaikeyi repents her fill. Bharata’s night ends in worrying. Vasishtha asks the council how Rama may go to Ayodhya, and no answer comes. Bharata calls the asking his ill fortune, and at the proposal he offers to live his whole life in the forest. Before Rama, the sage asks him to tell the way. Rama says that the way is in the guru’s hands, and the sage asks him to hear Bharata’s entreaty with respect.
The company gathered at Chitrakuta
The main figures in this episode
- Rama who hears from the guru of the king’s going and is in unbearable sorrow. He keeps a fast without water and does his father’s rites as the Veda tells them. Two days later he asks the guru to set out for the city with everyone. You are here, he says, and the king is in Amaravati. When the sage comes to him with the company, Rama tells him that the way is in his hands. He says he will take on his head whatever order comes to him first. He swears that there has been no brother in the world like Bharata, and falls silent.
- Bharata who has no sleep by night and no hunger by day, distraught with a pure worry. His night ends with not one device settled in his mind. In the council he says that being asked for a way is his ill fortune. At the guru’s proposal he is glad and says he will live in the forest his whole life. At the end the sage bids him put all hesitation aside.
- Vasishtha the guru, who seats everyone, speaks of the world’s way as maya, and tells of the king’s going. He tells Rama that the people are grieved and may have two days of his sight. At dawn he sends for Bharata, and the councillors gather. He says that Rama’s order is on the heads of all, and he asks how Rama may go to Ayodhya. He proposes that Bharata and Shatrughna go to the forest and that the other three be turned back. Before Rama he asks for a way that does good to the people of the city, the mothers, and Bharata. He says that his wit is under the sway of Bharata’s bhakti.
- Sita who is distraught with love, as all the queens are, and who laments with Lakshmana and the queens at the harsh news. She takes on a guise for each mother-in-law and serves each of them alike. No one but Rama knows the secret. By her service she brings her mothers-in-law under her sway, and they give her counsel and blessing.
- Shatrughna and Lakshmana the younger brothers. Lakshmana laments with Sita and the queens at the news. Rama names him beside Bharata when he speaks to the guru of the people’s hardship. At the guru’s word that the two brothers should go to the forest, Shatrughna and Bharata are glad, their limbs full of delight. Lakshmana is named among those to be turned back with Sita and Rama.
- The mothers and the people of Ayodhya who are distraught with grief at the news, as if the king had died that day, and the queens lament. Bathing three times a day, they gaze at Rama and wander the forest with delight. They offer the forest dwellers a high price and praise their fortune. One doubt is in every mind, whether Rama will go to Ayodhya or not. At the guru’s proposal it is much gain and little loss to the people, and the queens weep.
- The Kols, Kiratas, and Bhils forest dwellers, who make fine leaf cups, fill them with honey, and bring bunches of bulbs, roots, fruit, and shoots. With entreaty and salutes they give them to everyone, telling the taste and name of each, and they will take no price. They ask the guests to see their love, show kindness, and take fruit, grass, and shoots. The people of the city praise their fortune.
Grief made new by the news
Sita and all the queens were distraught with love. The guru, a man of knowledge, told everyone to sit. Calling the way of the world maya, he told a few stories of the highest good.
He told of the king’s going to the city of the gods. Hearing it, Rama found unbearable sorrow. Considering love the cause of the death, the firmest of men became utterly distraught. In the commentary’s reading it was the king’s love for him.
Hearing that speech, harsh as a thunderbolt and bitter, Lakshmana, Sita, and all the queens lamented. The whole company was utterly distraught with grief. It was as if the king had died that day.
The chief sage consoled Rama again. With the company Rama bathed in the fine river. That day Rama kept a fast without water. Even when the sage told them to, no one took water.
When morning came, whatever order the sage gave Rama, he did it all with faith, bhakti, and respect.
Having done his father’s rites as the Veda tells them, Rama, a sun to the darkness of sin, became pure. His name is fire to the cotton of sin, and his remembrance is the root of every blessing. He became pure, as the sadhus agree, as the Ganga becomes pure when the holy places are invoked into her. In the commentary’s reading the Ganga is pure by nature, and the holy places invoked into her become pure at her touch. Rama, it adds, is ever pure, and the rites became pure by his touch.
