Bharata Receives the Sandals

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.112.1)

तम् अप्रतिम तेजोभ्याम् भ्रातृभ्याम् रोम हर्षणम्। विस्मिताः संगमम् प्रेक्ष्य समवेता महर्षयः॥ 112.1 ॥

tam apratima tejobhyām bhrātṛbhyām roma harṣaṇam| vismitāḥ saṃgamam prekṣya samavetā maharṣayaḥ

Witnessing that hair-raising exchange between the two brothers of incomparable splendour, the great sages gathered there were astonished.

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.112.2)

अन्तर् हिताः तु ऋषि गणाः सिद्धाः च परम ऋषयः। तौ भ्रातरौ महात्मानौ काकुत्स्थौ प्रशशंसिरे॥ 112.2 ॥

antar hitāḥ tu ṛṣi gaṇāḥ siddhāḥ ca parama ṛṣayaḥ| tau bhrātarau mahātmānau kākutsthau praśaśaṃsire

The bands of sages, siddhas, and supreme seers who stood unseen in the sky praised those two great-souled Kakutstha brothers.

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.112.3)

स धन्यो यस्य पुत्रौ द्वौ धर्मज्ञौ धर्म विक्रमौ। श्रुत्वा वयम् हि सम्भाषाम् उभयोः स्पृहयामहे॥ 112.3 ॥

sa dhanyo yasya putrau dvau dharmajñau dharma vikramau| śrutvā vayam hi sambhāṣām ubhayoḥ spṛhayāmahe

"Fortunate indeed is he whose two sons know dharma and are mighty through righteousness; hearing this exchange between the two of them, we are truly delighted."

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.112.4)

ततः तु ऋषि गणाः क्षिप्रम् दशग्रीव वध एषिणः। भरतम् राज शार्दूलम् इत्य् ऊचुः संगता वचः॥ 112.4 ॥

tataḥ tu ṛṣi gaṇāḥ kṣipram daśagrīva vadha eṣiṇaḥ| bharatam rāja śārdūlam ity ūcuḥ saṃgatā vacaḥ

Then the bands of sages, eager for the swift slaying of Ravana, quickly gathered and spoke these words to Bharata, tiger among kings.

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.112.5)

कुले जात महा प्राज्ञ महा वृत्त महा यशः। ग्राह्यम् रामस्य वाक्यम् ते पितरम् यद्य् अवेक्षसे॥ 112.5 ॥

kule jāta mahā prājña mahā vṛtta mahā yaśaḥ| grāhyam rāmasya vākyam te pitaram yady avekṣase

"O one of noble birth, great wisdom, great conduct and great renown! If you have regard for your father, Rama's word ought to be accepted.

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.112.6)

सदा अनृणम् इमम् रामम् वयम् इच्छामहे पितुः। अनृणत्वाच् च कैकेय्याः स्वर्गम् दशरथो गतः॥ 112.6 ॥

sadā anṛṇam imam rāmam vayam icchāmahe pituḥ| anṛṇatvāc ca kaikeyyāḥ svargam daśaratho gataḥ

We ever wish this Rama to be free of all debt to his father; and it was by discharging his debt to Kaikeyi that Dasharatha went to heaven."

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.112.7)

एतावद् उक्त्वा वचनम् गन्धर्वाः समहर्षयः। राज ऋषयः चैव तथा सर्वे स्वाम् स्वाम् गतिम् गताः॥ 112.7 ॥

etāvad uktvā vacanam gandharvāḥ samaharṣayaḥ| rāja ṛṣayaḥ caiva tathā sarve svām svām gatim gatāḥ

Having spoken thus, the gandharvas together with the great sages, and likewise the royal seers, all departed each to their own path.

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.112.8)

ह्लादितः तेन वाक्येन शुभेन शुभ दर्शनः। रामः संहृष्ट वदनः तान् ऋषीन् अभ्यपूजयत्॥ 112.8 ॥

hlāditaḥ tena vākyena śubhena śubha darśanaḥ| rāmaḥ saṃhṛṣṭa vadanaḥ tān ṛṣīn abhyapūjayat

Gladdened by those auspicious words, fair-faced Rama, his countenance full of joy, honoured those sages.

