Chapter
17(a)
The Brothers meet
Bharatha
and Satrughna went straight to the place where the
Ministers, the Royal Preceptor, and the leading
citizens of the Capital had assembled. All of them were
awaiting their arrival, anxious to know what they had
resolved upon, and silently expectant to listen
attentively to what they were about to tell
them.
Meanwhile,
Bharatha fell at the feet of the Preceptor and declared,
"Divine Master! I am telling you my honest intention;
please believe my sincerity, for, I am not hiding
anything. I am opening my heart without any reservations.
The effect is harder than the cause; the metal that is
extracted from the soil is harder than the soil, you
know. Born in the womb of the hard-hearted Kaikeyi, I am
indeed even more hard hearted. Or else, how can you
explain that I am still alive, despite the fact that Rama
is far away from me? Kaikeyi has transferred Sita and
Lakshmana into the forest, she has sent her husband into
heaven, plunged the subjects of this vast Empire in
sorrow and anxiety, and brought eternal infamy on her
son. And, you are now demanding that I should rule over
the Empire and cover myself with lasting disgrace. I am
not in the least happy over this; I do not deserve this
at all. Will not people laugh at me in scorn if I sit on
the Lion Throne as Lord Ruler when Rama is moving about
in the jungle?
"My
reign will bring only harm to the people; for, my
accession itself will be immoral and unrighteous. And,
who will deign to honour an usurper and obey his
commands? I cannot punish the unrighteous and the
immoral! With what face can I correct wrong doers, when I
myself have done mountains of wrong in ascending the
throne that is not rightfully mine? People would
certainly point the accusing finger at me, when
opportunity arises, though they may keep quiet for some
time, for fear of the reprisals that I might inflict
using my authority.
"The
evil design of my mother has now become transformed into
an agonizing headache for me. I cannot wait even a single
moment here, without seeing Sita and Rama. I am only
communicating to you my terrible anguish; only the sight
of Rama can cool my heart and cure my agony. No words of
consolation or explanation can bring me solace in my
grievous plight. I have obtained permission from Kausalya
and Sumitra. I have decided to proceed at dawn tomorrow
to the place where Rama is at present. My sins, however
plentiful they might be, will be reduced to ashes the
moment the eyes of Rama fall on me. Even if Rama does not
speak to me, I shall be happy taking his Darsan
always, hiding behind some tree, and following him at a
distance, delighted at the chance. Elders who have
gathered here! Pray for me, bless me that I may progress
as a result of the darsan of Rama. Minister! Give me
permission to go to the presence of Rama. I am the slave
of the Lord Rama. He is the Lord for all of
us."
No one
in that assembly, among the Ministers, the Feudatories,
and the leaders of the people could raise his voice in
reply. They realized the depth of Bharatha's remorse.
They understood that Bharatha had an unsullied heart and
that he was refusing to be bound by the coils of the
conspiracy his mother wound round him.
The
chief of the Elders of the City rose from his seat, and
said, "Lord! We too shall come with you. We too find
separation from Rama an insufferable agony. We do not
care what happens to our lives after we get one chance to
have his Darsan." He asked for this permission on behalf
of every one gathered there.
Others
too responded to the suggestion wholeheartedly and came
forward with prayers that they too be taken to Rama.
Within minutes, the news spread into every nook and
corner of the vast City and men, women, children, young
and old, got ready to start! Who can dissuade whom? There
was no one that day among the huge population of Ayodhya
so cruel as to prevent others from proceeding to Rama for
his Darsan. The mothers, Kausalya and Sumitra, too set
out on the journey with their maids.
Meanwhile,
Kaikeyi, overcome with repentance for her errors
and her sins, communicated with Kausalya and prayed that
she too might be allowed to accompany the queens. She
pleaded that she might be permitted to pray for pardon,
and join the others In their attempts to persuade Rama to
return to Ayodhya. Kausalya who had a pure unblemished
heart, did not entertain the least doubt or deviation
from right-consciousness; she sent word that Kaikeyi
could certainly join her.
Bharatha
was informed that the entire City was on the move. He
informed the Ministers that at least a few had to stay
behind, in order to guard the City, without leaving it
helpless. So, some were left behind. Vehicles were made
ready before every house during the night itself, so that
the inmates might join the trek, during the early hours.
