||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 54– Ayodhya Kandam

 Bharatha receives the 'Padhuka' of Rama 

Siddhas who constantly recite the ‘Ramanama’ and attains supernatural powers, Bharatha who is the Prana of Rama does not seem to get surprised watching the mesmerizing beauty of the forest. Bharatha and Shathrughna walked all over the woods, even the saints and ascetics felt ashamed of their dedication watching Bharatha’s devotion to Rama. Sage Athri described the water-courses and its origin, birds, animals, hills, mountains, mangroves, forests, etc. They took bath in sacred rivers, explored the forest and its beautiful landscape, they took seated in a place and contemplated upon Rama and Lakshmana.  The deities of the woods/Vanadevatha blessed them, praised their virtues and devotion to Rama. It was on the third Prahara of the day, Bharatha and Shathrughna returned to their hermitage and contemplated upon Prabhu. In this way, they have visited all those sacred Theerthas of Chitrakoot in five days, and engaged in the listening and reciting the glories of Lord Hari and Lord Hara.

 

It was early morning hours, after finishing the morning rites, all the twice-born, Bharatha, King Janaka, and preceptors assembled before Rama. Bharatha prostrated before Rama and with folded hands, began to speak “Oh! Prabho, you have fulfilled all my desires, everyone has to undergo troubles because of me, Oh! Swami kindly gives me permission to return to the Kingdom of Ayodhya, I shall wait for your return from Vanavasa. Oh! Kosaladheesha, kindly advise me on how to keep me alive during the period of long separation from you, and when I could see this lotus-like feet again. Oh! Prabho, Ramachandra, the people of your kingdom and families are extremely happy serving your lotus feet, you are omnipresent and omniscient, and you reside as a soul in living beings, Oh! Swami, Sharanagathavathsala, you are the protector of Jeeva in this Universe and their afterlife as well. Oh! Prabho, Kindly order your sincere servant. ” The people assembled were highly praised the nobility and humbleness of Bharatha.

 

The Supreme Lord Rama who is Dheenabandhu and Sarvajja was highly pleased with the devotion and plea of Bharatha, he began to speak after taking into consideration time, zone, and circumstances “Oh! Dear Brother Bharatha, it was Guru Vashishta and King Janaka is worried about us and the people of Ayodhya while we are in the woods or the Kingdom. We have Sage Vishwamithra and King Janaka as guardians; therefore we will not have any afflictions not even in our dreams. Our prime duties are listening to our parents; it is the Dharma, Paramarththa, Janmasaphalya, wealth, and fame as well. It is a highly promising act to follow the command of our father, according to Veda and Shastra. People who sincerely follow the command of preceptors, parents, and Lord, even if they commit mistakes they would remain protected. Therefore leave all your worries and qualms, and continue ruling the Kingdom of Ayodhya until my return after Vanavasa. Our preceptors will take care of our treasures of the Kingdom, people and relatives, the dust from the feet of our preceptors are capable to protect them. You have to sincerely follow the instructions of our preceptors, mothers, and Minister Sumanthra, and wisely rule the Kingdom, and its people and the palace.”

 

Rama continues “Oh! Bharatha, a significant person should perform the duties of a mouth, it performs the task of consumption of nutritious meals for the growth of the body, and the internal organs take care rest of the process and keep the body healthy. The duties and responsibilities of the King are well described in the Shastras.” In this way, Prabhu consoled Bharatha, but he could not keep himself free from trepidations and anxiety. He has an extreme love for his brother Bharatha, on the other side, the presence of preceptors, ministers, and King Janaka put Rama in a state of embarrassment. Prabhu showered his compassion on Bharatha, he offered Padhuka to Bharatha that was respectfully carried on his head. This pair of Sandals of Prabhu was like 1)  the  two powerful guards to protect the people of Ayodhya 2) it was like two jewel boxes to keep the gem-like devotion and love of Bharatha 3) It was like the two sacred syllables that are capable to protect the people to safely cross the ocean of worldly existence 4) It was like the two powerful wooden doors to protect the clan of Raghu 5) It was like the two hands to perform all the righteous deeds and 6) it was two powerful eyes which show the path of righteousness and service to humanity. Bharatha was extremely happy to receive those pairs of sandals, and considered as if Rama and Sita’s willingness to reside in the Kingdom of Ayodhya.