Rama asks them to return, and two days of his sight
Two days passed after the purification, and Rama spoke to the guru with love. “Master, all the people are utterly wretched. Their food is bulbs, roots, fruit, and water. As I see Bharata with his brother, the ministers, and all the mothers, each moment passes for me like an age.”
“With everyone, set your feet toward the city. You are here, and the king is in Amaravati. I have said much, and all of it was boldness. Do as is fitting, master.”
The guru answered. “Bridge of dharma, home of compassion, why would you not say so, Rama? The people are grieved. Let them have your sight for two days and find rest.”
At Rama’s words the company was afraid. It was as if a ship were in distress on the ocean. At the guru’s voice, the root of blessing, it was as if the wind had turned fair.
The forest where every happiness is
They bathed in the holy river three times a day. The sight of that water destroys floods of sin. Glad, they gazed at Rama with brimming eyes, prostrating themselves in salute again and again.
They went to see Rama’s hill and forest, where every happiness is and no sorrow. Springs poured water like nectar. A threefold breeze took away the three kinds of pain.
There were trees, creepers, and grass of countless kinds, with fruit, flowers, and leaves of many sorts. The rocks were beautiful, and the shade of the trees was pleasant. Who could describe the beauty of that forest?
There were lotuses in the lakes, water birds calling, and bees humming. Beasts and birds of many colors wandered the forest with their enmity gone.
Leaf cups from the forest, and a plea to see their love
The Kols, Kiratas, and Bhils, forest dwellers, made fine leaf cups and filled them with honey, pure, beautiful, and sweet as nectar. With entreaty and salutes they gave everyone these and bunches of bulbs, roots, fruit, and shoots, telling the taste, the kind, the virtue, and the name of each.
The people offered a high price, and the forest dwellers would not take it. As they handed it back, they swore by Rama.
Absorbed in love, they spoke in soft speech. “Sadhus honor love, recognizing it. You are men of merit. We are low Nishadas. By Rama’s favor we have had the sight of you. Your sight is far out of our reach, as the Ganga’s stream is to desert ground. Merciful Rama has favored the Nishada. Family and subjects should be as the king is. Knowing this in your hearts and giving up hesitation, show kindness, seeing our love. Take fruit, grass, and shoots to make us fulfilled.”
“You are dear guests who have set foot in the forest. Our fortune is not fit to serve you. What shall we give you, master? Firewood and leaves are the Kiratas’ friendship. Our very great service is this. We do not steal vessels and clothes. We are dull beings, killers of living beings, crooked, of ill ways, ill-witted, and of low birth. Our nights and days pass in sin. No cloth is at our waists, and our bellies are not filled. How could we ever have an intellect for dharma, even in a dream? This is the power of the sight of Rama. Since we looked at the Lord’s lotus feet, our unbearable sorrows and faults have gone.”
At their words the people of the city were full of love, and they began to praise the forest dwellers’ fortune.
All praised their fortune and spoke words of love. Seeing the forest people’s way of speaking and meeting, and their love for the feet of Sita and Rama, they found happiness. Hearing the voices of the Kols and Bhils, men and women scorned their own love. By Rama’s grace iron has floated, carrying the boat. The commentary gives this line to Tulsi.
Every day all the people wandered the forest on every side, delighted, as frogs and peacocks grow plump with the water of the first rains.
Sita’s service, and Kaikeyi’s repentance
The men and women of the city were absorbed in great love, and the days passed like the fall of an eyelid.
Taking on a guise for each mother-in-law, Sita served each of them alike, with honor. No one but Rama knew the secret. All mayas are within Sita’s maya.
By her service Sita brought her mothers-in-law under her sway. Finding happiness, they gave her counsel and blessing.
Seeing the two simple brothers with Sita, the crooked queen repented her fill. Kaikeyi begged the earth and Yama. The earth gave no opening, and the Creator gave no death.
