August 30, 2017 archive

Pādukechāsya rājyāya nyāsaṃ datvā punaḥ punaḥ

Nivartayāmāsa tato bharatam bharatāgrajaḥ

Meaning: “Please take my sandals and rule the kingdom as my representative”-. Saying this Rama gave his sandals to Bharata. Rama consoled Bharata in various ways and after having convinced him, Rama sent him back to Ayodhya.

Rama was deeply touched by Bharata’s humility. Lovingly he said, “Bharata, please return back to Ayodhya and govern the place. I will return to Ayodhya as soon as the stipulated period of 14 years is complete. It is very important that we should obey the commands of our father”.

Many Devarishis and siddhas, who were present there invisibly now made themselves visible. Addressing the 4 brothers they said, “We have heard the entire conversation between you brothers. All of you excel in the knowledge of dharma (righteousness). Solely with the purpose of seeing you, we have appeared here.

Bharata, it is imperative that you should abide by your father’s dictates. This is also very important to ensure that Rama does not remain indebted to his father. It was Kaikeyi who demanded that Rama should live in the forests. Therefore, by completing this term in the forest, Rama will also be relieving himself of his debt (runa) towards her. Dasharatha has reached the heavens”.

In that short time, Rama duly received them and offered to them the reverential worship. The Siddhas and Devarishis accepted his worship and became invisible once again.

By now, it was very clear to Bharata that Rama will not return back. He was disconsolate. Unwilling to give up, for the last time he pleaded with his brother, “Dear brother. Please reconsider your decision. You have the capability to rule this entire world. I do not have your prowess or your capability. Please return to Ayodhya and rule it”. Saying so, Bharata fell at Rama’s feet and held on to them tightly.

Gently lifting him up, Rama said, “You are indeed very wise. Bharata, there has been a significant ripening in your wisdom. Indeed, you too possess the capacity to rule this entire world. With the guidance of these able ministers, priests and sages, you can easily decipher what is right and what is wrong. Under their able guidance, you can easily accomplish even the toughest assignments. Do you know that Emperor Dasharatha had streamlined many major areas?

Bharata, remember this always. under no circumstances should you bear any grudge, grievance or hatred against your mother Kaikeyi. You should remember that she has done all this out of pure love towards you. You should respect her.”

Then under the advice of Maharishi Vashistha, Bharata said to Rama, “Dear brother, please wear these golden paadukas (sandals) for sometime”. Rama wore those padukas for a short time. With great reverence, Bharata prostrated to those paadukas and said, “It is these paadukas that will protect me. I offer the entire responsibility of the kingship to these paadukas (sandals). Rama, until the time you return, I will live like a hermit. If you do not appear before me exactly at the end of the stipulated period of 14 years, I will jump into the fire and end my life”.

Rama agreed to this. He further said, “Look after Kaikeyi respectfully. Do not get angry with her. Please take an oath that you will do so” saying thus, Rama wept and bid goodbye to his brothers.

Bharata picked the sandals and with all the royal customary procedures, reverentially kept them on the head of the elephant Shatrunjaya. He offered prostrations to everyone and wept profusely. Unable to resist his anguish, Rama dashed into his hut. Bharata accompanied by all the mothers, and the entire retinue, left that place.

In this manner, Rama explicitly made known the dharma that both he and Bharata had to adhere to at this point of time and managed to successfully send back Bharata to Ayodhya. What an extraordinary and wonderful scene this was!

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam Namaha

Ramo pi paramodaarah sumukha ssumahaayashaah

Nachai cchatpituraadeshaat raajyam raamo mahaabalah

He who causes bliss and happiness to those who have taken refuge under him can be called the most benevolent (udāra). Such person possesses great fame (keerti) and immense strength (balam). Rama, who had in him such great traits, bound by the command of his father, refused to accept the kingdom.

