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Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 76: Bharata’s declaration to the assembly

Summary. He rejects the throne offered by Vasiṣṭha, declares Rāma the rightful ruler and orders Sumantra to prepare the expedition

Sequence

  1. Vasiṣṭha addresses the assembled court (2.76.1–3)
  2. he tells Bharata that Daśaratha assigned him the Kingdom and that Rāma has honored the command, so he should now accept abhiṣeka (2.76.4–7)
  3. Bharata refuses to take the position of his virtuous elder brother, saying that both he and the Kingdom belong to Rāma (2.76.8–11)
  4. he publicly rejects his mother's scheme and identifies Rāma alone as the rightful ruler (2.76.12–15)
  5. he vows to use every means to bring Rāma back, even force in the presence of the elders; if he cannot turn him back, he will remain in the forest too (2.76.16–18)
  6. he orders Sumantra to organize the march (2.76.19–21)
  7. commanders assemble their forces, households prepare for departure, and the chariots and other transport are brought together. (2.76.22–30)

Verses 2.76.1–30

2.76.1

tām āryagaṇasaṃpūrṇāṃ bharataḥ pragrahāṃ sabhām
dadarśa buddhisaṃpannaḥ pūrṇacandrāṃ niśām iva

Bharata, endowed with wisdom, gazed upon that eminent assembly-hall filled with the host of noble men, like a night graced by the full moon.

Words: tām — that; āryagaṇasaṃpūrṇāṃ — filled with the host of noble ones; bharataḥ — Bharata; pragrahāṃ — eminent, held foremost; sabhām — the assembly-hall; dadarśa — gazed upon, saw; buddhisaṃpannaḥ — endowed with wisdom; pūrṇacandrāṃ — having a full moon; niśām iva — like a night

2.76.2

āsanāni yathānyāyam āryāṇāṃ viśatāṃ tadā
adṛśyata ghanāpāye pūrṇacandreva śarvarī

As the noble ones entered and took their seats in due order, the hall then appeared like the night lit by the full moon when the clouds have passed.

Words: āsanāni — the seats; yathānyāyam — in due order; āryāṇāṃ — of the noble ones; viśatāṃ — entering; tadā — then; adṛśyata — appeared, was seen; ghanāpāye — at the passing of the clouds; pūrṇacandreva — as with the full moon; śarvarī — the night

2.76.3

rājñas tu prakṛtīḥ sarvāḥ samagrāḥ prekṣya dharmavit
idaṃ purohito vākyaṃ bharataṃ mṛdu cābravīt

Seeing all the king's subjects fully assembled, the family priest, knower of dharma, gently spoke these words to Bharata:

Words: rājñas — of the king; tu — and; prakṛtīḥ sarvāḥ — all the subjects; samagrāḥ — fully assembled, complete; prekṣya — having seen; dharmavit — the knower of dharma; idaṃ — this; purohito — the family priest; vākyaṃ — speech; bharataṃ — to Bharata; mṛdu — gently, softly; cābravīt — and spoke

2.76.4

tāta rājā daśarathaḥ svargato dharmam ācaran
dhana dhānyavatīṃ sphītāṃ pradāya pṛthivīṃ tava

My child, King Daśaratha, practising dharma, has gone to heaven, having bestowed upon you this prosperous earth rich in wealth and grain.

Words: tāta — my child, dear one; rājā — King; daśarathaḥ — Daśaratha; svargato — gone to heaven; dharmam — dharma; ācaran — practising, observing; dhana dhānyavatīṃ — rich in wealth and grain; sphītāṃ — prosperous, flourishing; pradāya — having bestowed; pṛthivīṃ — the earth; tava — to you

2.76.5

rāmas tathā satyadhṛtiḥ satāṃ dharmam anusmaran
nājahāt pitur ādeśaṃ śaśī jyotsnām ivoditaḥ

Likewise Rāma, firm in truth, mindful of the dharma of the good, did not forsake his father's command, as the risen moon does not forsake its light.

