Rāmāyana | Ayodhyā Kaṇḍa | Chapter 88

88. Bhārata is Upset

[Guha shows Bhārata the bed on which Rāma and Sītā slept. Bhārata is greatly upset. He decided to wear matted hair and cloths of Bark and live in forest while Rāma is crowned in Ayodhyā.]

Having listened to all those words, Bhārata along with his expert ministers, went to the foot of Ingudi tree and gazed at the bed of Darbha there and addressing his mothers he told, "That great Rāma slept here on the ground at this spot and you may see the crushed bed here." 88.1-88.2

"That very fortunate and intelligent son of Daśaratha born in a very great clan does not deserve to sleep on this naked earth." 88.3

"How could that tiger among men who is used to sleep on deer skin spread over several excellent bed spreads, sleep on this naked ground." 88.4

"That destroyer of enemies Rāma used to reside in seven storied palaces and great mansions with floors paved with gold, over which carpets used to be spread. These rooms used to have bouquets of flowers of varied colours and the paste of the perfumed sandal and Aguru used to be applied there."

"The roofs of these palaces looked like white clouds and they echoed with the sweet sound of several parrots. These palaces used to be cool and were scented with many perfumes. They were all equal to Meru Mountain with their gold plated walls. He used to be woken up by playing of musical instruments, playing of drums and tinkling sound of ornaments. Many poets, flatterers and genealogists used to sing appropriate verses extolling his virtue at the proper time and used to salute him." 88.5-88.9

"This happening cannot be believed and it does not appear to be truth to me and my mind is scared as it looks like a bad dream to me." 88.10

"Surely the divine will is much more powerful, because Rāma the son of Daśaratha had to sleep on the floor." 88.11

"Sītā who is the daughter of king of Videha, who has a comely appearance and who was the daughter in law of king Daśaratha also had to sleep on the floor." 88.12

"This bed of my brother has been tossed about and this grasses spread on hard earth has been crushed by his limbs." 88.13

"Here and there I see some particles of Gold had been attached to it and possibly Sītā must have slept on them wearing all her ornaments." 88.14

"It is evident that the upper garment of Sītā has been stuck here, for here and there silk threads are shining on it." 88.15

"I think this bed of her husband must have been comfortable for her, who is young lady who is delicate, chaste and observing penance and she never felt any suffering." 88.16

"Alas, it is unfortunate that due to a cruel person like me, Rāma with his wife was made like orphans and had to sleep on such a bed." 88.17

"How can Rāma, born in the family of emperors, revered by all the world, one who is darling of all the world, one who is the colour of blue lotus, one who had red eyes, one who has pleasant looks, one who enjoyed pleasures and one who never merited sorrow, had to leave the matchless comforts of his kingdom, and sleep on this hard floor." 88.18-88.19

"The great Lakṣmaṇa who has auspicious virtues who accompanied his brother at the time of adversity and followed him is blessed." 88.20

"By accompanying her husband to the forest Vaidehī has accomplished her objective, for without any doubt, being away from Rāma all of us are debased ones." 88.21

"With Daśaratha having gone to heaven, and Rāma having depended on the forest, to me the country appears to be without a helmsman." 88.22

"No one should desire to have this kingdom, because, even though Rāma is in the forest, the country is protected by his mighty arms." 88.23

"The capital city of Ayodhyā, without guards to protect it from ramparts, With elephants and horses let loose, with city gates kept open and thus unobstructed, unprotected and with unhappy and demoralized army would be even shunned by the enemies like food mixed with poison." 88.24-88.25

"From today I will always have matted hair and wear cloths made of bark, eat only fruits and roots and sleep on the bare floor." 88.26

"I would cheerfully live for the rest of the period in the forest, taking the vow of Rāma on myself, so that the vow is not made untrue." 88.27

"When I live in the forest instead of my brother, Śatrughna would live me and the great Rāma along with Lakṣmaṇa will protect the kingdom." 88.28

"The great Brahmins will hold the coronation of Rāma in Ayodhyā and would the gods fulfil this wish of my mind." 88.29

"I would personally bowing my head to him would request for his grace and if it is not granted, I would live with him in the forest for a long time, so that he would not be able to ignore me." 88.30

This is the end of Eighty Eighth Sarga of Ayodhyā Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.