In one the last post we learned how Lord Rama met Nishad Raj on his way out of Ayodha and Nishad helped them to cross the river. The story continues here:
After crossing the river Ganga, Rama decided to walk bare foot towards Prayag (at modern Allahabad).The trio reached the holy confluence of Ganga and Yamuna at Prayag (also known as triveni sangamam). They arrived at the hermitage of sage Bharadwaj. Bhardwaja is one of the greatest hindu sages, descendant of Sage Agirasa and father of Guru Dronacharya. He is also one among the Great Sapta Rishis and is also accredited to be the author of Ayurveda.
Rishi Bhardwaj counseled them to seek the area near the mountain of Chitrakoot, about 3 miles from Prayag, for a peaceful stay. As per the advice of the sage Rama headed towards the Chitrakoot. They crossed the river Yamuna on a raft and walked for 2 days to reach Chitrakoot.River Malyavathi flew at the foothills of the mountain Chitrakoot.Laxmana built a modest hermitage on the banks of the river for them to reside. Life in the sylvan setting was peaceful. The two brothers used to spend there days in vicinity to arrange for their foods while the princess Sita used to take care of the hermitage.
Days started to pass by and everything went well until one day when Laxmana saw Bharata and his army coming. He thought Bharata after becoming king wanted to meet and fight with him so that he may become king for ever. Rama calmed Laxmana and said: "It is wrong of you to think ill of Bharata and speak such harsh words about him. I am certain he is coming now to give the kingdom to me and take me back to Ayodhya." Laxmana agreed and was ashamed that he thought badly about his brother Bharata.
As he neared the hut, Bharata saw Rama with matted locks of hair on his head dressed in the bark of trees; Sita and Laxmana were by his side, dressed in a simple manner. He sprang forward to the spot where Rama was seated. He could utter no word, beyond "Brother," and fell at his feet, and sobbed.
Rama embraced him, and kissed him on the head, and said: "Brother, why did you leave our father's side and come all this way into the forest?" Bharata replied: "When you left Ayodhya for the forest and before I returned from Kekaya (native place of queen Kaikeyi), our father gave up his life, slain by the grief of separation from you. Rama couldn't control his sorrows on hearing the news of his father's demise. Sage Vashishta then asked Rama not to give ways to sorrow and advised Rama to perform the obsequies of his father to satisfy his spirit."
The Princes, with Sita and other elderly people went to the river and offered libations for the peace of the departed soul of the King. After other customary ceremonies,Bharata, in the presence of all, pleaded with Rama to return to Ayodhya and become the King. But Rama refused, saying: "Our father the King gave you kingship after him and he ordained for me life in the forest. What right have we to alter or reject his plans? When Bharatha continued to press Rama to return, Rama told Bharata his unalterable decision. "I cannot possibly disobey my father's word. You will please me by not persisting in trying to persuade me. Satrughna is there to help you in ruling, as Laxmana is here to help me in forest life. With Laxmana by my side, I lack nothing. Let us all four do our father's will."
Finally, the wise Vasishtha suggested a solution for the problem: "O, Bharata, rule the kingdom under Rama's authority and as his deputy. No blame would attach to you then and the pledge would be kept." Bharata then told Rama: "Brother, you are my father and my God. Your least wish is my dharma. Give me your sandals. That token of yours shall reign in Ayodhya till you return. And for fourteen years I shall stay outside the city and discharge the King's duties in your place, paying reverent homage to your sandals. At the end of that period, you will return and accept the kingship."
Rama was highly pleased at such words of Bharata. He hugged him tightly and said "O Bharata you have shown the true love for a brother. Your name shall be praised for ages and you shall always be remembered as an epitome of brotherhood". Having said this he placed his feet on the sandals a last time and handed them to Bharata who prostrated himself on the ground, accepted them and put them on his head.
Bharata then along with sandals and his retinue returned to Ayodhya. He established those sandals on the royal throne and for himself he made a hermitage alike the one Rama had at Chitrakoot. For fourteen long years, he lived in the hermitage and ruled the kingdom under Rama's authority.
