Rama Lakshman Janaki in Exile no-watermark
On reaching Ayodhya, Bharatha was shocked to see people huddled in corners and weeping. No prayers were offered. No chanting of Vedas could be heard. Even one child could not find playing in the park. There was a deathly silence everywhere. The worried Bharatha first went to his father’s chambers but found empty. So, he went to Kaikeyi’s chambers hoping to find his father there, but only Kaikeyi was there. “Mother, where is my father? What has happened in my absence” he asked. 17 Kaikeyi thought that Bharatha would be very pleased to hear that she had got him the kingdom of Ayodhya. In a gentle tone she said “Son1 Nobody can prevent death. Your father passed away “. Shocked by this news, Bharatha collapsed. The death of his father, whom he loved so dearly, brought tears to his eyes. “I wish I was with my father when he died” he thought, “At least Rama and Lakshmana have had that great honour” he said aloud. “Mother, I have to go and see Rama and find out if my father had any last message for me.” Kaikeyi stopped him from leaving and said “Son, wait, your father cried out only for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. He said he could not live without them.” Bharatha felt that there was more bad news. “Why, mother? Isn’t Rama in Ayodhya? Where has he gone? Kaikeyi then had to tell him everything. Placing her hand over his head, she said, “Bharatha, your brother Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana are now living in a forest. I have got you the kingdom of Ayodhya.” Bharatha was stunned to hear this, Enraged, he told his mother, and “I am ashamed to call you as my mother. You are nothing but evil. How could you banish Rama to the forest? Hadn’t you loved him more than you loved me? Alas! You have killed my father, just to make me the king. And do you expect me to wear the crown that rightfully belongs to Rama? Shame on you!” Full of scorn and anger towards his mother, Bharatha decided to atone for her sins. “I will go to the forest and live there for the rest of my life. But before that, I will bring back Rama and make him the king.” He then went to Kaushalya and sobbing bitterly; he fell at her feet and said ‘Mother, I am the sinner. I have been the cause of my father’s death and my brothers’ exile to the forest. Will your ever forgive me and my own mother?”
Kaushalya consoled him that none can change the course of destiny. She knew of his pure mind. Bharatha met the ministers. He offered his salutations to Sage Vashishta. On seeing Bharatha, Vashishta decided for the funeral of Dasharatha. With a heavy heart, Bharatha performed all the rites a son ought to do. Shatrugna wanted to punish Manthara for her evil thoughts and for provoking Kaikeyi. But Bharatha did not want to subject an old woman to cruel treatment and so, she was pardoned.
Bharatha lost interest in everything. For hours, he sat alone and in shame and anger thought about his father’s death and about Rama. He refused to be crowned as the king,” In Raghu dynasty has witnessed a younger son becoming the king. I have decided to bring back Rama. I will go to the forest in his place.” So next day, Bharatha left Ayodhya with a large army. The People of Ayodhya followed him. The queens including Kaikeyi went with them. By that time Kaikeyi realized that she had committed a great mistake. She was very repentant and wanted to plead with Rama to forgive her. When this group of soldiers and people reached the area where Guha lived, he at first thought that Bharatha had brought his army to kill Rama and retain the kingdom even after the period of fourteen years. So, he asked Bharatha “Why have you brought such a huge army? If you plan to attack Rama, you will have to defeat me first.” Bharatha was extremely hurt by this suspicion. But he explained to Guha that he would take Rama back to Ayodhya and crown him the king. Guha was very happy to hear this. So, he helped Bharatha, his army and his retinue to cross the Ganga. As Bharatha and his army approached Chitrakut, Lakshmana saw them coming. He recognized the flag fluttering atop Bharatha chariot and at once informed Rama about this “Brother, take up your bow, Bharatha is coming here with a big army to kill you. His mother banished you to the forest. He will not hesitate to kill him” he said angrily. Rama listened to Lakshmana calmly and said “Lakshmana, you have misunderstood Bharatha. He also has a lot of love towards him. He probably b has come here to ask me to return to Ayodhya. Don’t talk hastily. And don’t talk ill of Bharatha.” Lakshmana never disobeyed his brother. So he kept quiet. As soon as Bharatha saw Rama, he ran towards him and fell at his feet. Shatrugna also offered his salutations to Rama.
Rama embraced his brothers and was concerned to see agony on their faces. So, he asked Bharatha “How is father? Have you taken over the affairs of kingdom?” Bharatha could not himself any longer and sobbing he said “Our father died heart –broken. He could not bear the grief of your exile.” On hearing this news, tears welled up Rama’s eyes. “Bharatha, how unfortunate I am! I could not look after my father at his death bed. Neither did I have the opportunity to perform my father’s last rites.” Sita and Lakshmana were also shocked to hear about king Dasharatha death. Bharatha who had come dressed in the clothes of a hermit told his brother. “Rama, please return to Ayodhya and rule over it, instead of you, I will stay back in the forest.
Rama was deeply moved by Bharatha love for him. But he said in a firm voice. No, Bharatha, I am here to fulfil my father’s promise. You should also respect his wishes. We should not disobey our father. I will rule over Ayodhya only after completing my exile in the forest.” Bharatha tried his level best to make Rama change his mind. The sages also tried to influence Rama but in vain. Rama’s only answer was “It is my duty to carry out the wishes of my parents.” Bharatha made one more attempt to persuade Rama. “I do not have the capability to rule over the kingdom. Come back to Ayodhya at least for my sake.” Rama smiled gently at this and said “Bharatha, you are very intelligent and capable person. You have the expert knowledge of your ministers with you. And the responsibility of ruling over Ayodhya is yours. Go back and rule over it well.” With no other option Bharatha said “Brother, I will rule over Ayodhya on your behalf. So please give me your sandals. I will place them on the throne.” Rama agreed to this, speaking again Bharatha swore “I hereby take an oath that I shall await your return and for this period of fourteen years I shall not wear any royal clothes and I shall subsist only on fruits and tubers. If you do not return on the appointed day, I will jump into the fire and end my life.” Such was the love between the two brothers. Rama hugged his brother and advised him “Please treat our mother Kaikeyi well. Be happy. Be kind to others.” Feeling sad that Rama was not returning to Ayodhya, all the people left Chitrakut silently.
Bharatha placed his brother’s sandals over his head and carried them to Ayodhya. He did not like to live in Ayodhya without Rama. So, he chose a small village called Nandhigram near Ayodhya. He placed the padukas (sandals) in the throne and coroneted them. “I am merely a servant of my brother” he announced. “These padukas are the true masters” he said. He showed due respect to these padukas and remembering Rama at each and every step, ruled over Ayodhya. People felt safe and happy under him. Sri Rama wanted to go away from Chitrkut as the place reminded him of Bharatha and his mothers. So, he decided to leave the area and move on. The three of them wandered through dense forests, leading a peaceful, contented life.