Ayodhya Kaanda
105 - Dialogue between the sage Vasistha, Sri Rama and Bharata
Chaupais
Description
The Ocean of Compassion Sri Rama, saw the people agitated, on the one hand, by the affection they bore towards Himself and on the other, by the mighty trick played by Indra, the lord of celestials. The assembly, King Janaka, the preceptor (the sage Vasistha), the other Brahmanas and the ministers, all had their wits hampered by Bharata's devotion (to Sri Rama). Like figures drawn in a painting they regarded Sri Rama and uttered with diffidence words which they had been taught to repeat as it were. Bharata's affection, courtesy, modesty and nobility were delightful to hear but difficult to describe. Seeing a minute particle of his devotion the host of sages and the King of Mithila were absorbed in love; how, then, can I, Tulasidasa, speak of his glory? It is his devotion and noble sentiments that have inspired sublime thoughts in the poet's mind. When it came to know of its own poverty and the magnitude of Bharata's glory, it shrank into itself out of respect for the barriers imposed by the race of bards. Though greatly enamoured of his virtues it is unable to describe them; the poet's wit finds itself as helpless as an infant's speech.