The Role of Bharata in The Ramayana

Of the characters that have been sketched in Valmiki’s immortal epic poem, the Ramayana, the role played by Bharata (one who nourishes)¹, the son of Dasaratha by his youngest wife Kaikeyi is expressive of piety, righteousness, generosity, self-sacrifice and devotion.

Bharata was born on the day following that on which Rama was born at the auspicious hour of the confluence of the moon’s mansion Pushy a with the zodiacal sign Pisces. He was married to Mandavi, daughter of Kusadhvaja, younger brother of King Janaka of Videha. After his marriage, he stayed with his maternal uncle Yudhajit. On a certain night, he visualised bad dreams in his uncle’s house. On the next morning, he had an emergent call from the sage Vasishta. It may be said that it is only on the death of his father and on his return to Ayodhya from Yudhajit’s kingdom that his role begins.

When Bharata receives the shocking news of his father’s death as also the banishment of Rama for fourteen years in the woodlands and learns that his mother Kaikeyi was instrumental in bringing about these hardships, he is filled with grief and overpowered with anger. Sumantra introduces Kaikeyi along with Kausalya and Sumitra. The scene of the meeting of Kaikeyi with Bharata is full of pathos. The sorrowful news comes to him like a hit from the thunderbolt. Bharata in a fit of rage and desparation addresses his mother thus: “You sinful woman, by virtue of my having come out of your womb, I am now a wicked person. I shall enter into fire or swallow poison or kill myself with the sword and thus perish. You are a savage, the destroyer of your husband and so you shall enter into that hell in which the wicked are baked like the potter’s vessel.”

Bharata disowns his mother and says: “You wicked woman, it does not seem appropriate for you to stand between my mother (Kausalya) and my mother (Sumitra) in the same manner as a polluted stream is let in between the Ganges and the Jumna.”

“Mama maatascha maatascha madhyastaa tvam na sobhase
Gangaayamunayormadhye kunadeeva pravesitaa.”
(Bhasa’s Pratima Nataka, Act III-17).

He falls at the feet of Kausalya in remorse for the cruel act of his mother.

When Kaikeyi demands an explanation from him as to what she has done, Bharata replies thus: ‘You have associated me with ill-repute, my illustrious brother with bark garments, the king with cessation of life, the entire city of Ayodhya with mourning, Lakshmana with the deer, the mother who loved their sons with grief, your daughter-in-law with the exhaustion of journey and yourself with censure and blame.” (Op. Cit: A III-18) In dejection, Bharata declares that he would set up a new Dharma (binding rule) that when a woman gives up affection for her sons as a consequence of the evil effects that are brought about by cruel inclination, sons themselves hold an indifferent attitude like strangers–the first instance in point of this kind in the world–that a mother on account of her detestable feeling of dislike (enmity) should be regarded as no mother.

“Loke apoorvam sthaapayaamyesha dharmam bhartrudrohaa dastu
maataa pyamaataa.”                                                              (Op. Cit: A III-19)

The next act of Bharata was to reject the crown that was offered to him and immediately repair to the hermitage of Rama in that deep and dark jungle (which served as the royal hall). Bharata asks Kaikeyi “This Rama is the best among those who preserve or defend justice. For our race, it is but right in the fitness of things that sovereignty should always vest in the eldest (or most senior). Not knowing the established usage of the family as also the true state or condition as laid down by the great, what has now been done (inadvertantly) by a blockhead like yourself requires clarification.”
(Tattvasamgraha Ramayana: Ayodhyakanda XV-32-33.)

In the conception of Bharata, Ayodhya without Rama was no Ayodhya at all. To him, the only place where Rama dwelt was Ayodhya. (Naayodhyaa tam vinaayodhyaa saayodhyaa yatra Raghavah.)

Neither tears nor entreaties were of any consequence in changing the decision of Rama to remain in the wilds in obedience to his father’s command (mandate). Rama lifted up the prostrate Bhararta to his ever-loving breast and addressed him with his gentle speech thus: “Trust me, oh! Bharata, you are one who is endowed with lofty ideals–virtue, strength and ability. You are competent to rule the world-wide empire in your faith and strong purpose. Our father’s ancient ministers who are ever faithful will be of assistance to you with their counsel in keeping up our ancient frontiers. But listen to me. The moon may lose his lustre. The Himalayas may be deprived of the snow. The heaving ocean may change its confines with its surging motion. The truth-abiding Rama will on no account fall on the promise that is given already.”

