BHARATHA MEETS RAMA
Bharatha starts from Ayodhya to meet Sri Rama and to somehow, convince him to return to Ayodhya.
On being informed by the tribes about Bharatha approaching Rama, Lakshnama thinks that Bharatha has come to wage war with Rama
Swami writes,
"Lakshmana was well-nigh consumed by the flames of anger that rose in him. His eyes were reduced to red-hot coals. His words became sharp as sword-thrusts. Rama realized the change that had come over him; he said, "Lakshmana! Forbear! Don't be agitated. Be calm. Bharatha is strong in virtue. His love is immeasurable. He adds luster to the royal line of Ikshvaku, like the lotus to the lake. It is not proper to cast aspersions on one so pure, so immaculate and holy".
Thus, describing the exact nature of the motives and mind of Bharatha, Rama succeeded in quietening Lakshmana's upsurge of anger. Very soon, Bharatha himself sent word through some forest-dwellers that he was seeking the Darsan of Rama, along with his brother Satrughna and their attendants and followers. Rama felt glad when this happy news was brought to him. Like lakes in late autumn, his lotus eyes were filled with water.
All this happened while Rama, Lakshmana and Sita were returning in haste to the 'thatch' after their hurried bath. Bharatha saw them when they reached the cottage of grass. He was torn by agony. He fell flat on the feet of Rama and sobbed aloud on the ground. Lakshmana saw the anguish Bharatha experienced at the separation from them; he realized that his estimate of intentions was very wrong! He suffered terrible contrition within himself; his head was bent by the weight of sorrow; he shed profuse tears along with Bharatha and Satrughna.
Rama raised his brothers from the ground and sought to calm their feelings and quieten their grief. Even while he was so engaged, the Queens, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi, and the ministers, the Royal Preceptor Vasistha, the Pundits, the Citizens, the members of the armed forces came near, and were overcome by both grief and joy when they saw Rama. Their sorrow when they looked on Rama in hermits' robes by the side of the lowly hut could not be wiped out by the joy at setting their eyes on their dearly beloved Prince. They wailed and wept, shedding tears of grief and gratitude. The cry, 'Rama! Rama!' that rose from their torn hearts sped over the vast expanse of earth and sky.
Continued......
Love
Love
