# Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa 84 — Bharadvāja questions Bharata *Bharata leaves his army and weapons behind, denies seeking to eliminate his brothers and is invited to stay before continuing* Portion: Bharadvāja’s welcome and guidance · Verses: 22 · Ref format: 2.84. ## Sequence - Bharata halts the army away from the hermitage, lays aside his weapons, and approaches on foot behind Vasiṣṭha (84.1–3) - Bharadvāja welcomes them with water and fruit (84.4–6) - they exchange inquiries about the Kingdom and hermitage, but the maharṣi, already aware of Daśaratha's death, does not ask after him (84.7–9) - Bharadvāja asks whether Bharata has come to eliminate Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa as rivals (84.10–13) - distressed that even the maharṣi suspects him, Bharata rejects his mother's actions (84.14–16) - he explains that he has come as a petitioner to bring Rāma back and asks where to find him (84.17–18) - Bharadvāja says he already knew Bharata's intention and asked so that his character would become evident → he identifies Citrakūṭa as Rāma's home but invites Bharata to rest before going there the next day (84.19–22). ## Verses **2.84.1** bharadvājāśramaṃ dṛṣṭvā krośād eva nararṣabhaḥ balaṃ sarvam avasthāpya jagāma saha mantribhiḥ Sighting Bharadvāja's hermitage from a krośa away, that bull among men halted his whole army and went forward with his ministers. **2.84.2** padbhyām eva hi dharmajño nyastaśastraparicchadaḥ vasāno vāsasī kṣaume purodhāya purohitam On foot indeed, that knower of dharma, having laid aside his weapons and trappings, wearing a pair of linen garments and placing his family priest before him, **2.84.3** tataḥ saṃdarśane tasya bharadvājasya rāghavaḥ mantriṇas tān avasthāpya jagāmānu purohitam then, within sight of that Bharadvāja, Rāghava left his ministers behind and went on behind the priest. **2.84.4** vasiṣṭham atha dṛṣṭvaiva bharadvājo mahātapāḥ saṃcacālāsanāt tūrṇaṃ śiṣyān arghyam iti bruvan Now Bharadvāja of great austerity, the moment he saw Vasiṣṭha, rose quickly from his seat, telling his disciples, “The guest-offering!” **2.84.5** samāgamya vasiṣṭhena bharatenābhivāditaḥ abudhyata mahātejāḥ sutaṃ daśarathasya tam Having met with Vasiṣṭha and been saluted by Bharata, the greatly effulgent sage recognized him as that son of Daśaratha. **2.84.6** tābhyām arghyaṃ ca pādyaṃ ca dattvā paścāt phalāni ca ānupūrvyāc ca dharmajñaḥ papraccha kuśalaṃ kule Having offered the two of them guest-water and water for the feet, and afterward fruits, that knower of dharma asked in due order after the welfare of the family. **2.84.7** ayodhyāyāṃ bale kośe mitreṣv api ca mantriṣu jānan daśarathaṃ vṛttaṃ na rājānam udāharat He asked about Ayodhyā, the army, the treasury, and about allies and ministers as well; but knowing that Daśaratha had passed away, he did not mention the king. **2.84.8** vasiṣṭho bharataś cainaṃ papracchatur anāmayam śarīre 'gniṣu vṛkṣeṣu śiṣyeṣu mṛgapakṣiṣu Vasiṣṭha and Bharata in turn inquired after his well-being — as to his body, his sacred fires, the trees, the disciples, and the beasts and birds. **2.84.9** tatheti ca pratijñāya bharadvājo mahātapāḥ bharataṃ pratyuvācedaṃ rāghavasnehabandhanāt And Bharadvāja of great austerity, affirming “So it is [well],” answered Bharata as follows, out of the bond