All of them turned towards Rama to hear his reply. Addressing Bharata, Rama said, “Dear brother, at the time when our father King Dasharatha married your mother Kaikeyi, he had given a promise to her father that the son born from her womb will succeed him to the throne. As per this promise made by him, this kingdom is rightfully yours and not mine. All the ministers present here are very well aware of this secret.

In addition, during the war between Gods and demons, your mother Kaikeyi very valorously assisted our father. Pleased with her skills, he asked her to choose any two boons. She has now sought those two boons. She has made our father take an oath that he will fulfill both the boons.

To ensure that his promise is fulfilled, I have stepped into the forests. Therefore, you please go ahead and get yourself crowned the king. Kindly allow me to live up to my promise. It is our mandatory duty to obey our father. Both of us should make sure that his vow of truthfulness (satya vrata) is not nullified. As his sons, the responsibility to prevent him from falling into hell (naraka) also rests upon us.

These respected sages and priests got our father to conduct the sacrifice. As its outcome we were born. Hence it is even more important for us to ensure that, by our actions, he does not descend to hell.

Shatrughna and yourself can govern the kingdom under the able guidance of Maharishi Vashistha. Together with Seeta and Lakshmana I will shortly move into the Dandakaranya forest. You be the king for the humans. Living in the forests I will be the king for all these animals here. Shatrughna will assist you there while Lakshmana will assist me here. All the four of us are the sons of the great emperor Dasharatha. Hence collectively, let us all abide by his commands and make them worthwhile”. With these words, Rama consoled Bharata.

At that point, an aged Brahmin by the name of Jabali tried to persuade Rama to take the kingdom by advocating an anti-dharma approach. He said, “Rama, each being is born on its own and is leaving this body on its own. In this situation, where is the concept of relationships? Who is related to whom?  If so, where is the question of being bound by someone’s words? So, set aside all these theories. Do not speak of promises and their fulfillment. The wise do not waste time in pondering about it. As far as Ayodhya is concerned, Dasharatha was its past ruler. Today, you are its present ruler. There is no connection, whatsoever, between the two of you. It will be wise if you heed my words. Just accept Bharata’s demands. Accept the kingdom and rule wisely”.

Listening to this anti-dharma theory of Maharishi Jabali, Rama did not even waver a little bit. He continued to be resolute in his decision. In fact, he was saddened at this approach being preached to him.

He said to Jabali, “On the face of it, what you say appears very beneficial and wise. But the truth is that it will cause great harm. The world will not approve of such action. I will not perform any deed that will bring harm to the world. I will never ever go against my word. To me truthfulness is the first and foremost dharma. My father had personally instructed me to go on an exile into the forests. I have promised to him that I will abide by it and hence I will abide by it”. Rama thus preached to Jabali the greatness of dharma in great detail.

At this juncture, Maharishi Vashistha stepped in and explained to Rama the greatness of Raghu vamsa (linage of Raghu) and asked him to save and protect their dignity and honour by accepting the kingdom. He states that the eldest born always becomes the king and that Rama should not violate this rule. Even then Rama did not agree.

Bharata began to mentally shrink upon hearing this resolute decision of his elder brother. He was at a total loss. He then declared, “Until and unless my elder brother agrees to take on the reins of the kingdom, I will continue to live here. I will not touch a drop of water or eat anything until such time. I will fast until death”.

Hearing this, Rama chided Bharata that his decision was not prescribed for the warrior clan (Kshatriya). He said, “Bharata, return back to Ayodhya”. The elders understood that it was impossible to change Rama’s mind. Rama was that supreme being who would stand by his words and his promise at any cost.

Rama, meanwhile said to Bharata, “Bharata, come and touch me. With this your sin of pledging to fast unto death will be wiped away. Come here”. Left with no other choice, Bharata asked Rama to return to Ayodhya while he served the entire 14 years in exile in his place. Rama who did not want to yield even to this subtly said, “Our father should not be tainted with the sin of untruth. Hence you please rule the kingdom there while I live here”. In this manner, Rama continued to decline every offer that was put across to him.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam namaha

Tvameva rājā dharmajñah iti rāmaṃ vaco bravīt

Rama, you have mastered all the dharmas. Hence you are aware of the rule that a younger brother should not rule during the lifetime of the elder brother. Hence please accept the kingdom begin to rule.

