Bharatha Kayikyei Debate
King was not in his Chambers.He went to his mother’s chambers. Seeing her son who had gone to another Kingdom her joy knew no bounds. She came running from the Golden throne. Bharatah entered the Lustureless chambers and went and touched his mother’s feet. She in turn hugged her son and kissed his foreheadand kept him on her Lap. “ How long is it since you started from your granfatehr’s City? Since you came very fast in the Chariot you must be tired. Are your uncle and Grand father safe? I want to tell you happenings in detail from the day you left; as you have returned safely.” thus querriedKaiykyei.
Bharatha“ it is 7th night since I left Grandfather’s place,your father and my uncle are safe and sound.With the enormous gifts they have given me , I could not travel fast with the entourages. Hence I left them behind and I came hurriedly. On king’s order why the emissaries asked me to reach Ayodhya immediately? My father who normally sleeps in this golden cot, why is it empty? Is he not well or is he worried? Normally he stays in your Chambers hence I came here directly. Where is he? By chance is he in Kuashalaya Devi’s chambers? Now itself I have to do Namaskaram to him” said Bharatha.
Kayikeyie due to greed that her son should get the kingdom with her intellect contaminated, Bharatha who was unaware of the King’s news ,she thought the Gory news will be very dear to him said “ Mahathma, Person of Aura, and one who does frequently Yaga and who is the refuge of Saints King attained what each Living Beings finally attain(Death).”thus she said. Purest person he is and the one pure in Mind, thought, action, one who is born in the Vamsa(Dynasty) of Dahrmavaans , Bharatha immediately shooke his hand ‘ Oh My ! I am finished ‘ cried aloud. Though his Great Warrior and Courageous person he could not stand this news of Loss of His Father and it’s sorrow;he fell unconscious on the floor. Later after regaining his consciousness “ like the Sky without clouds get illuminated by Moon, this cot would have shone when my Father was lying there.Now that he is not there it is like the Sky without Moon, and the Parched Sea it is looking desolate.” With tears pouring with trembling Voice closing his face with cloth cried our aloud uncontrollably.
Like the Sun and Moon who have fallen on the floors, like rogue Elephant , like the huge Aachaa tree felled by an axe in the Forest, like the celestial who fell from the heaven,seeing her son unconsolablly crying and rolling on the ground , Kayikeyei went and picked him up and said “ hey King ! The famed person !get up. Get up why are you lying on the ground? Pious persons like you and the one who is appreciated by everyone can you have Dhukkam(Grief, Pain, Anguish,sorrow, suffering,worry, unhappiness,heart rending situations )Like this?She consoled him saying since you always follow Good Conduct and the doctrines of Veda , your intellect suitable for conducting Charities, and Yagnyas. Like the rays of the Sun remains steady in it’s place , you can never be perturbed.” Thus she consoled.
But Bharatah lying on the ground wailing aloud for a long ime, was stung by various griefs and hurt said “King will coronate and will perform many a yagas,thinking of this I came here. Oh My thoughts have become waste.The Emperor who has love for all Living beings,not seeing him is making me heart is broken. When I was not there, due to which Disease did King die? Rama and Lakshamana were fortuante to be around him to serve him at the last moments. My father is not there to know I have come. Had he been there he would have hugged me and kissed my forehead happily.That noble mahathma would have de dusted my clothes , can I explain that Sukam (feeling)? My Brother, Father, relation, Lord, Rama I should inform him of my arrival immediately. As a Person who follows Dharma Eldest Brother is the Father. After Emperor has gone he is my refuge .he is my father. Hence I want to bow unto Rama’s feet. The person who knows all Dharmas; and the person who persues the Dharmas; one who does not falter on Sathaym(truth); Great Vaourous person and adorned with Noble Virtues my father what did he say? i would like listen to what he said at the time of his death and what was his words of Advise for me?” sought Bharatha.
Immediately Kaikeyei“ at the time of his death , he did not remember you at all. ‘HaaRama !HaaLakshaman !HaaSita !“ saying this he died. Like the Elephant tied with ropes, your father at the time of death spoke to me “ Those who do get an opportunity to see Rama, Lakshaman and Sita when they return are the fortunate ones” saying this he fainted. More than Dasaratha’s demise hearing that his Brothers Rama and Lakshmana have gone to forest caused more anguish to Bharatha. “ Kaushalaya’s dear Son that Dharmathma where is he? Where are Lakshmana and Sita? “ asked Bharatha. Immediately Kayikyei not realizing the thing, she is going to speak to Bharatha ,will be irritating to him but rather pleasing to him said “ Rama has worn the Dress of Thapasvi (Saintly Mendicant known for his Penance) has gone to Dandakaaranya with Sita and Lakshmana” said Kayikeyei.
Since the Kings of Ikshwaku Dynasty always followed the path of Dharma “ Rama did he do any wrong for which he was sent to Forest?” Wondered Bharatha as he was thunderstruck “ Did Rama usurp any Brahmin’s wealth? Did he torment an innocent poor? Did he touch another Lady ? Why was Rama driven to forest as though he has killed a Brahmin who is well versed in Vedas?” asked Bharatha.
Typical of all the Ladies their natural behavior, immediately Kayikeyei spoke of all the things she did as it happened. She is a Fool; but she thought she is a very wise woman. “ Child ! Rama did not usurp any Brahmin’s wealth;He did not torture any innocent Poor:he will not even look at another Lady;when I came to know he is going to be coronated, I asked your father ‘ please coronate Bharatha and send Rama to the Forest’ He made a promise accordingly and implemented it. Rama Lakshamana Sita got bound by the same and went to Forest. King who was separated from his dear Son Rama died in that grief only. You know the Ethics of Kingdom, you should accede the Throne now.I have done all these for your sake. Don’t grieve; Leave your sadness; be bold,. This Kingdom full of all comforts is yours. This Ayodhya is yours. So with the help of Sage Vasishta please do the final funeral rites of your father Quickly and coronate yourself to become the Emperor of this world.(Slokas 55).
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