Ayodhya Kaanda
103 - Dialogue between king Janaka and his wife; Bharata's glory
Chaupais
Description
"The greatness of Bharata, O fair lady, baffles all who attempt to describe it, even as a fish cannot glide on dry land. Listen, O beloved queen: Bharata's inestimable glory is known to Sri Rama alone; but he too cannot describe it." Having thus lovingly described Bharata's glory the king, who knew his queen's mind, continued, "If Laksmana returns to Ayodhya and Bharata accompanies Sri Rama to the woods, it will be well for all and that is what everyone wants. But the mutual affection and confidence, O good lady, of Bharata and Sri Rama (the chief of Raghus) are beyond one's conception. Even though Sri Rama is the highest example of even-mindedness, Bharata is the perfection of love and attachment. Bharata has never bestowed any thought on his spiritual or worldly interests or personal comforts. Devotion to Sri Rama's feet is at once the means and the end; to my mind this appears to sum up Bharata's creed.