BHARATA SUSPECTED

Vaalmeeki pictures rishis not as omniscient sages, but as very human wise men and seekers after truth, liable to love and fear

somewhat like the rest of us. Just as Vaalmeeki delineates Raama as a hero rather than as an avataar, so he makes Bharadwaaja doubt Bharata because of his tender affection for Raama. Bound by his attachment to Raama, he hurts Bharata; seeing the latter suffer, he at once consoles him with an explanation.

All Vaalmeeki's characters are human beings with heightened human qualities. It is only under great stress or in exceptional circumstances that divinity shines faintly through the human nature. In the time of Tulasidaas, bhakti had reached its noon-day height. It shone dispelling every shade. Though bhakti predominates in Kamban's picture also, he contrives to retain the humanity of Vaalmeeki's characters and in places makes them even more beautiful.

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