Words: rāmas — Rāma; tathā — likewise; satyadhṛtiḥ — firm in truth; satāṃ — of the good; dharmam — the dharma; anusmaran — mindful of, recalling; nājahāt — did not forsake; pitur — of his father; ādeśaṃ — the command; śaśī — the moon; jyotsnām — the moonlight; ivoditaḥ — as when risen

2.76.6

pitrā bhrātrā ca te dattaṃ rājyaṃ nihatakaṇṭakam
tad bhuṅkṣva muditāmātyaḥ kṣipram evābhiṣecaya

The kingdom, its thorns removed, has been given to you by your father and your brother; enjoy it, your ministers rejoicing, and be consecrated at once.

Words: pitrā — by (your) father; bhrātrā ca — and by (your) brother; te — to you; dattaṃ — given; rājyaṃ — the kingdom; nihatakaṇṭakam — with its thorns removed; tad — it; bhuṅkṣva — enjoy; muditāmātyaḥ — with your ministers rejoicing; kṣipram — quickly; evābhiṣecaya — indeed have (yourself) consecrated

2.76.7

udīcyāś ca pratīcyāś ca dākṣiṇātyāś ca kevalāḥ
koṭyāparāntāḥ sāmudrā ratnāny abhiharantu te

Let the northern, western, and southern peoples entire, those of the far coasts, and the sea-dwellers bring you their treasures.

Words: udīcyāś ca — and the northern peoples; pratīcyāś ca — and the western; dākṣiṇātyāś ca — and the southern; kevalāḥ — entire, all; koṭyāparāntāḥ — those of the far western coasts; sāmudrā — the sea-dwellers; ratnāny — treasures, jewels; abhiharantu — let them bring; te — to you

2.76.8

tac chrutvā bharato vākyaṃ śokenābhipariplutaḥ
jagāma manasā rāmaṃ dharmajño dharmakāṅkṣayā

Hearing that speech, Bharata, overwhelmed with grief — that knower of dharma — went in his mind to Rāma, out of longing for righteousness.

Words: tac chrutvā — having heard that; bharato — Bharata; vākyaṃ — speech; śokenābhipariplutaḥ — overwhelmed by grief; jagāma — went; manasā — in his mind; rāmaṃ — to Rāma; dharmajño — the knower of dharma; dharmakāṅkṣayā — out of longing for righteousness

2.76.9

sa bāṣpakalayā vācā kalahaṃsasvaro yuvā
vilalāpa sabhāmadhye jagarhe ca purohitam

He, the young man whose voice was like a wild goose's, lamented in the midst of the assembly in a voice faltering with tears, and reproached the family priest:

Words: sa — he; bāṣpakalayā — tear-choked, faltering with tears; vācā — with (his) voice; kalahaṃsasvaro — whose voice is like a wild goose's; yuvā — the young man; vilalāpa — lamented; sabhāmadhye — in the midst of the assembly; jagarhe — reproached, censured; ca — and; purohitam — the family priest

2.76.10

caritabrahmacaryasya vidyā snātasya dhīmataḥ
dharme prayatamānasya ko rājyaṃ madvidho haret

Who, being of my kind, would seize the kingdom from a man who has fulfilled his vow of studentship, is graduate in learning, wise, and striving in dharma?

Words: caritabrahmacaryasya — of one who has fulfilled the vow of studentship; vidyā snātasya — of one bathed (graduated) in learning; dhīmataḥ — of the wise one; dharme — in dharma; prayatamānasya — of one striving; ko — who; rājyaṃ — the kingdom; madvidho — one like me; haret — would seize, take away

2.76.11

kathaṃ daśarathāj jāto bhaved rājyāpahārakaḥ
rājyaṃ cāhaṃ ca rāmasya dharmaṃ vaktum ihārhasi

How could one born of Daśaratha become a usurper of the kingdom? Both the kingdom and I belong to Rāma; you ought here to declare what is right.

Words: kathaṃ — how; daśarathāj — of Daśaratha; jāto — born; bhaved — could become; rājyāpahārakaḥ — a usurper of the kingdom; rājyaṃ — the kingdom; cāhaṃ — and I; ca — and; rāmasya — of Rāma, Rāma's; dharmaṃ — the right, dharma; vaktum — to declare; ihārhasi — you ought here

2.76.12

jyeṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhaś ca dharmātmā dilīpanahuṣopamaḥ
labdhum arhati kākutstho rājyaṃ daśaratho yathā

The Kākutstha (Rāma) — eldest and best, righteous of soul, the peer of Dilīpa and Nahuṣa — deserves to obtain the kingdom, just as Daśaratha did.

