Vashishta Urges Rama to Grant the Prayer of Bharata

वसिष्ठः तु तदा रामम् उक्त्वा राज पुरोहितः | अब्रवीद् धर्म सम्युक्तम् पुनर् एव अपरम् वचः || २-१११-१

vasiShThaH tu tadaa raamam uktvaa raaja purohitaH | abraviid dharma samyuktam punar eva aparam vacaH || 2-111-1

Having spoken thus to Rama, Vasishta the royal priest added the following righteous words:

पुरुषस्य इह जातस्य भवन्ति गुरवः त्रयः | आचार्यः चैव काकुत्स्थ पिता माता च राघव || २-१११-२

puruShasya iha jaatasya bhavanti guravaH trayaH | aacaaryaH caiva kaakutstha pitaa maataa ca raaghava || 2-111-2

"O, Kakutstha, O offspring the Raghu dynasty! From birth, the three spiritual instructors of a man are his teacher, his father and his mother."

पिता ह्य् एनम् जनयति पुरुषम् पुरुष ऋषभ | प्रज्नाम् ददाति च आचार्यः तस्मात् स गुरुर् उच्यते || २-१११-३

pitaa hy enam janayati puruSham puruSha R^iShabha | prajnaam dadaati ca aacaaryaH tasmaat sa gurur ucyate || 2-111-3

"O, excellent among men! The father of man his life. The teacher instructs him in wisdom and therefore instructs the teacher is said to be the superior!"

से ते अहम् पितुर् आचार्यः तव चैव परम् तप | मम त्वम् वचनम् कुर्वन् न अतिवर्तेः सताम् गतिम् || २-१११-४

se te aham pitur aacaaryaH tava caiva param tapa | mama tvam vacanam kurvan na ativarteH sataam gatim || 2-111-4

"O, Rama the tormentator of the enemies! I am the spiritual Preceptor to your father and to you too. In obeying my words, you will not transgress the path of the virtuous."

इमा हि ते परिषदः श्रेणयः च समागताः | एषु तात चरन् धर्मम् न अतिवर्तेः सताम् गतिम् || २-१११-५

imaa hi te pariShadaH shreNayaH ca samaagataaH | eShu taata caran dharmam na ativarteH sataam gatim || 2-111-5

"O, dear prince! These subjects, the traders, the other categories of people and Brahmana are your people only. In fulfilling your duty to them, you will not be transgressing your righteous path."

वृद्धाया धर्म शीलाया मातुर् न अर्हस्य् अवर्तितुम् | अस्याः तु वचनम् कुर्वन् न अतिवर्तेः सताम् गतिम् || २-१११-६

vR^iddhaayaa dharma shiilaayaa maatur na arhasy avartitum | asyaaH tu vacanam kurvan na ativarteH sataam gatim || 2-111-6

"You ought not to be lacking in reverence to your mother who is aged and possessing a noble conduct. By carrying out her words, you will not deviate from the path of the virtuous."

भरतस्य वचः कुर्वन् याचमानस्य राघव | आत्मानम् न अतिवर्तेः त्वम् सत्य धर्म पराक्रम || २-१११-७

bharatasya vacaH kurvan yaacamaanasya raaghava | aatmaanam na ativarteH tvam satya dharma paraakrama || 2-111-7

"O, Rama excelling in truth and virtue. By fulfilling the words of the beseeching Bharata, you will not be false to yourself."

एवम् मधुरम् उक्तः तु गुरुणा राघवः स्वयम् | प्रत्युवाच समासीनम् वसिष्ठम् पुरुष ऋषभः || २-१११-८

evam madhuram uktaH tu guruNaa raaghavaH svayam | pratyuvaaca samaasiinam vasiShTham puruSha R^iShabhaH || 2-111-8

Having heard the sweet words spoken by his spiritual preceptro himself, Rama the excellent among men replied (as follows) to Vasishta who was seated there.

यन् मातापितरौ वृत्तम् तनये कुरुतः सदा | न सुप्रतिकरम् तत् तु मात्रा पित्रा च यत् कृतम् || २-१११-९ यथा शक्ति प्रदानेन स्नापनाच् चादनेन च | नित्यम् च प्रिय वादेन तथा सम्वर्धनेन च || २-१११-१०

yan maataapitarau vR^ittam tanaye kurutaH sadaa | na supratikaram tat tu maatraa pitraa ca yat kR^itam || 2-111-9 yathaa shakti pradaanena snaapanaac chaadanena ca | nityam ca priya vaadena tathaa samvardhanena ca || 2-111-10

"The good, which a father and mother do, by giving whatever they can, to their son constantly, by putting him to sleep, rubbing his body with oil etc, nay, by speaking kindly to him every moment, and even by nourishing him, can never be wholly requited."

स हि राजा जनयिता पिता दशरथो मम | आज्नातम् यन् मया तस्य न तन् मिथ्या भविष्यति || २-१११-११

evam uktaH tu raameNa bharataH pratyanantaram | uvaaca parama udaaraH suutam parama durmanaaH || 2-111-12

"The command laid upon me by king Dasaratha, my father, who begot me, cannot therefore be disregarded."