Practically everything on wheels was commandeered for the
purpose. Food and drink for the entire mass of people
were duly arranged. Like Chakravaka birds, the men and
women of Ayodhya awaited the heralding of the
dawn, so that they might journey towards their dearly
beloved Lord. It was a night of ecstatic anticipation for
the citizens; they spent it in contemplating on
the Darsan that awaited them.
The
army with the entire force of chariotry, elephantry,
cavalry and infantry got ready to march. Vedic
scholars were directed by the Minister that they had to
keep on reciting the auspicious hymns; they had also
to take with them the ceremonial requisites for the
ritual worship of Fire. Right on time, according to the
calculations of the astrologers, the leading chariot for
Bharatha and Satrughna, and the palanquin next in order
for Queen Kausalya were brought before the palace.
Bharatha ordered that every one must occupy the chariot
or vehicle allotted. And allowing his chariot to move on
with no one in, Bharatha and Satrughna walked on, by its
side, barefooted.
People
thought that they might walk in that manner only for some
little time, for some short distance. But, they found
that Bharatha was in no mood to get into the chariot;
however long the distance to be covered. Kausalya could
not tolerate this; she said, "Son! I cannot suffer the
sight of your walking. Sit in the chariot at least for
some time." At this, Bharatha replied, "Mother! This is
only to make amends for the sins I am burdened with. Do I
suffer now while walking on the road at least a
fraction of what Rama and Sita are suffering in the
forest, while they walk barefoot? When they are walking
barefoot, it is highly wrong for me, their servant to
ride in a chariot. Pardon me for disobeying your command;
permit me to walk as I am doing now."
Meanwhile,
the Royal Preceptor, Vasishta, and his consort Arundathi,
who were seated in the preceding chariot, stopped their
vehicle and witnessing the determination of
Bharatha, they prayed to Bharatha at least to sit
in their chariot and act as their charioteer. But,
Bharatha was adamant. He said, "I am the servant of Rama
and I am bound only to his chariot. Until I get the
precious chance to act as his charioteer, I shall not
ride in any chariot nor hold the reins of any other
steed. This is my vow." Vasishta desisted from any
further persuasion; he was genuinely delighted at the
love and reverence that Bharatha bore towards
Rama.
They
reached the bank of the River Thamasa at nightfall on the
first day. The next day, they reached the bank of the
Gomathi. The Thamasa is a tributary of the Gogra River,
while the Gomathi is a tributary of the Ganga. As soon as
it was dark, the vehicles were stopped, shelters were
provided for women, children and the aged; the Minister
ordered the soldiers to distribute food to the people,
systematically and with due respect. Really, throughout
the journey, everyone carried out the work assigned to
each with care and enthusiasm. They took good care that
no one suffered any hardship.
Resuming
their journey with the dawn of the third day, they
reached Sringiverapuram when darkness fell on the land.
The king of the Nishadas saw the huge concourse and the
army on the march; he was perturbed, for, he wondered why
Bharatha was proceeding to the forest and why he was
taking with him the army with all its components. What
was the significance of it all? He tried to solve the
mystery. He discussed within himself the pros and cons of
this unusual procedure. He argued within himself: "When
the tree is poisonous, its fruit too is bound to be
poisonous." He tried his best to foil the plans of
Bharatha; he directed his men to keep every boat sunk in
the depths of the Ganga, and to deprive the prince of all
means of crossing the river. He ordered that they should
prevent the concourse from crossing over to the other
bank, even at the cost of their lives.
And,
the King of the Nishadas stood ready with his bow and
arrow, set to attack, willing to sacrifice his life in
the cause of his beloved Rama, in spite of the fact that
the forces which Bharatha was leading were far superior
in strength to his own.
Guha
alerted his community and all its members to be prepared
for the imminent battle. Then, he got ready to meet
Bharatha in order to discover whether he had come as foe,
or as friend, or whether he was neutral, only a passing
visitor who need not be worried about. Knowing that
Bharatha was a Prince of Imperial Lineage, he secured
as offering to be presented to him large
quantities of flowers, fish, flesh and
fruits.
He
planned to discover the innate intent of Bharatha by
noting his reactions to the various articles that were
offered to him. Roots and tubers and fruits are
Sathwic
food; if he preferred them, he must be reckoned a friend.
The flesh of slain animals is Rajasic
food; preference for that type of food would mark out
the "middle of the road" neutral, who is neither ally nor
adversary. Fish, if accepted eagerly, would Indicate a
foe, for they are Thamasic
Items of food.
