July 12 - Sargas 89 and 90 of Ayodhya Kanda.
Valmiki describes how Bharata and his army cross the Ganga with Guha's help. When Bharata meets Bharadwaja, he has to clear his name and clarify his intentions before the great sage Bharadwaja agrees to help him go and find Sri Rama.
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The next morning, Bharata tells Shatrughna that they should proceed by crossing the Ganga without delay. Just then, Guha arrives to enquire about their welfare and if they have rested well at night. Bharata replies in gratitude for all the hospitality. Now, would Guha please arrange boats for them to cross the Ganga?
Guha assures them it will be done expediently. He instructs his capable people to arrange a sufficient number of boats. Valmiki describes how the transportation occurs efficiently:
ते तथोक्ताः समुत्थाय त्वरिता राजशासनात् ।
पञ्च नावां शतान्याशु समानिन्युः समन्ततः ॥
अन्याः स्वस्त्तिकविज्ञेया महाघण्टाधरावराः ।
शोभमानाः पताकिन्यो युक्तवाहाः सुसंहताः ॥
"Thus ordered by their king, Guha, his people sprang into action and brought from every direction a total of five hundred boats in double quick time.
" In addition, they also brought special, comfortable, boats called Swastika, built very sturdily, which had big sails, were decorated with bells and flags, and shone brilliantly."
The priests, sages, ministers, the principal queens and Bharata and Shatrughna board a Swastika boat. That boat is carpeted in white and decorated with finery. Everyone else quickly boards the other boats.
They citizens burn down their overnight makeshift tents in the forest and pour copius water over the entire area to ensure that man-made structures don't interfere with Nature's ways.
Those who are unable to get passage on boats use rafts. Others use mud pots to float across. Some others swim across.
Elephants cross like majestic mountains on wings. Horses travel in boats. All materials and equipment are safely transported.
By even-fall, Bharata reaches the ashrama of sage Bharadwaja. As we saw earlier itself, it is situated amidst sublime nature.
Bharata approaches the ashram on foot with sage Vaishstha and offers hia deep respects to the renowned sage Bharadwaja. After making mutual enquiries about one another's welfare, Bharadwaja comes straight to the point:
किमिहागमने कार्यं तव राज्यं प्रशासतः ।
एतदाचक्ष्व सर्वं मे न हि मे शुद्ध्यते मनः ॥
"Bharata, you should be engaged in ruling the kingdom. What brings you here? Please tell me everything. My mind is not clear about your intentions.
" The greatly valorous Sri Rama, known for his bringing joy to all, whom Queen Kausalya was fortunate to give birth to, has been banished to live for long in the forest, along with his wife, Sita, and Lakshmana. This was done by his father on the demand of a woman.
कच्चिन्न तस्यापापस्य पापं कर्तुमिहेच्छसि ।
अकण्टकं भोक्तुमना राज्यं तस्यानुजस्य च ॥
"Sri Rama is totally devoid of sin. I hope you are not here, by any chance, with the intention of destroying Sri Rama and his brother, so that you can there-after rule the kingdom without any opposition or impediments?"
Bharata is deeply cut by these suggestions. In his typical way, he explains how he has come to worship Sri Rama's feet and take him back to Ayodhya to be installed as the king. Bharata has had absolutely no part in Kaikeyi's evil manoeuvres that banished Sri Rama. He begs Bharadwaja not to attribute such evil motives to him. Would the sage most kindly tell him about Sri Rama's whereabouts and how he can reach him.
Sage Vasishtha also reinforces what Bharata has said in his defence.
Sage Bharadwaja finally says wisely,
जाने चैतन्मनःस्थं ते दृढीकरणमास्त्विति ।
अपृच्छं त्वां तवात्यर्थं कीर्तिं समभिवर्धयन् ॥
"Dear Bharata, please know that, of course, I was aware already of your mindset. I asked you to disclose your plans so that your noble intentions are in the open for all to see and appreciate. This will enhance your fame greatly.
"I know where Sri Rama resides at present. He is staying on top of Chitrakuta mountain along with Sita and Lakshmana. I shall help you to reach him.
"Meanwhile, kindly stay for the night here. We shall extend whatever hospitality we can in the ashram to you and your entourage."
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
