Ayodhya Kandam

66. Funeral Postponed

[King Kausalya cries a lot and goes on berating Kaikeyi. The ministers transfer body of Dassaratha in the tub of oil, so that the funeral can be carried out by his sons, after they come back.]

After the king departed to heaven, he looked like fire which has been put out, a dried up ocean, the sun who has lost his luster and Kausalya who was crying due to varying types of sorrow, kept the head of the king on her lap and told Kaikeyi. 66.1-66.2

"Oh notorious one, oh lady with bad ways, Oh Kaikeyi, let your wishes, be fulfilled and having forsaken the king, without any obstacles and with concentrated mind enjoy this kingdom." 66.3

"After Rama has gone, my husband also has gone to heaven. I do not want to continue living travelling in the wrong path and bereft of any well wishers" 66.4

"Which women would like to leave a god like husband on her own and would like to live except Kaikeyi, who does not follow Dharma." 66.5

"Like a miserly man eating the poisonous Kimpaka fruit which is with defects, for the sake of the hunchback, Kaikeyi has destroyed the clan of Raghu." 66.6

"Hearing the banishing of Rama along with wife in an act of injustice by Dasaratha, king Janaka will suffer sorrow like me." 66.7

"That follower of Dharma who has eyes like lotus petals, who has gone from here, does not know that I have become a widow as his father is no more." 66.8

"That sage like daughter of the king of Videha would also suffer great sorrow and her mind would be greatly agitated." 66.9

"Hearing the fierce and loud sounds of animals and birds at night, she would have been scared and seek the protection of Rama." 66.10

"King Janaka who is old and does not have any sons, worrying about Sita, would become extremely sad and might give up his life." 66.11

"Being his virtuous wife, now itself I will choose death by embracing him and entering his funeral pyre." 66.12

The attendants of the queen lead away that unfortunate and highly distressed Kausalya who was crying embracing the body of the king. 66.13

Thereafter the ministers as per their instruction placed the body of the king in a tub of oil and performed the ceremonies that needs to be done. 66.14

Those ministers who knew everything did not desire to do the funeral rituals in the absence of sons and protected the body of the king. 66.15

Seeing the body of the king laid on the tub of oil by the ministers, the women cried, "Alas the king is no more." 66.16

With piteously uplifted arms and with entire face drenched by tears and crying due to great sorrow they lamented helplessly. 66.17

"When we have already parted from the truthful Rama who speaks with sweet words, Oh king, why did you also go away?" 66.18

"First Kaikeyi with evil intentions made us to be away from Rama and how can we who are widows live near that slayer of her husband?" 66.19

"The competent, sagacious and auspicious Rama has always been our protector as well as your protector has gone to the forest abandoning the royal wealth." 66.20

"Without you as well as that valorous one, being bewitched with sorrow, how can we live being abused by Kaikeyi." 66.21

"She has given up the king, Rama, the powerful Lakshmana as well as Sita, why will she not cast us out?" 66.22

Those blessed women of Dasaratha who have wetting themselves by rain of tears due to very great sorrow, convulsed on the floor without happiness. 66.23

Like a night without the moon, like the women without husbands, that town did not shine without the great king. 66.24

With people filled with tears with women shouting in great anguish and with empty courtyards and roads the city did not shine. 66.25

When the king started his journey towards heaven, with the women who were the wives of the king lying on the ground, the sun ended his journey and the darkness of night set in. 66.26

The people and friends of the king who had assembled there, did not agree for lighting the funeral pyre in the absence of the son of the king decided to lay the king in the tub of oil and this was beyond thought. 66.27

Like the Sky having lost its luster without the sun and with isolated group of stars the city bereft of any light was crowded by people who have assembled in courtyards in front of their houses and in squares and in roads. 66.28

The men and women of the city assembled in groups and denounced the mother of Bharatha and those people of the city without its king were greatly distressed and did not have any peace. 66.29

This is the end of Sixty Sixth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

67. Brahmins Suggestion

[The Brahmins assemble next morning and want a king to be selected from the Ikshuvaku clan immediately. They then list out all the problems that will arise if a king is not there for a country]

The night of that day in Ayodhya stretched without end, somehow got over with crowded people choked in sorrow and rendered greatly cheerless. 67.1

When the night came to an end and the sun rose up, the Brahmins who were entrusted with the job of choosing the king assembled in the royal hall. 67.2

The very famous, Markandeya, Moudhgalya, Vamadeva. Kashyapa, Kathyayana, Gauthama and Jabali along with the ministers and approached chief priest Vasishta and expressed their opinions and expressed different opinions. 67.3-67.4

"That orphaned night was like a period of one hundred years, having lost its lord due to the sorrow of parting with his son." 67.5

"The king has gone to heaven, Rama had gone to the forest and lustrous Lakshmana had gone along with his brother" 67.6

"Both Bharatha and Shatrugna who were destroyer of their enemies had gone to the pretty city of Kaikeyi called Rajagriha to live with their maternal grandfather." 67.7

"Let anyone belonging to the clan of Ikshuvaku be made the king now itself, since the kingdom would attain destruction without the king." 67.8

"In a country without the king, the garland of lightning and thunders does not drench the earth with its divine rains." 67.9

"In a country without a king, even a handful of seeds will not be sown and the son or wife does not obey the words of the head of the family." 67.10

"There is no wealth in the country without a king and even the wife would not stay with her husband and another great peril when there is no king is that truth will also not exist." 67.11

"In a country without king, people do not build buildings and gardens for recreation and temples do not exist." 67.12

"In a country without a king learned and self controlled Brahmins, who are well versed in Vedas and who have the habit of performing sacrifices do not perform Yagnas." 67.13

"In a country without kings, the wealthy Brahmins do not give abundant gifts to those who are chief priests of great sacrifices." 67.14

"In a country without a king the innumerable dancers and actors do not prosper during festivals or activities promoting the welfare of the country." 67.15

"In a country without a king, those engaged in law suits do not get their problems solved and those who are experts in telling of stories do not entertain the listeners of those stories." 67.16
"In a country without a king youthful ornamented ladies do not meet in pleasure gardens in the evening and get engaged in sports." 67.17

"In a country without a king, pleasure seeking men do not drive in a chariot along with their women in to the forests." 67.18

"In a country without a king, the rich people who have earned their money by cultivation and cattle rearing cannot sleep securely in their homes with doors wide open." 67.19

"In a country without a king the sixty year old elephants with long tusks and also adorned with bells cannot wander about in the royal avenues." 67.20

"In a country without a king, the clapping of the leather shields protecting the hands of archers who shoot arrows incessantly for practice is not heard." 67.21

"In a country without a king merchants cannot travel long distances with several kinds of marketable goods safely." 67.22

"In a country without a king, the sages who move about alone contemplating on the higher self, who seek residence in homes at evening times do not wander about." 67.23

