BHARATA
In
the Hindu epic Ramayana, Bharata
was the second brother of the main protagonist Rama, and the son of Dasaratha and
Kaikeyi. It is said that after Rama, he was the symbol of dharma and idealism.
A few commentators, however, deem Bharata to be even greater than Rama himself
in virtue. He is considered to be born in the aspect of the Sudarshana Chakra, the
most famous of Vishnu’s Panchayudhas. Bharata was the second of the four sons of
Dasaratha. His mother was the daughter of Kekeya Kingdom. The Ramayana describes
the four brothers as loving and devoted to one another. He was also the husband
to Mandavi, daughter of
King Janaka’s brother Kushadhvaja and thus a cousin of Sita, who was wife of Rama.
Bharata
was away from Ayodhya when Rama went into exile. When he learned of the exile,
he was mortified. He severely reprimanded his mother and immediately declared
his intention of bringing Rama back from the forests and, if need be, to serve
out his exile for him. When the people of Ayodhya and the numerous allies of
Rama learned of this, their scorn and hatred towards Bharata, and he was
immediately made immortal in fame to the world by his selflessness, honour for
his family's fame and tradition, adherence to truth and righteousness, and love
for his elder brother.
Ayodhya's
guru, Vasishta, stated that no one had learned the lessons of dharma better than Bharata. After delivering the
painful news of their father's death to Rama and Lakshmana, Bharata argued with
Rama to return to Ayodhya as emperor, but the latter steadfastly refused on the
grounds that such a deed would be unrighteous. Upon an explanation from King Janaka
that since Bharata's love for Rama was unparalleled, it became his duty to
enable Rama to live righteously. Bharata gave up his efforts to take Rama back
to Ayodhya before the fourteen year exile elapsed. Though deeply disappointed,
Bharata returned to Ayodhya after receiving a promise from Rama that he would
return promptly at the end of the fourteen year exile and ascend the throne. He
vowed to Rama that if Rama did not return immediately when the fourteen years
elapsed, he would give his life up by immolation.
He
agreed to govern Ayodhya, not as its ruler, but as Rama's representative1.
The people supported Bharata, as he became the 'king' of Kosala and Ayodhya,
but Bharata himself placed Rama's sandals at the foot of the royal throne, and
neither sat upon the throne nor crowned himself. Bharata's reign was righteous
and the kingdom was safe and prosperous, but Bharata continuously longed for
Rama's return. During this time he did not forgive his mother Kaikeyi, and
diligently served Kousalya, Rama's mother, and Sumitra, Lakshmana's mother.
The deep love and esteem that Rama had for
Bharata is evident from Rama's declaration that his love for Hanuman was on par
with that of his love for Bharata.It is also known that Bharata conquered Gandhara
and created his kingdom of Takshasila comprising present day Punjab, Pakistan,
Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia. The present-day Pakistani city of Taxila
is also a mark of his rule. Pushkalavati, which is present day Peshawar, was named after his second son
Pushkal.
When
the 14-year period of exile elapsed; Rama had just vanquished Ravana, the Rakshasa
emperor of Lanka. Remembering Bharata's vow, an anxious and worried Rama sent
Hanuman ahead of himself to prevent Bharata from sacrificing his life. Upon
Rama's return to Ayodhya, Bharata led the procession to greet the rightful king
and queen, and his brother Lakshmana. Although Rama intended to crown Lakshmana
the Yuvaraja, or Crown Prince after his own coronation, Lakshmana pointed out
that Bharata's great virtues and years of experience as Ayodhya's administrator
qualified him better, and thus he was immediately made Yuvaraja by Rama. When
Rama decided to retire, Bharata and Shatrughna joined him. When Rama walked
into the river Sarayu, he transformed into his eternal and original Mahavishnu form.
Bharata and Shatrughna walked into the river also and united with him. The Koodalmanikyam
Temple in the state of Kerala is the only temple of Bharata in India.
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