Taking
with him these offerings, Guha, the Chieftain of the
Nishadas, proceeded to the presence of Bharatha. Good
omens greeted him at the very first step. His eyes
fell on the Sage Vasishta. He ran forward and fell at his
feet, announcing himself by name. The Preceptor
recognized him as the companion of Rama; he
blessed the Chieftain, and calling Bharatha to his side,
he spoke to him of Guha as the 'friend' of
Rama.
As soon
as those words fell on his ears, Bharatha embraced Guha
warmly, and showered questions on him about his health
and welfare. Bharatha prompted Guha to relate to him how
he met Rama. When Guha mentioned how Rama spent one whole
night with him on the banks of the self-same river,
Bharatha showed great earnestness to listen to his
description of that night; his eyes and ears were panting
with thirst for the nectar of that narrative.
The
chieftain of the Nishadas was all praise and
adoration for Rama; he showed him the thatched hut he
had prepared so that Rama, Sita and Lakshmana could rest
for a while; he told him of the conversation he had with
Lakshmana during the night. On hearing all this, Bharatha
and Satrughna could not stop the stream of tears flowing
down their cheeks; they could not suppress the surging
waves of sorrow. Watching them, Guha was convinced
that they had genuine brotherly feelings towards Rama
and that there was no trace of hostility in
them. He was struck by their devotion and the sincerity
of their dedication.
Bharatha
had a close look at the huts constructed for the
use of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana; he desired that
they be tended with due care so that they suffer no
damage. Following the orders of the Preceptor, Bharatha
performed the ceremonial bath in the holy river Ganga,
along with his mothers. Bharatha asked Guha to
take them to the place where Rama spent the night;
pointing his finger to a heap of darbha grass that had
been scattered by the wind, Guha said, "Sita and Rama
rested here, on this bed of dry grass that night".
Bharatha and Satrughna prostrated before that holy spot.
Bharatha lamented, "Alas! My Lord accustomed to sleep on
a thick soft silken bed, how could he sleep on such hard
stuff? Alas! How did that holy mother Sita bear all this
hardship?" Overcome with grief, Bharatha could not move
from the place for a long while.
Rising,
Bharatha requested that he be shown the places which
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana had rendered holy by treading on
them. Guha took them to an Asoka tree, under whose shade
they sat for some time to eat a frugal meal of fruits.
There too the brothers fell on the ground reverentially,
knowing it to be holy ground.
While
they were moving round the places sanctified by
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, the two brothers suffered
indescribable agony. The humility, reverence, and
devotion they manifested touched the heart of the Nishada
chieftain. Bharatha could not contain his anguish when he
contemplated the discomforts that Sita - Goddess
Mahalakshmi Herself - the dearly beloved daughter of
Emperor Janaka, the daughter-in-law of Emperor Dasaratha,
and the Consort of Rama the Mighty, was enduring.
Bharatha disclosed to Guha that the inhabitants of
Ayodhya City could not survive in that City any longer,
for the holy couple Rama and Sita, had left it; they felt
that Ayodhya had been transformed into a jungle, for it
had no Rama in it; he said that he too could not bear
their grief, and he too realized that Ayodhya was
wherever Rama was; so, he explained, he had come
with his following and with the inhabitants, to the
sacred Presence of Rama.
Guha
grasped the situation clearly now and gave up all the
suspicions he had entertained, when he saw Bharatha
advancing with his army, with its four components of
infantry, cavalry, elephantry and chariotry,
towards the jungle where Rama was. He opened his
heart to Bharatha and begged to be pardoned for the
doubts he had framed in his mind about his intentions.
Bharatha said that his fears were natural and that he had
committed no wrong. For, the truth was, he was indeed a
wicked barbarian! "I am the reason for the exile that
Rama is going through", he said. "For that one crime, I
deserve to be killed; he who kills me commits no sin", he
groaned. When Bharatha was condemning himself so harshly,
Guha poured out his prayers for pardon.
News
spread in Sringiverapura, the Nishada Capital, that
Bharatha had come to the bank of the Ganga. At this, the
subjects of Guha hurried groups to honour the brother of
Rama. They fed their eyes on the beauty and
majesty of the brothers; they praised them to
their hearts' content; they prostrated reverentially
before them. They also roundly reprimanded Queen Kaikeyi.