"In a country without a king, the well being of people are not taken care of and the army cannot oppose the enemy in a battle." 67.24

"In a country without a king, you cannot see well dressed men riding on the best of the horses or chariots for getting happiness." 67.25

"In a country without a king, men who are experts in Sasthras do not sit for discussions in forests and in gardens." 67.26

"In a country without a king, the religiously disciplined people do not offer garlands of flowers, sweets and monetary charities while worshipping gods." 67.27

"In a country where there is no king, the princes who anoint themselves with sandal paste and agaru. look like trees in spring and do not look graceful." 67.28

"The country without a king is like rivers without water, trees without vegetation, cows without cowherds." 67.29

"The flag is the identification of a chariot, smoke is the identification of fire and we are without a magnificent king as he has gone to heaven." 67.30

"In a country without a king, no person can own anything as his own and men like fishes eat one another." 67.31

"The atheists who go beyond moral bounds and living without any fears, due to the fear of punishment of the king would also follow the path of virtue." 67.32

"like the sight daily watches over the welfare of the body, that king is the source of protection of truth and Dharma of the country." 67.33

"The king is the truth and Dharma. The king is the tradition of every family. The king is the mother and father and King is the welfare of the people." 67.34

"For that reason, a king with great characters excels the god of death, the god of wealth, and very strong god of rain." 67.35

"If the king does not happen to differentiate between good and bad actions, there would be darkness and nothing would be visible." 67.36

"Even when the king was alive, we used to obey your words like the ocean which never over steps its shore." 67.37

"Oh great Brahmin considering all these, please choose a son of Ikshuvaku race and anoint him as a king because, without a king the country is like a forest." 67.38

This is the end of Sixty Seventh Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

68. Messangers to Bharatha

[Vasishta decides to send messengers to call Bharatha. He tells them not to reveal anything to Bharatha. Swiftly travelling they reach the city where Bharatha lives.]

After hearing their words Vasishta replied to the friends and ministers of the king as well as the Brahmins. 68.1

"That Bharatha on whom the king has conferred his kingdom accompanied by his Shatrugna is living extremely happily in the home of his maternal uncle. So let us send swift messengers on high speed horses to bring them back. What is there for us to deliberate in this matter?" 68.2-68.3

And all of them addressed Vasishta then told, "Let them go" and on hearing their words, Vasishta said. 68.4

"Oh Siddhartha, Oh Vijaya, Oh Jayantha, Oh Asoka, Oh Nandana, I am addressing all of you and telling you. Let it be heard." 68.5

"Go swiftly to the city of Rajagriha on horses and having gone there hide your sorrow and this order should be told to Bharatha." 68.6

"The priest and all the ministers wish you welfare. Please return back urgently as a very urgent task awaits you." 68.7

"All of you after going there, do not tell him anything about Rama's exile to the forest or the death of his father or the disaster that has fallen on Raghu clan." 68.8

"Take along with you silk garments and precious ornaments, give them quickly to the king of Kekaya and depart quickly with Bharatha." 68.9

Those messengers who were going to the Kekaya kingdom, went to their homes, collected necessary things for the journey and mounting on excellent horses went. 68.10

After that those messengers after doing necessary arrangements, went on their journey after taking permission from Vasishta. 68.11

Those messengers reached Apartala Mountains travelling west, then they travelled North towards Pralamba mountains along the banks of river Malini which flows in between them. 68.12

Those messengers crossed river Ganga near Hasthinapura and travelled towards west through the middle of Kurujangala and reached the country of Panchalas with lakes full of water and rivers with crystal clear waters. They travelled with great speed so that their mission could be completed quickly." 68.13-68.14

Then they crossed the divine Saradanda River with its calm waters frequented by various type of fowls and filled with people and they speedily travelled further. 68.15

Then they worshipped the divine Sathhyopayachana [wish giving tree] tree growing on the banks and after saluting it entered the city of Kulinga. 68.16

They then reached the city of Abhikala and then crossed Ikshumathi river flowing from Bodhibhavana mountains which were once ruled by the father and ancestors of Dasaratha. 68.17

There having seen Brahmins who were drinking water from their own cupped hands and who were well versed in Vedas, they travelled through the middle of Bhalika country and went to the mountain called Sudama. 68.18

After seeing Vishnu's feet, Vipasa river, Salmali tree, rivers, deep wells with steps, lakes, ponds, large tanks, different type of lions, tigers and elephants, they undertook a very long journey to fulfill the commands of their master. 68.19-68.20

After a prolonged journey on their tired horses, those messengers swiftly went towards and reached the great city of Girivraja. 68.21

To please their lord and for protecting the clan of Ikshuvaku and for the sake of upholding the greatness of the clan of their master, without any negligence and with great speed they reached the town that night. 68.22

This is the end of Sixty Eighth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

69. Bharatha's Dream

[On the night before the messengers reached his place, Bharatha saw a dream of ill omen and was sure that some death should have taken place in his family. So he was out of mood.]

On that night when the messengers entered the city, on that same day Bharatha saw a very distressing dream. 69.1

Seeing a bad dream at dawn when the night had ended, the son of the king of kings was exceedingly troubled. 69.2

Having seen that he was suffering, friends of his age told pleasing words in that assembly so that his troubles would be removed. 69.3

To bring peace to him, some people played musical instruments, some of them danced, some enacted dramatic scenes and some others told jokes. 69.4

That great soul Bharatha could not be delighted by his friends as well as those who were telling pleasing words or by conversation and jokes. 69.5

One close friend addressing Bharatha, who was surrounded by friends asked "Oh friend, why are you not pleased in the company of your friends?" 69.6

Bharatha replied to him who told like this, "Please listen to the reason why grief has overtaken me."69.7

"In my dream I saw my father who was dirty and with disheveled hair, who has fallen from the peak of the mountain in the dirty water with cow dung." 69.8

"I saw him floating in a cow dung pond, drinking oil with his cupped hands and laughing again and again." 69.9

"I saw him eating rice with sesame seeds again and again with a bent head, with oil applied all over his body and entering the oil pool." 69.10

"In that dream I saw a dry sea, a moon fallen down to the ground, an earth covered by darkness, the tusk of an elephant fit to be ridden by a king broken down to pieces, a burning fire which was suddenly put off, the earth being split open, various trees getting dried up and mountains becoming split open and covered with smoke." 69.11-69.13

"I saw my father wearing black cloths and sitting on a seat made of iron and his being mocked at by women who were having black brownish complexion." 69.14

"I saw that soul of Dharma hurrying in a chariot drawn by donkeys, wearing garland of blood red colour and travelling to the southern direction." 69.15

"Then finally I saw a Rakshasi wearing red cloths with an ugly appearance mocking at him and dragging him away." 69.16

"Like this I saw a horrible dream last night indicating that either me or the king or Lakshmana would die." 69.17

"In the dream, if you see a man being dragged by donkeys in a carriage, then shortly, you would see him on the funeral pyre from which smoke would be rising up." 69.18

"because of this I am depressed and could not react to your activities. I feel that my throat is getting dried up and my mind is uneasy." 69.19

"I do not see any source of fear but I am only experiencing only fear. My voice has broken down and my appearance has become haggard and I am not able to understand why I hate myself." 69.20

"Having seen, in this greatly distressing dream, many forms which I have never seen before a great fear has occupied my heart and thinking about the great king, fear does not go away from my heart." 69.21

This is the end of Sixty Ninth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

70. Bharatha's Journey

[The messengers did not inform Bharatha of the real facts. After giving present to his grand father and uncle and getting several return gifts, Bharatha started on his return journey.]