Bharata thus pleaded with Rama to accept the kingdom. After hearing him Rama said, “Neither in you nor in your mother I am able to spot even the slightest fault. My father had every right to decide whether I should be a king or whether I should live in the forest wearing clothes of bark. In this case both my parents chose to send me to the forest. To obey my father’s command is my dharma. Likewise, you have been ordered to govern the kingdom after being crowned as the king. It is your dharma to obey his order and to act in accordance to it. After having clearly defined our duties, our father has left for his heavenly abode. It is our duty to accept his decision and abide by it”.

Rama thought of his father and grieved for him. He mourned his death and cried that he could not be by his side in his last moments. He felt sorry that he could not even complete the last rites to his father. In great sadness, Rama, Seeta and Lakshmana wept. Then having decided to offer libations to their father, they collected a few plums and the pulp of the Ingudi tree and mixed them to create a few balls. They walked to the River Mandakini and overcome with grief, sobbed sorrowfully. Descending into the waters of the river, Rama and Lakshmana offered water and the food to their father Dasharatha.

By then Shatrughna, ministers, priests and mothers reached Rama’s hut. Rama offered his prostrations to all the elders and embraced his brother. Koushalya was grief stricken and saddened to see the fate of Seeta in the hut.

Thereafter all the Sages, ministers, the 4 brothers and the respected elders of the land, all assembled at a spot. Offering his prostrations to Rama, Bharata eagerly awaited Rama’s decision. There was pin-drop silence for a while. Then Bharata said, “Dear brother, instigated by my mother, our father had to send you away to the forests. Grieving for you, he gave up his life too. Without an able king, today Ayodhya is orphaned. It is the practice in our lineage that the eldest son ascends the throne after the death of the father. You are the eldest amongst us four. You are also the most capable. It is our request that you should ascend the throne and take on the responsibility of Ayodhya.

Out of respect for my mother, you gave away to me the kingdom, which was rightfully yours. Today I am returning the same back to you. Please protect the dignity of our lineage. For having been born from the womb of Kaikeyi, I am being cursed by one and all. Rama, I am merely your servant. Please hear my prayer and oblige me. Accept the kingdom.

Just as a donkey cannot imitate a horse; just as an ordinary bird cannot fly at great speeds like Garuda, I too cannot rule this great land as efficiently as you. Right since our childhood, our father dreamt of seeing you crowned the king. Now you should fulfill that desire of his. All these ministers, sages, leaders and well wishers join me in begging you to return to Ayodhya.

Rama, I am not just your younger brother, but also your disciple and servant. Look at these ministers who are senior to us in age. They were not just the ministers of our father, but were also guiding our great grandfathers. It is right to disobey their words?

Rama, if you do not listen to our request, then our father’s dreams and efforts will all be rendered futile”.

Saying this, Bharata tightly held on to Rama’s feet. Bharata’s words and his behaviour melted the hearts of everyone assembled there. All of them praised Bharata profusely.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam namaha.

Sa jagāma vanam veero rāmapāda prasādakaḥ

Gatvātu sumahātmānaṃ rāmaṃ satyaparākramam

Ayācadbhrātaraṃ rāmaṃ āryabhāvapuraskŗtaḥ

Overcoming the dualities of likes and dislikes, Bharata set out to the forest with the sole intention of winning back Rama’s love. In all humility, Bharata beseeched Rama, the great Mahatma and satyavrata (one who strictly adhered to truth), to accept the reigns of the kingdom.