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.112.9)

स्रस्त गात्रः तु भरतः स वाचा सज्जमानया। कृत अञ्जलिर् इदम् वाक्यम् राघवम् पुनर् अब्रवीत्॥ 112.9 ॥

srasta gātraḥ tu bharataḥ sa vācā sajjamānayā| kṛta añjalir idam vākyam rāghavam punar abravīt

But Bharata's limbs went slack, and with a faltering voice, joining his palms, he again spoke these words to Raghava.

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.112.10)

राज धर्मम् अनुप्रेक्ष्य कुल धर्म अनुसंततिम्। कर्तुम् अर्हसि काकुत्स्थ मम मातुः च याचनाम्॥ 112.10 ॥

rāja dharmam anuprekṣya kula dharma anusaṃtatim| kartum arhasi kākutstha mama mātuḥ ca yācanām

"Having regard for the duty of kings and for the continuance of the family's dharma, O Kakutstha, you ought to grant the entreaty of my mother and of me.

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.112.11)

रक्षितुम् सुमहद् राज्यम् अहम् एकः तु न उत्सहे। पौर जानपदामः च अपि रक्तान् रञ्जयितुम् तथा॥ 112.11 ॥

rakṣitum sumahad rājyam aham ekaḥ tu na utsahe| paura jānapadāmaḥ ca api raktān rañjayitum tathā

I alone am not equal to guarding this vast kingdom, nor to keeping content the citizens and country-folk who are devoted to you.

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.112.12)

ज्ञातयः च हि योधाः च मित्राणि सुहृदः च नः। त्वाम् एव प्रतिकाङ्क्षन्ते पर्जन्यम् इव कर्षकाः॥ 112.12 ॥

jñātayaḥ ca hi yodhāḥ ca mitrāṇi suhṛdaḥ ca naḥ| tvām eva pratikāṅkṣante parjanyam iva karṣakāḥ

Our kinsmen, our warriors, our friends and well-wishers, all wait eagerly for you, as farmers wait for the rain-cloud.

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.112.13)

इदम् राज्यम् महा प्राज्ञ स्थापय प्रतिपद्य हि। शक्तिमान् असि काकुत्स्थ लोकस्य परिपालने॥ 112.13 ॥

idam rājyam mahā prājña sthāpaya pratipadya hi| śaktimān asi kākutstha lokasya paripālane

O one of great wisdom, take up this kingdom and set it in order; O Kakutstha, you are capable of protecting the world."

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.112.14)

इत्य् उक्त्वा न्यपतद् भ्रातुः पादयोर् भरतः तदा। भृशम् सम्प्रार्थयाम् आस रामम् एवम् प्रियम् वदः॥ 112.14 ॥

ity uktvā nyapatad bhrātuḥ pādayor bharataḥ tadā| bhṛśam samprārthayām āsa rāmam evam priyam vadaḥ

Having spoken thus, the gentle-spoken Bharata, entreating Rama again and again, fell at his brother's feet.

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.112.15)

तम् अङ्के भ्रातरम् कृत्वा रामो वचनम् अब्रवीत्। श्यामम् नलिन पत्र अक्षम् मत्त हंस स्वरः स्वयम्॥ 112.15 ॥

tam aṅke bhrātaram kṛtvā rāmo vacanam abravīt| śyāmam nalina patra akṣam matta haṃsa svaraḥ svayam

Taking that dark-hued brother, with eyes like lotus petals and a voice like a rutting swan's, upon his lap, Rama himself spoke these words.

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.112.16)

आगता त्वाम् इयम् बुद्धिः स्वजा वैनयिकी च या। भृशम् उत्सहसे तात रक्षितुम् पृथिवीम् अपि॥ 112.16 ॥

āgatā tvām iyam buddhiḥ svajā vainayikī ca yā| bhṛśam utsahase tāta rakṣitum pṛthivīm api

"Dear one, by this intelligence of yours, come to you both by nature and by training, you are indeed greatly capable of protecting even the whole earth.