When Bharatha was narrating about his dreams, those messengers with very tired steeds, reached the lovely city of Rajagriha which was surrounded by a moat which was very difficult to cross. They met the king of Kekaya and his son Yudhajit and they touched their feet and were honoured in return and then addressing Bharatha they told. 70.1-70.2

"Your family priest as well as all the ministers enquired about your welfare. They requested you to return in haste as you have matter to attend to, which is difficult. 70.3

"Oh broad eyed Bharatha, please take these very expensive dresses and precious ornaments. These may be accepted by you and be given to your maternal uncle. 70.4

"Oh son of the king out of these twenty crores are intended for the king and the complete ten crores is to be given to your maternal uncle." 70.5

Bharatha who is affectionate towards his friends, received them and in return honoured those messengers, enquired about their needs and asked them. 70.6

"Is my father doing well and are my brothers Rama and Lakshmana doing all right and in good health." 70.7

"I hope venerable Kausalya the mother of Rama, devoted to Dharma, an expert on Dharma, one who follows Dharma and who is sagacious is free of all sickness." 70.8

"I hope Sumithra the mother of Lakshmana the brother of valorous Shatrugna and who is an expert in Dharma observes all rituals and is keeping good health." 70.9

"Is my mother Kaikeyi who loves me, who is adamant, short tempered and who is proud of her intelligence, free of all illness and what did she say?" 70.10

When the great soul Bharatha uttered these words, the messengers addressed Bharatha respectfully and told. 70.11

"Oh tiger among men Bharatha, All those whose welfare you have enquired are keeping on all right. The Goddess of wealth and prosperity is awaiting you there. Let the chariot be yoked." 70.12

After being replied to like this by the messengers, he told the messengers, "I would take leave from the king of Kekaya and inform him that you are hastening me up." 70.13

That son of the king Bharatha after telling like to this to those messengers, addressed his maternal grandfather and said. 70.14

"Oh king, as urged by these messengers, I shall go to the proximity of my father and whenever you remember me, I shall come instantly." 70.15

Thus urged by him, the king of Kekaya who was the maternal grandfather of Bharatha, kissed him on his forehead, smelt him on his head and spoke these auspicious words. 70.16

"Oh child, I permit you to go. You are the very dear son of Kaikeyi and so inform her about my welfare, and also with your father, oh slayer of enemies." 70.17

"Oh child, Please enquire about welfare from the chief priest as well as other great Brahmins and also from the great archers Rama and Lakshmana who are your brothers." 70.18

The king after bestowing honours to Bharatha presented him with, well bred elephants. Blankets with different type of designs, antelope skins and riches." 70.19

The king of Kekaya after honouring the son of Kaikeyi gave him two thousand gold coins and sixteen hundred horses as wealth. 70.20

Similarly Aswapathi who is his maternal uncle gave Bharatha several estimable, trustworthy and virtuous ministers to accompany him on his return journey. 70.21

His maternal uncle also gave him several great elephants born in Iravatha and Indrasira, mountains and several pretty looking, swift moving and well trained donkeys which can be yoked easily and he also gave riches. 70.22

He also gave him well raised dogs of huge size, whose fangs are their weapons and which had great courage to guard his private apartments. 70.23

The son of Kaikeyi, Bharatha who was in a great hurry to depart was not delighted by the wealthy presents given by king of Kekaya. 70.24

His heart was full of extremely great worries due to the haste shown by the messengers as well as the dream that he saw earlier. 70.25

After he left his residence, he passed through the incomparable royal high way crowded by men, elephants and horses. 70.26

Then the very charitable Bharatha left the royal high way, saw the private apartments of the king far away and entered that apartment without any restriction. 70.27

Then after taking leave of his maternal grandfather and Yudhahjit who was his uncle, along with Shatrugna, he got in to the chariot. 70.28

Several hundred of chariots with round wheels joined him and camels, oxen and horses also followed him. 70.29

Strongly protected that great Bharatha, who was not having any enemies along with Shatrugna and several ministers who were similar to him left the house of his grandfather which was like a Siddha leaving the court of Indra. 70.30

This is the end of Seventieth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

71. Bharatha at Ayodhya

[Bharatha travelled for six days and reached Ayodhya. The city was full of sorrow and no sign of happiness is seen anywhere. Greatly upset, Bharatha drives towards his house suspecting some thing is seriously amiss.]

The glorious and auspicious prince of the Ikshuvaku clan Bharatha started from Rajagriha, travelled eastward and having crossed the rived Sudhama observing its course. Then he crossed Hladhaneeya River and then crossed the very wide Sathadru River which was flowing in the western directions. 71.1-71.2

The ever truthful, pure and blessed Bharatha at Aiyladhana crossed the river Shatdru River and reached Aparaparpatana region and then crossed the stone attracting Shilavaha River and then crossed Agneya and Salyakarsha regions and passed beyond the mountains and started travelling towards the Chaithraratha forest. 71.3-71.4

After reaching the confluence of Ganga and Saraswathi rivers, they went to Veeramatsya region and from there entered the Bharunda forest. 71.5

Then they crossed the swift flowing Kulinga River which was pleasing to the mind and bound by hills and reached the Yamuna River, where the army took rest for the night. 71.6

After cooling their body and after refreshing the tired horses, they bathed in the river and set out taking them stored water for their journey. 71.7

Then that son of the king passed through safely the uninhabited great forest in their chariot like a wind passing through the sky. 71.8

Bharatha the son of Raghu clan knowing that the wide Bhagirathi cannot be crossed in a place called Anshudhna, quickly reached a town known as Pragvata. 71.9

After crossing river Ganga in the city of Pragvata, they reached the Kutikoshti River and crossed it along with his army and reached a village called Dharmavardhana. 71.10

The son of Dasaratha after crossing Thorana village, travelled towards south reached Jambuprastha village and reached the pleasant Varutha village. 71.11

There after taking rest in the charming forest they travelled eastwards and reached Ujjihana garden which had lots of Priyaka trees. 71.12

