BHARATA SUSPECTED

Divesting himself of his silk garments and his weapons and accompanied only by the ministers he went on foot behind Vasishtha. A little further on, he left behind -even the ministers, and he and Vasishtha alone went forward.

When Bharadwaaja saw Vasishtha, he rose from his seat and went to meet the illustrious visitor and bade his disciples to bring the customary water for the feet of the guests.

Bharata offered humble salutations to Bharadwaaja. Learning who he was, the rishi received him with the respect due to a king and made enquiries concerning his welfare. He thoughtfully refrained from making any mention of the sad fate of Dasaratha.

The narration that follow is as told in Vaalmeeki's epic. A few words by way of explanation may be useful. Bharadwaaja suspected and questioned Bharata, just as Guha had done earlier. This is, however, not so put in Tulasi Raamaayana which is a poem of pure 'Bhakti.' There is nothing that was not within the knowledge of rishis. How then could Bharadwaaja (in Tulasi Raamaayana) entertain any doubt about Bharata?

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