The world and the Veda know it, and poets say it. One turned from Rama finds no place even in hell. One doubt was in every mind. Would Rama go to Ayodhya or not? In the commentary’s reading they asked it of the Creator.
Bharata’s night, with no device that settles
No sleep came to Bharata by night, and no hunger by day. He was distraught with a pure worry, like a fish sunk in the mud at the bottom as the water shrinks.
In the commentary’s reading, Bharata thought: “With my mother for a pretext, Time has made its ill move, like the fear of calamity on ripening rice. How may Rama’s consecration come about? I can make out not one way.”
“Rama would surely return, obeying the guru’s order. The sage, moreover, will speak knowing Rama’s wish. Rama would return at Kausalya’s word too. Will Rama’s mother ever insist?”
“How much does a follower like me count for? And in that the hour is bad, and the Creator is against me. If I insist, it is a wicked deed outright. A servant’s dharma is heavier than Shiva’s mountain.”
No device settled in his mind. His night ended in worrying. At dawn, having bathed and bowed his head to Rama, he was sitting down when the rishi sent for him.
Saluting at the guru’s feet, he sat down at his order. Brahmins, great men, and ministers, all the councillors, came and gathered.
The question put to the council
The chief sage spoke words fit for the hour. “Hear me, councillors, and you, wise Bharata. King Rama, the sun of the Sun’s line, is foremost in dharma, and he is the self-ruled Lord. He is true to his word and keeps the bounds of the Veda. His birth is for the blessing of the world. He follows the word of guru, father, and mother. He crushes the host of the wicked and does good to the gods.”
“No one knows policy, love, the highest good, and the worldly good as truly as Rama does. Consider the Creator, the Lord, and Shiva, the moon, the sun, and the guardians of the quarters. Consider maya, the souls, all karma, and time, the lord of serpents and the kings of the earth. Consider all lordship wherever it reaches, and the yogic powers the Vedas and Agamas sing. Consider well in your hearts and see. Rama’s order is on all their heads.” The commentary names the three as Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahadeva.
Vasishtha went on. “Keeping Rama’s order and his bent is good for all of us. Thinking of it, clever ones, all of you together now do what is agreed. Rama’s consecration brings happiness to all. It is the one road, the root of blessing and joy. How may Rama go to Ayodhya? Think of it and say, and that way shall be taken.”
All heard the chief sage’s speech with respect, speech mixed of policy, the highest good, and the worldly good. No answer came. The people were dazed. Then, bowing his head, Bharata joined his hands.
“Many kings have been in the Sun’s line, each greater than the last. For all of them father and mother are the cause of birth, and the Creator gives good and bad karma. Crushing sorrow, your blessing arrays all well-being, and the world knows it. Master, you are the one who checked the course of the Creator. Who can undo the resolve you have made?”
“Now you ask me for a way. That is all my ill fortune.” At his words full of love, love welled up in the guru’s heart.
The guru’s proposal, and the queens’ tears
The guru spoke. “Son, the thing is true, and it is so by Rama’s grace. Turned from Rama there is no success, even in a dream. I am embarrassed, son, to say one thing. The learned give up half when all is going.”
“You two brothers go to the forest, and let Lakshmana, Sita, and Rama be turned back.” Hearing the fine words, the two brothers were glad. Their limbs were full of delight.
Their minds were serene, and radiance shone in their bodies. It was as if the king were alive and Rama had become king. To the people it was much gain and little loss. To the queens sorrow and happiness were equal, and they all wept. In the commentary’s reading, two sons would be parted from them either way.
Bharata spoke. “To do what the sage has said is to have the fruit of giving the world’s living beings their wish. I will live in the forest my whole life. There is no greater ease for me than this.” In the commentary’s reading there would be no term of fourteen years.
Bharata went on. “Rama and Sita are inward-knowing, and you are all-knowing and wise. If you say it truly, master, make your word good.”
Hearing Bharata’s words and seeing his love, the sage and the whole council became bodiless. Bharata’s great greatness was a sea. The sage’s wit stood on its shore like a helpless woman. She wanted to cross and searched her heart for a means. She found no boat, no ship, and no raft. Who else will praise Bharata? Can the ocean fit in a pond’s shell?