एवम् उक्तः तु रामेण भरतः प्रत्यनन्तरम् | उवाच परम उदारः सूतम् परम दुर्मनाः || २-१११-१२

iha me sthaNDile shiighram kushaan aastara saarathe | aaryam pratyupavekShyaami yaavan me na prasiidati || 2-111-13

Hearing Rama's words, the most generous Bharata felt very mcuh anguished and addressed the following words to Sumantra the charioteer who was standing nearby:

इह मे स्थण्डिले शीघ्रम् कुशान् आस्तर सारथे | आर्यम् प्रत्युपवेक्ष्यामि यावन् मे न प्रसीदति || २-१११-१३

anaahaaro niraaloko dhana hiino yathaa dvijaH | sheShye purastaat shaalaayaa yaavan na pratiyaasyati || 2-111-14

"O, charioteer! Spread speedily the Kusha grass on the ground here for me. I shall remain facing my illustrious brother till he gets propitiated (and grant my request)."

अनाहारो निरालोको धन हीनो यथा द्विजः | शेष्ये पुरस्तात् शालाया यावन् न प्रतियास्यति || २-१११-१४

sa tu raamam avekShantam sumantram prekShya durmanaaH | kusha uttaram upasthaapya bhuumaau eva aastarat svayam || 2-111-15

"I shall remain lying down in front of Rama's hut without food or drink and depriving myself of light until he returns to Ayodhya, like a brahman who is a destitute (lies down at the door of his crditor)."

स तु रामम् अवेक्षन्तम् सुमन्त्रम् प्रेक्ष्य दुर्मनाः | कुश उत्तरम् उपस्थाप्य भूमाउ एव आस्तरत् स्वयम् || २-१११-१५

tam uvaaca mahaa tejaa raamo raaja R^iShi sattamaaH | kim maam bharata kurvaaNam taata pratyupavekShyasi || 2-111-16

Seeing Sumantra who was gazing at Rama waiting for his command, the low-spirited Bharata, on his own, brought a heap of Kusha grass and spread it on the floor.

तम् उवाच महा तेजा रामो राज ऋषि सत्तमाः | किम् माम् भरत कुर्वाणम् तात प्रत्युपवेक्ष्यसि || २-१११-१६

braahmaNo hy eka paarshvena naraan roddhum iha arhati | na tu muurdhaa avasiktaanaam vidhiH pratyupaveshane || 2-111-17

Rama of great splendour and the best among royal sages spoke to Bharata as follows: "O Bharata my dear brother! What wrong have I done that you lie down before me?"

ब्राह्मणो ह्य् एक पार्श्वेन नरान् रोद्धुम् इह अर्हति | न तु मूर्धा अवसिक्तानाम् विधिः प्रत्युपवेशने || २-१११-१७

uttiShTha nara shaarduula hitvaa etad daaruNam vratam | pura varyaam itaH kShipram ayodhyaam yaahi raaghava || 2-111-18

"A brahmana may lie down on one side in order to obstruct a willful debtor in this world. But, it is not befitting for a warrior-class.

उत्तिष्ठ नर शार्दूल हित्वा एतद् दारुणम् व्रतम् | पुर वर्याम् इतः क्षिप्रम् अयोध्याम् याहि राघव || २-१११-१८

aasiinaH tu eva bharataH paura jaanapadam janam | uvaaca sarvataH prekShya kim aaryam na anushaasatha || 2-111-19

"O Bharata, Tiger among men! Giving up this formidable resolve, rise up proceed speedily to Ayodhya the best of cities, from here."

आसीनः तु एव भरतः पौर जानपदम् जनम् | उवाच सर्वतः प्रेक्ष्य किम् आर्यम् न अनुशासथ || २-१११-१९

te tam uucur mahaatmaanam paura jaanapadaa janaaH | kaakutstham abhijaaniimaH samyag vadati raaghavaH || 2-111-20

Still sitting in the same posture, Bharata looked at the citizens and rural folk around on all sides and asked them why they were not entreating his venerable brother to return.

ते तम् ऊचुर् महात्मानम् पौर जानपदा जनाः | काकुत्स्थम् अभिजानीमः सम्यग् वदति राघवः || २-१११-२०

eSho api hi mahaa bhaagaH pitur vacasi tiShThati | ata eva na shaktaaH smo vyaavartayitum anjasaa || 2-111-21

Those people, the inhabitants of town and country replied to the magnanimous Bharata as follows: "We know Rama very well. He is speaking rightly."

एषो अपि हि महा भागः पितुर् वचसि तिष्ठति | अत एव न शक्ताः स्मो व्यावर्तयितुम् अन्जसा || २-१११-२१

teShaam aajnaaya vacanam raamo vacanam abraviit | evam nibodha vacanam suhR^idaam dharma cakShuShaam || 2-111-22

"This Rama of exalted merit is indeed standing on his father's words. Hence, we are not able to convince him to return to Ayodhya."

