The Sages Request Bharata to Accept Rama's Words

तम् अप्रतिम तेजोभ्याम् भ्रातृभ्याम् रोम हर्षणम् | विस्मिताः सम्गमम् प्रेक्ष्य समवेता महर्षयः || २-११२-१

tam apratima tejobhyaam bhraatR^ibhyaam roma harShaNam | vismitaaH samgamam prekShya samavetaa maharShayaH || 2-112-1

Witnessing that thrilling converse between those two brothers with incomparable dignity, the great sages gathered there were astonished.

अन्तर् हिताः तु ऋषि गणाः सिद्धाः च परम ऋषयः | तौ भ्रातरौ महात्मानौ काकुत्स्थौ प्रशशंसिरे || २-११२-२

antar hitaaH tu R^iShi gaNaaH siddhaaH ca parama R^iShayaH | tau bhraatarau mahaatmaanau kaakutsthau prashasha.nsire || 2-112-2

The assemblies of ascetics, great saints present there and the distinguished sages who stood invisible in space, applauded both Rama and Bharata, the magnanimous brothers, saying (as follows):

स धन्यो यस्य पुत्रौ द्वौ धर्मज्नौ धर्म विक्रमौ | श्रुत्वा वयम् हि सम्भाषाम् उभयोः स्पृहयामहे || २-११२-३

sa dhanyo yasya putrau dvau dharmajnau dharma vikramau | shrutvaa vayam hi sambhaaShaam ubhayoH spR^ihayaamahe || 2-112-3

"That Dasaratha, who begot these two sons, who know righteousness and whose strength is justice, was fortunate. By hearing the debate between these two princes, we are indeed delighted."

ततः तु ऋषि गणाः क्षिप्रम् दशग्रीव वध एषिणः | भरतम् राज शार्दूलम् इत्य् ऊचुः सम्गता वचः || २-११२-४

tataH tu R^iShi gaNaaH kShipram dashagriiva vadha eShiNaH | bharatam raaja shaarduulam ity uucuH samgataa vacaH || 2-112-4

Thereafter, that assembly of sages, who wished to see a quick destruction of Ravana, came together and spoke the following words to Bharata, the excellent king.

कुले जात महा प्राज्न महा वृत्त महा यशः | ग्राह्यम् रामस्य वाक्यम् ते पितरम् यद्य् अवेक्षसे || २-११२-५

kule jaata mahaa praajna mahaa vR^itta mahaa yashaH | graahyam raamasya vaakyam te pitaram yady avekShase || 2-112-5

"O Bharata born in a noble race, highly intelligent, having a superior conduct and a great repute! If you have regard for your father, Rama's words are to be accepted.

सदा अनृणम् इमम् रामम् वयम् इग्च्छामहे पितुः | अनृणत्वाच् च कैकेय्याः स्वर्गम् दशरथो गतः || २-११२-६

sadaa anR^iNam imam raamam vayam igcchhaamahe pituH | anR^iNatvaac ca kaikeyyaaH svargam dasharatho gataH || 2-112-6

"We wish to see Rama absolved of all obligations forever to his father. Dasaratha, having honoured his pledge to Kaikeyi, indeed went to heaven."

एतावद् उक्त्वा वचनम् गन्धर्वाः समहर्षयः | राज ऋषयः चैव तथा सर्वे स्वाम् स्वाम् गतिम् गताः || २-११२-७

etaavad uktvaa vacanam gandharvaaH samaharShayaH | raaja R^iShayaH caiva tathaa sarve svaam svaam gatim gataaH || 2-112-7

Having uttered that much, all the celestial musicians and the great sages then went to their respective abodes.

ह्लादितः तेन वाक्येन शुभेन शुभ दर्शनः | रामः सम्हृष्ट वदनः तान् ऋषीन् अभ्यपूजयत् || २-११२-८

hlaaditaH tena vaakyena shubhena shubha darshanaH | raamaH samhR^iShTa vadanaH taan R^iShiin abhyapuujayat || 2-112-8

Hearing those auspicious words, the good-looking Rama looked radiant and worshipped those sages with a joyful countenance.

स्रस्त गात्रः तु भरतः स वाचा सज्जमानया | कृत अन्जलिर् इदम् वाक्यम् राघवम् पुनर् अब्रवीत् || २-११२-९

srasta gaatraH tu bharataH sa vaacaa sajjamaanayaa | kR^ita anjalir idam vaakyam raaghavam punar abraviit || 2-112-9

Bharata, on his part, with trembled limbs, joined his palms in salutation and again spoke the following words to Rama in a strangled voice:

राज धर्मम् अनुप्रेक्ष्य कुल धर्म अनुसम्ततिम् | कर्तुम् अर्हसि काकुत्स्थ मम मातुः च याचनाम् || २-११२-१०

raaja dharmam anuprekShya kula dharma anusamtatim | kartum arhasi kaakutstha mama maatuH ca yaacanaam || 2-112-10

"O, Rama! Keep in view the continuance of our royal statue and the statute of the race. You ought to yield to the entreaties of mine and those of your mother."