Words: jyeṣṭhaḥ — the eldest; śreṣṭhaś ca — and the best; dharmātmā — righteous of soul; dilīpanahuṣopamaḥ — the peer of Dilīpa and Nahuṣa; labdhum — to obtain; arhati — deserves; kākutstho — the Kākutstha (Rāma); rājyaṃ — the kingdom; daśaratho yathā — just as Daśaratha

2.76.13

anāryajuṣṭam asvargyaṃ kuryāṃ pāpam ahaṃ yadi
ikṣvākūṇām ahaṃ loke bhaveyaṃ kulapāṃsanaḥ

If I were to commit this sin — resorted to only by the ignoble and barring one from heaven — I would become in the world a disgrace to the Ikṣvākus.

Words: anāryajuṣṭam — resorted to by the ignoble; asvargyaṃ — not conducive to heaven; kuryāṃ — I were to do; pāpam — the sin; ahaṃ — I; yadi — if; ikṣvākūṇām — of the Ikṣvākus; ahaṃ — I; loke — in the world; bhaveyaṃ — would become; kulapāṃsanaḥ — a disgrace to the family

2.76.14

yad dhi mātrā kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ nāhaṃ tad abhirocaye
ihastho vanadurgasthaṃ namasyāmi kṛtāñjaliḥ

For the sin my mother has done, I do not approve of it; standing here, with palms joined I salute him who dwells in the forest wilderness.

Words: yad — which; dhi — for; mātrā — by (my) mother; kṛtaṃ — done; pāpaṃ — the sin; nāhaṃ — I do not; tad — that; abhirocaye — approve of, delight in; ihastho — standing here; vanadurgasthaṃ — him who dwells in the forest fastness; namasyāmi — I salute, bow to; kṛtāñjaliḥ — with palms joined

2.76.15

rāmam evānugacchāmi sa rājā dvipadāṃ varaḥ
trayāṇām api lokānāṃ rāghavo rājyam arhati

It is Rāma alone whom I will follow; he is the king, the best of men; Rāghava deserves the kingship even of the three worlds.

Words: rāmam — Rāma; evānugacchāmi — alone I follow; sa — he; rājā — (is) the king; dvipadāṃ — of men (bipeds); varaḥ — the best; trayāṇām api — even of the three; lokānāṃ — of the worlds; rāghavo — Rāghava; rājyam — the kingship; arhati — deserves

2.76.16

tad vākyaṃ dharmasaṃyuktaṃ śrutvā sarve sabhāsadaḥ
harṣān mumucur aśrūṇi rāme nihitacetasaḥ

Hearing that righteous speech, all the members of the assembly, their hearts set on Rāma, shed tears of joy.

Words: tad — that; vākyaṃ — speech; dharmasaṃyuktaṃ — joined with dharma, righteous; śrutvā — having heard; sarve — all; sabhāsadaḥ — the members of the assembly; harṣān — from joy; mumucur — shed, let flow; aśrūṇi — tears; rāme — on Rāma; nihitacetasaḥ — their minds fixed

2.76.17

yadi tv āryaṃ na śakṣyāmi vinivartayituṃ vanāt
vane tatraiva vatsyāmi yathāryo lakṣmaṇas tathā

But if I cannot turn the noble one back from the forest, then I too will dwell there in that very forest, just as the noble Lakṣmaṇa does.

Words: yadi — if; tv — but; āryaṃ — the noble one (Rāma); na śakṣyāmi — I shall be unable; vinivartayituṃ — to turn back; vanāt — from the forest; vane — in the forest; tatraiva — in that very place; vatsyāmi — I will dwell; yathāryo — just as the noble one; lakṣmaṇas — Lakṣmaṇa; tathā — so

2.76.18

sarvopāyaṃ tu vartiṣye vinivartayituṃ balāt
samakṣam ārya miśrāṇāṃ sādhūnāṃ guṇavartinām

By every means I will strive to bring him back, even by force, in the presence of the venerable, good men who live by virtue.

