Hari Om.
Let us begin the one hundred fourteenth sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
Submissions, rejections, arguments, counter-arguments, points, rebuttals… the debate between bharata’s men and rAma had it all and went for long. While bharata and the preceptors tried everything they could muster, rAma was immovable like the majestic mountains himAlayas established thoroughly in dharma. The commitment to dharma was so staunch that the citizens of ayOdhyA saw his point and were unable to press the demand. This showcased the dhArmic maturity of the citizens of ayOdhyA. Left with no other option, bharata fell at the feet of rAma and got the gold studded sandals blessed by rAma. He averred that he shall stay outside the city and rule the kingdom by submitting everything to the sandals that represented rAma. rAma bid a tearful farewell to everyone. Then bharata proceeded along with his large entourage back to ayOdhyA. On the way he stopped by at sage bharadwAja’s hermitage and updated him about the proceedings at chitrakUTa. The sage was very happy to learn about it. Then bharata proceeded along to ayOdhyA. Onwards….
Traveling on his swift chariot that made a pleasing and deep sound as it moved, lord bharata entered ayOdhyA. Normal human and elephant movement in the city was not to be seen and it was full of the howls of cats and owls.
The city looked as if the bright and illumined consort of the moon, rOhiNi was alone as the moon was eclipsed by rAhu.
It further appeared like a humble stream comprising of hot and turbid waters that didn’t quench the thirst or provide cheer to the birds tormented by the sun or the aquatic animals like the fishes and the crocodiles.
It looked as if the bright and smokeless flame of the sacrificial fire extinguished upon putting the sacrifice!
The city resembled a battlefield where the soldiers, horses and the elephants have been felled in a great battle.
Further it appeared like the rising and roaring wave of an ocean quietened by the absence of breeze.
The city appeared like the deserted altar at the end of the yajna with all the priests and the paraphernalia moved out.
It appeared like a cow eager to meet the bull has been tied alone in the stable and provided with excellent grass that it doesn’t graze.
It looked like a pearl necklace devoid of precious stones.
It resembled a bright star that lost its sheen and fell on to the ground.
It seemed like the melodious sound of the bees has been suddenly curtailed by the fast spreading forest fire at the end of the spring.
With the shops and establishments closed, the city appeared like a star studded sky covered with clouds.
The city resembled a restaurant with drinking place in which the pitchers with wine have been emptied and lay scattered and broken hither and thither with those who drank lying around unconscious.
Further the city looked like a broken well bereft of water, like a bow with strings broken and felled by an archer’s onslaught, like fallen warrior. It seemed like a lake dried up of its water and exposing its aquatic life to peril and its water lilies withered.
It appeared like a man who didn’t decorate himself with ornaments or smeared with sandal paste. The city was lusterless like the bright sun completely covered by overcast clouds in the sky during the rainy season.
Riding the finest of chariot and beholding such a city devoid of its happiness, the great bharata addressed his charioteer –
“Bereft of rAma, I don’t hear the music emanating from the homes in ayOdhyA. The fragrance of flowers and garlands has ceased to flow here. The movements of the chariots, elephants and horses bringing life to the city are not to be seen. The youth are sad at the absence of rAma and stayed away from decorating themselves well with garlands and sandal paste. In this city without rAma, there are no festivities, no one steps out in gaiety, they are sad at being away from rAma.
Indeed the splendour of the city has left with rAma and the city resembles the dark night with a heavy downpour. I wonder when my brother will return to ayOdhyA and his return will be a grand festival for ayOdhyA generating joy like the summer brings for the clouds”.
Thus reflecting on the sad state of ayOdhyA bharata entered the palace without the king that resembled a cave without the lion! The inner chambers were without shine and light, dark and dim, resembling a (bad) day without the sun. Beholding such a sad ayOdhyA and feeling the separation from rAma bharata shed copious tears.
Here we conclude the one hundred fourteenth sarga of the ayOdhyA kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 2.115. bharata, the trustee
rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 