Bharatha Sees Rama
After the Army stayed put, Bharatha anxious to meet Rama with intense dsire spoke to Sage Vasishta“ Lord ! Please bring the Queens quickly.” Prayed Bharatha and he went very fast in the front. He showed the landmarks for presence of Rama’s hermitage to Shatrugna as they were nearing it. Like Bharatah, Sumanthara was also anxious to meet Rama; so he went behind Shatrugna. After some time amongst the hermitages of Thapasvis (Mendicant Saints) Rama’s hermitage was also sighted. There was a Parnashalla for doing Agni Kaarya ( Sacrificial Fires as Libations to Gods and Celestials, Planets), a Suitable Parnashala for those who come to see him, so that they can comfortably Sit and Chat was also constructed.The woods were stacked and kept outside to give light during Night. Flowers were plucked and kept ready for Puja worship. Whilst coming from the water bodies there were markings made in the Tress by tieing up Kushaal grass, Wooden leaves tied up or engravings made in few tree trunks, so that Rama Lakshmana can trace their way to their abode. During winter to warm up the Dried up coke made of Buffalow Dung were stacked kept separately in different locations. Seeing them Bharatha’s face brightened as he felt he was in the right track.; happiness swelled in his heart . Looking at Sahtrugna and ministers “ I think We have come to the palce where Sage Bhradhwajha indicated to us”.Mandhakini River must be nearby. While bringing water in the night, frutis, roots Lakshmana has ear marked Wooden barks which have been tied on to the trees, for esy identification of the pathway. Let us also follow this path. Or is it the path where rogue elephants trumphet and move? So the foot prints may erase, hence Lakshmana probably ear marked some insignia for easy identification. The Tapasvis who guard the Fire in Agnihothra day and night ; Look from that Agni is the smoke is emanating. Rama who is a great Sage, the one who initiated to me for various Manthras which helps in great Samskara(Prayers with ethics of Eminence); and one who is epitome of all Noble Virtues, I will see him here. Then he came to the Chithrakoot’s Mandhakini River. He addressed who were accompanying him “ The greatest amongst Men, my brother is sitting on the Veera Aasana posture in the ground where there is no ordinary Humans live.The great Tejhasvi ( shining with dazzling radiance of Aura) and the Lord of this world(Lokanathan) due to me had to forsake all the comforts of the world and with lots of troubles has to live in the Forest, I have now succumbed to this Abavadham (Ignonimy or Public Disgrace) eternally till sun and Moon exist. What is the use of my being born ? what is the use of my being alive? So I will catch hold of Rama’s feet pacify him and take him to Ayodhya. . The despicable act of Kayikyei’s has been imposed on me ‘Anna (Elder Brother), you should not show mercy on him’ if Lakshmana stops then, I will catch his feet and plead with him and pacify him. Even if that does not make good Sita who is the protector of the universe will pray to her Lotus feet I will seek her recommnedation to Rama” thus Bharatha in true repentence was Lamenting when the Rama’s Holy Place was sighted. It is really a big hermitage which was hooved with the Leaves of Aacha and Punai Trees the same was not easily visble or identifiable as it was Camouflaged. Like the Kushalgrass (Dharbhai) Is spread in the Yagaa Agni peeta, the ground was spread with soft Kushaal grass. The Bows which have been tied tightly with Golden bandings and of immense strength and those which destroys Enemies, and makes one achieve the Impossible into possible equal to the Vajhrayudha( weapon of Indra ie God of Celestials). Bhogavathy , the serpents seen in the capital of Naga loka(Serpent world) which dazzle like the inferno with ferocity similarly these Arrows and from the Quiver of Rama were shining like the Rays of Sun ; the Sheaths made of purest Gold where the Sword shining like the Lightning and the Sheilds which were made of pure Gold and also with delicate hand work duly crafted on the gloves for Fingers were seen in that Parnashaala. As the cave of Lions cannot be approached by the Deers, similarly Enemies will not even dare to even look at the Parnashaala. In North west corner was a shallow stage and on top of that was a Agni peetam (Fire pit seating) were laid. In the centre the Agni(Fire) was seen.On seeing intently there was a great Human with Matted Hair, Dresses made of Wooden barks was seated with great Tejhas ( shining with dazzling radiance of Aura) or whose effervescence was Dazzling in all directions with Limitless Aura was seated,he could identify him as his brother Rama, having his hands stretched till his knees, The shoulders broad and wide like the Lions shoulders, and the eye broad and wide like the Lotus petals this Lord of the world, Rama with the sole purpose of adhering to PithruVaakhyaparipalanam(Implementing and Fulfilling Father’s words) with Sita and Lakshamana the eternal Brahma was seated in the Kushaal Grass .
Sighting him made, Bharatha’s Anguish and sorrow swelled up. He ran where Rama was. Having lost his courage with tears rolling down his eyes and voice stuttering “ My Brother who should have been served in the Throne of Ayodhya is now in this Forest where the Animals are serving him ! Sri Rama who was wearing the most expensive clothes worth Thousands of Rupees today bound by the Dharma is forced to wear the Deer Skin dress ! The Head which used to wear the most exquisite Flowers is forced to have a dusty Matted hair ! instead of earning the Dharma by conducting Yaga and Yagnya today you are like aesthetics in an early age controlling the Body and then ten Indriyas are fried and earning the Dharma !
The body which normally is pasted by the best Sandalwood paste today I am forsed to see it smeared with dust! Rama who is worthy of enjoying every possible comforts and Joy is today enduring all the torture and travails and troubles only beacause of me. I have been scorned by the Public as CheeChee , what is the use of my taking this Birth? Why not I forsake this ?“ said Bharatha.
Bharatha was wailing with heart rending pleas and with eye blocked by the tears wanted to catch hold of Rama’s feet but could not get them, fell on the ground;‘Anna! ‘ he cried hoarsely once and touched Rama’s feet and did Namaskrams. Rama took them and hugged them and with uconsolable sorrow shed tears.
Like in the Sky when Sun , Moon, joined Jupiter and Venus similarly Rama Lakshmana met Sumanthara and Guha . Seeing the two brother Princes who were like Majestic Elephants of pure breed were suffering the strains of Forest Life , even those who lived in the Forest were unhappy and shed tears at their Plight.(Slokas 42).**