After crossing the river Ganga, Rama decided to walk bare foot towards Prayag (at modern Allahabad).The trio reached the holy confluence of Ganga and Yamuna at Prayag (also known as triveni sangamam). They arrived at the hermitage of sage Bharadwaj. Bhardwaja is one of the greatest hindu sages, descendant of Sage Agirasa and father of Guru Dronacharya. He is also one among the Great Sapta Rishis and is also accredited to be the author of Ayurveda.
Rishi Bhardwaj counseled them to seek the area near the mountain of Chitrakoot, about 3 miles from Prayag, for a peaceful stay. As per the advice of the sage Rama headed towards the Chitrakoot. They crossed the river Yamuna on a raft and walked for 2 days to reach Chitrakoot.River Malyavathi flew at the foothills of the mountain Chitrakoot.Laxmana built a modest hermitage on the banks of the river for them to reside. Life in the sylvan setting was peaceful. The two brothers used to spend there days in vicinity to arrange for their foods while the princess Sita used to take care of the hermitage.
Days started to pass by and everything went well until one day when Laxmana saw Bharata and his army coming. He thought Bharata after becoming king wanted to meet and fight with him so that he may become king for ever. Rama calmed Laxmana and said: "It is wrong of you to think ill of Bharata and speak such harsh words about him. I am certain he is coming now to give the kingdom to me and take me back to Ayodhya." Laxmana agreed and was ashamed that he thought badly about his brother Bharata.
As he neared the hut, Bharata saw Rama with matted locks of hair on his head dressed in the bark of trees; Sita and Laxmana were by his side, dressed in a simple manner. He sprang forward to the spot where Rama was seated. He could utter no word, beyond "Brother," and fell at his feet, and sobbed.
Rama embraced him, and kissed him on the head, and said: "Brother, why did you leave our father's side and come all this way into the forest?" Bharata replied: "When you left Ayodhya for the forest and before I returned from Kekaya (native place of queen Kaikeyi), our father gave up his life, slain by the grief of separation from you. Rama couldn't control his sorrows on hearing the news of his father's demise. Sage Vashishta then asked Rama not to give ways to sorrow and advised Rama to perform the obsequies of his father to satisfy his spirit."
The Princes, with Sita and other elderly people went to the river and offered libations for the peace of the departed soul of the King. After other customary ceremonies,Bharata, in the presence of all, pleaded with Rama to return to Ayodhya and become the King. But Rama refused, saying: "Our father the King gave you kingship after him and he ordained for me life in the forest. What right have we to alter or reject his plans? When Bharatha continued to press Rama to return, Rama told Bharata his unalterable decision. "I cannot possibly disobey my father's word. You will please me by not persisting in trying to persuade me. Satrughna is there to help you in ruling, as Laxmana is here to help me in forest life. With Laxmana by my side, I lack nothing. Let us all four do our father's will."
Finally, the wise Vasishtha suggested a solution for the problem: "O, Bharata, rule the kingdom under Rama's authority and as his deputy. No blame would attach to you then and the pledge would be kept." Bharata then told Rama: "Brother, you are my father and my God. Your least wish is my dharma. Give me your sandals. That token of yours shall reign in Ayodhya till you return. And for fourteen years I shall stay outside the city and discharge the King's duties in your place, paying reverent homage to your sandals. At the end of that period, you will return and accept the kingship."
Rama was highly pleased at such words of Bharata. He hugged him tightly and said "O Bharata you have shown the true love for a brother. Your name shall be praised for ages and you shall always be remembered as an epitome of brotherhood". Having said this he placed his feet on the sandals a last time and handed them to Bharata who prostrated himself on the ground, accepted them and put them on his head.
Bharata then along with sandals and his retinue returned to Ayodhya. He established those sandals on the royal throne and for himself he made a hermitage alike the one Rama had at Chitrakoot. For fourteen long years, he lived in the hermitage and ruled the kingdom under Rama's authority.
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