Bharata, who had decided to leave for the Dandakaranya forests, with the sole objective of meeting his brother Rama, immediately ordered that shrubs and stones on the way should be cleared and a path should be created. At once, the attendants took up the work and within no time a beautiful road was constructed. Wells were dug up at different locations on the way.

At this juncture, Vashistha approached Bharata and asked him to take up the reigns of the kingdom. Hearing these words, Bharata’s grief worsened and he lamented even more. He said to Vashistha, “O Maharishi, I am about to proceed to Dandakaranya and bring Rama back. Should Rama refuse to come back to Ayodhya with me, then, like Lakshmana, I too shall stay with him in the forest throughout the period of the exile”.

Bharata then addressed Sumantra and declared that Rama’s coronation should take place in the forest itself. Towards this, he ordered that adequate preparations be made.

Early next morning Bharata set out on his journey. He was accompanied by his entire army, chariots & horses, priests, and ministers. The three queens too accompanied him. As they neared Sringiberapuram Guha, mistook their intentions, thought that they were going to battle with Rama.  He approached Bharata in order to tactfully gauge his intentions.

Upon hearing the Bharata’s noble plans, Guha was overjoyed. He lauded Bharata and extended complete hospitality to him and his companions. He narrated to Bharata and Shatrughna all the events which took place at Sringiberapuram. When he told them that Rama and Lakshmana were now in the garb of ascetics, Bharata and Shatrughna were deeply pained. Hearing that Rama had slept on the bare floor, Bharata was totally disturbed and desolate.

He said, “Lakshmana and Seeta who stood by Rama at this time of his difficulty are truly elevated souls. Shatrughna and me too will live like them. We too shall change our attire into robes of bark, live on fruits and berries and sleep on the bare floor”.

Guha was touched by the Bharata’s dedication. With Guha’s help, Bharata together with the army crossed the River Ganga and reached the hermitage of Sage Bharadwaja. They accepted the hospitality offered by the sage and rested there. Next morning, the entire army proceeded towards Mountain Chitrakoota.

Every one was eagerly trying to spot Rama. As the men were eagerly searching for Rama, they spotted a cloud of smoke coming from a distance. Bharata, Sumantra, Vashistha and other prominent members proceeded in that direction having decided that it could be the residence of Rama. Meanwhile Guha together with his 100 attendants was combing another part of the forest, searching for Rama.

In the meantime, Rama hearing the clamor that was caused due to the movements of the army in the forest asked Lakshmana to find out the details. Lakshmana climbed a tree and spotted Bharata approaching them with his entire army. He was deeply agitated and angered. He presumed that Bharata had decided to battle with them.

Rama thought deeply and then pacified Lakshmana that Bharata would not never approach them with evil intentions. He asked Lakshmana to wait and watch. Exactly at that moment Bharata reached there. Rama rushed forward and embraced Bharata in great warmth. He then enquired about the well being of one and all.

Bharata piteously wept, “Dear brother, unable to withstand separation from you, our father has left for his heavenly abode. Today Ayodhya is without a king. All of us from Ayodhya, including our mothers, ministers, priests, well-wishers have all come here to beseech you to return with us and accept the kingship. Dear brother, I am merely your servant. Please bless me by accepting my request”.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam namaha.

Mŗte tu tasmin bharato vasiṣṭa-pramukhairdvijaiḥ.

Niyujyamāno rājyāya naicchadrājyam mahābalaḥ

Meaning- After the demise of King Dasharatha, Maharishi Vashistha and others directed Bharata to take over the reins of the kingdom. Bharata however, due to the deep regard and love that he had for his elder brother Rama, declined the offer.

On receiving the message from the messengers Bharata ascended the chariot without losing any time. The chariot raced through various forests, plains, mountains and rivers and brought him to Ayodhya.

