Ramacharitha Manas – Sri Tulsidas Maharaj – Ayodhya Kanda – Bharatha and Shathrughna refused to mount on the chariot and begins their journey barefoot

  

Chapter – 181 – Sri Ramacharitha Manas – Ayodhya Kanda– Bharatha and Shathrughna refused to mount on the chariot and begins their journey barefoot

 

Sage Yajjavalkya spoke “Oh! Mune, thus the two brothers Bharatha and Shathrughna set out to woods, along with the preceptors, family, people of Ayodhya, sincere attendants, etc. the two brothers keeping all those people in the forefront, followed them remembering the lotus feet of Lord Rama and Devi Sita. The women and men, children, and elderly members of the city rushed behind them, like the thirsty elephant searching for water in the woods. Bharatha and Shathrughna refused to travel by horse, they walked barefoot remembering the hardships of Rama, Lakshman, and Devi Sita in the woods. Soon, the people accompanied were refused to travel by cart, elephant, horses, etc. and they too walked barefoot watching the devotion and pure love of Bharatha and Shathrughna. Devi Kausalya who was traveling in a beautiful palanquin went close to Bharatha and spoke affectionately, “Oh! Dear son, do not walk barefoot, board on a chariot, and proceed to woods, otherwise, all your near and dear ones will refuse to travel by chariot and cart, they are already shrunken with the grief and sorrow at the separation from Rama. If you walk barefoot, they will follow the same, if so, I am anxious they can’t make it to woods by foot.” Bharatha and Shathrughna reverentially bowed before Devi Kausalya and mounted on their chariots and continued the rest of the journey. On their first day the huge group accompanied by Bharatha and Shathrughna was halted on the riverbank of ‘Thamasa’, and on the second day they have stayed on the riverbank of Gomathi.

 

Saupi Nagara Suchi Sevakani Sadhar  Sakala Chalayi | SumiriRamasiya Charana Thab Chale Bharath Dhoau Bhayi ||

Rama Dharasa Basa Sab Nara Nari | Janu Kari KariniChale Thaki Bari || Bana SiyaRamu Samujjji Manamahi | Sanuja Bharatha Payadhehi Jahi || Dhekhi Sanehu Loga Anurage | Uthari Chale Haya Gaya Ratha Thyage || Jayi Sameepa Rakhi Nija Doli | Rama Mathu  Mridhu Bani Boli ||Thatha Chadahu  Ratha  Bali Mahathari | Hoyihi Priya Parivaru Dhukhari || Thumhare Chalatha  Chalihi Sabu  Logu | Sakala Soka Krisa Nahi Maga Jogu || Sira Dhari Bachana Charana Siru Nayi |Ratha Chadi Chalatha Bhaye Dhoau Bhayi || ThamasaPrathama Dhivasa Kari Basu | Dhoosara Gomathi Theera Nivasu ||