तेषाम् आज्नाय वचनम् रामो वचनम् अब्रवीत् | एवम् निबोध वचनम् सुहृदाम् धर्म चक्षुषाम् || २-१११-२२

etac ca eva ubhayam shrutvaa samyak sampashya raaghava | uttiShTha tvam mahaa baaho maam ca spR^isha tathaa udakam || 2-111-23

Hearing their words, Rama said to Bharata: "Reflect on the words of your companions, who see rightly."

एतच् च एव उभयम् श्रुत्वा सम्यक् सम्पश्य राघव | उत्तिष्ठ त्वम् महा बाहो माम् च स्पृश तथा उदकम् || २-१११-२३

atha utthaaya jalam spR^iShTvaa bharato vaakyam abraviit | shR^iNvantu me pariShado mantriNaH shreNayaH tathaa || 2-111-24

"O the mighty armed Bharata! Having listened to their testimony and mine, reflect on the matter carefull. Rise and touch me and drink water."

अथ उत्थाय जलम् स्पृष्ट्वा भरतो वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् | शृण्वन्तु मे परिषदो मन्त्रिणः श्रेणयः तथा || २-१११-२४

na yaace pitaram raajyam na anushaasaami maataram | aaryam parama dharmajnam abhijaanaami raaghavam || 2-111-25

Thereafter, Bharata rose, touched water and spoke as follows: "Let the audience, including ministers and the guild of traders hear me also."

न याचे पितरम् राज्यम् न अनुशासामि मातरम् | आर्यम् परम धर्मज्नम् अभिजानामि राघवम् || २-१११-२५

yadi tu avashyam vastavyam kartavyam ca pitur vacaH | aham eva nivatsyaami caturdasha vane samaaH || 2-111-26

"I never asked my father for the kingdom, nor did I counsel my mother to enthrone me. I never gave my approval for the exile of Rama, the venerable hero, who knows his duty very well."

यदि तु अवश्यम् वस्तव्यम् कर्तव्यम् च पितुर् वचः | अहम् एव निवत्स्यामि चतुर्दश वने समाः || २-१११-२६

dharma aatmaa tasya tathyena bhraatur vaakyena vismitaH | uvaaca raamaH samprekShya paura jaanapadam janam || 2-111-27

"If it is absolutely essential that one of us should remain here and the command of our father be executed, then it is I who will reside in the forest for fourteen years."

धर्म आत्मा तस्य तथ्येन भ्रातुर् वाक्येन विस्मितः | उवाच रामः सम्प्रेक्ष्य पौर जानपदम् जनम् || २-१११-२७

vikriitam aahitam kriitam yat pitraa jiivataa mama | na tal lopayitum shakyam mayaa vaa bharatena vaa || 2-111-28

The high-souled Rama was surprised by the sincere words of his brother and by looking at the inhabitants of town and country, spoke (as follows):

विक्रीतम् आहितम् क्रीतम् यत् पित्रा जीवता मम | न तल् लोपयितुम् शक्यम् मया वा भरतेन वा || २-१११-२८

upadhir na mayaa kaaryo vana vaase jugupsitaH | yuktam uktam ca kaikeyyaa pitraa me sukR^itam kR^itam || 2-111-29

"The disposal, the pledge and the come-by which he was alive, cannot be broken either by me or by Bharata."

उपधिर् न मया कार्यो वन वासे जुगुप्सितः | युक्तम् उक्तम् च कैकेय्या पित्रा मे सुकृतम् कृतम् || २-१११-२९

jaanaami bharatam kShaantam guru satkaara kaariNam | sarvam eva atra kalyaaNam satya sa.ndhe mahaatmani || 2-111-30

"I cannot accede to the substitute in respect of the sojourn in the forest and it is distasteful thing. What was advised by Kaikeyi was proper and what was done by my father was a righteous deed."

जानामि भरतम् क्षान्तम् गुरु सत्कार कारिणम् | सर्वम् एव अत्र कल्याणम् सत्य संधे महात्मनि || २-१११-३०

anena dharma shiilena vanaat pratyaagataH punaH | bhraatraa saha bhaviShyaami pR^ithivyaaH patir uttamaH || 2-111-31

"I am aware that Bharata has necessary patience and due devotion for the elders. All will be propitious in the case of this magnanimous Bharata, who is true to his promise."

अनेन धर्म शीलेन वनात् प्रत्यागतः पुनः | भ्रात्रा सह भविष्यामि पृथिव्याः पतिर् उत्तमः || २-१११-३१

vR^ito raajaa hi kaikeyyaa mayaa tad vacanam kR^itam | anR^itaan mocaya anena pitaram tam mahii patim || 2-111-32

"After returning from the forest, I shall rule the earth, assisted by my virtuous brother."

वृतो राजा हि कैकेय्या मया तद् वचनम् कृतम् | अनृतान् मोचय अनेन पितरम् तम् मही पतिम् || २-१११-३२

"The king Dasaratha was indeed solicited for a boon by Kaikeyi. That word of the king has been fulfilled by me. Hence, relieve our father, the emperor from the blame."