But the people would not listen to him, and went in crowds after him shouting
wildly: "Do not go to the forest, do not go to the forest!" Raama stopped the
chariot and addressed them with his eyes full of love for them: "Citizens of Ayodhya,
I know the love you bear for me. You will show it best by transferring it on my behalf,
and at my behest, to my beloved brother Bharata. Nothing else will please me more. Bharata
is good and noble, has all royal qualities and is fully worthy of love. So conduct
yourselves as to please him. Young in years, he is old in wisdom and his heart is at once
heroic and tender. He has the strength to protect you. He is your king, and you owe him
loyalty and affection.
"I am going to the forest to fulfil my
father word and the King has appointed Bharata as Yuvaraja. He is in every way fitted for
that position. You and I alike should obey the King's commands. You should go back and try
to mitigate the sorrow of my father at parting from me." |