As soon as the chariot stepped into the city of Ayodhya, Bharata noticed that it had lost its luster. Eagerly wanting to meet his father, he directed his charioteer to quickly take him to his father’s palace. Not finding his father there, he decided to go to his mother Kaikeyi’s house. When he entered his mother’s home, he found her seated on a golden throne. Kaikeyi was absolutely delighted to see him and she got up from her throne, welcomed him lovingly with the words, “How are you, my dear son?” After enquiring about his well-being and the well being of her father and other relatives, she casually passed on the news of her husband’s death to Bharata as though it was a delightful news.

Bharata swooned upon hearing this devastating news. He lamented uncontrollably. He covered his face with a cloth and shed profound tears. He couldn’t come to terms with this grief. Kaikeyi lifted her son from the ground and said to him, “O prince, you should not be weeping. People of your stature should not sit on the floor either. Who do you think you are? You are the emperor of this land. Please stop crying needlessly. Go and change into a suitable attire that is worthy of being worn by a king”.

A perplexed Bharata wanted to know the whereabouts of Rama. In great delight she told him that Rama was not in Ayodhya. Bharata wanted to know in detail the reason for Rama’s absence from Ayodhya. His mother then disclosed all the events that had taken place in Ayodha as if they were pleasant occurrences.

She said, “Bharata, a long ago your father had given me two boons. I sought to choose them now. What is wrong in it? As the first boon I claimed that Rama should be exiled for 14 years. My second boon was that you should be crowned as the king of this land. All this, I have done with your future in mind. Hence Bharata, now you arise. Get ready. Act in accordance with the instructions that will be given by Maharishi Vashistha and quickly ascend the throne. I am eagerly waiting to see you seated on the throne. Rule well.”

Bharata, whose blood boiled at her cruel and heartless actions, flew into a rage and shouted, “Oh horrible woman, you have destroyed our kingdom. What sort of a mother are you? I just wish I could kill you this very moment. Even killing you is not a sinful deed in my opinion. But by killing you, I will be committing an unrighteous deed due to which my brother Rama will not even look at my face. For this single reason, I am leaving you alive today. O evil-minded woman, what a grave sin you have committed”.

Bharata’s anger was such that he would have killed Kaikeyi that very moment. But it was the rules of dharma held him back. Killing mother is adharmic. He feared that Rama would disown him for having acted in an adharmic way.  To see Rama was his goal. Hence he acted in this fashion.

By then all the ministers assembled there. Koushalya and Sumitra also arrived. Addressing Bharata, Koushalya wept, “My son, please send me to Rama at the earliest”. Bharata went to Koushalya and cried, “O mother, I am sinless”. He cried profusely till he was tired. Then, tired, dazed and unable to withstand this grief, that night Bharata slept in the comfort of his Mother Koushalya’s lap itself.

Next morning Vashistha and other Maharishis organized all the rituals to ensure the proper completion King Dasharatha’s last rites. The rites duly completed, Bharata and Shatrughna were speaking amongst themselves, when the maids caught Manthara and brought her to them saying, “O Prince, she is the evil Manthara; the mastermind behind Ayodhya’s doom. What are we to do with her?”

In the heat of the moment, Shatrughna kicked Manthara with his leg. Thereafter he was about to kill her, when Bharata held his hand and asked him to stop. Controlled his anger, in utter disgust Shatrughna just let her go.

Vashistha and other Maharishis arrived there, approached Bharata and said, “O prince, please take on the kingship. This is the command of your revered father”.

In response to it Bharata said, “O revered sirs! In this lineage of Ikshvaaku, only the eldest son ascends the throne. This kingdom rightfully belongs to Rama and he shall become the king. In lieu of him, I will live in exile for fourteen years. I will right now proceed to fetch Rama”.

In this way, Bharata set out to bring back Rama. Although he had in him the capacity and the competence to rule efficiently and wisely, Bharata declined to be the king. He was not influenced by any other personal need. He was determined to see Rama crowned as the king of Ayodhya.

What a beautiful situation! What a great and ideal personality Bharata was!

Om Seeta ramabhyaam namaha.