Hari Om.
Let us begin the one hundred twelfth sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
More drama unfolds at chitrakUTa! As rAma is unyielding to any type of justification, to cut short his exile and return to ayOdhyA and assume the throne, bharata turns desperate. He gets ready to stage a protest-unto-death and lays the hay in front of the hermitage of rAma. He is about to sit and protest when rAma asks him to desist from that. Apparently such a protest was the right of a brAhmin and not one who was to crowned as a king! This subtle dharma cited by rAma forced bharata to drop his resolve to do so. He desperately questions the citizens on their silence and their apparent lack of insistence of rAma’s return. The eminent citizens had grasped the vow of dharma of rAma to safeguard the word of his father. They tell bharata that rAma is right in his assessment and they are unable to overlook his commitment to dharma! Indeed this showcases the diligence of the citizens of the kingdom. The prince bharata now threw up his hands and announced to everyone that he had absolutely no hand in this banishment of rAma and proclaimed his innocence. rAma understands his innocence and purity of heart and assures that he shall rule over the earth upon his return. Onwards
The host of sages who were witnessing the hair raising debate between the brothers were deeply drawn towards them, astonished at their utter commitment to dharma and effusive in the praise of the venerable and great brothers. The sages and celestial personages who were invisible to others also echoed these sentiments among themselves.
The assembled sages who were desirous of quick decimation of the ten-headed demon (rAvaNa) intervened and said to bharata –
[Here we see a passing mention of the divine drama from 35000-feet above the ground. In the poignant and emotional avalanche, mahaRshi seems to be attempting to remind the reader about the purpose of rAma’s birth! See 1.15. Meanwhile. something is cooking among the gods… ]
“O bharata, born in an illustrious clan, endowed with great intellect and virtuous conduct, please accept rAma’s word if you care for your father. We would like that rAma stays unindebted to his father. King daSaratha having kept his promise given to kaikEyI ascended the heavens”.
Having crisply dictated thus, the sages, demigods and other celestial personages moved on. These words brought delight to rAma and he hailed their verdict and paid them his respects. Then bharata, who was thoroughly disappointed, folded his hands and said –
“O rAma, you ought to accept my pleadings and those of my mother keeping the royal code of conduct in mind. I alone am incapable of protecting the large kingdom and keep all the well wishers and citizens in good humor. Our relations, soldiers, friends and citizens await you much like the farmer awaits the rain clouds. O mighty one, you alone are capable of protecting this kingdom”.
With such sweet words, the loving brother fell at the feet of brother rAma. Drawing such a beseeching brother unto himself, rAma addressed him lovingly –
“O dear bharata, your wisdom is both inborn and carefully preserved through good practice. With such wisdom, you can easily rule over the world. Take your ministers, preceptors, wise people and well wishers into confidence, discuss with them and accomplish even most difficult deeds.
The moon may cease to be bright, the himavat mountains may be devoid of snow, the sea may breach the shores but I shall never go back on word given to our father.
लक्ष्मीश्चन्द्रादपेयाद्वा हिमवान्वा हिमं त्यजेत्।
अतीयात्सागरो वेलां न प्रतिज्ञामहं पितुः।।2.112.18।।
Don’t even bother thinking whether your mother did this out of desire or greed. You should just treat her as one would treat a mother”.
Listening to these words of rAma, bharata replied –
“O rAma, kindly place your feet on these gold studded sandals. They shall reign over ayOdhyA and they shall ensure the welfare of the world over these fourteen years”.
आधिरोहाऽर्य पादाभ्यां पादुके हेमभूषिते।
एतेहि सर्वलोकस्य योगक्षेमं विधास्यतः।।2.112.21।।
Then illustrious rAma, put on those gold studded and sandals and gave it back to the magnanimous bharata as per his request. Brother bharata bowed to those sandals and said to rAma –
“I shall reside outside the limits of the city of ayOdhya these fourteen years, wearing bark robe and matted hair, subsisting on fruits and roots and earnestly awaiting your return. I shall carry out the administration of the kingdom placing the responsibility on your sandals.
स पादुके सम्प्रणम्य रामं वचनमब्रवीत्
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि जटाचीरधरो ह्याहम्।।2.112.23।।
फलमूलाशनो वीर भवेयं रघुनन्दन।
तवाऽगमनमाकाङ्क्षान्वसन्वै नगराद्बहिः।।2.112.24।।
तव पादुकयोर्न्यस्तराज्यतन्त्रः परन्तप।
O rAma, upon the completion of the fourteenth year if I don’t behold you, I shall enter fire without waiting further”.
rAma accepted this by saying “so be it” and affectionately embraced him and Satrughna and said –
“Always protect your mother kaikEyI. Don’t be rude to her. Swear by me and sItA that you will do so”.
With these words, eyes filled with tears, rAma bid good bye to his brothers. The righteous bharata carefully took the sandals blessed by rAma, worshipped them and having circumambulated rAma and placed those on the head of the best of the elephants. Then rAma appropriately honored and bid good bye to the citizens, preceptors, ministers and his brothers. He was unmovable like the himAlayas in dharma. The mothers were choked and out of their sadness could not even speak anything. Paying his respect to the mothers, rAma bid them a tearful farewell and entered his hermitage.
Here we conclude the one hundred twelfth sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
Click on the above link for word by word meaning from IITK website
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Next: 2.113. bharata returns, but not empty handed
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 