Puttugam2

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.

Rājā daśaratha sswargaṃ jagāma vilapan sutam

Meaning- Unable to bear the pangs of separation from his son, Dasharatha died.

Dasharatha was grieving pitiably and Sumantra was consoling him all the time. The details provided by Sumantra about Rama’s departure into the forests only worsened Koushalya’s grief. She broke down and begged Sumantra to take her immediately to Rama. Sumantra tried to console her but failed to do so.

Suddenly, Koushalya who had been calm all along, got greatly annoyed with Dasharatha for all that he had done and she began to harshly admonish him for sending Rama away to the forest. She lamented that her son and daughter-in-law would face severe difficulties and hardships in the forest due to his decision. Her words further aggravated and worsened his grief. Never ever before had Koushalya ever spoken in this manner. The king found it hard to withstand the harsh words uttered by her. He felt he was sinking. He swooned for a little while. His own evil doings of the past that had brought this misery to him, came to his memory.

The king offered his namaskara to Koushalya and in a pitiable voice weakly pleaded with her not to rebuke him any further. Koushalya trembled upon seeing his pitiable situation. Understanding his situation, she instantly begged forgiveness, “O Lord, please forgive me. My uncontrollable grief at this separation from my son caused me to speak to you in this harsh and cruel manner. Kindly excuse my mistake”. She thus consoled him.

By then, it was past sunset time. Dasharatha was periodically losing consciousness. He was blabbering in his sleep. He was regaining consciousness only to lose it once again. This happened repeatedly. In between this, Dasharatha revealed to Koushalya a secret that he had never ever revealed to anyone before.

He said, “Koushalya, in my youthful days, long before I married you, I had committed a serious and grave mistake. One day I had gone hunting into the forests by the banks of River Sarayu. I was sitting under the shade of a tree eagerly trying to spot any wild animal. All of a sudden. I heard some gurgling sounds from the River Sarayu. It was evident that some animal was drinking water from the river. I directed my arrow towards the direction of the sound and then ran in that direction to catch the animal. To my utter shock, instead of an animal, there lay a young hermit-boy. The arrow had pierced his heart. I realized that I had committed an unforgivable sin. I had mistaken the boy for an animal. The boy who was on the verge of death told me about his aged and blind parents nearby who were thirsty. He begged me to quench their thirst. Within minutes, the boy died. I took the pitcher and carried the water to the parents. When I told them of my sin, their grief was uncontrollable. The boys father, in his grief cursed me, “you too will die due to pangs of separation from your son”. Then and there both his aged frail parents left their mortal bodies in that state of grief.

Koushalya, now I am going to die. My separation from Rama will bring to me my death. My eyes have failed. I am unable to see anything. In this hour of death I grieve that my dearest son Rama is not beside me. That curse has resulted in this happening. My senses (indriyas) are not functioning anymore.”

So saying, Dasharatha again slipped into sleep. In that state of sleep, he left his body, uttering the words, “Rama, Rama”. The next morning, the king did not awaken. A few servants went into his chambers to serve him and seeing his dead body, cried loudly.

With Dasharatha’s death, Ayodhya lost its sheen. It turned into a city of gloom. Every person was shedding tears profusely. The citizens felt orphaned and moaned loudly.

This news mysteriously reached Bharata, who was at his maternal grandfather’s place. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, he strongly felt that he should return to Ayodhya. Around that time, the messengers sent from Ayodhya reached his place. Bharata asked them, “I seek to know about the welfare of my father and of my dear brothers Rama, Lakshmana. How are my mothers Koushalya and Sumitra and my arrogant mother Kaikeyi faring? Is everything well with them? Please answer me quickly.”

Without answering any of these questions, the messengers simply said, “The king seeks your immediate presence in Ayodhya. Please accompany us back to Ayodhya”. The messengers did not even give the slightest hint of the happenings in Ayodhya to date.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam namaha.

Devagandharva-sankāśhāḥ tatra te nyavasan sukham

Chitrakūṭam gate rāme putŗ sokātura statha.

Meaning- Akin to the celestials known as Devagandharvas, Rama, Lakshmana and Seeta were spending their time happily in Chitrakuta. Back in Ayodhya however, Dasharatha was in deep agony and was grieving from pangs of separation from Rama.

Chitrakuta Mountain was the residence for various flocks of birds that chirped melodiously. Varied types of strange and unique creepers and plants with multi coloured flowers brightened the entire forest. At a distance, sounds of the wild animals could be heard. The pure waters of the River Malyavati flowed nearby. Rama, Lakshmana and Seeta would bathe in the cool waters of this river. Cool pure breeze blew into their thatched hut. Taking delight in all these natural wondrous settings, the three of them spent their days happily. Rama and Seeta would walk through the forests, admiring and enjoying the natural beauty at every step. Thus, like Devagandharvas they spent all their time happily in this forest.

Sumantra, whom Rama had left behind at Sringiberapuram, did not return to Ayodhya immediately after Rama’s departure from that place. Instead he remained there and got periodic updates about Rama’s progress in his journey. After learning that they reached Chitrakuta, he dejectedly boarded the empty chariot and in great shame, retraced his way back to Ayodhya.

Seeing the empty chariot, the residents of Ayodhya wept loudly and scolded Sumantra for coming back all alone. The entire city was joyless. This increased Sumantra’s anguish. Unable to show his face to them, in despair he quickly rode towards the Dasharatha’s palace. He approached the ailing king and passed on Rama’s message to him.

Dasharatha swooned completely upon hearing this news. Recovering after some time, he once again enquired from Sumantra, Rama’s whereabouts. Sumantra, choked with tears, slowly replied, “Rama and Lakshmana changed into an attire that is commonly worn by sages. They crossed River Ganga and walked towards Sage Bharadwaja’s ashram. With the hope that they may change their mind, and return, I stayed there with Guha for a few days. However, through Guha’s spies we learnt that upon Sage Bharadwaja’s advice proceeded towards Chitrakuta Mountain”.

The grieving king said, “Sumantra, I have acted based on the words of a woman. I have committed a grave mistake by not consulting my ministers and well-wishers before coming to this decision. Sumantra, if you believe that I have ever helped you in any way in the past, then please do me a favor. Take me to Rama. Now that you know where he resides, please take me to him”.

No doubt Dasharatha was a king, but in the present mental condition, he was in no position to issue any command even to his minister Sumantra. Thus he continued to beg and plead with Sumantra. He continued, “Sumantra please either take me to him or please go back and bring him to me. I do not think I will live any longer. Without my Rama, I cannot live. I do not know how deep into the forests they may have reached by now. Please take me in the chariot. If I see them, I think I will live longer. I am sinking. Sumantra, I do not think that I will live longer. Please help me. Without my Rama, Seeta and Lakshmana I cannot live any longer.”

In this manner, every moment he thought of them. He grieved and lamented at this loss and kept swooning periodically. Whenever he came back to consciousness, his thoughts were entirely focused on Rama. He would say, “Of what use is this life without Rama? Oh Rama, Lakshmana and Seeta, your absence will take my life. It’s all over for me. I am going away”. So saying, he would once again swoon. When he would awaken he would say, “I am leaving this world Rama, without seeing you again. Without you, what is the meaning of this life? Apart from you, who else is there for me Oh Rama? I am a great sinner, Rama”.

In this way, father Dasharatha agonized and grieved piteously for his sons and his daughter-in-law.

Om Seeta Ramabhyaam namaha.