Words: sarvopāyaṃ — by every means; tu — indeed; vartiṣye — I will act, strive; vinivartayituṃ — to turn (him) back; balāt — by force; samakṣam — in the presence of, before the eyes of; ārya miśrāṇāṃ — of the venerable ones; sādhūnāṃ — of the good; guṇavartinām — living by virtue

2.76.19

evam uktvā tu dharmātmā bharato bhrātṛvatsalaḥ
samīpastham uvācedaṃ sumantraṃ mantrakovidam

Having spoken thus, the righteous Bharata, fond of his brother, said this to Sumantra, skilled in counsel, who stood nearby:

Words: evam uktvā — having spoken thus; tu — and; dharmātmā — the righteous one; bharato — Bharata; bhrātṛvatsalaḥ — fond of his brother; samīpastham — standing near; uvācedaṃ — said this; sumantraṃ — to Sumantra; mantrakovidam — skilled in counsel

2.76.20

tūrṇam utthāya gaccha tvaṃ sumantra mama śāsanāt
yātrām ājñāpaya kṣipraṃ balaṃ caiva samānaya

Rise quickly and go, Sumantra, at my command; order the march at once and muster the army.

Words: tūrṇam — quickly; utthāya — having risen; gaccha — go; tvaṃ — you; sumantra — O Sumantra; mama śāsanāt — at my command; yātrām — the march, expedition; ājñāpaya — order, command; kṣipraṃ — quickly; balaṃ caiva — and the army; samānaya — muster, bring together

2.76.21

evam uktaḥ sumantras tu bharatena mahātmanā
prahṛṣṭaḥ so 'diśat sarvaṃ yathā saṃdiṣṭam iṣṭavat

Thus addressed by the great-souled Bharata, Sumantra, delighted, ordered everything exactly as instructed, and gladly.

Words: evam uktaḥ — thus addressed; sumantras — Sumantra; tu — and; bharatena — by Bharata; mahātmanā — the great-souled; prahṛṣṭaḥ — delighted; so — he; 'diśat — directed, ordered; sarvaṃ — everything; yathā saṃdiṣṭam — as instructed; iṣṭavat — gladly, as desired

2.76.22

tāḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ prakṛtayo balādhyakṣā balasya ca
śrutvā yātrāṃ samājñaptāṃ rāghavasya nivartane

Those subjects, and the commanders of the army, were delighted on hearing that a march had been ordered for the return of Rāghava.

Words: tāḥ — those; prahṛṣṭāḥ — delighted; prakṛtayo — the subjects; balādhyakṣā — the commanders of the army; balasya ca — and of the army; śrutvā — having heard; yātrāṃ — the march; samājñaptāṃ — ordered, commanded; rāghavasya — of Rāghava; nivartane — for the bringing-back

2.76.23

tato yodhāṅganāḥ sarvā bhartṝn sarvān gṛhegṛhe
yātrā gamanam ājñāya tvarayanti sma harṣitāḥ

Then all the warriors' wives, in house after house, learning of the departure for the march, joyfully urged on all their husbands.

Words: tato — then; yodhāṅganāḥ sarvā — all the warriors' wives; bhartṝn sarvān — all their husbands; gṛhegṛhe — in house after house; yātrā gamanam — the setting-out on the march; ājñāya — having learned, come to know; tvarayanti sma — urged on, hastened; harṣitāḥ — delighted

2.76.24

te hayair gorathaiḥ śīghraiḥ syandanaiś ca manojavaiḥ
saha yodhair balādhyakṣā balaṃ sarvam acodayan

The army-commanders, together with the warriors, set the whole army in motion with horses, swift ox-carts, and chariots swift as thought.

Words: te — they; hayair — with horses; gorathaiḥ — with ox-carts; śīghraiḥ — swift; syandanaiś ca — and with chariots; manojavaiḥ — swift as thought; saha yodhair — together with the warriors; balādhyakṣā — the army-commanders; balaṃ sarvam — the whole army; acodayan — set in motion, urged on

2.76.25

sajjaṃ tu tad balaṃ dṛṣṭvā bharato gurusaṃnidhau
rathaṃ me tvarayasveti sumantraṃ pārśvato 'bravīt

Seeing that army made ready, Bharata, in the presence of his elder, said to Sumantra at his side, 'Make ready my chariot with speed.'

