Bharata’s Plea to Rama (Ramayana Series 50)

Bharata’s Plea to Rama (Ramayana Series 50)

Sri Rama saw Bharata lying upon the ground with folded hands. Bharata was dressed in bark garments and wore matted locks of hair. His appearance was so radiant yet emaciated that he seemed almost impossible to behold, like the blazing sun at the end of an age. Rama could scarcely recognize him. Bharata had become so thin and worn that his very identity was difficult to discern.

Realizing somehow that this deeply afflicted man was indeed his younger brother Bharata, Rama immediately lifted him up with both arms. He lovingly smelled Bharata’s head, embraced him tightly, seated him upon his lap, and affectionately asked:

“My child, how is our father? Did you come to this forest without him? While he was still alive, it was not right for you to leave Ayodhya and come here. After such a long time, I am seeing you again here in the forest, having returned from the distant land of your maternal uncle. Yet I can hardly bear to look upon you—you have become so thin and emaciated.

Bharata, why have you come to the forest? Is the king ruling the kingdom? Have you come here at his command? Surely, the grief-stricken king has not departed this world so soon?

You are still young. Surely you have not been deprived of the eternal throne of our ancestors? Are you serving our father, the truthful and valiant King Dasharatha, with devotion?

How is Dasharatha, our father, who performed great sacrifices such as the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha, who was unwavering in his devotion to righteousness and firmly devoted to truth?

Do you continue to honour, as before, the great sage Vashistha—the foremost among Brahmins, learned in sacred knowledge, devoted to righteousness, and the powerful royal preceptor of the kings of the Ikshvaku dynasty?

Are Kausalya and the noble Sumitra, blessed with virtuous sons, well? Is Queen Kaikeyi happy and well?

And do you continue to honour, as before, Suyajna, the son of Vashistha—humble, born of a noble family, highly learned, free from jealousy, and ever devoted to the righteous duties prescribed by the scriptures?”

Rama then continued:

“**My father, King Dasharatha, ruled the kingdom by following the path of righteousness. Our forefathers and great ancestors also governed according to that same sacred tradition. Are you too following that very path of dharma? Surely, the path followed by our ancestors is auspicious and worthy of being followed.”

Hearing Rama’s words, Bharata replied:

“Brother, what can royal duty mean to one who has been deprived of righteousness?

In our dynasty, from ancient times, there has existed an eternal and auspicious principle: when the eldest son is alive, the younger son must not become king. If I were to violate this sacred tradition, would I not become unrighteous?

You must return to Ayodhya immediately. That magnificent city, overflowing with every kind of prosperity, awaits you. Ascend the throne and be crowned king for the welfare and glory of our dynasty.

Ordinary people may say that a king is merely a human being. But I believe that a king must be regarded as divine. For the performance of duties founded upon dharma and artha is truly extraordinary; it is not something that ordinary human beings can easily accomplish.

Brother, while I was still in the land of the Kekayas, and while you had entered the forest, our noble father—devoted to sacrifice and beloved by virtuous people—departed for heaven. The moment you left for the forest with Lakshmana and Sita, our father, overwhelmed by grief and sorrow, gave up his life.

O best among men, arise! Perform the water oblations for our father. Shatrughna and I have already performed the other funeral rites.

‘Priyena khalu dattam hi pitṛlokeṣu Rāghava,

akṣayyaṁ bhavatītyāhuḥ pitṝṇāṁ caiva priyaḥ.’

O Raghava, the learned declare that the offering of water made by a beloved son bears an imperishable fruit in the world of the ancestors. And you, Rama, were our father’s most beloved son.

Brother, unable to bear the agony of separation from you, our father constantly grieved for you. He yearned to see you once again. His mind was completely absorbed in you, and he could never withdraw his thoughts from you.

Separated from you, he was afflicted by the unbearable illness of grief caused by the loss of his son. Constantly remembering you, he finally departed for heaven.”

Thus Bharata, overcome with sorrow and love for his elder brother, pleaded with Rama to return to Ayodhya and accept the throne that rightfully belonged to him.