Bharata’s Arrival at Chitrakoota (Ramayana Series 48)

Bharata’s Arrival at Chitrakoota

Meanwhile, Shri Rama, the son of Dasharatha, had been living at Mount Chitrakoota for many days. Deeply fond of the mountains and forests, Rama wished to delight his beloved wife, Vaidehi, and also sought to turn his own mind toward happiness. He therefore began describing the enchanting beauty of Chitrakoota, adorned with flowers of countless hues, just as Indra might describe the splendour of Nandana Gardens to Shachi Devi.

After showing Sita the magnificent beauty of Chitrakoota, Rama descended the mountain and pointed out the exceedingly beautiful Mandakini River, whose waters were pure and auspicious.

“Vaidehi, regard Chitrakoota as Ayodhya itself. Consider these creatures of the forest as the citizens of Ayodhya, and let the Mandakini be our Sarayu. Noble Lakshmana follows my instructions faithfully, and you too, by always pleasing me and standing by my side, bring me great happiness. Here, with you beside me, I shall bathe three times a day in this sacred river and live on the honey, roots, fruits, and other food available in the forest. I no longer long for Ayodhya or its royal throne.”

Having spoken thus, Rama showed Mandakini to Sita and returned with her to their forest dwelling.

Thus, while the righteous Rama was happily spending his days in the forest with Sita, a vast cloud of dust suddenly rose into the sky near their hermitage. The thunderous sounds of an approaching army echoed through the forest. Terrified by the uproar, mighty elephants, frightened by the noise of the soldiers, broke away from their herds and fled in every direction.

Hearing the commotion and seeing the frightened elephants, Rama turned to the radiant Lakshmana and said:

“Lakshmana, look! The elephants are fleeing in herds, and a deep roar, terrible like the rumbling of a mighty storm cloud, can be heard. Perhaps herds of elephants, wild buffaloes, and deer have been terrified by the roar of lions. Or perhaps a king or a prince has come into this forest to hunt. It may even be that a lion or tiger has entered the forest and frightened the creatures. Chitrakoota has now become difficult even for birds to traverse. Go and find out exactly what is happening.”

At Rama’s command, Lakshmana swiftly climbed a tall Shala tree, dense with flowers, and eagerly surveyed the surrounding landscape. He first looked toward the east, but saw nothing. He then turned toward the south and west, yet found nothing there either.

Finally, he looked toward the north.

There he saw a vast army arranged in all four divisions—elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry.

Lakshmana immediately returned to Rama and reported what he had seen. He described the enormous army, its elephants and horses, its chariots adorned with magnificent banners, and then anxiously advised Rama to prepare for a possible attack.

“Ārya, quickly extinguish the sacred fire. Let Sita enter the cave. Take up your bow and arrows, string your bow, and put on your armour. We must be prepared.”

Though Lakshmana spoke with great urgency, Rama remained calm. He asked gently:

“My dear Lakshmana, look carefully. Can you identify whose army this is from its banners and other insignia?”

At this, Lakshmana, overcome with anger, replied:

“Brother, I have already examined it carefully. This is the army of Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi. Having obtained the kingdom through the schemes devised by his mother, he is apparently still not satisfied. Driven by the desire to rule an uncontested kingdom forever, he has come here with this vast army to kill both of us.

“Look there! Do you see that tall and magnificent tree? Near it stands a chariot bearing the Kovidara banner on a lofty staff. The elephant-riders are seated upon their elephants, filled with confidence and excitement.

“Let us take up our bows and prepare ourselves within the fortress-like terrain of Chitrakoota. Or let us remain here, fully armed and ready for battle. If Bharata, whose emblem is the Kovidara tree, has indeed come to fight, we shall defeat him and take him prisoner.

“This has always been my desire. For whose sake have we been subjected to all these hardships? It is because of Bharata that you were deprived of the throne, and because of him you, Sita, and I were forced into exile. Now our enemy has come here of his own accord. Therefore, Bharata deserves to be slain.”

Thus, Lakshmana’s heart burned with anger and suspicion as he saw Bharata’s army approaching Chitrakoota, while Rama remained composed in the face of the impending encounter.