रक्षितुम् सुमहद् राज्यम् अहम् एकः तु न उत्सहे | पौर जानपदामः च अपि रक्तान् रन्जयितुम् तथा || २-११२-११

rakShitum sumahad raajyam aham ekaH tu na utsahe | paura jaanapadaamH ca api raktaan ranjayitum tathaa || 2-112-11

"I am not able to rule this vast empire alone to the satisfaction of the beloved inhabitants of town and country!"

ज्नातयः च हि योधाः च मित्राणि सुहृदः च नः | त्वाम् एव प्रतिकान्क्षन्ते पर्जन्यम् इव कर्षकाः || २-११२-१२

jnaatayaH ca hi yodhaaH ca mitraaNi suhR^idaH ca naH | tvaam eva pratikaankShante parjanyam iva karShakaaH || 2-112-12

"Our kith and king, soldiers, companions and allies are waiting for you indeed, as farmers wait for the rainy clouds."

इदम् राज्यम् महा प्राज्न स्थापय प्रतिपद्य हि | शक्तिमान् असि काकुत्स्थ लोकस्य परिपालने || २-११२-१३

idam raajyam mahaa praajna sthaapaya pratipadya hi | shaktimaan asi kaakutstha lokasya paripaalane || 2-112-13

"O, the sagacious Rama! Return to the kingdom and keep it in order. You have the competence to save the world!"

इत्य् उक्त्वा न्यपतद् भ्रातुः पादयोर् भरतः तदा | भृशम् सम्प्रार्थयाम् आस रामम् एवम् प्रियम् वदः || २-११२-१४

ity uktvaa nyapatad bhraatuH paadayor bharataH tadaa | bhR^isham sampraarthayaam aasa raamam evam priyam vadaH || 2-112-14

That Bharata, who was kind-spoken, thus made a fervent appeal to Rama and fell at his feet.

तम् अन्के भ्रातरम् कृत्वा रामो वचनम् अब्रवीत् | श्यामम् नलिन पत्र अक्षम् मत्त हंस स्वरः स्वयम् || २-११२-१५

tam anke bhraataram kR^itvaa raamo vacanam abraviit | shyaamam nalina patra akSham matta ha.nsa svaraH svayam || 2-112-15

Placing on his lap, that Bharata of dark hue, with eyes resembling lotus-petals and having a voice like that of a swan in rut, Rama spoke the following words to him:

आगता त्वाम् इयम् बुद्धिः स्वजा वैनयिकी च या | भृशम् उत्सहसे तात रक्षितुम् पृथिवीम् अपि || २-११२-१६

aagataa tvaam iyam buddhiH svajaa vainayikii ca yaa | bhR^isham utsahase taata rakShitum pR^ithiviim api || 2-112-16

"O, my dear brother! You are very much competent to rule the earth, by the intellect you obtained both inherently and by training."

अमात्यैः च सुहृद्भिः च बुद्धिमद्भिः च मन्त्रिभिः | सर्व कार्याणि सम्मन्त्र्य सुमहान्त्य् अपि कारय || २-११२-१७

amaatyaiH ca suhR^idbhiH ca buddhimadbhiH ca mantribhiH | sarva kaaryaaNi sammantrya sumahaanty api kaaraya || 2-112-17

"Take counsel with your ministers, companions and intelligent counsellors and get all activities done, even if they are gigantic."

लक्ष्मीः चन्द्राद् अपेयाद् वा हिमवान् वा हिमम् त्यजेत् | अतीयात् सागरो वेलाम् न प्रतिज्नाम् अहम् पितुः || २-११२-१८

lakShmiiH candraad apeyaad vaa himavaan vaa himam tyajet | atiiyaat saagaro velaam na pratijnaam aham pituH || 2-112-18

"Light may go off from the moon; Himalayan mountain may shake off its snows; the sea may transgress its shores, but I will never be false to my father's vow!"

कामाद् वा तात लोभाद् वा मात्रा तुभ्यम् इदम् कृतम् | न तन् मनसि कर्तव्यम् वर्तितव्यम् च मातृवत् || २-११२-१९

kaamaad vaa taata lobhaad vaa maatraa tubhyam idam kR^itam | na tan manasi kartavyam vartitavyam ca maatR^ivat || 2-112-19

"My dear brother! Your mother acted thus, for your sake, out of her affection or ambition. It should not be carried out in your mind. You ought to obey her as your mother."

एवम् ब्रुवाणम् भरतः कौसल्या सुतम् अब्रवीत् | तेजसा आदित्य सम्काशम् प्रतिपच् चन्द्र दर्शनम् || २-११२-२०

evam bruvaaNam bharataH kausalyaa sutam abraviit | tejasaa aaditya samkaasham pratipac candra darshanam || 2-112-20

Bharata replied (as follows) to Rama, who was speaking as aforesaid and who was equal to sun by his splendour or to the moon in its first quarter.