After reaching the Sala and Priyaka trees, Bharatha asked his people to yoke fresh and speedy horses to his chariot, ordering his army to follow him." 71.13

That tiger among men after taking rest in a place called Sarva thirtha Crosssed Uthanika and several such rivers and crossed the mountain on a horse and crossed the Kuthika river riding on an elephant and crossed the river Kapivathi near Lauhithya. 71.14-71.15

After crossing Sthanumathi river in Yekasala, he crossed the Gomathi river at Vinatha village and as his horses were extremely tired he took rest in Sala forest near the Kalinga Nagara. 71.16

At night after crossing the forest at dawn, he could see the city built by Manu. 71.17

Having spent seven nights on the way that tiger among men saw the town of Ayodhya, he told his charioteer. 71.18

"Oh Charioteer, I am not able to see Ayodhya, the famous city of gardens from here. At a distance I am able to see Ayodhya made of white clay filled in plenty with Brahmins who are virtuous and learned in Vedas and ruled by royal sages." 71.19-71.20

"In earlier times I would hear the tumultuous sound created by men and women and now I am not able to hear that." 71.21

"In the evening the gardens used to be crowded with people who play with great desire but I do not see any such shine in the early morning." 71.22

"Oh charioteer, with passionate people seen to avoid the gardens, the city appears to me as a forest devoid of people." 71.23

"I am not seeing chiefs of men, who have ascended the elephant or a horse, coming out of or entering the city." 71.24

"Earlier the gardens used to be full with the sweet songs of birds and people used to engage in love play with women of great character there." 71.25

"I am seeing all those gardens devoid of happiness and the dried up leaves have covered all paths making it appear as if the garden is crying." 71.26

"I am also not able to hear the exuberant melodious songs of birds, which are freely moving about on the reeds." 71.27

"Why does not the wind blowing out of the city not carrying the sweet incense of sandal and Agaru, that use to fill our nostrils?" 71.28

"Why is that the sweet sound of Drum, Mrudanga and Veena and various other musical instruments are not heard from the city and why is the city with melancholy?" 71.29

"Oh charioteer, I am seeing many sins and many undesirable sights in the city and the ill fated omens seen there are filling my mind with remorse. It does not seem true that all my relations are living with welfare and so my mind is filled with grief." 71.30-71.31

Bharatha who had a peace less mind filled with fear and with a depressed heart entered the city ruled by Ikshuvakus. 71.32

Riding on a very tired horses, he entered the city through the gate called Vaijayantha. The gate keepers stood up, wished him victory and accompanied him. 71.33

Bharatha whose disturbed mind was travelling in several directions greeted the gate keepers and addressed the exhausted charioteers who were master of the horses. 71.34

"Oh faultless one, why have I been brought back here, in a hurry without any reason? I have lost my usual mind, suspecting many evil happenings here." 71.35

"Oh charioteer, in earlier occasions we used to hear of several signs of the death of the king and I am now able to see all those signs here." 71.36

"I see the homes of householders as not being swept and repulsive to look at. There is no auspicious look to all those homes and their doors have not been closed. No fire sacrifices seem to have been done in them and there is no smoke of incense coming out from there. The people look like they have not taken food and they do not look bright or auspiciousness. Altogether I see all the homes lack an auspicious look." 71.37-71.39

"The temples are bereft of the splendour of garlands and the floors and courtyards are not smeared and they look deserted and devoid of splendour." 71.40

"The offerings to the deities seem to have been thrown away and there are no groups performing sacrifices and in the markets of garlands, no saleable garlands seem to be there." 71.41

"I am not able see even traders like earlier as them seem to be restrained by losses and with dispirited by a worried heart." 71.42

"The multitude birds frequenting the temples seem to be dispirited in the city. Both men and women in the city wear dirty cloths and their throats seems to be choked and eyes filled with tears, They seem to be engaged in distressing thoughts and seem to emaciated." 71.43-71.44

Bharatha after having told the charioteer all this with a depressed mind, after seeing undesirable sights in Ayodhya, proceeded to the palace of the king. 71.45

He became greatly drowned in sorrow seeing the highways, crossroads and houses deserted and with iron nuts, nails and bars and locks covered with dust, the city which once looked like the city of Indra. 71.46

Seeing many things which are not desirable, which he had never seen before, with head bowed down and with depressed sorrowing mind, he entered the palace of Kaikeyi. 71.47

This is the end of Seventy First Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

72. Kaikeyi Informs Bharatha

[Kaikeyi receives her child Bharatha with happiness and when he persistently questions her, she informs him about the death of Dasaratha. Later she admits that she was instrumental in Rama getting banished and requests Bharatha to take over Ayodhya.]

Not able to see his father in his father's home, Bharatha went to his mother's home to see his mother. 72.1

Kaikeyi seeing her son, who was absent for a very long time, sprang up from her golden seat, to see him. 72.2

As soon as Bharatha the follower of Dharma entered his house, he found it devoid of auspiciousness and he clasped in reverence the feet of his mother immediately. 72.3

After smelling the forehead of the famous son, she hugged him and made him sit on her lap and started talking to him. 72.4

"How many nights have elapsed after you left your grandfather's home? Are you not tired due to the swift travel in the chariot?" 72.5

"Does your grandfather keep good health? What about Yudhajit your maternal uncle? Did you have a pleasant time there? Please tell me everything." 72.6

When Kaikeyi asked like this to the son of the king, that lotus eyed one told about everything to his mother. 72.7

"This is the seventh night after I started on my journey. My mother's father and my maternal uncle are keeping good health?" 72.8

"The wealth and other precious articles given by the destroyer of enemies, the king of Kekaya are on their way. Since they were exhausted, I came first leaving them to follow me." 72.9

"Having been hastened by the messengers who brought the orders of the king, I came speedily. Mother I would like to ask you some things, please reply." 72.10

"Your couch decorated by gold seems to be empty and I feel that the people of Ikshuvaku clan do not seem o be happy with me." 72.11

"Normally the king always stays in my mother's home. I do not see him here and I have a desire to see him." 72.12

"Oh mother I want to clasp his feet and so please answer my question. You may tell me whether by chance he is senior queen Kausalya's home." 72.13

Kaikeyi replied to Bharatha, who did not know as to what transpired in such a way, that the undesirable news, looked desirable. 72.14

"Your great, lustrous father, who was the one who did many yagnas, has attained that place which is attained by all souls." 72.15

Bharatha who was born in a family of people following Dharma, as soon as he heard this, was shattered with the sorrow due to the news of father's death, at once fell down on the ground. 72.16

"Oh I am finished" uttering these pitiable words deserving compassion, he lifted his hand above his head and fell down. 72.17

That greatly lustrous one overwhelmed by the great sorrow on hearing the news of his father's death, with mind affected by delusion lamented. 72.18