They blamed the God of Destiny, Brahma, for being so
cruel. They shed profuse tears; they extolled Rama
through manifold forms of praise. They prayed to Bharatha
and Satrughna (every one of them, men, women,
children, all) to bring Rama, Sita and Lakshmana back
with them.
Bharatha
was struck dumb at this demonstration of extreme agony at
separation from Rama! Tears rolled down his face. "Prayer
is my task; what happens to the prayer is dependent on
the Grace of Rama. I am but a slave; who am I to exert
pressure on Rama? Join with me in my prayer; pray from
the depths of your hearts that Rama should return to
Ayodhya. His heart will certainly melt at our agony. This
is our duty. Let your prayers help my prayers to succeed.
Rama has come to save the world, and he will not refuse
the prayers of the people." Bharatha consoled and
comforted the Nishadas and others in ways best suited to
their needs and capacities. Meanwhile, darkness fell on
the earth, and Bharatha asked the Chieftain of the
Nishadas, to direct his people to go home. They ate the
fruits brought by Guha and spent the whole night talking
about Rama and His glory.
When
the eastern sky brightened to usher in the new day,
Bharatha instructed the Minister to awaken the populace;
he bathed in the sacred Ganga, with his brother; the
Mothers too finished their bath. Every one got ready to
continue the journey. Guha the Chieftain of the Nishada
tribe, collected enough craft to row over the
large mass of people, the chariots, the horses, and other
sections of the armed forces that had accompanied
Bharatha. The task of ferrying them across the Ganga was
quickly and successfully accomplished. After ascertaining
whether all had been transported across, Guha moved
forward into the jungle, showing Bharatha the way. The
Brahmins, and the Preceptor Vasishta walked on as
one group; the people of Ayodhya followed in one vast
mass; units of the army followed behind; journeying thus,
Bharatha reached the confluence of the rivers Ganga and
Yamuna, the sacred Prayag, in the afternoon. Bharatha had
never walked so much on foot, and so, his soles became
sore and they hurt with a burning sensation. Yet, he
plodded on, for, he felt his pain as recompense for the
pain inflicted on Rama. He ignored it, for he was
conscious only of the pain Rama was undergoing at that
very moment.
Prayag
is known as Triveni, for the river Saraswathi too
enters the twin rivers at that holy place. Its
sacredness is tripled thereby. They bathed at the famous
confluence with due rites. The anchorites, hermits,
celibates, sages, and monks of Prayag were delighted at
the chance to fill their eyes with the sight of Bharatha.
They told among themselves, "O! he casts around him the
same halo as Rama; in fact, the appearance is just the
same." Every one who looked at him could scarce indulge
in a wink, lest the delight would be interrupted
thereby!
The
inmates of the Bharadwaj Ashram in Prayag learnt of the
coming of the brothers with contingents of his armed
forces, accompanied by their mothers, and ministers. Sage
Bharadwaja sent his disciples to Bharatha and invited the
party to visit the Ashram. Interpreting the invitation
as a command, Bharatha and his entourage
entered the Ashram. The brothers prostrated before that
Monarch of the Monastic Orders. Bharadwaja raised them by
the shoulder and drew them near with great affection. He
gave them refreshingly cool drinks. He noticed that
Bharatha was sitting with his head bent in shame and
fear, lest his share in the exile of Rama be revealed
through questions that might be asked. Bharadwaja
discovered the reason for his silence and nervousness. He
said, "Bharatha! You need have no apprehensions; I am
aware of all that happened. No one can control or direct
the path of Destiny. Why pine over the boons that your
mother demanded? No trace of wrong can be attributed to
her for this. The Will of God induced her to ask such
boons. Kaikeyi, I know, loves Rama as her very breath;
so, the reason for the turn her mind took is to be
sought, not in any human field of thought and reason,
but, only in the Divine plan. As the world judges events,
Kaikeyi has done wrong; as the Vedas lay down, the
Goddess Saraswathi who presides over the tongue has done
wrong; know that what has happened is in conformity with
the will of the Almighty.
"Bharatha!
The world will enthuse over your spotless renown, and
sing your praise. Vedas will be valued more on account of
such as you, exemplifying their teachings and
demonstrating their efficacy. Do not hesitate! The son to
whom the father entrusts the kingdom is thereby deemed
deserving of the right to govern it. That
relentless adherent of Truth, that High-Souled ruler
Emperor Dasaratha gave the Empire to you, and ordered
that you should act according to the Dharma of
Monarchs.
