Bharata, The Brother

He who is sunk in ignorance of the reality of things and beings cannot escape grief; he can never enjoy the bliss that is undiminishable and that is ever full. To avoid grief and to earn bliss—these are the twin needs of man. Bharata, the brother of Rama, was the second of the four sons of Dasa­ratha. He was born a few hours after the eldest son, Rama. But, since all the four sons were born after their mothers consuming portions of the same gift from the Gods on the same day, it will not be proper to assign them the denominations—elder and younger.

His wedding was also celebrated along with the wedding of Rama and other two brothers. Returning from Mithila, Bharata went to his maternal grandfather's kingdom and stayed in the Palace, with his brother Shatrughna, from whom he never liked to part. One day, he received a letter from Ayodhya, written by the Preceptor, Vasishta, and when he held it in his hand, he imagined it to be the invitation to attend the Corona­tion of Rama, as the Crown Prince. But, immediately, he inferred it must relate to some other event, since his grandfather was not addressed thereon. It only required him to return to Ayodhya without a moment's delay, along with Shatrughna. Bharata could not guess the nature of the urgency of the call. His fears took many shapes and wove many possible calamities and crises. But, he wondered what he could do to alleviate them or meet them.

When the chariot in which the brothers were seated approached the main gate of the citadel of the Capital City, Ayodhya, he noticed that the green festoons across it had not been renewed for days and that it was allowed to hang dry and dusty. It was a bad omen, he thought. When he passed through the Royal Road that led to the Palace, he found the doors and windows of every house closed; the streets were empty; the gloom of sadness was suffocating. For days, the road was not swept and heaps of dirt hurt the sight; no human voice could be heard, nor could any horse or elephant be seen or heard.

He rushed straight to the palace of his mother, Kaikeyi, the Queen. From her he learnt that his father, Dasaratha, had died of grief, and that the grief was caused by her mother insisting that Bharata should be crowned instead of Rama and that Rama must go into exile and remain in the forest for fourteen years. The news broke his heart; he ran to the Royal Preceptor for consolation and comfort, though he knew that no one could console him over the double disaster he had to encounter. He pleaded with the Guru, "Master! I am innocent. I had no hand in this Conspiracy. I had no part in all this.” He fell at the Feet of the aged Teacher and wept for along time, clasping them firmly, asking to be pardoned. Vasishta sat by his side and comforted him with soft advice. He wanted that Bharata must perform the long delayed funeral rites for his deceased father. Bharata said, "No. It is the duty and privilege of the eldest son to perform them. How can I, the younger one, venture on it? I have no mind to remain in this city of sorrow a minute longer; without Rama it is worse than the jungle for me.” But, he could not easily set aside, the command of his Preceptor and the requests of his mothers. He had to perform the rites as prescribed in the Vedas, whether he liked it or not.

The very next day, Vasishta had decided to celebrate the Coronation of Bharata as Dasaratha had promised to Kaikeyi, saying that the Empire cannot be without a Ruler for long. But, Bharata said that all the articles and regal paraphernalia collected for the purpose may be taken to the Forest Hermitage where Rama was and that he would try his best to persuade Rama to return and accept the throne. Unable to refuse, Vasishta, the Mothers and others accompanied Bharata. When the proposal was placed before the people of Ayodhya they supported it wholeheartedly and they too joined the group undertaking the journey. Rama was on the Chitrakoota Hill. Bharata and Shatrughna, marched towards that Holy spot, accompanied by sections of the armed forces—chariotry, elephantry, cavalry and infantry.

When he sighted this vast cavalcade moving through the forest, Guha, the faithful devotee of Rama and the chieftain of the fishermen and boatmen on the Ganga, feared that be might be on an expedition to fight against his unarmed brother, now in exile. Even Lakshmana, the loyal brother of Rama who had spontaneously and sincerely opted for exile with Rama, doubted the loyalty of Bharata and feared, for a moment, that his intentions were not quite friendly. But, had Lakshmana known how Bharata reacted to the regal hospitality of the Sage Bharadwaja when Bharata had to encamp one night during his journey in his hermitage, he would not have entertained any doubt at all.

