The Oracle of Rama's Command (Unknown) - Page 17

He is the Master; serving Him is very easy. Remembering that Lord Rama, serve the supreme Master. We shall call this omen auspicious (especially for matters regarding employment and service). || 4 ||

Sita is the limit of virtue, character, and beauty, and a mine of all blessings.

Remembering her, for the sake of a woman's duty pativrata-dharma: the traditional duty of a wife's devotion to her husband, consider this omen a great blessing.

The venerable Janaki A name for Sita, daughter of King Janaka is the pinnacle of merit, modesty, and beauty, and the source of all auspiciousness; meditate upon her. Knowing this omen to be fortunate, we declare it favorable for the conduct of women's devotion. || 5 ||

Bringing the beautiful form of Lakshmana into your heart, holding his bow and arrow,

perform your work; all omens are auspicious, bringing joy, fortune, and well-being.

Perform your task while holding in your heart the lovely image of Lakshmana Rama's loyal younger brother armed with his bow and arrow. The omen is favorable. There will be joy, auspiciousness, and welfare in every way. || 6 ||

My love, faith, and reliance on the Name of Rama are even greater than on Rama himself.

Tulsidas says, by remembering that Name, every omen becomes a treasury of great fortune.

Tulsidas says that his love, conviction, and trust are placed more in the Name of Rama than in Rama himself. By remembering that (the Name), the omen becomes a storehouse of all auspiciousness. || 7 ||

Septet—5

By the Guru's command, Bharata returned; seeing the men and women of the city,

he and his younger brother are grieved by the wicked Fate, shedding tears from their eyes.

By the command of the Guru (Vashistha), Bharata returned (from his maternal uncle's home). Seeing the condition of the men and women of Ayodhya, he and his younger

brother (Shatrughna) think, "Providence is a doer of very base deeds," and they shed tears from their eyes. || 1 || (The result of the inquiry is inauspicious.)

The King's death, the Lord's departure to the forest, Ayodhya is orphaned in every way.

Weeping and realizing it was the work of the wicked mother, he wrings his hands and beats his head.

The death of King Dasharatha, Lord Rama's exile to the forest, and Ayodhya being left orphaned in every respect—understanding all this to be the doing of his evil-hearted mother (Kaikeyi), he wrings his hands and beats his head in grief. || 2 || (The result of the inquiry is wretched/poor.)

Having performed the father's rites as prescribed by the Vedas, taking all the people along,

Bharata set out for Chitrakoot, distressed by the separation from Rama.

After performing the funeral rites for his father according to Vedic rituals, Bharata took all the people with him and, distressed by the separation from Rama, set out for Chitrakoot. || 3 || (The result of the inquiry is inauspicious.)

Great joy in the heart at the sight of Rama, yet sorrow over the King's death.

The entire community is anxious, hearing the dialogue between Rama and Bharata.

There is great joy in everyone's heart at the prospect of seeing Rama, but simultaneously there is the sorrow of King Dasharatha's death. Now, hearing the conversation between Rama and Bharata, the entire society has begun to worry. || 4 || (The result of the inquiry indicates failure and sorrow.)

Hearing the teachings, receiving the blessing and the wooden sandals, bowing his head at the feet,

Bharata left for Ayodhya consumed by grief, with all the distressed people following.

Having heard the Lord's instructions, received his blessings and his wooden sandals paduka: the sandals Rama gave to Bharata to rule in his stead as a symbol of his authority, and bowing his head at his feet, Bharata departed for Ayodhya with a heavy heart; everyone with him is overwhelmed with grief. || 5 || (The result of the inquiry is inauspicious.)