अधिरोह आर्य पादाभ्याम् पादुके हेम भूषिते | एते हि सर्व लोकस्य योग क्षेमम् विधास्यतः || २-११२-२१

adhiroha aarya paadaabhyaam paaduke hema bhuuShite | ete hi sarva lokasya yoga kShemam vidhaasyataH || 2-112-21

"O, noble brother! Pray mount with your feet on the wooden sandals adorned with gold! Surely, these will bestow, gain and security to all the people!"

सो अधिरुह्य नर व्याघ्रः पादुके ह्य् अवरुह्य च | प्रायग्च्छत् सुमहा तेजा भरताय महात्मने || २-११२-२२

so adhiruhya nara vyaaghraH paaduke hy avaruhya ca | praayagcchhat sumahaa tejaa bharataaya mahaatmane || 2-112-22

Rama, the tiger among men, possessing exceptional glory, placing his feet on the sandals and leaving them, gave them to the magnanimous Bharata.

स पादुके सम्प्रणम्य रामं वचनम्ब्रवीत् | चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि जटाचीरधरो ह्यहम् || २-११२-२३ फलमूलाशनो वीर भवेयम् रघुनंदन |

sa paaduke sampraNamya raamaM vachanambraviit | chaturdasha hi varShaaNi jaTaachiiradharo hyaham || 2-112-23 phalamuulaashano viira bhaveyam raghuna.ndana |

Bowing before the sandals, Bharata spoke the following words to Rama: "O, Rama the hero and the tormentator of enemies! For fourteen years, I shall wear matted locks and robes of bark, live on fruits and roots O Rama, and live outside the city, offering the ruling of the kingdom to your sandals."

तवागमनमाकाङ्क्षन् वसन्वै नगराद्बहिः || २-११२-२४ तव पादुकयोर्न्यस्तराज्यतन्त्रः परंतप | चतुर्दशे तु सम्पूर्णे वर्षेऽहानि रघूत्तम || २-११२-२५ न द्रक्ष्यामि यदि त्वां तु प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम् |

tatheti cha pratijJNaaya taM pariShvajya saadaram || 2-112-26 shatrughnam cha pariShvajya bharataM chedamabraviit |

"O, Rama! If I do not see you the following day when the fourteenth year has fully ended, I shall enter the fire once for all."

तथेति च प्रतिज्ञाय तं परिष्वज्य सादरम् || २-११२-२६ शत्रुघ्नम् च परिष्वज्य भरतं चेदमब्रवीत् |

maataram rakSha kaikeyiim maa roSham kuru taaM prati || 2-112-27 mayaa cha siitayaa chaiva shapto.si raghusattama | ityuktvaashrupariitaakSho bhraataraM visasarja ha || 2-112-28

"So be it" promised Rama, embraced that Bharata with affection, took Shatrughna also in his arms and spoke to Bharata as follows:

मातरम् रक्ष कैकेयीम् मा रोषम् कुरु तां प्रति || २-११२-२७ मया च सीतया चैव शप्तो.सि रघुसत्तम | इत्युक्त्वाश्रुपरीताक्षो भ्रातरं विससर्ज ह || २-११२-२८

sa paaduke te bharataH prataapavaan | svalamkR^ite samparigR^ihya dharmavit | pradakShiNam caiva cakaara raaghavam | cakaara caiva uttama naaga muurdhani || 2-112-29

"O Bharata! Protect your mother, Kaikeyi. Do not get angry with her. You are taken vow thus by me and by Seetha." speaking thus, Rama with his eyes filled iwth tears, bade farewell to his brother.

स पादुके ते भरतः प्रतापवान् | स्वलम्कृते सम्परिगृह्य धर्मवित् | प्रदक्षिणम् चैव चकार राघवम् | चकार चैव उत्तम नाग मूर्धनि || २-११२-२९

tam maataro baaShpa gR^ihiita kaNTho | duhkhena na aamantrayitum hi shekuH | sa tu eva maatR^iR^ir abhivaadya sarvaa | rudan kuTiim svaam pravivesha raamaH || 2-112-31

The valiant Bharata, who knew righteousness worshipped those sandals which were well-decorated made a circumambulation to Rama and kept the sandals on the head of an excellent elephant.

अथ आनुपूर्व्यात् प्रतिपूज्य तम् जनम् | गुरूमः च मन्त्रि प्रकृतीः तथा अनुजौ | व्यसर्जयद् राघव वंश वर्धनः | स्थितः स्व धर्मे हिमवान् इव अचलः || २-११२-३०

Rama, the augmentator of Raghu dynasty, being firm as a Himalayan rock in abiding in his own righteousness, greeted those men, in accord with their rank, the host of his preceptors, ministers, subjects and his brothers and bade farewell to all of them.

तम् मातरो बाष्प गृहीत कण्ठो | दुह्खेन न आमन्त्रयितुम् हि शेकुः | स तु एव मातृऋर् अभिवाद्य सर्वा | रुदन् कुटीम् स्वाम् प्रविवेश रामः || २-११२-३१

His mothers, their voices choked with tears due to sorrow, were unable to bid farewell verbally to Rama. However, Rama himself offered his salutations to all his mothers and entered his hermitage, weeping.