Bharata Gives Many Reasons to Rama to Accept the Throne

एवम् उक्त्वा तु विरते रामे वचनम् अर्थवत् | ततो मन्दाकिनीतीरे रामम् प्रकृतिवत्सलम् || २-१०६-१ उवाच भरतः चित्रम् धार्मिको धार्मिकम् वचः |

evam uktvaa tu virate raame vacanam arthavat | tato mandaakiniitiire raamam prakR^itivatsalam || 2-106-1 uvaaca bharataH citram dhaarmiko dhaarmikam vacaH |

When Rama thus kept silent after uttering those meaningful words as aforesaid, the pious Bharata for his part addressed to virtuous Rama who was fond of people conformable to justice at the banks of that River Mandakini.

को हि स्याद् ईदृशो लोके यादृशः त्वम् अरिम् दम || २-१०६-२ न त्वाम् प्रव्यथयेद् दुह्खम् प्रीतिर् वा न प्रहर्षयेत् | सम्मतः च असि वृद्धानाम् तामः च पृग्च्छसि संशयान् || २-१०६-३

ko hi syaad iidR^isho loke yaadR^ishaH tvam arim dama || 2-106-2 na tvaam pravyathayed duhkham priitir vaa na praharShayet | sammataH ca asi vR^iddhaanaam taamH ca pR^igcchhasi sa.nshayaan || 2-106-3

"Who, in this world, is endowed with such qualities like you, O annihilator of enemies! Neither does sorrow disturb you nor does joy enrapture you. You are highly honoured by elders and you clarify your doubts from them.

यथा मृतः तथा जीवन् यथा असति तथा सति | यस्य एष बुध्दि लाभः स्यात् परितप्येत केन सः || २-१०६-४

paraavarajJNo yashcha syaat yathaa tvaM manujaadhipa | sa evam vyasanam praapya na viShiiditum arhati || 2-106-5

"By what should he be moved, who looks on life and death, misfortune or prosperity with an equal eye?"

परावरज्ञो यश्च स्यात् यथा त्वं मनुजाधिप | स एवम् व्यसनम् प्राप्य न विषीदितुम् अर्हति || २-१०६-५

amara upama sattvaH tvam mahaatmaa satya samgaraH | sarvajnaH sarva darshii ca buddhimaamH ca asi raaghava || 2-106-6

"O, King! He who knows the totality of time as you do, ought not to feel despondent even on meeting with adversity."

अमर उपम सत्त्वः त्वम् महात्मा सत्य सम्गरः | सर्वज्नः सर्व दर्शी च बुद्धिमामः च असि राघव || २-१०६-६

na tvaam evam guNair yuktam prabhava abhava kovidam | aviShahyatamam duhkham aasaadayitum arhati || 2-106-7

"O, the magnanimous Rama! you are equally strong as celestials. You are true to your promise, all-knowing, all-viewing and endowed with understanding."

न त्वाम् एवम् गुणैर् युक्तम् प्रभव अभव कोविदम् | अविषह्यतमम् दुह्खम् आसादयितुम् अर्हति || २-१०६-७

proShite mayi yat paapam maatraa mat kaaraNaat kR^itam | kShudrayaa tad aniShTam me prasiidatu bhavaan mama || 2-106-8

"Even the most fearful calamity ought not to attack you, endowed as you are, with such attributes; and recognising the birth and end of all beings."

प्रोषिते मयि यत् पापम् मात्रा मत् कारणात् कृतम् | क्षुद्रया तद् अनिष्टम् मे प्रसीदतु भवान् मम || २-१०६-८

dharma bandhena baddho asmi tena imaam na iha maataram | hanmi tiivreNa daNDena daNDa arhaam paapa kaariNiim || 2-106-9

"The sinful deed, committed by my mean mother for my sake during my absence, was not to my liking. (Hence) be gracious to me."

धर्म बन्धेन बद्धो अस्मि तेन इमाम् न इह मातरम् | हन्मि तीव्रेण दण्डेन दण्ड अर्हाम् पाप कारिणीम् || २-१०६-९

katham dasharathaaj jaataH shuddha abhijana karmaNaH | jaanan dharmam adharmiShTham kuryaam karma jugupsitam || 2-106-10

"I am bound by the chanins of morality. For that reason, I do not kill iwth a severe punishment, my mother who was of perverse conduct and worthy of retribution."

