Bharata’s Reunion with Rama at Chitrakoota (Ramayana Series 49)

Bharata’s Reunion with Rama at Chitrakoota

Seeing Lakshmana trembling with anger and deeply agitated by the conviction that Bharata had come to wage war, Sri Rama gently consoled him:

“Lakshmana, Bharata is a man of great wisdom who takes up his bow only when the proper occasion demands it. Since he has come here of his own accord, what purpose is there for us to take up our bows, swords, or shields? I came to the forest after taking a solemn vow to uphold the word given by our father to Kaikeyi. Should I now kill Bharata and seize the kingdom? What would I do with a kingdom that comes with the disgraceful accusation that ‘Rama killed Bharata out of greed for the throne’?

Wealth gained through the destruction of relatives or friends is like food mixed with poison. I would never accept it. If I desired to become the sovereign of the entire earth, I could accomplish it in an instant. Yet I would not desire even the position of Indra if it were obtained through unrighteousness.”

Rama continued:

“Lakshmana, this is how I understand the reason for Bharata’s arrival. Bharata, who is devoted to his brothers and holds me dearer than life itself, has returned to Ayodhya from his maternal uncle’s kingdom. As soon as he reached Ayodhya, he must have heard that I had been sent into the forest, wearing matted locks and bark garments, accompanied by you and Sita.

Bharata is righteous. Remembering the ancient tradition of our lineage—that the eldest son is the rightful heir to the throne—he has come here with a heart overwhelmed by affection and a mind tormented by grief, simply to see me.

He must have become angry with his mother Kaikeyi, who was responsible for all this. Perhaps he has rebuked her with harsh and unpleasant words, persuaded our father, and now come here to restore the kingdom to me.

Bharata’s coming here to see us is entirely appropriate. He would never even conceive of doing anything that could cause us harm. Therefore, Lakshmana, do not speak harshly or unpleasantly about Bharata. If you utter anything hurtful against him, it would be as though you had spoken those words against me.

If you are speaking so harshly because you yourself desire the kingdom, then when Bharata comes before us, I shall ask you to give the kingdom to him. The moment I tell Bharata, ‘Give the kingdom to Lakshmana,’ he will surely reply, ‘So be it.’ Therefore, Lakshmana, do not entertain even the slightest doubt about Bharata.”

Hearing these words from his righteous elder brother, Lakshmana—who was ever devoted to Rama’s welfare—was overcome with shame and fell silent.

Meanwhile, Bharata heard the thunderous uproar of the army. Knowing that Rama’s hermitage was close by, he ordered the commander of the army to ensure that the hermitage was not disturbed or harmed in any manner.

After ordering the army to remain where it was, Bharata, who was intensely eager to behold Sri Rama, set out with Shatrughna. Following the signs that indicated Rama’s presence, he proceeded towards his

beloved elder brother.

After walking for a short while, Bharata reached the vicinity of Chitrakoota Mountain, situated on the banks of the sacred Mandakini River. There, close to the mountain, he saw a beautiful hermitage that appeared almost golden in its splendour.

For a moment, Bharata stood gazing around without even blinking. Then he saw his revered elder brother, Sri Rama, seated within the hermitage, his hair arranged in a mass of matted locks.

Rama had draped a black antelope skin over his shoulders and was wearing garments made of bark. Seated in the heroic posture, he radiated a brilliance as dazzling as that of the sacred sacrificial fire.

Bharata gazed upon Rama—broad-shouldered like a lion, mighty-armed, with eyes resembling lotus petals; the righteous sovereign destined to rule the vast earth extending to the ocean; resembling Brahman itself, beyond the reach of decay and death; and seated upon darbha grass together with Sita and Lakshmana, radiating peace and grace.

The sight of his elder brother, dressed in matted locks and bark garments, overwhelmed Bharata with grief. The son of Kaikeyi, noble and righteous, rushed towards Rama, unable to contain the sorrow that had seized his heart.

The moment Bharata saw Rama, he could no longer bear the weight of his anguish. His voice trembled with emotion, and for a moment he could only weep. At last, gathering what little composure remained, he spoke through his sobs:

“My brother, who once sat upon the royal throne and was worthy of being served by the people, is today living in this forest, attended only by birds and wild animals in this humble leaf-thatched hermitage.

The one who was once adorned in magnificent royal garments, garments worth thousands of gold coins, is today clothed in bark and black antelope skin, devoted to the sacred duty of upholding his father’s word.

The brother who once adorned his hair at all times with beautiful, fragrant flowers of countless colours—how is he now able to bear the heavy burden of these matted locks?

The very Rama who was worthy of attaining great spiritual merit through the performance of scripturally ordained sacrifices, accompanied by abundant gifts to the priests, has now chosen the path of earning merit through the severe physical hardships of forest life.

The body of my brother, which was once lovingly anointed with the finest and most fragrant sandalwood paste, is today covered with the dust of the forest. How can this be?

Surely, my beloved brother Sri Rama, accustomed to every comfort, has had to endure this terrible hardship of forest exile because of me.

Shame upon my life, which has become the object of the world’s condemnation! Shame upon this cruel and unfortunate life of mine!”

Speaking thus and lamenting bitterly, Bharata became utterly helpless. His lotus-like face was drenched in sweat and tears. Unable to reach the lotus feet of Sri Ramachandra, he collapsed upon the ground in grief.

The mighty prince, overwhelmed by sorrow, could utter only one word in a broken and feeble voice:

“Ārya!”

His throat was choked with torrents of tears, and he could not speak another word. Looking upon the illustrious Sri Rama, Bharata cried out once again, loudly:

“Ārya!”

But grief silenced him completely.

Shatrughna, who had been standing behind Bharata, was himself overcome with tears. He bowed at Sri Rama’s feet.

Rama, ever affectionate towards his brothers, could no longer restrain his own emotions. He embraced both Bharata and Shatrughna, and tears flowed freely from his eyes.

Thus, after a long separation filled with sorrow, the four brothers were once again united at Chitrakoota—not as rivals divided by a throne, but as brothers bound together by love, dharma, and an unbreakable bond of affection.