Hanuman sent to Bharatha
Then Rama thought about Ayodhya called Hanuman “You very quickly go to Ayodhya, find out if the Queens Kaushalya and others are safe. In Sringeberipura meet Guha and enquire about his welfare. He will rejoice on learning that we have won over our enemies and the task of mine has been accomplished. Due to the Affinty he has and the Devotion he has I consider him as another Ikshwaku dynasty Prince and equal to me. He will tell you the route to Ayodhya and details of Bharatha’s welfare. Inform Bharatha that myself, Lakshmana and Sita have safely arrived. Also convey that I equired about his well being. Also inform him of my Pithru Vaakhya paripalanam (Implementing and Fulfilling Father’s words), about forcible abduction of Sita, about our friendship treaty with Sugreeva, killing of Valli in Battle, Vanaras searching for Sita, You crossing the sea and finding Sita, and in the sea shore the Prayobhavesha to King of ocean, and the bridge constructed by Nala, killing of Ravana and his clan, Indra, Brahma, Varuna granting me Boons (Retreiving Dead Vanaras back to Life Brahma assisted Indra & Varuna) with the blessings of Paramasiva I could meet Emperor Dasaratha. Please tell all this slowly and that I have reached here. Since yesterday 4th Chathurthi 14 Years have been completed, I haven’t come he he will enter into Agni(Fire). If you tell about my arrival suddenly, he might be excited danger can happen. Rakshasaas, Vibheeshana, Vanaras, Sugreeva tell they to have come with me. Just observe at the time whether He rejoices when this is informed to him? Or is he sad? Also carefully understand what is his stand in my case. “Rama won over all enemies, attained Limitless Fame, with his desires fulfilled, has come with great Strong Friends. At that time the thoughts emanating in his Manam (Memory + Conscience + Ego + intellect) may surface in his Facial expressions, movements and pranks of Limbs this You should observe, analyse and infer. I would like to test if I say “You only rule this Kingdom” would Bharatah consent or not. If it is not so “in this world will all those born along with you be like Bharatha? “This is my nature of thinking. “Until such time I have Rama who is embodiment of virtues His feet on my head “is the nature of Bharatha. There shouldn’t be any differentiation between the two. Why I should test him like this is, if you ask “The Kingdom which he has rightfully obtained with all the Luxuries, with Chathuranga Sena (4 Divisions of Army, comprising of 21,870 elephants, 21,870 chariots, 65,610 Horses and 109,350 foot soldiers) why wouldn’t one have the desire to rule and enjoy such a rare gift? Earlier he objected vehemently that he would not accept it at all. Still for Years without seeing me and the rejoicement of seeing me if I say “You only rule this Kingdom’ would he consent? Or say I don’t need it? If he agrees then ‘Earlier he had acceeded to my words and he can continue to rule the same and I have full acceptance for the same. My father did not see me being coronated and left abode. At least I will be happy to see Bharata coronated. When I left I wanted to coronate him and leave him, so I was walking slowly. Kaykeyi misunderstood it that I am hesitating to leave the kingdom. We need to test since Bharath had been independently been running this country for years and enjoyed (the power and Authority), does he have Longing for it? I if he has any such desire before we go to Ayodhya, please come back and tell me. Or else You remain there only” said Rama (Rama knew the inner core of Bharatha fully well. As per Raja neethi - Governance ethics it is better to test often. So he behaved as though he had doubts about him. If suddenly, he appears before Bharatha, that Ecstacy would he get into his head and cause any danger to him Physically? Hence he sent Hnauman to inform Bharatha in advance about his arrival. Maruthi knowing Rama’s intention did not come back instead chose to come with Bharatha.