of his affection for Rāghava: **2.84.10** kim ihāgamane kāryaṃ tava rājyaṃ praśāsataḥ etad ācakṣva me sarvaṃ na hi me śudhyate manaḥ “What purpose have you in coming here, you who govern the kingdom? Tell me all of this, for my mind is not at ease. **2.84.11** suṣuve yama mitraghnaṃ kausalyānandavardhanam bhrātrā saha sabhāryo yaś ciraṃ pravrājito vanam He whom Kausalyā bore, the slayer of foes, the increaser of Kausalyā's joy — who, together with his brother and his wife, was banished for long to the forest, **2.84.12** niyuktaḥ strīniyuktena pitrā yo 'sau mahāyaśāḥ vanavāsī bhavetīha samāḥ kila caturdaśa that greatly renowned one who was commanded by his father — himself directed by a woman — ‘Be a forest-dweller here for fourteen years’— **2.84.13** kaccin na tasyāpāpasya pāpaṃ kartum ihecchasi akaṇṭakaṃ bhoktumanā rājyaṃ tasyānujasya ca surely you do not wish here to do harm to that sinless one, minded to enjoy, free of all rivals, the kingdom of him and of his younger brother? **2.84.14** evam ukto bharadvājaṃ bharataḥ pratyuvāca ha paryaśru nayano duḥkhād vācā saṃsajjamānayā So addressed, Bharata answered Bharadvāja, his eyes brimming with tears from grief, in a voice that faltered: **2.84.15** hato 'smi yadi mām evaṃ bhagavān api manyate matto na doṣam āśaṅker naivaṃ mām anuśādhi hi “I am undone if even the venerable one thinks thus of me! You need suspect no fault in me — so do not admonish me in this way. **2.84.16** aṃś caitad iṣṭaṃ mātā me yad avocan madantare nāham etena tuṣṭaś ca na tad vacanam ādade Nor is that pleasing to me which my mother spoke on my behalf; I am not satisfied with it, and I do not accept that speech. **2.84.17** ahaṃ tu taṃ naravyāghram upayātaḥ prasādakaḥ pratinetum ayodhyāṃ ca pādau tasyābhivanditum But I have come to that tiger among men as a suppliant, to lead him back to Ayodhyā and to reverence his feet. **2.84.18** tvaṃ mām evaṃ gataṃ matvā prasādaṃ kartum arhasi śaṃsa me bhagavan rāmaḥ kva saṃprati mahīpatiḥ Knowing me to be in this state, you should show me grace; tell me, venerable one — where is Rāma, the lord of the earth, now?” **2.84.19** uvāca taṃ bharadvājaḥ prasādād bharataṃ vacaḥ tvayy etat puruṣavyāghraṃ yuktaṃ rāghavavaṃśaje guruvṛttir damaś caiva sādhūnāṃ cānuyāyitā Bharadvāja graciously spoke these words to Bharata: “This is fitting in you, tiger among men, born in the line of Raghu — dutiful service to elders, self-restraint, and the following of the good. **2.84.20** jāne caitan manaḥsthaṃ te dṛḍhīkaraṇam astv iti apṛcchaṃ tvāṃ tavātyarthaṃ kīrtiṃ samabhivardhayan And I know this that is in your mind; let it be but a confirmation — I questioned you only to make your glory grow the greater. **2.84.21** asau vasati te bhrātā citrakūṭe mahāgirau śvas tu gantāsi taṃ deśaṃ vasādya saha mantribhiḥ etaṃ me kuru suprājña kāmaṃ kāmārthakovida That brother of yours dwells on the great mountain Citrakūṭa; you will go to that place tomorrow — stay here today with your ministers. Grant me this wish, O wise one, skilled in matters of desire and gain.” **2.84.22** tatas tathety evam udāradarśanaḥ pratītarūpo bharato 'bravīd vacaḥ cakāra buddhiṃ ca tadā mahāśrame niśānivāsāya narādhipātmajaḥ Then the noble-looking Bharata, with a pleased face, said “So be it,” and the prince resolved to lodge for the night there in that great hermitage.