Dasaratha’s funeral rites
After 10 days were over on the 11th day Punyahavachanam, Nava Srardham, cleaning was done. On the 12th day Shoda Shrardhamm Masikam, Sapandeekaranam and other rites were done.
To appease the King Bharatha gave the Brahmins countless Gems , wealth, Clothes, Sheep, Cows. Similarly the Servants and maids were given houses. On the 13th day Bharatha lamented about his Father for doing sanchayanam went to the cremation ground stood near the burnt body’s ashes and said “ King! You gave me in custody to Rama, but he has gone to Forest. You have also gone to Heaven leaving me alone. Orphaned Kaushlaya’s only refuge Rama also has been sent by you to Forest. Where have You gone leaving her in Lurch?” lamenting thus Bharatha seeing the ashes and Bones of Dasaratha’s remains, he fainted and fell on the ground. Like lifting the Elephant of Indra with the help of ropes , his relations lifted Bharatha ; like the Saints surrounded the Yayathi King who fell from the heaven, Bharatha’s relations surrounded him. Seeing Bharatha in grief Shatrugna also fainted. After he regained conciousness he recollected how Dasaratha brought him up endearingly with lot of freedom and the gifts and support he gave at various points of Life. “Boons which emanated from Manthara was given way to a ocean of sorrow, and the Huge Corocdile Kayikeyei did not allow any one to come near and sunk all of us. You have always been liberal to Bharatha, where have you gone leaving him alone to suffer? You have always given the Choicest of Food and the best of Clothes and everything and said ‘ Take what you like ‘ saying this will coerce us. Hereafter who will treat us like this? You are the Dharmathma and you have left this earth, it is surprising the earth has not exploded and same may happen at the time of deluge so it appears. After You have gone to Heaven and Rama gone to Forest how will I survive? Hence this very moment I will fall in the fire and die. In this empty Ayodhya where neither you Father nor Brother Ram being there I have no desire to step into the City., hence I will aslo go to Forest.”hearing the words of BharathaShatrugna the person who were near there were aghast and got worried . Those Princes faces were Pale and like broken OX fell on the ground and rolled in anguish.
Then Sage Vasishta royal priest of Ikshwaku dynasty ,who is of Noble character lifted Bharatha and said “ Child ! today it is 13th day since Emperor died.Balance rites such as Sanchayanm have not yet been performed. Why are you delaying it? 6 Qulaities are common for all Creatures ie Hunger, Thirst, Sorrow, Love/Desire, Old age & Death are Natural. No one can erase this.When these happen your getting grief over them is not advisable”said the sage. Sumanthara also lifted Shatrugna and explained him the Birth and Death of all Creatures and pacified him.Both Bharatha and Lakshmana looked like the Indradhwajha , the relations around hurried Bharatha Shatrugna to conduct the balance Rituals.(Slokas26).
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