Rama Katha Rasa Vahini - Post 35

BHARATHA'S RETURN TO AYODHYA 

Dear All,

After Rama's exile, unable to withstand separation from Rama, King Dasaratha breaths his last.

Bharatha and Shatrugna are asked to return to Ayodhya quickly and they return to Ayodhya.

After being in dark for some time about the reason for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana's exile, Bharatha at last gets to know the entire chain of events that had happened in his absence.

While Bharatha is being asked by the preceptor to take over the throne, see how Bharatha responds!

Swami writes,

"Bharatha fell at the feet of the Preceptor and declared, "Divine Master! I am telling you my honest intention; please believe my sincerity, for, I am not hiding anything. I am opening my heart without any reservations. The effect is harder than the cause; the metal that is extracted from the soil is harder than the soil, you know. 

Born in the womb of the hard-hearted Kaikeyi, I am indeed even more hard hearted. Or else, how can you explain that I am still alive, despite the fact that Rama is far away from me? Kaikeyi has transferred Sita and Lakshmana into the forest, she has sent her husband into heaven, plunged the subjects of this vast Empire in sorrow and anxiety, and brought eternal infamy on her son. And, you are now demanding that I should rule over the Empire and cover myself with lasting disgrace. I am not in the least happy over this; I do not deserve this at all. Will not people laugh at me in scorn if I sit on the Lion Throne as Lord Ruler when Rama is moving about in the jungle?

"My reign will bring only harm to the people; for, my accession itself will be immoral and unrighteous. And, who will deign to honour an usurper and obey his commands? I cannot punish the unrighteous and the immoral! With what face can I correct wrong doers, when I myself have done mountains of wrong in ascending the throne that is not rightfully mine? People would certainly point the accusing finger at me, when opportunity arises, though they may keep quiet for some time, for fear of the reprisals that I might inflict using my authority.

"The evil design of my mother has now become transformed into an agonizing headache for me. I cannot wait even a single moment here, without seeing Sita and Rama. I am only communicating to you my terrible anguish; only the sight of Rama can cool my heart and cure my agony. No words of consolation or explanation can bring me solace in my grievous plight. I have obtained permission from Kausalya and Sumitra. I have decided to proceed at dawn tomorrow to the place where Rama is at present. 

My sins, however plentiful they might be, will be reduced to ashes the moment the eyes of Rama fall on me. Even if Rama does not speak to me, I shall be happy taking his Darsan always, hiding behind some tree, and following him at a distance, delighted at the chance. Elders who have gathered here! Pray for me, bless me that I may progress as a result of the darsan of Rama. Minister! Give me permission to go to the presence of Rama. I am the slave of the Lord Rama. He is the Lord for all of us."

No one in that assembly, among the Ministers, the Feudatories, and the leaders of the people could raise his voice in reply. They realized the depth of Bharatha's remorse. They understood that Bharatha had an unsullied heart and that he was refusing to be bound by the coils of the conspiracy his mother wound round him. 

The chief of the Elders of the City rose from his seat, and said, "Lord! We too shall come with you. We too find separation from Rama an insufferable agony. We do not care what happens to our lives after we get one chance to have his Darsan." He asked for this permission on behalf of every one gathered there.

Others too responded to the suggestion wholeheartedly and came forward with prayers that they too be taken to Rama. Within minutes, the news spread into every nook and corner of the vast City and men, women, children, young and old, got ready to start! Who can dissuade whom? There was no one that day among the huge population of Ayodhya so cruel as to prevent others from proceeding to Rama for his Darsan. The mothers, Kausalya and Sumitra, too set out on the journey with their maids.

Love.