Having thus addressed Rama, the royal priest Vasishtha again spoke unto
him words fraught with righteousness, saying, "Unto a man born there are
three superiors, viz, the preceptor, O Kakutstha, and father and mother,
O Raghava. O foremost of men, the father begets a person, the preceptor
imparts wisdom and therefore is he called a superior. I, O subduer of
foes, have been the preceptor of both thyself and thy father. By doing
what I say, thou wilt not lose the state of the righteous. These
courtiers of thine--these relatives, and these kings;--by protecting
them virtuously thou wilt not lose the state of the righteous. It doth
not behove thee to disregard the words of thy aged and virtuous mother.
By doing her bidding thou wilt not lose the state of the righteous. O
Raghava, by acting as Bharata, who is soliciting thee, says, thou having
the morality of truth for thy prowess, wilt not be frustrated of the
state of the pious." Thus sweetly addressed by his preceptor personally,
that foremost of men, Raghava, replied unto Vasishtha, seated with him,
saying, "What his father and mother always do in behalf of their son,
and what they effect by way of provision and sleep and clothing and
constant swest speech, and sport, is difficult of being repaid.
Therefore, what my father, king Dacaratha hath commanded me to do, must
not be falsified." Rama having said this, the broad-breasted Bharata,
extremely depressed spoke unto the charioteer who was by, saying, "O
charioteer, do thou speedily spread Kuca on the ground here. I will
remain near the noble one until he be kindly disposed (towards me). Even
as a twice born one deprived of his wealth lieth down (at the door of an
unrighteous person), eschewing food and in darkness, will I lie down in
front of this cottage, until he betakes himself back (to Ayodhya)" Then
with a dispirited heart finding Sumantra looking up to Rama, Bharata
himself spread Kuca and lay down upon it. To him spoke that foremost of
Rajarshis, the highly energetic Rama, "O Bharata, my dear brother, what
have I done that thou hast down by me? It is a Brahmana who alone can
obstruct a person by lying down beside him; but there is no rule by
which a member of the military class[193] can lie down (in this wise). O
best of men, arise, renouncing this difficult vow; and, O descendant of
Raghu, do thou from hence take thyself unto that best of cities,
Ayodhya." Being seated, Bharata, eying the citizens and the inhabitants
of of the provinces, remarked, "What for do ye not solicit the noble
one?" Thereupon the citizens and the dwellers of the provinces answered
that high-souled one, saying, "We perceive that the descendant of Raghu
says unto Kakutstha what is fit; and this exceedingly virtuous one
stayeth by the words of his sire. Therefore we are incapable of suddenly
saying anything." Hearing their speech, Rama said, "Listen to the words
of these friends having morality for their vision. And, O scion of the
Raghu race, hearing their utterances as regards both thyself and me, do
thou decide. Arise, thou mighty-armed one. Touch me and then water."
Thereat arising, Bharata, having touched water, said, "Ye courtiers, and
ye ministers, listen to me! I did not wish for my paternal kingdom; nor
did I sway my mother (towards obtaining the same); nor did I know that
the exceedingly righteous Raghava was to seek the woods. But if he must
dwell here, and thus act out the mandate of our father, I also will
abide in the forest for fourteen years." Astonished at the determination
of Bharata, the righteous Rama eying the citizens and the inhabitants of
the provinces, said, "Neither Bharata nor I can anual any sale or pledge
or purchase effected by our father during his life. Therefore I ought
not to accept any substitute for living in the woods, who can but
contribute to my censure. Kaikeyi hath spoken what is proper; and my
father hath acted well. I know Bharata to be forgiving, and given to
serving superiors. Everything in that high-souled one intent on truth
appeareth beneficial. Having returned from the forest, I will in company
with this brother of virtuous character, become the worthy master of
this earth. The king having been made by Kaikeyi to consent (to her
proposal), I have done as she told me. Do thou by acting in the way
calculated to free that lord of the earth, our father (from the debt of
promise), do so."
[193] _Murdhabhisikta--Murdha_, the head; _Abhisikta_, sprinkled; kings
being consecrated by having poured on their heads, while seated on
a throne, prepared for the purpose, water from some sacred stream,
mixed with honey, clarified butter, and spirituous liquor, as well
as two sorts of grass and sprouts of corn; the term applies to the
_Kshetriya_ as identified with the king, the duties of royalty
belonging specially to the military caste.