Bharata still entreated Rama for a humble token of his love, kindness and high command in the form of his sandals.

“Paaduke dehi raajendra raajyaaya tava poojite.
Tayah sevaam karomyeva yaavadaagamanam tava.
Navapanchasamaapte tu prathame divase yadi
Naagamisyasi ched Rama pravisaami mahaanalam.”
(Adhyatma Ramayana: Ayodhyakanda: IX-49, 52.53)

“Oh excellent king, be pleased to grant me your sandals. With them, I shall be serving you as a votary till your return to Ayodhya. But if after the expiry of the fourteen years stipulated you fail to return on the day following, it is quite certain that I will enter into the great fire.” Bharata assumed charge of the sandals and swore before Rama thus: Along with the banished Rama, Bharata shall also wear barks and matted tresses for fourteen years. He will as the crown prince appear in the garments of a hermit of the woods, residing at the outskirts of the city of Ayodhya, his staple food consisting of wild berries and bulbs.”
(Valmiki Ramayana: Ayodhyakanda: Canto CXII-23-29)

Holding Satrughna by the hand, Rama said to Bharata thus: “Protect your mother Kaikeyi. Do not express any feelings of anger towards her. If in the event of there being any ill-treatment on your part towards her, you will be accursed by virtue of imprecations coming both from me as also Sita.” With these words of advice, Rama permitted Bharata to depart. Bharata holding the sandals of Rama walked round about Rama (circumambulation) and had his exit from the hermitage.

Rama blessed Bharata thus: “Hereinafter, you shall serve as an exhibitor (demonstrator) of the path of devotion to all the world planes). You shall also acquire fame by my grace.”

“Adyaprabhriti lokaanaam bhaktimaarga pradarsakah
Keertimaanapi lokeshu mat prasaadaad bhavishyasi.”
(Tattvasamgraha Ramayana: Ayodhyakanda)

After the expiry of the period of exile, Rama sent Hanuman in advance to Nandigrama with a view to prevent the anxious Bharata from immolation at the sacrificial altar. At that crucial moment, Hanuman said good words to Bharata and narrated to him the incidents connected with Rama’s fight with the fiends culminating in the death of the chieftain Ravana on the battlefield hinting also about the advent of Rama in the aerial car of Indra. Bharata functioned as the nominee of Rama for fourteen years. He was Rama’s trustee and acted as a caretaker in accordance with Rama’s directions. There is a description of Bharata’s handing over charge of the reins of government to Rama in the Yuddhakanda (Canto XIV of Adhyatma Ramayana).The sandals of Rama which were worshipped by Bharata with great devotion were placed at Rama’s feet. Bharata said thus: “This kingdom of yours with its limbs has been administered by me so far. I feel myself blessed in this life as I have been able to achieve my cherished end, when I see you, Oh Lord, returning to the capital city of Ayodhya. The State granaries as also the treasures in the vaults have been increased ten-fold. Let these be taken care of by your good self. Oh Lord of the Universe, be pleased to take over charge of these treasures as also your city and govern the country by your heroic lustre.” The monkey chieftains who witnessed this scene shed tears which came out profusely from their eyes and at that moment of rapture showered encomiums on the noble Bharata. (Op. Cit: 93-97)

In Valmiki’s Ramayana, slokas 1-2 of Canto CXXVIII of the Yuddhakanda give us the following account: That noble son of Kaikeyi offered obeisance to that truthful and heroic Rama and said: “My mother has been treated with respect. This kingdom of yours which has been placed as a deposit with me is now returned to you intact (status quo ante bellum).”

“Sirasyanjali maadhaya kaikeyyaanandavardhanah
Babhaashe bharato jyeshtam ramam satyaparaakramam
poojitaa maamikaa maataa dattam raajya midam mama,
Taddadaami punastubhyam yathaa tva madadan mama.”

Rama offered Lakshmana the post of the crown prince (Yuvaraja) but he declined to have it. It was Bharata’s lot to hold that office.

¹ Bharanaathbharatah– ( Tattvasamgraha Ramayana)