Like Garuda (King of Eagle) picks up giant serpents and flies in the sky lane, Hanuman in the form of Human left from the place quickly went towards Ayodhya. He crossed the Ganga and Yamuna confluence Prayaag and reached Sringiberapura and met Guha with happiness spoke “Friend! Your dear friend and the jewel of ikshwaku clan and of matchless Valour Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana enquired about your welfare. Tonight he will halt in Bhardwajha Sage Ashram and take permission and will come this way during his journey to Ayodhya. From there he quickly went Sky Lane instead of watching the beauty of the Forests, rivers, Mountains, crossing the following Parasuram Theertha, Valukini River, Gomathi river and the dangerous Forests,and the countries where countless people were enjoying, Villages, Cities finally saw the forest near Nandigrama. Like the Devas (Celestials) play in Indra’s Nandana garden Ladies, Boys, Older People, were playing there. Nandhigrama which is an hour’s journey from Ayodhya, there Bharatha was wearing Deer Skin and Maravuri (Dresses made of wooden Barks / Leaves), with matted hair, dust laden body and pale face body lean was observing the Life of a Thapasvi (Saintly Mendicant) and was keenly awaiting Rama’s arrival. Controlling his Indriyas and controlling his Manam
(Memory+ Conscience + Ego + intellect) in tranquility was enjoying the Form of Soul, with the Aura of Sages,on behalf of Ram with Padhuka (Foot wear of Rama) as witness was ruling the country in Dharmic way. All his Ministers as well as the Army Chief too wore this garb”. Born as son to Emperor Dasaratha and having experienced plenty of wealth and brought up in opulence, merely bound by Dharma shunning all the Comfort, Luxuries, and observing Austere measures of Saintly Mendicants, should we alone be enjoying comfort was the message of those ministers. Bharatha knew the inner meaning of all the Dharma; he was as though an incarnation of Dharma. Hanuman went near Bharatha with folded hands humbly said “ Lord! “Dasratha’s son Rama who went to Dandakaaranya in Sainlty mendicant’s dress and who said I will return after 14 years without fail. He has still not come, thus you are feeling anxious that Rama has conveyed his welfare to be conveyed to you. He is enquiring Your welfare as well. I will tell the most dear words to you. Please shun the grief which had engulfed you so far. Very soon you will see Rama. He has killed Ravana and other Rakshasaas and retrieved Sita, and accomplished the task he had set for, is coming with Great Strong friends. Like Indra accompanied by Indrani along with Janaki and Lakshmana he is going to meet you” said Hanuman.
(Since Hanuman & Bharatha have no previous aquaintence Maruthi did not do Vandhanam. Since he said folded hands can also be construed as did namaskaram. Seeing the plight of Bharatha “even if we delay by a few seconds he may Die, After only when you have canvass only you can draw, Hanuman felt to do away with protocol and formalities and protecting Bharatha’s Life was more important. Or taken aback by the intensity of Bharathas devotion and his austerity and penace Hanuman might have faltered and spoken like this contrary to Rama’s advice).
When Bharatha heard those words “When will my Elder brother come? When will I see his face? When will I do Namaskarams to his Feet? Asked with Boundless eagerness. Bharatha overcome by Happiness and fell unconscious on the ground. Ater sometime recovering his consciousness got up, he hugged Anjaneya who said those words which were dear to Him, he drenched him with Blissful Tears. ( Merely hearing the news of Rama’s arrival has shocked Bharata so much, what would have been Bharatha’s state If Rama had suddenly dawned there? Hence Rama chose to send Anjaneya in advance. Then Bharatha said “Despite you being in Human form due to Your Immense Aura I do not know if you are Human or Deva. Whomever you are, You have conveyed the message with Compassion to me which has retrieved my Praanan (Life force, Last Breathe, that without which causes Physical and medical Death). Though I am powerless to adequately compensate with a Reward I will do what I can. Please accept it with Happiness and You should bless me. 100,000 Cows, 100 Villages, Specially beautiful damsels 16 of them please accept They are born in Noble creed; matchless in Beauty ; are adorned by all the Ornaments; they are of Best of Intellect and Conduct” said Bharatha.
Bharatha thus getting the information of Rama’s arrival from Anjaneya with his ever increasing eagerness to see Rama, with all affection addressed Maruthi with following words. (Slokas 51)
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