"My father earlier used to lie down on this couch and used to shine like the moon on a spotless sky at the end of rainy season." 72.19

"This couch does not shine today as he is not present on it like the sky without moon and the ocean without water." 72.20

Bharatha who was the greatest among those who succeed who cleared his tear choked throat, becoming extremely sad, covered his face with a holy cloth and cried. 72.21

He who was like a deva, affected by the great sorrow fell on the earth, like a Sala tree which was uprooted by an axe in the forest. Kaikeyi seeing him who is like the sun and moon, behaving like mad elephant lifted him from the earth and spoke to him as follows. 72.22-72.23

"Oh very famous prince, do not lie down and get up. People with great knowledge like you. who are honoured in any group should not become sad like this." 72.24

"Oh Bharatha, who is blessed with intelligence who follows conduct according to Dharma as prescribed in Sasthras and who is entitled to do sacrifices, your wisdom will shine like the light of Sun." 72.25

After weeping for a long time, he rolled on earth and after suffering great sorrow, he replied to his mother like this. 72.26

"I started on this journey thinking that the king was about to crown Rama or he was about to conduct a great sacrifice." 72.27

"But everything that has happened is different and it has shattered my mind for I cannot see my father who looked after my welfare and happiness." 72.28

"Oh mother, due to which sickness did the king die before my coming. Rama and others who could perform his last rites are indeed very fortunate." 72.29

"Surely the very famous king does not know about my arrival or he would have, immediately come, bent and smelt my forehead." 72.30

"Where is the soft endearing touch of my father who is never tired of performing action, which would wipe away all this dust?" 72.31

"Please inform wise and tireless Rama, who is my brother, father, relative as well as slave, about my arrival." 72.32

"To the one who knows the Dharma of a gentleman, the elder brother is his father. I will clasp his feet as it is my only support now." 72.33

"What did my father who knew Dharma and who practiced Dharma and who considered saying truth always as his penance and who was valorous in truth, say?" 72.34

"I would like to know and hear his last words said about me exactly." Hearing this Kaikeyi started narrating the incidents as it happened. 72.35

"The king wailed Oh Rama. Oh Lakshmana, Oh Sita and that great one attained, the other world which is attained by the greatly blessed people." 72.36

"At the time of his death, these were the words uttered by the king, who was caught in the noose of time like a great elephant." 72.37

"Those people are blessed and would see that their desire is fulfilled if they can see Rama, the valorous Lakshmana as well as Sita come back." 72.38

Hearing these words, which indicated second unpleasant news, Bharatha was greatly distressed and with a downcast appearance asked her again. 72.39

"Where has the soul of Dharma and the one who gives happiness to Kausalya along with his brother Lakshmana and Sita have gone at this time?" 72.40

Having been questioned like this, his mother started telling him the truth using the unpalatable great words, thinking that he will like them. 72.41

"Oh son, that son of the king wearing dress made of grass went to the great forest Dandaka accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana." 72.42

Bharatha knowing the greatness of his own clan, was upset and had doubts about such an action against Dharma by Rama and asked. 72.43

"I do not believe, Rama unlawfully usurped the wealth of a Brahmin or did not cause harm an innocent person whether rich or poor." 72.44

"I hope he did not covet the wife of someone else or killed an unborn child. For what crime has he been banished to go to Dandaka." 72.45

And thereafter his fickle mother with a normal behaviour of women, started to tell about her actions in detail. 72.46

That foolish Kaikeyi under the impression that she was wise spoke the following joyful words to the great soul Bharatha. 72.47

"Rama has not usurped even little of the wealth of a Brahmin, he has not harmed an innocent person who is rich or poor and has not seen another man's wife by his eyes." 72.48

"As for me my son, hearing about the coronation of Rama, I requested the kingdom for you and the banishing of Rama." 72.49
"Your father followed his own promise and did just as requested and sent away Rama, Lakshmana along with Sita." 72.50

"That very famous, great king, not able to see his darling son, was drowned in the sorrow due to parting with his son and merged with the five elements." 72.51

"Oh follower of Dharma, today itself you can take possession of the kingdom as all these have been done by me for your sake." 72.52

"Oh little son who depends on Dharma, leave out this sorrow and the great worry and take courage and make this country, without any obstacles, under your control." 72.53

"So my son, follow the procedure laid down and in consultation with experts in rituals like Vasishta and other great Brahmins, perform the death ceremonies of the king without getting depressed and get yourself consecrated as the king of this earth." 72.54

This is the end of Seventy Second Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

73. Bharatha's Anger

[The greatly upset Bharatha shouts at his mother and telling her that she is a sinner and destroyed his clan. He tells that he would bring his elder brother back and make him the king.]

Hearing about the death of his father and banishing of his brothers, Bharatha replied weighed down by great sorrow. 73.1

"What is the use of this kingdom to me who is sorrowing due to being fallen in misfortune due to the loss of my father and the elder brother who is like my father." 73.2

"By reducing the king to a corpse and Rama in to a sage you have created sorrow within sorrow to me like putting salt in a wound." 73.3

"You have come here to destroy my clan like the night of death and my father did not realize that by taking you, he is embracing a log of fire." 73.4

"Oh great sinner, you have brought about the death of my father, Oh disgrace of my clan, out of your ignorance you have destroyed my family." 73.5

"My famous and very truthful father by acquiring you, was tortured by intense grief and has departed from this world." 73.6

"Why did my father who liked Dharma was destroyed? Why has Rama banished to the forest and went there?" 73.7

"Mother Kausalya and Sumithra who are sorrowing due to parting with their sons would find it difficult to survive in your company though you are my mother." 73.8

"My noble brother Rama who is a soul of Dharma, who knew how to conduct himself with elders, moved with you in an incomparable way just like he behaved with his mother." 73.9

"In a similar fashion the far sighted elder queen Kausalya adhering to Dharma was treating you like a sister." 73.10

"Oh sinner, you have made the pure hearted Rama who is the son of Kausalya wear the dress of bark and grass and made him go to the forest. Do you not feel sad for this?" 73.11

"What reasons did you find to banish the famous Rama, who has never even thought of a sin, who is valorous and has full control of his mind, to the forest wearing cloths of bark?" 73.12

"You being avaricious, you perhaps do not know my devotion to Rama and for the sake of the kingdom, you have brought this great distress on me." 73.13

"Without seeing those two tigers among men, Rama and Lakshmana, with what power would I be able to rule this kingdom?" 73.14

"Daily the king used to depend on the very strong Rama for protection of the country like the Meru mountain depends on the forest surrounding it for protection." 73.15

"How can I bear and drag this weight, which could be done by only great man as I am like a young bullock which requires training?" 73.16

"Otherwise by employing various tricks or by using the strength of my intellect, I might get sufficient power to draw the kingdom, but I would not fulfill your ambition as you are blinded by love towards your son." 73.17