"The
exile of Rama into the forest has resulted in a series of
calamities. The entire world is sunk in sorrow on account
of this event. Now your mother is repenting pitiably over
the wrong; you are innocent and blameless. No blemish can
attach itself to you now if you rule over the Empire. In
fact, Rama will be happy to know that you have taken up
the reins of imperium.
"I must
also say that the mission on which you are now set is
very laudable indeed. Your purpose is highly commendable.
For, devotion to the Lotus Feet of Rama is the spring
and source of all prosperity and progress.
Bharatha! I can boldly declare that there is none so
virtuous, so fortunate as you. You have proved yourself
worthy of being the dearly beloved younger brother of
Rama, Rama sanctified this, our Ashram, while on his way
to the forest. That night, till the hour of midnight,
Rama was talking to me mostly of you and your virtues.
They proceeded with me to Prayag for the holy bath; they
remembered you even while engaged in bathing! He felt
very sad that he could not see you and Satrughna the day
he left Ayodhya. I can not measure the love that Rama has
towards you.
"Besides,
Rama is ever intent on assuaging the grief of those who
take refuge in him. The entire world is his family;
all are his kith and kin. I believe you are the
'affection' of Rama, in human form, no less. What you
feel as a blemish on your name is, to me a lesson,
an example, and an inspiration. Bharatha! You should not
be weighed down by sadness. You are in possession of the
Wish-fulfilling Gem! Why then should you lament that you
are poor? It isn't proper that you should do so. The
Darsan of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana is verily the treasure
all spiritual aspirants seek. I secured that fortune;
for, I feasted my eyes on that Darsan. I could speak with
them; I was in their Presence and I could touch them too.
I had the privilege and pleasure of being their host.
Perhaps, there was some balance of fortune still awaiting
me; for, I have now this pleasure of getting your Darsan
too. Ecstasy has now filled my heart. I am truly blessed.
Rama has exiled himself into the forest for our sake,
ascetics living therein, so that our yearnings might be
fulfilled and our holiness heightened. We are blessed
indeed."
In this
manner, Bharadwaja, the great Sage, praised Bharatha for
his manifold virtues and excellences. While speaking in
this strain, tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of the
revered ascetic. Bharatha and Satrughna had their minds
set on Rama and his limitless Prema;
they felt that they were indeed fortunate to be his
brothers, but the joy was immediately extinguished at the
thought that they had been themselves exiled from the
presence of that Embodiment of love. So, they were
plunged in gloom, in unbearable agony and inexpressible
grief. In a voice choked by anguish, Bharatha said,
rising up from the prostration he offered to the Sage,
"Master! You are aware of the Past, Present and the
Future. You have spoken the very Truth. You are master of
the Highest Truth. Rama is unbeatable in skill and power.
I have resolved to utter in your Presence only the Truth.
Rama knows the workings of the people's mind and
what is now agitating them. I have at present no grief
over the wrong committed by my mother. I have no fear
that the people would blame me for the tragedy that has
befallen them. I have no despair even when it is
announced that I am ineligible for heaven.
"My
father has earned high renown; though dead, his fame has
spread over the entire world. When his beloved son, Rama
departed from his presence with Lakshmana, he gave up the
bubble breath that very instant. He could not survive the
bolt of that tragedy. There is no need, therefore, to be
anxious any more about him. But, Sita, Rama and Lakshmana
are moving about bare-footed. Donning the robes of
ascetics, they sit on mats of kusa grass; they reside in
leaf-thatched huts; they are fried by the sun, soaked by
rain; they shiver in the cold and bear its pangs; they
are undergoing untold hardships in the forest, aren't
they? Now, tell me, am I not the sole cause for all these
hard ships? It is this sad fact that is eating me
throughout all the hours of the day and night. Food
refuses to enter my stomach; sleep refuses to close the
lids of my eyes. This crookedness of my mother's mind has
become a dagger sticking in my heart. The stratagem she
devised for my installation on the throne has turned into
a trap to ruin me.
The
agony that is gnawing me from within cannot be appeased,
whatever is done. Nothing can cure it. It will end only
on the day when Rama returns to Ayodhya. No other remedy
exists to destroy this agony."
contents
of this Vahini
|
|
previous page |
next page