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.112.17)

अमात्यैः च सुहृद्भिः च बुद्धिमद्भिः च मन्त्रिभिः। सर्व कार्याणि सम्मन्त्र्य सुमहान्त्य् अपि कारय॥ 112.17 ॥

amātyaiḥ ca suhṛdbhiḥ ca buddhimadbhiḥ ca mantribhiḥ| sarva kāryāṇi sammantrya sumahānty api kāraya

Take counsel with your ministers, your friends, and your wise counsellors on every matter, and accomplish even the greatest of tasks.

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.112.18)

लक्ष्मीः चन्द्राद् अपेयाद् वा हिमवान् वा हिमम् त्यजेत्। अतीयात् सागरो वेलाम् न प्रतिज्ञाम् अहम् पितुः॥ 112.18 ॥

lakṣmīḥ candrād apeyād vā himavān vā himam tyajet| atīyāt sāgaro velām na pratijñām aham pituḥ

Sooner may radiance depart from the moon, sooner may the Himalaya give up its snow, sooner may the ocean overrun its shore—than I shall depart from my father's word.

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.112.19)

कामाद् वा तात लोभाद् वा मात्रा तुभ्यम् इदम् कृतम्। न तन् मनसि कर्तव्यम् वर्तितव्यम् च मातृवत्॥ 112.19 ॥

kāmād vā tāta lobhād vā mātrā tubhyam idam kṛtam| na tan manasi kartavyam vartitavyam ca mātṛvat

Whether from desire or from attachment, dear one, this was done by our mother for your sake; do not hold it against her in your heart, but conduct yourself toward her as is fitting for a mother."

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.112.20)

एवम् ब्रुवाणम् भरतः कौसल्या सुतम् अब्रवीत्। तेजसा आदित्य संकाशम् प्रतिपच् चन्द्र दर्शनम्॥ 112.20 ॥

evam bruvāṇam bharataḥ kausalyā sutam abravīt| tejasā āditya saṃkāśam pratipac candra darśanam

To Rama, the son of Kausalya, who was speaking thus—resplendent as the sun, fair to see as the crescent moon—Bharata replied.

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.112.21)

अधिरोह आर्य पादाभ्याम् पादुके हेम भूषिते। एते हि सर्व लोकस्य योग क्षेमम् विधास्यतः॥ 112.21 ॥

adhiroha ārya pādābhyām pāduke hema bhūṣite| ete hi sarva lokasya yoga kṣemam vidhāsyataḥ

"O noble one, place your feet upon these gold-adorned sandals; these will secure the welfare and protection of all the people."

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.112.22)

सो अधिरुह्य नर व्याघ्रः पादुके ह्य् अवरुह्य च। प्रायच्छत् सुमहा तेजा भरताय महात्मने॥ 112.22 ॥

so adhiruhya nara vyāghraḥ pāduke hy avaruhya ca| prāyacchat sumahā tejā bharatāya mahātmane

That tiger among men, of very great splendour, placed his feet upon the sandals and then stepped down from them, and gave them to the great-souled Bharata.

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.112.23)

स पादुके सम्प्रणम्य रामं वचनम्ब्रवीत्। चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि जटाचीरधरो ह्यहम्॥ 112.23 ॥

sa pāduke sampraṇamya rāmaṃ vacanambravīt| caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi jaṭācīradharo hyaham

Bowing low to the sandals, he then spoke this word to Rama, "O hero, for fourteen years I shall wear matted locks and bark garments,

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.112.24)

फलमूलाशनो वीर भवेयम् रघुनंदन। तवागमनमाकाङ्क्षन् वसन्वै नगराद्बहिः॥ 112.24 ॥

phalamūlāśano vīra bhaveyam raghunaṃdana| tavāgamanamākāṅkṣan vasanvai nagarādbahiḥ

living on fruits and roots, O joy of the Raghus, dwelling outside the city and awaiting your return,