"I do not feel like renouncing you who has determined to do sin, because Rama used to give you the same attention that he used to give to his mother." 73.18

"Oh lady who only sees sin, Oh lady who has lost her virtue and Dharma, how did such a thought grow in your mind, which is insulting to our ancestors?" 73.19

"In our clan earlier only the eldest son would be crowned as the king and his brothers would concentrate their attention in helping him." 73.20

"Oh wretched one, I hope you are seeing the Dharma of a king or you do not know the permanence of the royal tradition." 73.21

"In the family of kings, the eldest son would always be crowned as the king and though it is a general rule for al kings in the clan of Ikshuvaku this is more important." 73.22

"They who shine with the character of the clan, have Dharma as their sole protection and this pride of their tradition has been turned back, because you were taken in their clan." 73.23

"Even your family had a bevy of distinguished kings and how come this delusion of mind originated in you." 73.24

"Oh lady, who is determined in doing sin, I will not obey the wish of your mind, And you have made me greatly distressed and would bring the end of my life span." 73.25

"As for now itself I will cause you great displeasure by bringing back my brother who is loved by all from the forest." 73.26

"After bringing back Rama who has a very stable inner mind and who shines with luster, I shall become his slave." 73.27

That great person Bharatha after telling like this, which were unpleasant hurting words to her, became greatly affected by sorrow and roared like lion inside the cave. 73.28

This is the end of Seventy Third Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

74. Bharatha Further Berates Kaikeyi

[Bharatha is not able to tolerate as to what his mother had done. He tells that she is not his mother and would only go to hell.]

After berating his mother like this, Bharatha overtaken by further great wrath told her again. 74.1

"Oh cruel lady who does wicked acts, Oh Kaikeyi, You would lose this kingdom which you desired most for spurned by Dharma you would keep on crying about me who is dead." 74.2

"Because of you Rama Was sent to exile and the king has died. What harm has the king and the very virtuous Rama have done to you?" 74.3

"Oh Kaikeyi, By destroying this clan you have acquired the sin of killing an unborn child and you would go to hell and not live with your husband in the other world." 74.4

"You have sinned greatly by doing the horrible act, by sending the darling of the entire world to the forest and I also am afraid of you." 74.5

"Due to your action my father is no more and Rama has gone to the forest and by this act you have gained notoriety in this entire world." 74.6

"Oh lady who has the form of my mother, Oh my enemy, Oh cruel lady, Oh Lady who wants to posses the kingdom, Oh bad mannered lady, Oh killer of the husband, I would not speaking to you from now on." 74.7

"Kausalya, Sumithra and my other mothers, are overwhelmed by great sorrow by you who has spoiled my race." 74.8

"You are not at all the daughter of the sagacious king Aswapathi who is the follower of Dharma and you are a demon born to him, with a purpose of destroying the clan of your father, for your have sent Rama who is always observer of truth to forest and also sent my father to the other world due to that great sorrow." 74.9-74.10

"The very great sin that you did has separated me from my father and made me abandoned by all my brothers and hated by all." 74.11

"Oh lady determined to do sin, Oh Lady going to hell, By separating Kausalya who is a follower of dharma from her son, it is not known to what world you will go?" 74.12

"Oh cruel one, why are you not realizing that the self possessed Rama, who was born to Kausalya who is liked by all relatives is my elder brother and equivalent to my father." 74.13

"A son who is born out of every limb of the mother as well as her heart is the most beloved to any mother and all other relations are not that important." 74.14

"The Cow Surabhi, an expert in Dharma and respected by all devas, saw her two sons who were pulling the plough fainting and falling." 74.15

"Having seen her exhausted sons at mid day fallen on the ground, she cried due to sorrow due to her sons and her eyes filled up with tears." 74.16

"Her fine, and fragrant drops of tears trickled down and fell on the body of magnanimous king of devas." 74.17

"He Realized that the fragrant rain of tears which fell on him, was from the divine cow Kamadhenu." 74.18

'Searching all places, That Indra saw that the Cow Kamadhenu was standing on the sky and he realized that it was greatly sorrowful and wailing due to great distress." 74.19

"Seeing that she was full of sorrow, that famous Indra armed with Vajrayudha, with folded hands he approached the cow and asked." 74.20

"Oh cow who desires the welfare of all, are you worried about some problem for me from anywhere? What is the reason for your sorrow? Please tell me." 74.21

"Hearing these words from the sagacious king of devas That Surabhi which was courageous and expert in speech replied." 74.22

"I do not foresee any problem for you from anywhere. Oh king of devas. I am only miserable and weeping seeing my sons who are a pair of bulls, who are in trouble. Seeing them very much tired being scorched by the rays of the sun, and being beaten by the ploughman, I am sad." 74.23-74.24

"When I see them, who were born out of this body, suffering great anguish by the weight that they carry, I become sad, because there is no one in this world who is equal to a son." 74.25

"Seeing her who has thousands of sons spread all over the world, weeping due to sorrow of one son, Indra also concluded that there is nothing greater than the son." 74.26

"If Kamadhenu whose only desire is to help all the world, Who has unparalleled Character, who is endowed with prosperity, who has several great virtues and conduct and who has thousands of sons is sad for two of her sons, what can anyone say about Kausalya who has only one son and who has parted with her.?" 74.27-74.28

"This good woman has only one son and you have made her childless and so you would always suffer out of sorrows, even in the other world." 74.29

"I will without any doubt, do all that is necessary to atone for your improper conduct towards my father and brother and increase my fame." 74.30

'I would myself enter the forest, frequented by sages, to bring back the all powerful Rama, who is the son of Kausalya." 74.31

"Having seen the throat of citizens choked with tears, Oh Sinner, Oh lady determined to do sin, I cannot endure to carry this burden of sin committed by you." 74.32

"You please either enter the fire or go to the Dandaka forest or tie a rope round your neck and die as I do not find any other recourse to you." 74.33

"As soon as I get back, I would give this kingdom to Rama who is valorous in truth. I would become contented and would have got cleansed of my sin." 74.34

After telling like this, Bharatha, who resembled an elephant of the forest troubled by goad and sharp prods fell on the ground like an angry and hissing serpent. 74.35

With blood shot eyes, with torn disheveled dress, with ornaments in disarray, that destroyer of enemies who is the son of the king fell down on earth, like the flag of Indra after the festival got over. 74.36

This is the end of Seventy Fourth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

75. Bharatha Meets Kausalya

[Bharatha meets Kausalya who was coming to meet him. Kausalya tells him that he should be happy now because he would become the king. The glorious Bharatha curses the one who advised his mother to send Rama to forest in many ways. Kausalya understands his innocence.]