कथम् दशरथाज् जातः शुद्ध अभिजन कर्मणः | जानन् धर्मम् अधर्मिष्ठम् कुर्याम् कर्म जुगुप्सितम् || २-१०६-१०

guruH kriyaavaan vR^iddhaH ca raajaa pretaH pitaa iti ca | taatam na parigarheyam daivatam ca iti sa.nsadi || 2-106-11

"How can I, born of Dasaratha of noble birth and deeds and conversant of right and wrong, do the most wicked and horrible act?"

गुरुः क्रियावान् वृद्धः च राजा प्रेतः पिता इति च | तातम् न परिगर्हेयम् दैवतम् च इति संसदि || २-१०६-११

ko hi dharma arthayor hiinam iidR^isham karma kilbiSham | striyaaH priya cikiirShuH san kuryaad dharmajna dharmavit || 2-106-12

"The King Dasaratha was my preceptor, had several sacrificial performances to his credit was aged, was my father, equal to a deity and is now dead. Hence, I cannot reproach him in an open assembly."

को हि धर्म अर्थयोर् हीनम् ईदृशम् कर्म किल्बिषम् | स्त्रियाः प्रिय चिकीर्षुः सन् कुर्याद् धर्मज्न धर्मवित् || २-१०६-१२

anta kaale hi bhuutaani muhyanti iti puraa shrutiH | raajnaa evam kurvataa loke pratyakShaa saa shrutiH kR^itaa || 2-106-13

"O Rama the knower of piety! What man who knows the principles of righteousness, would commit such an improper act, bereft of one's interest and duty, in order just to please a woman?"

अन्त काले हि भूतानि मुह्यन्ति इति पुरा श्रुतिः | राज्ना एवम् कुर्वता लोके प्रत्यक्षा सा श्रुतिः कृता || २-१०६-१३

saadhu artham abhisa.ndhaaya krodhaan mohaac ca saahasaat | taatasya yad atikraantam pratyaaharatu tad bhavaan || 2-106-14

"There is an ancient saying that at the time of death, beings lose their judgment. The king, acting as he did, has made this saying indeed true in the eyes of the world."

साधु अर्थम् अभिसंधाय क्रोधान् मोहाच् च साहसात् | तातस्य यद् अतिक्रान्तम् प्रत्याहरतु तद् भवान् || २-१०६-१४

pitur hi samatikraantam putro yaH saadhu manyate | tad apatyam matam loke vipariitam ato anyathaa || 2-106-15

"This transgression of righteousness was done by our father for fear of anger (of kaikeyi) or through infatuation and over-haste. You do keep in view a noble purpose and reverse that transgression."

पितुर् हि समतिक्रान्तम् पुत्रो यः साधु मन्यते | तद् अपत्यम् मतम् लोके विपरीतम् अतो अन्यथा || २-१०६-१५

tad apatyam bhavaan astu maa bhavaan duShkR^itam pituH | abhipat tat kR^itam karma loke dhiira vigarhitam || 2-106-16

"A son who honours only a good deviation (from righteousness) of a father is accepted as a real son in this world. He who acts otherwise than this would be facing a quite reverse situation."

तद् अपत्यम् भवान् अस्तु मा भवान् दुष्कृतम् पितुः | अभिपत् तत् कृतम् कर्म लोके धीर विगर्हितम् || २-१०६-१६

kaikeyiim maam ca taatam ca suhR^ido baandhavaamH ca naH | paura jaanapadaan sarvaamH traatu sarvam idam bhavaan || 2-106-17

"You be that real son. Do not lend yourself to the infamous act, committed by our father, which in this world, confident men freely condemn."

कैकेयीम् माम् च तातम् च सुहृदो बान्धवामः च नः | पौर जानपदान् सर्वामः त्रातु सर्वम् इदम् भवान् || २-१०६-१७

kva ca araNyam kva ca kShaatram kva jaTaaH kva ca paalanam | iidR^isham vyaahatam karma na bhavaan kartum arhati || 2-106-18

"Save Kaikeyi and me, our father, our friends, our relatives, all the urbanites and the villagers as well as the entire kingdom."

क्व च अरण्यम् क्व च क्षात्रम् क्व जटाः क्व च पालनम् | ईदृशम् व्याहतम् कर्म न भवान् कर्तुम् अर्हति || २-१०६-१८

eSha hi prathamo dharmaH kShatriyasyaabhiShechanam | yena shakyam mahaapraajJN prajaanaaM paripaalanam 2-106-19

"Where is the forest and where is the princely dignity? Where is the matted hair and where is the protection of a kingdom? You ought not to do such a contradictory act."

