||Sri Ram Jeyram Jay Jay Ram ||

Chapter – 37– Ayodhya Kandam

Bharatha's devotion to Rama /Indra's jealousy on Bharatha

Bharatha did not get surprised watching the splendor of the houses and the arrangements made for the guests by Sage Bharadhwaja, and did not take pleasure in it like Chakravaha pair spends the night together looking opposite to each other.  On the next day, Bharatha and the people accompanied took a bath in the Thriveni and prostrated Sage Bharadhwaja, and attained the blessings of the Sage. Bharatha with the excellent escort conducted their journey through the dense wood to Chitrakoot, Bharatha walked all the way holding hands of Guha, like intimate companions.   Bharatha was not having Cchathra or Padhuka, his austerities, sincerity, love, disciplines, and vows were marvelous. Bharatha insisted Guha to describe the journey of Rama, Sita, and Lakshman to the forest, Guha explained them affectionately. Guha showed the trees where Rama took shelter, and the places Rama walked on the forest, Bharatha could not control splash love for Rama. The deities praised the devotion of Bharatha and showered flowers, in this way they have walked several miles, there were rain clouds and cool breeze, even Rama could not enjoy the journey in the woods as Bharatha.

The living things and non-living things who met Rama were equally deserved to attain Paramapadham. The living and non-living things witnessing Bharatha crossed the sufferings of the worldly existence as well. The Siddhas and Sages felt immensely happy watching Bharatha and spoke “people who constantly contemplate Rama and recite his names would easily cross the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence, moreover they becomes capable to make others to cross the ocean of Samsara. Bharatha is beloved of Rama and younger brother to him; therefore it is nothing to get surprised to watch his devotion and capabilities to provide the auspiciousness to others.” Indra became anxious watching the splendor of Bharatha, the world is too good for the pious and too bad for the wicked people. Indra spoke to Bhrihaspathi “Swami, kindly do something that retreats the meeting of Rama with Bharatha. Rama is too shy, is the ocean of mercy and Bharatha is the ocean of love, therefore the meeting with these two may create obstacles to the welfare of the deities. Therefore find out a way to stop the meeting of these two brothers, so that all our plans to bring Rama to the woods won’t go futile.”

Sage Bhrihaspathi smiled at Indra, even though Indra has thousands of eyes, he is blind by heart. Sage Brihaspati spoke “Oh! Indra, Oh! Sureshwara, who dares to create illusion against that Mayapathi? It won’t work the way you want, it will create trouble for you. All those we have worked were at the will of the Supreme Lord, it has happened the way Rama desired, if we work anything at our own will it will definitely bring harm to us. Oh! Suresha listens to me, Rama never gets angry even to his enemies, he won’t do harm to anyone, it is his good nature. If anyone does harm to the devotees of Rama, he will not keep quiet, the enemy would burn in the fire of the anger of Rama. The legend of Sage Durvassa and Ambareesha is famous in the world and Veda. Thus, he understood the sanctity of Ramanama when the whole world recites the name of Rama; the supreme Lord recites the name of Bharatha. None has that supreme love like Bharatha to Rama. Oh! Lord of Amaravati, do not bring that thought of creating troubles to the devotee of Rama, it would bring endless hardships and ill fame and grief in Paraloka. Oh! Suresha, listen to my advice, Rama dearly loves Bharatha, who is a sincere servant to him. Bharatha takes pleasure in the service to Rama, and the Lord serves the Bhakta, whoever creates enmity towards them would bring disaster to themselves.  The supreme Lord is impartial; he is void of Ragadhvesha, Papa or Punya, Guna, or Dosha. The Jeeva earns happiness and sorrow according to their Karma, Jeeva earns piousness and wickedness according to the nature of its devotion to the supreme Lord who has taken the Sagunaroopa for the welfare of his devotees, he has no virtues or impurities, and he is eternal. Oh! Indra, The Veda, scriptures, and the sacred texts reveal that the supreme Lord is promising to his ardent devotees, therefore leave all your wickedness and cultivate devotion at the feet of Bharatha. The devotees of Rama always promising to others, they take part in the grief of others, they are kind and compassionate. Bharatha is Bhakthashiromani, Oh! Devaraja, do not get worried about the meeting of Bharatha and Rama.”

Sage Bhrihaspathi continues “Oh! Devaraja, the supreme Lord Rama is absolute truth and close companion of the deities, Bharatha follows the instructions of the Rama, you are selfish that’s why you are worried about their meeting. It was not Bharatha causing grief to you; it is your ignorance causing grief to you.” Surapathi relieved from the grief with the advice of Sage Bhrihaspathi. Lord Indra showered flowers upon Bharatha and praised his devotion to Rama.