Using the miraculous powers he had attained as a result of his Yogic sadhana Bharadwaja created by his mere will, tents and palaces, cots and beds, thrones and carpets, and loads of riches, foods in gold and silver plates. He offered lavish hospitality to Bharata, Shatrughna and the Queen Mothers, as well as Janaka and his Queen, besides the sages, and the thousands of elders and others who camped around his hermitage. The horses and the elephants were also provided with rich delicious food. But, they were so overcome with grief at separation from Rama and so set upon seeing him as quickly as possible that not one of them, man or animal, partook of any food. "When Rama is living on roots and tubers, how can I consume food sweeter and richer than that?" asked Bharata. He was led to the magnificent Durbar Hall, created by the Rishi's Will and shown the two golden thrones installed in the middle, for him and his brother to give audience to the assembled monks and their pupils. But, Bharata and Shatrughna picked up the fans that were there and, visualising Rama and Sita on the thrones, they fanned them .in exemplary humility and devotion. His sense of` dedication at the feet of Rama was, if possible, a little greater even than that of Lakshmana. Rama once confessed that it was his rare good fortune to have a brother like Bharata. He had no other activity than the service of Rama; no other thought than the thought of Rama.

At Chitrakoota, Bharata saw Rama reclining on a heap of Kusa grass. Tears welled up from his torn heart. He saw the matted hair on the head; be wailed aloud and fell at Rama's feet. Rama consoled and comforted him; but. Bharata could not be consoled or comforted. "Brother! You must return to Ayodhya, you must agree to be crowned Emperor; until you agree and give your word, I shall not leave the grasp of these feet,” he cried. Rama inquired, "Bharata! Are the people of Ayodhya well and happy? Are our parents well and happy?” (Of course, though Rama was the omniscient One, He had to pretend to be only human, unaware of events that happen beyond his 'limited' area of consciousness). Bharata gave him the news that Dasaratha had passed away. Rama said that the parents have to be honoured as the framers of the body and when they pass away, certain rites are prescribed by the ancients in order to offer gratitude to them for the gift and for the sacrifices involved in the gift. He said that elders have to behave correctly so that others might follow the path laid down. Then, be proceeded to the river and offered the prescribed ritualistic articles to the departed father. Next day, Rama gathered the people who had come from Ayodhya as well as the sages and monks, besides the Queens. Bharata pressed his point of view that Rama must return to the City and accept the throne. He also suggested that he might be permitted to undergo the exile, instead of Rama, in the forest for 14 years. He shone forth that day as a truthful, loyal, devoted brother.

Rama told him that mere devotion and loyalty were of no use; they must be disci­plined and regulated into proper activity. One cannot fulfill an obligation laid on him by transferring it to another shoulder, he said. At last, Vasishta advised a method by which the problem could be solved. He said that the sandals, worn by Rama on his feet, could be placed on the throne of Ayodhya and the administration of the Empire carried on by Bharata on behalf of Rama, represented by the footwear. Bharata had to accept this; he bore the sandals on his head and bringing them in royal state, he placed them on the throne and himself sat at the foot. For 14 years, he lived as Rama did in the forest, as a hermit, and being constantly engaged in the thought of Rama, he became as `cloud‑blue' as Rama and as splendorous as Rama He slept on grass and ate tubers and roots, as Rama did.

After the destruction of Ravana and his evil clan, Rama gave over the kingdom of Lanka to Ravana's brother, Vibhishana, who had surrendered to him much earlier. He ascended the Pushpaka aerial chariot and returned to Ayodhya, with Sita, Lakshmana, Sugriva and Vibhishana. Bharata had vowed that, if Rama did not reach Ayodhya, the moment the fourteen‑year‑exile was over, he would immolate himself. So, Rama sent Hanuman to the City to intimate to Bharata that Rama was on the way and would reach the Capital well in time. On receipt of the information, Bharata was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. He spread the news throughout the land and every one became alive and alert. The City was decorated in an instant. The populace was carried away in a flood of ecstasy. Bharata fell at the feet of Rama, and realised his dream of 14 years, when Rama, Sita and Lakshmana sat in the Chariot which moved along the streets towards the Royal Palace. Bharata was forced to sit next to Rama, by Rama who loved him intensely and sincerely.

The enormous crowds which had gathered thick on the sides of the streets and on the doors, windows and terraces of the mansions could not distinguish between Rama and Bharata; many took one for the other: they had become so much alike, through under­going the same experiences, Rama in actuality, Bharata by proxy. The mind has such powerful transforming influence over the body. Lakshmana’s dedication was direct; Bharata's was indirect. Lakshmana's worship and adoration were direct; he had the Form before him. Bharata's were indirect; he had to worship the Formless.

(May 28, 1977)