एष हि प्रथमो धर्मः क्षत्रियस्याभिषेचनम् | येन शक्यम् महाप्राज्ञ् प्रजानां परिपालनम् २-१०६-१९

kashcha pratyakShamutsR^ijya saMshayasthamalakShaNam | aayatisthaM chareddharmam kShatrabandhuranishchitam 2-106-20

"O, the highly enlightened hero! The first duty of a warrior is indeed to get crowned, so that he may then protect his subjects."

कश्च प्रत्यक्षमुत्सृज्य संशयस्थमलक्षणम् | आयतिस्थं चरेद्धर्मम् क्षत्रबन्धुरनिश्चितम् २-१०६-२०

atha kleshajam eva tvam dharmam caritum igcchhasi | dharmeNa caturo varNaan paalayan klesham aapnuhi || 2-106-21

"Which man of warrior-caste would set aside his manifest duty and prctise a virtue that gives doubtful result, which does not promise happiness, which has a mental restraint and which is uncertain?"

अथ क्लेशजम् एव त्वम् धर्मम् चरितुम् इग्च्छसि | धर्मेण चतुरो वर्णान् पालयन् क्लेशम् आप्नुहि || २-१०६-२१

caturNaam aashramaaNaam hi gaarhasthyam shreShTham aashramam | paahur dharmajna dharmajnaaH tam katham tyaktum arhasi || 2-106-22

"If you desire to pursue a virtue alone; although born of pain, then take pains while protecting the four castes as per tradition, by recourse to righteousness."

चतुर्णाम् आश्रमाणाम् हि गार्हस्थ्यम् श्रेष्ठम् आश्रमम् | पाहुर् धर्मज्न धर्मज्नाः तम् कथम् त्यक्तुम् अर्हसि || २-१०६-२२

shrutena baalaH sthaanena janmanaa bhavato hy aham | sa katham paalayiShyaami bhuumim bhavati tiShThati || 2-106-23

"O, Rama the knower of righteousness! The knower of what is right indeed tell that the life of a house-holder is the noblest of all the four* stages of life. How can you abandon it?"

श्रुतेन बालः स्थानेन जन्मना भवतो ह्य् अहम् | स कथम् पालयिष्यामि भूमिम् भवति तिष्ठति || २-१०६-२३

hiina buddhi guNo baalo hiinaH sthaanena ca apy aham | bhavataa ca vinaa bhuuto na vartayitum utsahe || 2-106-24

"I am indeed junior to you in the point of learning, situation and by birth. How should I rule the earth, while still you are living?"

हीन बुद्धि गुणो बालो हीनः स्थानेन च अप्य् अहम् | भवता च विना भूतो न वर्तयितुम् उत्सहे || २-१०६-२४

idam nikhilam avyagram pitryam raajyam akaNTakam | anushaadhi svadharmeNa dharmajna saha baandhavaiH || 2-106-25

"I, a mere child, who am devoted of intelligence and virtues besides placed in an inferior position, cannot even live without you."

इदम् निखिलम् अव्यग्रम् पित्र्यम् राज्यम् अकण्टकम् | अनुशाधि स्वधर्मेण धर्मज्न सह बान्धवैः || २-१०६-२५

iha eva tvaa abhiShincantu dharmajna saha baandhavaiH | R^itvijaH savasiShThaaH ca mantravan mantra kovidaaH || 2-106-26

"O, Rama the knower of righteousness! Rule this entire kingdom belonging to your father, without distraction, without hindrance and as per the conduct prescribed for you along with your relatives."

इह एव त्वा अभिषिन्चन्तु धर्मज्न सह बान्धवैः | ऋत्विजः सवसिष्ठाः च मन्त्रवन् मन्त्र कोविदाः || २-१०६-२६

abhiShiktaH tvam asmaabhir ayodhyaam paalane vraja | vijitya tarasaa lokaan marudbhir iva vaasavaH || 2-106-27

"Let all the king's ministers along with Vasishta and other priests well-versed in sacred formulas, crown you, the knower of sacred texts, here itself."

अभिषिक्तः त्वम् अस्माभिर् अयोध्याम् पालने व्रज | विजित्य तरसा लोकान् मरुद्भिर् इव वासवः || २-१०६-२७

R^iNaani triiNy apaakurvan durhR^idaH saadhu nirdahan | suhR^idaH tarpayan kaamaiH tvam eva atra anushaadhi maam || 2-106-28

"You, having been crowned thus, may proceed to Ayodhya along with us to rule it, like Indra the Lord of celestials, having conquered all the worlds with his might, proceeds to his kingdom along with celestials."

