||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

 

Chapter – 36– Ayodhya Kandam

Bharatha's meeting with Sage Bharadhwaja

 Sage Bhardhwaja spoke softly watching the humbleness and embarrassment of Bharatha “Oh! Vathsa, Oh! Bharatha, I have heard all that happened in the Kingdom of Ayodhya, we are powerless before destiny. You do not grieve over the wrong decisions of your mother. It was not the fault of Kaikeyi, it was Vagdevi persuaded her to talk like that, if I say so none will accept it, the intellectuals look into the worldly matters and Veda as well. Oh! Thatha, whoever sung in praise of your virtues, even the world and Veda supports them. The King has to decide who is going to be the future King. King Dhasharatha wanted to appoint you as the King of Ayodhya, it would provide fame and fortune to the King, but the Vanavasa of Rama twisted all the plans. The whole Universe sunk in deep sorrow.  Devi Kaikeyi committed sin due to her fate, and she is feeling guilty of her act. If anyone blames you for that, he/she would be ignorant, and wicked. If you accept the throne of Ayodhya, you will not attain any sin; even Rama would get highly pleased with the decision. Anyway, you have done an appropriate thing, and highly appreciable. The devotion at the lotus feet of Rama is the origin of all the auspiciousness in this world. It is your wealth and life as well, therefore you are the most fortunate one, you are the son of the illustrious King Dhasharatha, and beloved brother of Rama, there is no surprise in it. Oh! Bharatha, listen to me, there is no one dearer than you for Rama. On that night they have highly praised by Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. I have heard that while they were taking the dip in Prayaga. He has an abundance of love and affection to you like an ordinary soul, like a dull-minded, yearn for the welfare of the family. Oh! Bharatha, he is the protector of his people who are surrendered to him, you have personified as the love and devotion to Rama. Do not blame yourself for any of these happened, this is the auspicious time to celebrate Ramabhakthi. ”

 

Sage Bharadhwaja continues “ Oh! Vathsa, you are unblemished like Chandra, the devotees of Rama are the lotus flowers that blossoms during the moonlight and Chakora. The moon and Chakora is beloved of all in the three worlds; the splendor of Rama like Sun, that will not take away the sheen of the moon, it gives pleasure in day and night as well, the wicked act of Kaikeyi won’t blemish like Rahu.  Your devotion like nectar to the lotus feet of Rama, and   the nearness to preceptor removes all the blemishes, they enhance the nectar-like devotion to the feet of Rama. You are born in the illustrious clan of Bhageeratha, who brought the Devanadhi Ganga down to Earth with his extreme penance and austerities; Devanadhi is capable to provide all the auspiciousness. The splendor of King Dhasharatha is beyond description, there is no one equal to him. Rama who is constantly contemplated and envisioned by Lord Shiva was born as a son to that Dhasharatha, and you are like Chandra whose fame is incomparable, you are the essence of Ramabhakthi, you need not grieve, like holding Parasmani, and getting worried of poverty. Oh! Bharatha, listen to me, I have no interest in worldly matters, Tapsvi living in the woods, I have attained the fruitfulness of my life witnessing Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, eventually that fortune brought your Dharshan as well, the entire Prayaga and myself are highly fortunate, you have won over the world and its people with your devotion at the lotus feet of Rama.” In this way, Sage Bharadhwaja concluded his affectionate speech and all those ascetics assembled were extremely happy, deities showered flowers on Bharatha and a divine voice heard “Dhanya Dhanya” echoed in Prayaga.

 

Bharatha elevated in a state of ecstasy, the heart full of love for Rama and Sita, his lotus-like eyes shed tears, he prostrated before the ascetics assembled and spoke with folded hands “Oh! saintly men and ascetics of Prayagraj, you all are highly intelligent, knower of all, Raghuram is all-pervasive, I would like to share the truth with you all, 1) I have no grief on my mother’s wicked act, 2 )I have no fear or grief about what others think of me, 3) I have no fear of afterlife.4) I have no grief on the death of my father who is eminent, and fortunate, has virtuous children Rama and Lakshmana, left his mortal coil which is Kshanabangura/destructible, at the grief of separation of Raghuram. Oh! Thapasvin, I am extremely grieving over the life of Rama, Lakshmana, and Devi Sita in the woods, attired in saffron robes and wandering in the woods without even sandals to protect their feet. They are attired in the skin of animals, consuming fruits and fiber roots, sleeping on Dharbha grass, taking shelter under the shades of the trees, they are living in extreme heat, cold, showers and wind, it rips my heart apart, hence I have no hunger in the day or sleep in the night, there is no cure for this illness of mine. My mother’s deceitful act destroyed the peace and serenity in the family, by sending Rama to the woods for fourteen years as if she is working for the welfare of her own son. It has brought the destruction of the clan, it could be restored only once Rama returns to Ayodhya, and otherwise, there is no chance for the prosperity of Ayodhya.” Sage Bharadhwaja and the ascetic highly appreciated Bharatha for his sincerity and affection; they consoled him “Oh! Vathsa, Oh! Bharatha, all your grief will get relieved the moment you get closer to the lotus feet of Rama. Oh! Bharatha, be my guest for today, and kindly accept the fruits.” Bharatha became thoughtful after listening to Sage Bharadhwaja, he prostrated before the sage and spoke with folded hands “Oh! Guru, your order is invaluable, and following them is my responsibility.” Munivara became happy listening to Bharatha.  Soon, Sage called his attendants and ordered them to arrange fruits and fiber roots for Bharatha and the people who arrived from Ayodhya. The attendants enthusiastically rushed out to collect the fruits and meal for the guests, Munivara sincerely prayed he could serve the guests at his heart’s content because Bharatha is the most special guest for him, a guest should be worshiped as a deity, immediately Ridhdhi and Sidhdhi appeared before him and revealed their wish to serve his guests, Munivara advised them to serve Bharatha and his people abundantly and relieve their grief from the separation of Rama. Ridhdhi and Siddhi were immensely happy to serve Bharatha who is an incomparable guest of Munivara and decided to please the people of Ayodhya with their service. Ridhdhi and Sidhdhi constructed several thousands of magnificent houses to stay for the guests that excelled the beauty of Devavimana and served the guests with all the Bhogavibhava even the deities’ gets jealous of them. The attendants dressed in fine clothes and received their guests, thus Sidhdhis created extraordinary arrangements and facilities that cannot be seen in heaven. The attendants took the guests and allotted the place to stay according to their interests, they offered excellent houses for Bharatha and his family, and the Munivara prepared an extravagant meal for the guests, with his divine power of austerities, which put Bhrama in great surprise.

 

Bharatha witnessed the magnificent arrangements made for the guests and surprised which were beyond words, the beauty excelled the abode of the deities and the luxuries overloaded were enthused the intellectuals to forget their austerities. The exquisite beddings, bedspread, lights, bedcovers, cushions, furniture, clothes, decorations, pleasure gardens, mangroves, various species of birds and animals, varieties of  fresh alluring flowers, nectar-like fruits, there were beautiful ponds, streams, fountains, there was a sumptuous meal, varieties of snacks, sweets, and savories, in every house there was one Kamadhenu and Kalpavriksha, watching this Devendra and Sacchi became jealous. It was the season of Vasantha Rithu, there was a cool breeze carrying rich fragrances of flowers. The people of Ayodhya took great pleasure in the richness and the comforts in the houses; they had a mixed feeling and had become anxious at the thought of leaving it very soon.