Bharata Readies Horses Swift as Fire
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 295
Doha 298 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Dasharatha calls Bharata and orders horses, elephants, and chariots prepared for Raghuvira's wedding procession. Bharata and Shatrughna thrill at the command, and attendants rush outward beneath the younger prince's instructions.
Fine saddles and trappings are fitted to magnificent horses of many colours and breeds. Spirited hooves seem like fire stepping upon earth, and the steeds challenge the wind as though longing to fly.
Young princes of Bharata's age mount them, handsome and ornamented, carrying bows, arrows, and heavy quivers. The procession is not yet moving, but speed, youth, martial grace, and brotherly longing already gather beyond the palace gates, all pointed toward Mithila.
Under Bharata's command, the fire-footed horses turn every restless movement toward Ram.
Read the passage from the Manas
AI-created devotional illustration · Chaupai 295
Full eight couplets PDF283284; selected source4 one saddled horse among varied horses prepared for procession.
Source reference and artistic choices
Gita Press code81 undated · PDF pages 283, 284 · printed pages 281, 282. Reader passage: bala-kanda-chaupai-295. Printed numbering may differ.
Source facts
- King summons Bharata commands preparing horses elephants chariots quickly for Rama wedding procession; both brothers thrilled.
- Bharata calls stable superintendents, orders; they rush joyfully.
- Beautiful saddles fitted to fine horses of varied colors.
- Lively horses step as if on burning iron, simile not actual fiery ground.
- Breeds beyond description; horses scorn wind seem eager to fly, not wind carries horses.
- Young princes of Bharata age ride, not source valor comparison.
- Riders beautiful adorned, hands arrows/bows and heavy hip quivers.
Artistic choices
- ONE creamwarmwhite horse BLACKmane BLACKtail blackfetlocks headLEFT, one connectedhead twoears, one visibleprofileeye, FOUR separatedjointedlegs FOUR distinctgoldbrownhooves ONEblacktailRIGHT alluncropped. Redgold quilt saddlecloth one goldbrown saddle ornatebridle cinch/stirrup artistgear. Zeropeople onhorse/inforeground; sourcepeople offcrop. Same sourceAyodhya horse chosenfirstartistappearance not historical namedPratapbhanu horse or flight/hotiron/motion certified. E03 clearblacklead jewelpanes.
- Exact poses/gazes/numericalages/clothes/ornamentcounts/geargeometryfastening/materials/spatialframing artistchoices not history or wholeparticipant/anatomy/motion/audible/emotionmotive census. Fullsourceoffcrop facts retained noabsenceinference/corpuscorrection/inventedHindi/publishing. Source comparisons/characterinsults/threats not physicaltransformations/violentevents.
An imaginative interpretation, not a historical portrait or documentary evidence.
भूप भरत पुनि लिए बोलाई। हय गय स्यंदन साजहु जाई।। चलहु बेगि रघुबीर बराता। सुनत पुलक पूरे दोउ भ्राता।। भरत सकल साहनी बोलाए। आयसु दीन्ह मुदित उठि धाए।। रचि रुचि जीन तुरग तिन्ह साजे। बरन बरन बर बाजि बिराजे।। सुभग सकल सुठि चंचल करनी। अय इव जरत धरत पग धरनी।। नाना जाति न जाहिं बखाने। निदरि पवनु जनु चहत उड़ाने।। तिन्ह सब छयल भए असवारा। भरत सरिस बय राजकुमारा।। सब सुंदर सब भूषनधारी। कर सर चाप तून कटि भारी।।
King Dasharatha then called Bharata and commanded, 'Go and prepare the horses, elephants, and chariots.' 'Set out swiftly with Raghuvira's wedding procession.' Hearing this, both brothers were filled with thrilling joy (pulaka). Bharata summoned all the attendants and gave them orders. They rose with delight and rushed to carry them out. With great care they adorned the horses with fine saddles and trappings. Excellent steeds of every color stood gleaming in their splendor. All were beautiful and supremely spirited in movement, as though fire itself were taking steps upon the earth. Horses of countless breeds, beyond all telling, seemed to scorn the wind and long to take flight. Upon these steeds rode handsome young princes, all of Bharata's age and valor. All were fair, all wore fine ornaments, bearing arrows and bows with heavy quivers at their waists.