ऋणानि त्रीण्य् अपाकुर्वन् दुर्हृदः साधु निर्दहन् | सुहृदः तर्पयन् कामैः त्वम् एव अत्र अनुशाधि माम् || २-१०६-२८

adya aarya muditaaH santu suhR^idaH te abhiShecane | adya bhiitaaH paalayantaam durhR^idaH te disho dasha || 2-106-29

"You shall discharge the three obligations subdue all the enemies, gratify the wishes of all your friends and you alone rule me in Ayodhya."

अद्य आर्य मुदिताः सन्तु सुहृदः ते अभिषेचने | अद्य भीताः पालयन्ताम् दुर्हृदः ते दिशो दश || २-१०६-२९

aakrosham mama maatuH ca pramR^ijya puruSha R^iShabha | adya tatra bhavantam ca pitaram rakSha kilbiShaat || 2-106-30

"O, noble brother! May your friends rejoice today at your enthronement. May your enemies, full of terror, flee today to the ten quarters."

आक्रोशम् मम मातुः च प्रमृज्य पुरुष ऋषभ | अद्य तत्र भवन्तम् च पितरम् रक्ष किल्बिषात् || २-१०६-३०

shirasaa tvaa abhiyaace aham kuruShva karuNaam mayi | baandhaveShu ca sarveShu bhuuteShu iva mahaa iishvaraH || 2-106-31

"O, excellent among men! Wipe off my mother's curse today and protect our venerable father from his sin."

शिरसा त्वा अभियाचे अहम् कुरुष्व करुणाम् मयि | बान्धवेषु च सर्वेषु भूतेषु इव महा ईश्वरः || २-१०६-३१

atha vaa pR^iShThataH kR^itvaa vanam eva bhavaan itaH | gamiShyati gamiShyaami bhavataa saardham apy aham || 2-106-32

"I request you by bowing my head before you. Show compassion on me and on all our relatives as Lord Shiva ( the Supreme Deity) on all beings."

अथ वा पृष्ठतः कृत्वा वनम् एव भवान् इतः | गमिष्यति गमिष्यामि भवता सार्धम् अप्य् अहम् || २-१०६-३२

tathaapi raamo bharatena taamyata | prasaadyamaanaH shirasaa mahii patiH | na caiva cakre gamanaaya sattvavaan | matim pituH tad vacane pratiShThitaH || 2-106-33

"Else if you disregard my entire request and move again into the forest form here, I too will go along with you."

तथापि रामो भरतेन ताम्यत | प्रसाद्यमानः शिरसा मही पतिः | न चैव चक्रे गमनाय सत्त्ववान् | मतिम् पितुः तद् वचने प्रतिष्ठितः || २-१०६-३३

tad adbhutam sthairyam avekShya raaghave | samam jano harSham avaapa duhkhitaH | na yaaty ayodhyaam iti duhkhito abhavat | sthira pratijnatvam avekShya harShitaH || 2-106-34

Even while being propitiated by Bharata as above, by bowing his head duly sinking in his spirit, the illustrious Rama, the Lord of the earth was still abiding in the words of his father and did not feel inclined to return to Ayodhya.

तद् अद्भुतम् स्थैर्यम् अवेक्ष्य राघवे | समम् जनो हर्षम् अवाप दुह्खितः | न यात्य् अयोध्याम् इति दुह्खितो अभवत् | स्थिर प्रतिज्नत्वम् अवेक्ष्य हर्षितः || २-१०६-३४

tam R^itvijo naigama yuutha vallabhaaH | tathaa visamjnaa ashru kalaaH ca maataraH |tathaa bruvaaNam bharatam pratuShTuvuH | praNamya raamam ca yayaacire saha || 2-106-35

Seeing that wonderful staunchness in Rama, the people of Ayodhya felt sorrowful and at the same time, experienced joy. They became distressed that he was not going to Ayodhya and felt rejoiced to see his firmness of resolve.

तम् ऋत्विजो नैगम यूथ वल्लभाः | तथा विसम्ज्ना अश्रु कलाः च मातरः |तथा ब्रुवाणम् भरतम् प्रतुष्टुवुः | प्रणम्य रामम् च ययाचिरे सह || २-१०६-३५

The priests, citizens and elders of that multitude as well as Queens, distracted and weeping bitterly, acclaimed Bharat who was then speaking thus, duly prostrating himself before Rama and added theri supplications to Rama.