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.112.25)

तव पादुकयोर्न्यस्तराज्यतन्त्रः परंतप। चतुर्दशे तु सम्पूर्णे वर्षेऽहानि रघूत्तम। न द्रक्ष्यामि यदि त्वां तु प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्॥ 112.25 ॥

tava pādukayornyastarājyatantraḥ paraṃtapa| caturdaśe tu sampūrṇe varṣe'hāni raghūttama| na drakṣyāmi yadi tvāṃ tu pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam

having placed the whole burden of the kingdom upon your sandals, O scorcher of foes. And, O best of the Raghus, if on the day the fourteenth year is fully complete I do not see you, I shall enter the fire."

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.112.26)

तथेति च प्रतिज्ञाय तं परिष्वज्य सादरम्। शत्रुघ्नम् च परिष्वज्य भरतं चेदमब्रवीत्॥ 112.26 ॥

tatheti ca pratijñāya taṃ pariṣvajya sādaram| śatrughnam ca pariṣvajya bharataṃ cedamabravīt

"So be it," Rama promised; and having embraced him affectionately, and Shatrughna too, he then said this to Bharata—

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.112.27)

मातरम् रक्ष कैकेयीम् मा रोषम् कुरु तां प्रति। मया च सीतया चैव शप्तोऽसि रघुसत्तम॥ 112.27 ॥

mātaram rakṣa kaikeyīm mā roṣam kuru tāṃ prati| mayā ca sītayā caiva śapto'si raghusattama

"Protect our mother Kaikeyi; harbour no anger toward her—for by me and by Sita too you are bound by this charge, O best of the Raghus."

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.112.28)

इत्युक्त्वाश्रुपरीताक्षो भ्रातरं विससर्ज ह॥ 112.28 ॥

ityuktvāśruparītākṣo bhrātaraṃ visasarja ha

Having said this, his eyes brimming with tears, Rama sent his brother forth.

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.112.29)

स पादुके ते भरतः प्रतापवान्। स्वलंकृते सम्परिगृह्य धर्मवित्। प्रदक्षिणम् चैव चकार राघवम्। चकार चैव उत्तम नाग मूर्धनि॥ 112.29 ॥

sa pāduke te bharataḥ pratāpavān| svalaṃkṛte samparigṛhya dharmavit| pradakṣiṇam caiva cakāra rāghavam| cakāra caiva uttama nāga mūrdhani

The valiant, dharma-knowing Bharata, taking up those well-adorned sandals, circumambulated Raghava, and had them placed upon the head of a splendid elephant.

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.112.30)

अथ आनुपूर्व्यात् प्रतिपूज्य तम् जनम्। गुरूमः च मन्त्रि प्रकृतीः तथा अनुजौ। व्यसर्जयद् राघव वंश वर्धनः। स्थितः स्व धर्मे हिमवान् इव अचलः॥ 112.30 ॥

atha ānupūrvyāt pratipūjya tam janam| gurūmaḥ ca mantri prakṛtīḥ tathā anujau| vyasarjayad rāghava vaṃśa vardhanaḥ| sthitaḥ sva dharme himavān iva acalaḥ

Then, having duly honoured those men in order—his preceptors, ministers, subjects, and younger brothers—Rama, increaser of the Raghu line, standing as firm in his own duty as an unmoving Himalaya, took leave of them all.

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.112.31)

तम् मातरो बाष्प गृहीत कण्ठो। दुःखेन न आमन्त्रयितुम् हि शेकुः। स तु एव मातॄर् अभिवाद्य सर्वा। रुदन् कुटीम् स्वाम् प्रविवेश रामः॥ 112.31 ॥

tam mātaro bāṣpa gṛhīta kaṇṭho| duḥkhena na āmantrayitum hi śekuḥ| sa tu eva mātṝr abhivādya sarvā| rudan kuṭīm svām praviveśa rāmaḥ

His mothers, their throats seized by tears, could not for grief even bid him farewell; but Rama himself, offering salutation to all his mothers, entered his own hut, weeping.