That valorous one got back his senses after a long time and seeing his mother who was miserable and with tear filled eyes, started finding fault with her in the midst of the ministers. 75.1

"I never desired this kingdom and nor did my mother consult me about it. I was not aware of the plan of a coronation, as I was far away from here along with my brother Shatrugna." 75.2-75.3

"I did not know about Rama living in the forest after his being banished along with Lakshmana as well as Sita." 75.4

"Having recognized the loud crying sound of the great Bharatha, Kausalya told Sumithra." 75.5

"Bharatha, the son of the cruel hearted Kaikeyi has come back and I would like to see Bharatha who can see far away in time." 75.6

Having said this to Sumithra the pallid, tired looking Kausalya who was sullied, trembling and almost lifeless proceeded to the place of Bharatha. 75.7

At that time, Bharatha younger brother of Rama along with Shatrugna started going towards the palace of Kausalya. 75.8

Then Bharatha and Shatrugna seeing the very sad Kausalya who was sorrowing, who has gone down, who has lost her senses, who was weeping and who was a very dear lady overtaken by sorrow and worries approached her with sorrow and embraced her. 75.9

Exceeding sad Kausalya seeing Bharatha told him, "the kingdom that you desired has become yours without any difficulty and this was speedily arranged by the cruel act of Kaikeyi." 75.10-75.11

"I do not understand what advantage that cruel Kaikeyi got by sending my son to the forest wearing a robe of bark." 75.12

"It would be but proper for Kaikeyi to send me speedily also to that place where my son with a stomach of gold and very great fame lives." 75.13

"Or otherwise of my own accord accompanied by Sumithra to safeguard me, I would go to the place where Rama lives along with the sacred fire of the home." 75.14

"It would be more desirable for you to take me to that place where my son, who is the tiger among men is performing penance." 75.15

"This huge country which is blessed with wealth and grains and abounding in horses, elephants, and chariots has been given to you by her." 75.16

That spotless Bharatha was pierced by many such very cruel words of reproach and that Bharatha was intensely pained. 75.17
Hearing those maddening words, he fell at her feet, crying and losing his senses and on regaining his senses, he stood up motionless. 75.18

Bharatha saluted her who was wailing like this due to very great sorrow, with great reverence and told her. 75.19

"Oh lady, why are you finding fault with me who is bereft of any guilt. Do you not know the very great affection that I have towards Rama." 75.20

"That one who advised that my brother who is virtuous and ever wedded to truth, should be sent to the forest does not know the shastras." 75.21

"Let that sinful person who advised that my brother should be sent to forest, be made to work under a sinner and get the sin of urinating facing the sun and kicking a cow that is lying down." 75.22

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to forest acquire the sin of a person who made another one work hard without rest and without remuneration." 75.23

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of that person who does not fight courageously in a battle field, with ample army, elephants, horses and chariots." 75.24

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin like the king who after collecting one sixth of their income from people does not care to protect them." 75.25

"Let that man, who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin like the king who after promising monetary fee to conduct a Yagna to the ascetics, later denies it." 75.26

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin like the person who goes to the battle in which abundant elephants, horses and chariots are provided as also a great collection of weapons are provided does not discharge his Dharma by fighting well." 75.27

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin like the evil hearted one who destroys the subtle meaning of scriptures taught by a learned Guru." 75.28

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest be like me be unfortunate in not being to see the long armed broad shouldered resembling the moon and sun in luster sitting on the throne." 75.29

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin who eats sweet milk rice, sesame rice and goats flesh without offering it first to Gods and disrespects his teachers." 75.30

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin like the person who kicks the cows with his feet, abuses the elders and causes offence to his friends." 75.31

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin like the wicked person who passed on the secret told to him with trust to others." 75.32

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, be hated by the world, like the one who never helps, who is ungrateful and is a shameless one who takes his own life." 75.33

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of the person who though surrounded by wife, children and servants, eats all alone without giving it to them." 75.34

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, die without getting a worthy wife, without getting offspring and without performing religious deeds." 75.35

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, lead a life full of misery without begetting wife and children and does not live full span of life." 75.36

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin as told in scriptures for murdering the king, children, old people and deserting all his servants and dependants." 75.37

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin got by a person who looks after his dependants by trading in lac, wine, meat, metal and in poison." 75.38

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin, like a warrior, who runs away when war is in full swing fearing for his life." 75.39

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, wander like a man wearing rags and begs alms with a human skull in his hand and wander on this earth." 75.40

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, be always addicted to wine, women and gambling and be full of anger and passion." 75.41

"Let not the mind of that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, be not attached to Dharma and practice charity to the unworthy." 75.42

"Let the accumulated wealth of that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, be snatched away in thousand ways." 75.43

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin fixed for sleeping at dawn or dusk." 75.44

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of one who betrays a friend and violates the sanctity of the bed of Guru." 75.45

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of a person who does not service to manes and his father and mother." 75.46

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, should be removed from the men following Dharma, from their fame and the deeds practiced by them." 75.47

"Let that man who advised that my brother who is long armed and broad chested should be expelled, has committed the sin of leaving out looking after his mother for no reason at all." 75.48

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest and who has many sons become very poor, suffer from fever and disease and be always miserable." 75.49

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of destroying the hopes of pitiable beggars looking up to get some alms from them." 75.50
"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of that person who is abusive, miserly, impure, go against dharma and always afraid of the king due to practicing deceit to entertain their life." 75.51

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of that wicked person who neglects his virtuous and chaste wife who has observed the menstrual period so that she is ready for conception and has taken the ritual bath after her periods." 75.52

"Let that man, who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin like the one who neglects dharma and leaves the properly wedded wife and makes love to another man's wife." 75.53

"Let that man, who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of that Brahmin who lacks children." 75.54

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of the person who pollutes drinking water source and administering poison to others." 75.55

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of a person with disturbed mind who disturbs the worship being done a Brahmin and milks the cow having a young calf." 75.56

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of the person who has stock of water but does not give it to one who is thirsty." 75.57

"Let that man who advised that my brother should be sent to the forest, get the sin of a person who while judging religious disputes takes a biased view from only one side." 75.58

That son of the king trying to console Kausalya who has lost the company of her husband and son, became very sad and fell down at her feet. 75.59

Kausalya told these words to Bharatha who was suffering to swearing on various oaths and who was lying down due to the very great grief. 75.60

"Oh son, seeing your increased sorrow due to various oaths, my suffering increases and I felt as if you are choking my breath." 75.61

"Oh my dear child, your mind has not moved away from Dharma. Being truthful, along with Lakshmana you will attain the world of virtuous people." 75.62

After saying this, Kausalya drew that lover of his brother, made him sit on her lap and embraced that mighty one and cried. 75.63

That great Bharatha who was lamenting due to great sorrow, became besieged by great grief and swooned and became unsteady. 75.64

Greatly lamenting he lost his conscience and having lost his power of thought, he fell down on the ground. He passed that entire night taking deep, warm and tortuous breath. 75.65

This is the end of Seventy Fifth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

76. Bharatha Performs Funeral Rites

[Sage Vasishta instructs Bharatha to do the funeral rituals and Bharatha does it according to shastras. The queens of Dasaratha go round the funeral pyre.]

