Alighting at Bharadwaaja's aashrama, they sent word in advance to Guha and
Bharata.
The city of Ayodhya swam in a sea of joy.
Raama and Bharata met. Planning for Bharata's sake, ambitious Kaikeyi and her hunchback
maid had contrived and concocted plots. But now, as Bharata bowed at the feet of Raama, a
joy deeper than what they had planned for him was his. What kingly crown could equal the
joy one found at Raama's feet? What sovereignty could bring one the glory that was now
Bharata's forever?
The Vaishnava hymns exalt Bharata even
above Raama for a spotless mind and unblemished unselfishness. For fourteen years till the
return of Raama, Bharata installed Raama's paadukas and administered the kingdom as a
devotional exercise in the service of his brother.
Now that Raama was crowned King as his
father had wished, Bharata's penance was at an end and his heart was filled with joy. |