Bharata’s entreaty, and the words of his heart
Bharata pleased the sage within his mind. With the company Vasishtha came to Rama. Saluting him, Rama gave him a fine seat. Hearing the sage’s command, all sat down.
The chief sage spoke, considering his words in keeping with place, time, and occasion. “Hear me, Rama, all-knowing and wise, treasure of dharma, policy, virtue, and knowledge. You dwell within every heart, and you know good and ill feeling. Tell the way that is good for the people of the city, the mothers, and Bharata. Those in distress never speak with thought. A gambler sees his own throw.”
Hearing the sage’s words, Rama spoke. “Master, the way is in your hands. The good of all is in keeping your bent and in gladly carrying out your order, calling it true. First, whatever order comes to me, I will take that counsel on my head and do it. Further, master, whatever you say to each one, he will serve in every way.”
The sage said, “Rama, you speak true. Bharata’s love has left no thought. So I say it again and again. My wit is under the sway of Bharata’s bhakti. To my mind, whatever is done keeping Bharata’s wish will be good. Shiva is witness.”
“Hear Bharata’s entreaty with respect, and consider again. Act on what you press out of the sadhus’ counsel, the world’s counsel, kingly policy, and the Veda.”
Seeing the guru’s love for Bharata, Rama felt a special joy in his heart. Knowing Bharata to be foremost in dharma and his own servant in body, mind, and speech, Rama spoke in accord with the guru’s order. His words were pleasing and soft, the root of blessing. “Master, I swear by you and by my father’s feet. There has been no brother in the world like Bharata. Those who love the guru’s lotus feet are fortunate in the world and in the Veda. Who can tell the fortune of Bharata, on whom you have such love?”
“Seeing him as a younger brother, I find my intellect embarrassed to praise Bharata to his face. Whatever Bharata says, doing that is good.” Saying so, Rama fell silent. Then the sage spoke to Bharata. “Putting all hesitation aside, son, tell the sea of mercy, your dear brother, the words of your heart.”
The course of the episode
Vasishtha seated everyone, told of maya and the highest good, and gave the news of the king’s death. Rama was utterly distraught, and Lakshmana, Sita, and the queens lamented. Rama bathed with the company and kept the fast, and at dawn he did his father’s rites as the sage ordered. Two days later he asked the guru to go back with everyone. The guru wished the people two days of Rama’s sight.
The people bathed in the river three times a day and visited Rama’s hill and forest. The forest dwellers, the Kols, Kiratas, and Bhils, gave them honey in leaf cups and the forest’s roots and fruit, and they took no price. The people of the city heard them and praised their fortune. Sita served every mother-in-law alike, and they blessed her. Kaikeyi repented and begged the earth and Yama, and she got neither an opening nor death. In every mind one doubt remained.
Bharata had neither sleep nor hunger, and by morning not one device had settled in his mind. The rishi sent for him, and the councillors gathered. Vasishtha told them who Rama is and asked how he might go to Ayodhya. No one answered. Bharata called the asking his ill fortune, and the guru’s heart welled with love.
The guru’s proposal was that Bharata and Shatrughna should go to the forest, with Lakshmana, Sita, and Rama turned back. The two were glad, and the queens wept. Bharata offered to spend his whole life in the forest and asked the guru to make his word good. The sage and the council became bodiless at his love. With the company the sage came to Rama and asked him for a way. Rama said that the way lay with the guru and that he would first do whatever order came to him. The sage said that his wit was under the sway of Bharata’s bhakti and that Bharata’s entreaty should be heard. Rama swore that the world had never had a brother like Bharata and said that whatever Bharata said was good to do. Then the sage asked Bharata to speak.
The same story, elsewhere: Valmiki’s Ramayana, chapter 10, part 2: Bharata meets Rama at Chitrakuta.
Source: the Gita Press edition of Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas, Ayodhyakand, doha 247 to 259, read with Hanuman Prasad Poddar’s Hindi commentary.