July 23 - Sargas 111 and 112 of Ayodhya Kanda.
This covers Bharata's agreeing to return to Ayodhya and receiving the Padukas from Sri Rama.
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स तेऽहं पितुराचार्यस्तव चैव परंतप ।
मम त्वं वचनं कुर्वन् नातिवर्तेः सतां गतिम् ॥
वृद्धाया धर्मशीलाया मातुर्नार्हस्यवर्तितुम् ।
अस्या हि वचनं कुर्वन् नातिवर्तेः सतां गतिम् ॥
भरतस्य वचः कुर्वन् याचमानस्य राघव ।
आत्मानं नातिवर्तेस्त्वं सत्यधर्मपराक्रम ॥
Sage Vasishtha concludes by telling Sri Rama: "Dear Rama, the vanquisher of foes, I was the preceptor to your father. I am your preceptor also. By following my advice, you are not stepping outside the path of the righteous.
"Here is your old and principled mother. You should not ignore her words. By following her words, you are not transgressing the path of the righteous.
"Here is Bharata. He is begging you to return. Dear Rama, I know your greatness is rooted in truth and righteousness. By complying with his request, you are not deviating from your values."
Sri Rama now replies: "Respected sage, the role of parents in one's life exceeds that of all others'. The way parents loving bring up their children, heeding every demand and showering their care and love, playing with them, putting them to sleep, providing whatever comforts and needs they can afford, the way they speak to the children in their own lisp endearingly and school them, can never be repaid.
स हि राजा दशरथः पिता जनयिता मम ।
आज्ञापयन्मां यत् तस्य न तन्मिथ्या भविष्यति ॥
"King Dasharatha was my father who brought me up. Whatever directive he gave me is what I am following. That cannot be rendered false."
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Now Bharata decides to do Satyagraha. He says he will lie down on darbha grass in front of Sri Rama's cottage and stay without food or drink as long as Sri Rama does not relent. He asks Sumantra to get darbha grass. When Sumantra doesn't move, Bharata himself brings the grass, spreads it and lies down. This is the world's first Satyagraha.
Sri Rama is pained and says,
किं मां भरत कर्वाणं तात प्रत्युपवेक्ष्यसे ।
ब्राह्मणो ह्येकपार्श्वेन नरान् रोद्धुमिहार्हति ॥
"Dear Bharata, why are you resorting to this? This is the method adopted by a Brahmin who has been wronged by someone and does not want to use violence to get his due. He lies down on darbha grass in front of that man who has wronged him and lies on one side without food, drink, or any contact with the world until the man relents and restitutes the wrong. But this method of coercion does not befit a kshatriya like you. In fact what wrong have I done to you?"
Bharata now appeals to the onlookers, the citizens of Ayodhya, to persuade Rama. They all reply in one voice that they have understood the scion of Raghus, Sri Rama, and his adherence to his word. His stance in this matter is right. They know he will not return to Ayodhya now.
Sri Rama admonishes Bharata and makes him get up. He asks him to purify himself by washing his hands with water (an act common in Hindu rituals) and by touching Sri Rama for purification.
Bharata now speaks to everyone assembled: "Look, I never forced this situation. I never coveted the kingdom. I never made my mother ask for those boons. I never wanted Sri Rama's exile. If it is absolutely essential that a fourteen-year exile in the forest is to be undertaken, I shall do it. I want Rama to return and rule Ayodhya."
An astonished Sri Rama says, "Nobody can change our father's orders. Father's decision is binding and a good one.
"All that has transpired shows what an excellent ruler Bharata will make with his steadfastness in truth and righteousness. So everything will turn out well.
"After fourteen years I shall return from the forest and rule Ayodhya well with my brothers."
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तमप्रतिमतेजोभ्यां भ्रातृभ्यां रोमहर्षणम् ।
विस्मिताः सङ्गमं प्रेक्ष्य समुपेता महर्षयः ॥
Valmiki narrates that all the sages assembled there were delighted and astounded by the moral fibre of these two brothers and their steadfastness of purpose.
At that moment even celestial sages arrived and remained invisible, intent on watching the two brothers. Sage Valmiki reminds us that these sages were privy to the larger purpose Sri Rama had to fulfil - the destruction of the ten-headed demon Ravana. So they influenced the proceedings.
The sages told Bharata, "Dear Bharata, you are truly a worthy scion of the illustrious Raghu race. Your sagacity and virtuous conduct are exemplary. Just as Sri Rama is following your father's orders, you too should comply.
"In fact, your father went to heaven because Sri Rama fulfilled his word to Kaikeyi."
The sages concluded their words (and the celestials went back to heaven), and this gladdened Sri Rama. Bharata made one final pitiful appeal shaking in his limbs and grasping Sri Rama's feet. He said Sri Rama should accede to his and his mother's plea to return.
"Dear Rama, I won't be able to meet the expectations of the people. Everyone wants you to be the king. In the interest of stability of Ayodhya, please accept the kingdom."
Sri Rama embraced Bharata, lifted him up, seated him in his lap. He spoke in an extremely sonorous voice (Valmiki says that of the amorous swan):
"Dear Bharata, my child, your inborn wisdom and your learning show your eminent capability to protect this earth. Carry out your actions after due consideration and counsel with ministers and well-wishers. One thing is for sure. The lustre of moonlight may forsake the moon. The Himalayas may lose their snow. The oceans may transgress their shores. But I shall not forsake my promise to our father."
Sri Rama now said something very significant. "Whether it is out of greed or affection for you that Kaikeyi may have done what she did, you should not feel agitated and you must always conduct yourself as a worthy son."
Bharata then produced a pair of golden sandals. (One commentator says sage Vasishtha had made Bharata bring those sandals from Ayodhya).
आधिरोहार्य पादाभ्यां पादुके हेमभूषिते ।
एते हि सर्वलोकस्य योगक्षेमं विधायतः ॥
तव पादुकयोर्न्यस्य राजतन्त्रं परंतप ।
"Dear great soul Sri Rama, please place your feet in these golden bejewelled Padukas. These Padukas will henceforth ensure the welfare of all mankind and offer protection. The rulership of Ayodhya will be discharged by me by placing them on the throne.
"Dear Rama, know that I shall live outside Ayodhya with matted locks and wearing barks and leaves for fourteen years. I shall enter the fire and immolate myself if you do not return at the end of that period."
Sri Rama said, "Be it so." He sanctified the sandals. He warmly embraced Bharata and Shatrughna. He repeated his instruction, "Do not be ever angry with Kaikeyi. I am binding you to this vow on my and Sita's life".
A tearful Bharata accepted the sandals, placed them on the best of royal elephants, and took his leave.
Sri Rama sent all his blessings with them and went inside his hermitage.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