Words: sajjaṃ — ready, equipped; tu — and; tad balaṃ — that army; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; bharato — Bharata; gurusaṃnidhau — in the presence of his elder; rathaṃ — the chariot; me — my; tvarayasveti — 'make ready quickly,' thus; sumantraṃ — to Sumantra; pārśvato — at his side; 'bravīt — said

2.76.26

bharatasya tu tasyājñāṃ pratigṛhya praharṣitaḥ
rathaṃ gṛhītvā prayayau yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ

Receiving that command of Bharata's, Sumantra, delighted, took the chariot yoked with excellent horses and drove up.

Words: bharatasya — of Bharata; tu — and; tasyājñāṃ — that command; pratigṛhya — having received; praharṣitaḥ — delighted; rathaṃ — the chariot; gṛhītvā — having taken; prayayau — set out, drove up; yuktaṃ — yoked; paramavājibhiḥ — with excellent horses

2.76.27

sa rāghavaḥ satyadhṛtiḥ pratāpavān bruvan suyuktaṃ dṛḍhasatyavikramaḥ
guruṃ mahāraṇyagataṃ yaśasvinaṃ prasādayiṣyan bharato 'bravīt tadā

Then Bharata — that Rāghava, firm in truth, majestic, of steadfast truth and prowess — speaking what was fitting and wishing to win over his illustrious elder who had gone to the great forest, said:

Words: sa — he; rāghavaḥ — the Rāghava; satyadhṛtiḥ — firm in truth; pratāpavān — majestic, valorous; bruvan — speaking; suyuktaṃ — what is fitting, apt; dṛḍhasatyavikramaḥ — of steadfast truth and prowess; guruṃ — the elder (Rāma); mahāraṇyagataṃ — gone to the great forest; yaśasvinaṃ — the illustrious; prasādayiṣyan — wishing to win over, propitiate; bharato — Bharata; 'bravīt — said; tadā — then

2.76.28

tūṇa samutthāya sumantra gaccha balasya yogāya balapradhānān
ānetum icchāmi hi taṃ vanasthaṃ prasādya rāmaṃ jagato hitāya

'Rise quickly, Sumantra, and go; for the equipping of the army summon its chief officers. For I wish to bring back him who dwells in the forest — to win over Rāma, for the good of the world.'

Words: tūṇa — quickly; samutthāya — having risen up; sumantra — O Sumantra; gaccha — go; balasya — of the army; yogāya — for the equipping, mustering; balapradhānān — the chief officers of the army; ānetum — to bring back; icchāmi — I wish; hi — for; taṃ — him; vanasthaṃ — who dwells in the forest; prasādya — having won over, propitiated; rāmaṃ — Rāma; jagato — of the world; hitāya — for the good, welfare

2.76.29

sa sūtaputro bharatena samyag ājñāpitaḥ saṃparipūrṇakāmaḥ
śaśāsa sarvān prakṛtipradhānān balasya mukhyāṃś ca suhṛjjanaṃ ca

That son of the charioteer, duly commanded by Bharata, his wishes wholly fulfilled, gave orders to all the chief ministers, to the leaders of the army, and to the company of friends.

Words: sa — he; sūtaputro — the charioteer's son (Sumantra); bharatena — by Bharata; samyag — duly, rightly; ājñāpitaḥ — commanded; saṃparipūrṇakāmaḥ — his wishes wholly fulfilled; śaśāsa — gave orders to, instructed; sarvān — all; prakṛtipradhānān — the chief ministers; balasya mukhyāṃś ca — and the leaders of the army; suhṛjjanaṃ ca — and the company of friends

2.76.30

tataḥ samutthāya kule kule te rājanyavaiśyā vṛṣalāś ca viprāḥ
ayūyujann uṣṭrarathān kharāṃś ca nāgān hayāṃś caiva kulaprasūtān

Then, rising up in family after family, kshatriyas, vaishyas, shudras, and brahmins yoked camel-carts and donkeys, and elephants and horses of good breed.

Words: tataḥ — then; samutthāya — having risen up; kule kule — in family after family; te — they; rājanyavaiśyā — kshatriyas and vaishyas; vṛṣalāś ca — and shudras; viprāḥ — and the brahmins; ayūyujann — yoked; uṣṭrarathān — camel-carts; kharāṃś ca — and donkeys; nāgān — elephants; hayāṃś caiva — and horses; kulaprasūtān — of good breed, well-bred

← 2.75 Bharata refuses royal honours · Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa · 2.77 Bharata’s march to the Gaṅgā →

Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.

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