The very eloquent sage Vasishta who has great power of speech addressed Bharatha, the son of Kaikeyi who was completely consumed by grief. 76.1

"Oh very famous prince, be safe. Please stop this sorrow. The best time has come to conduct funeral rites of your father earnestly." 76.2

Hearing the words of Vasishta Bharatha became steady and that expert in Dharma performed all the rituals related to the corpse. 76.3

The body of the king was taken out of the oil container and kept on the ground sand the king Dasaratha with his pale ashen face appeared to be sleeping on the earth. Thereafter his body was laid on a magnificent couch adorned with many gems and seeing him like this his son Bharatha lamented greatly. 76.4-76.5

"Oh King who knew his Dharma, What did you want to do by banishing Rama and Lakshmana before I came back from the place where I have gone to?" 76.6

"Oh king, Why did you make Rama, the performer of pious deeds and a tiger among men leave me for bewailing about you?" 76.7

"Oh king, when you are away in heaven and Rama has gone to the forest who will look after the well being of this city?" 76.8

"Oh king, without you, the earth has become a widow and city looks more like a sky which has no moon." 76.9

Seeing Bharatha who was wailing like this with a sorrowful mind, the great sage Vasishta told the following words. 76.10

"Oh great one, now the funeral rites of the great king needs to be done without any hesitation and with great attention." 76.11

Hearing the words of the very worshipful Vasishta Bharatha said "So be it", and speeded up family priests, Vedic Scholars and other Gurus to do the activities related to the death rites. 76.12

The fire maintained by the king in his fire sanctuary were put outside in accordance with the principles of rituals and were withdrawn by priests well versed in Vedas. 76.13

After that the attendants with throats choked by tears and with a very dejected mind bore away the dead king on the hearse. 76.14

The people went through the way ahead of the king spreading cloths of gold and other colours. 76.15

Logs of Sandal and Agaru trees, Guma of Guggul and Balsa trees, wood from Sarala, Padmaka and Devadaru trees and many other fragrant substances were brought by the people and were strewn to make a funeral pyre and thereafter the priests placed the body of the king on the centre of the pyre. 76.16-76.17

The priests of the king offered oblations to his fire and chanted prayers. The priests who were experts in reciting of Sama Veda sang it according to sacred scriptures. 76.18

The queens of the king, accompanied by aged attendants according their ranks departed in Palanquins as well as vehicles to that place. 76.19

Then the priests as well as the women consumed with sorrow and lead by Kausalya went round the burning funeral pyre in the clockwise direction. 76.20

At that time piteous and sorrowful Wailings of the women going round the pyre was being heard and sound as if Krouncha birds were making noise. 76.21

Then those great women weeping and again and again lamenting uncontrollably alighted from their respective carriages on the banks of river Sarayu. 76.22

After offering water oblations, the wives of the king, priests and ministers along with Bharatha entered the city with tear stained eyes and spent the ten days of mourning lying on the floor. 76.23

This is the end of Seventy Sixth Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.

77. Bharatha Performs Death Rituals

[Bharatha then does all the death rituals and takes purificatory bath on the 13th day. When he was sorrowing, Vasishta consoled him by pointing out the inevitability of death.]

After ten days were over, the son of the king purified himself and on the twelfth day started doing Sradha [ritual for manes]. 77.1

He gave to Brahmins gems, wealth, food, various types of costly garments and very many types of precious articles. 77.2

That son, while performing the ritual to the king pertaining to other worlds, gave Brahmins, very many white goats, hundreds of cows, male and female servants as well as houses. 77.3

On the thirteenth day morning after reaching the place of rituals for performing the purificatory ceremony, the very strong Bharatha cried and swooned due to sorrow and in a sad voice coming from a lumped throat lamented the death of his father standing at the foot of the funeral pyre and spoke these words of sorrow. 77.4-77.5

"Oh father, Rama to whom you have entrusted to take care of me, has been sent to the forest by you and I have been left in this void." 77.6

"Oh king where have you gone making my mother Kausalya as an orphan, having sent her son who is her only support to the forest." 77.7

Seeing the circular place where his father's bones were burnt being in red colour and also coated with ash, he cried loudly in great sorrow. 77.8

He who was desolate seeing it cried and fell down on the floor, like the flag of Indra when it was being raised. 77.9

After that all his ministers approached him who was observing purificatory penance like the saints approached king Yayathi when he fell down. 77.10

Seeing Bharatha Shatrugna also was drowned in sorrow and remembering about the king fell senseless on the ground. 77.11

Becoming mad in sorrow he wailed in grief, thinking about the various good characters of his father again and again. 77.12

"Kaikeyi is a horrible crocodile originating from the Mandara mountain living in this sea of sorrow, who is incapable of being agitated and drowned my father in the form of boons." 77.13

"Where have you gone father, having left this wailing boy Bharatha who is always soft natured?" 77.14

"You used to make us choose out of food, drinks, cloths and ornaments and give them to us? Who will do it now?'" 77.15

"You were a great king of Dharma who was greatly magnanimous. Without your presence, this earth should have broken in to pieces but it is not breaking." 77.16

"My father has gone to heaven and my brother has gone to forest and for what purpose am I living now. I shall enter the fire and die." 77.17

"I will not enter the city of Ayodhya which was ruled by the Ikshuvaku clan as it does not now have my father and brother and I would enter the forest for penance." 77.18

Having heard the wailing of both of them and thinking about the calamity that has befallen on them, their attendants became sadder. 77.19

Those two brothers Bharatha and Shatrugna who were both dejected and Exhausted lay writhing on the floor like a bull whose horn is broken. 77.20

Then the priest of their father, who knew how to cure the nature's ills, rose up Bharatha and spoke to him as follows. 77.21

"Oh lord, this is the thirteenth day after the death of your father and his heap of bones and ashes still remain here. Why this delay in your part?" 77.22

"Without exception three dualities are applicable to all human beings viz. - hunger and thirst, pain and pleasure and birth and death. Since these can never be avoided, it is not proper for you to sorrow like this." 77.23

Sumanthra the philosopher raised up Shatrugna, talked him about inevitability of birth and death and consoled him. 77.24

Those two tigers among men who were famous got up and were shining like the flag of Indra which got faded due to exposure to sun and rain. 77.25

The ministers and others hastened the sons who were wiping away their reddened eyes and who were speaking in a depressed way, to complete the funeral rites quickly. 77.26

This is the end of Seventy Seventh Sarga of Ayodhya Kanda which occurs in Holy Ramayana composed by Valmiki as the First Epic.