Bharata decided to go to Kaushalya and ask for her forgiveness. He was also afraid of what Kaushalya would say to him, as he felt he was the cause of all this.
Shatrughna said Kaushalya would not be angry.
They quietly entered Kaushalya's room. Kaushalya hugged them both. Taking Bharata aside she told him to take over the reign of Ayodhya. She said whom did Rama ever hurt that your mother had to send him away on the day he was to be made king. Send me also to the forest where Rama is.
Bharata said You know I had no inclination of what was happening. I had no hand in this. Rama is dear to me and I would give my life up for him. If I take up the kingdom in place of Rama, let me damned for eternity.
Kaushalya said she knew how Bharata felt. She then said that the king's body was lying in a tub of oil. She asked him to perform the last rites for the king.
Vashishtha told Bharata that this was not the time to shed tears. The king had gone to heaven as he had not deviated from the truth. Seeing the body of the king, Bharata could not control himself. Crying he said, Father I have come. Please get up. People from all over have come to see you. Are you angry at me because of my mother?
Vashistha said it was time for performing the last rites. It was the duty of the eldest son to perform the last rites but as Rama was not there, Bharata would have to perform the task.
Heaps of agar wood and sandal wood were brought. Pitchers of butter and honey were sent for. Garlands of fragrant flowers also came. A cot studded with gems was brought. Dashratha was laid on the cot. Four bearers lifted the cot and went around the city, where people came by to have the last sight of the king. They all went, following Bharata. All went to the banks of river Sarayu.
The king's body was bathed in the waters of the river and the clad in clean white clothes. Perfume was then sprinkled all over the body and then covered with garlands. The body was then laid on the wood pile setup for the king. He was then covered with agar wood and sandal wood. Bharata poured molten butter on the wood pile and set it on fire.
A mixture of cooked rice and black sesame seeds (pinda) was offered to the king and then immersed in the waters of the river.
Bharata said he did not want to go back to Ayodhya but wanted to jump in the pyre and burn himself. Seeing this Vashishtha said life and death was a reality. He asked Bharata to take control, return to Ayodhya and take over the kingdom.
Shatrughna said Kaushalya would not be angry.
They quietly entered Kaushalya's room. Kaushalya hugged them both. Taking Bharata aside she told him to take over the reign of Ayodhya. She said whom did Rama ever hurt that your mother had to send him away on the day he was to be made king. Send me also to the forest where Rama is.
Bharata said You know I had no inclination of what was happening. I had no hand in this. Rama is dear to me and I would give my life up for him. If I take up the kingdom in place of Rama, let me damned for eternity.
Kaushalya said she knew how Bharata felt. She then said that the king's body was lying in a tub of oil. She asked him to perform the last rites for the king.
Vashishtha told Bharata that this was not the time to shed tears. The king had gone to heaven as he had not deviated from the truth. Seeing the body of the king, Bharata could not control himself. Crying he said, Father I have come. Please get up. People from all over have come to see you. Are you angry at me because of my mother?
Vashistha said it was time for performing the last rites. It was the duty of the eldest son to perform the last rites but as Rama was not there, Bharata would have to perform the task.
Heaps of agar wood and sandal wood were brought. Pitchers of butter and honey were sent for. Garlands of fragrant flowers also came. A cot studded with gems was brought. Dashratha was laid on the cot. Four bearers lifted the cot and went around the city, where people came by to have the last sight of the king. They all went, following Bharata. All went to the banks of river Sarayu.
The king's body was bathed in the waters of the river and the clad in clean white clothes. Perfume was then sprinkled all over the body and then covered with garlands. The body was then laid on the wood pile setup for the king. He was then covered with agar wood and sandal wood. Bharata poured molten butter on the wood pile and set it on fire.
A mixture of cooked rice and black sesame seeds (pinda) was offered to the king and then immersed in the waters of the river.
Bharata said he did not want to go back to Ayodhya but wanted to jump in the pyre and burn himself. Seeing this Vashishtha said life and death was a reality. He asked Bharata to take control, return to Ayodhya and take over the kingdom.
No comments:
Post a Comment