Kingdom divided among sons

Rama ruled the kingdom for eleven thousand years. Slowly Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra passed away.

One day the king of Kaikeya came to Rama and asked for his help. His land was being attacked the Gandharva Lomesha.
Rama called Bharata. He said Go to the land of your mother. Defeat the Gandharva and then make your sons the kings there.

Bharata went there and defeated the gandharvas. The sons of Bharata - Pushkara and Taksha were made kings there.

Sons of Lakshmana, Angada and Chadraketu were also made kings. The kingdom of Malya was given to Angada and Chandraketu got the land of Ahshwa.

Shatrughati and Subahu, sons of Shatrughna took over the kingdom of Mathura.

Ayodhya and Nandigrama was divided between Lava and Kusha. 

Bharata falls

Lava waited and watched Kusha fight Bharata. He thought Kusha is fighting well but he has become proud, having defeated Shatrughna. I will go to him, only when he needs help.

Kusha and Bharata were having a fierce battle. Kusha finished off the army of Bharata. Only seven soldiers were left. They asked Bharata to surrender and flee.
Bharata said A Kshatriya does not flee. Pointing to Kusha, he said See my soldiers want to run.
Kusha said let them go and inform Rama. Maybe Rama will come and fight.
Bharata said I am seeing Rama in you. If I loose today I will not be offended. You have the same skill and strength as Rama.
Kusha said You talk about Rama. What will he do when you fall in battle. If Rama defeats us that will be a blotch in our names. If I leave you, Lava will laugh at me.
Bharata said You talk of Lava. he will not be able to escape from Lakshmana.
Hearing this Lava came and said Lakshmana has fallen long back.

A battle started between Kusha and Bharata. Kusha cut off all arrows fired by Bharata and then finally he invoked an arrow. The arrow pierced Bharata. Bharata fell.

Lava went and embraced Kusha. They went to the nearby river and washed off the blood from their bodies. Changing their clothes, they went to their mother.

Sita said I was worried about you. What happened?
The brothers said The kings that had come hunting are gone now.

The soldiers who had escaped went to Rama and told him about the fall of Lakshmana and Bharata.

Rama fainted. Coming to his senses, he had tears in his eyes.

Sugriva said There is no point in grieving. We should go and fight.

Rama said That is well said. What is the point in me being here when my brothers lie in battlefield.

Getting a huge army ready, Rama started for battle.

Hanumana meets Bharata and Lakshmana is revived

Hanumana went back to the mountain. He started looking for the medicines. He then saw the gandharvas singing and dancing there. He went to them asked them to tell him where he could find the medicines.
The gandharvas said they obeyed only HaHa and HuHu who were their kings. Saying this they started attacking Hanumana. Hanumana also started fighting back.
HaHa and HuHu came to fight but were defeated by Hanumana. Hanumana then started moving from peak to peak but could not find the medicine.
Not seeing any other alternative, Hanumana tugged at the mountain and uprooted it. Many animals started running around. Trees fell. Hanumana jumped in the sky with the mountain in his hand.

Hanumana then flew over Kailasha and passed over Ayodhaya, while travelling southwards. Having heard a lot about Bharata,  He flew  Nandigram, where Bharata was living. Bharata saw something in the sky. It was huge and its shadow was covering the land. The moonlight falling on Rama's sandals was being covered. Who dared do this?  Now knowing who was this, Bharata gave a catapult to Shatrughna. Shatrughna aimed towards the sky. Taking the name of Rama, the catapult was released. The iron ball that had been propelled, hit Hanumana. Hanumana lost his consciousness. Still holding onto the mountain and the Sun, Hanumana landed in Nandigram. He started taking the name of Rama.

Hearing the name of Rama, Bharata came running. Bharata asked him who he was and how he knew Rama who had gone to the forests with Lakshmana and Sita.
Hanumana was in intense pain and was unable to speak.
Vashishtha then came there. The great sage knew what was happening in Lanka and had not said anything. He then said to Bharata, Why have you stopped this great person?
Vashistha, with some mantras, relieved the pain of Hanumana.
Hanumana then said all that had happened so far.

Bharata and Shatrughna broke into tears hearing the tale from Hanumana. Bharat then said I will come with you to Lanka. Shatrughna will handle Ayodhya.

Hanumana said Rama would not allow this. Bharata said Then go fast , Hanumana.
Hanumana said he had no strength left, after having been hit by the catapult.

Bharata then got an arrow. He asked Hanumana to climb up on the arrow along with the mountain and Sun. Hanumana was amazed to see Bharata's strength. He, who was able to lift Hanumana, the sun and the mountain on the arrow.

Bharata released the arrow. Withe speed of the wind, Hanumana landed in Lanka. All were stunned to see Hanumana come there with the mountain. Hanumana said he had been unable to recognize the medicine, thus he had got the whole mountain.
Rama said Hanumana , You are Great. There is nothing you cannot do.

Rama then asked Sushena to get the medicine. Sushena climbed on the mountain and started searching its peaks for the medicine. He got the herbs and made a paste from them. He then held the paste under Lakshmana's nose.

Blood started flowing in the veins. The broken ribs became like before. Slowly Lakshmana came to life. Lakshmana got up, and with tears in his eyes, Rama embraced Lakshmana.

Bharata meets Rama

Out of the trance, all started marching towards Chitrakoota, blowing clouds of dust. The sages residing on the mountain were disturbed with the noise being made by the approaching troupe. Fearing for lives they went to Rama asking for help.
At that moment, dressed like sages, Bharata and Shatrughna came down from their chariots. From a distance they could see a hut, Rama sitting at the door. Sita was inside and Lakshmana standing guard outside.
Bharata rushed towards Rama and fell down at his feet. Rama lifted him and embraced him.
Bharata fell down at Rama's feet and asked him why he left Ayodhya. Women could say anything, why listen to them and not to reason. Ayodhya was dark without Rama.

Rama said : You are a learned person, why do you say things like this. I came because of father. I will return after fourteen years. We will talk about that later, first tell me how is our father?

Vashishtha then said it was probably not the right time to say this, but the king was no more.
Rama, Lakshmana and Sita could not believe this. They all started lamenting.

Vashishtha told Rama, as the eldest son he needed to perform the shraddha ceremony for Dashratha. Bharata has given fire to the king, whose body had been preserved in oil.

Rama asked Vashishtha how to proceed.
Listening to the sage, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita went to the nearby Falgu river, Standing in knee deep water, they offered water to the departed king. All the sages living nearby were invited for the shraddha ceremony.

After the ceremony, Rama asked Bharata to take over the kingdom of Ayodhya.

Bharata then said he would not rule Ayodhya. Rama would rule and Bharata would only oversee the proceedings. Bharata asked Rama to give him the wooden slippers he was wearing.

Rama gladly gave away his slippers to Bharata.

They all decided to leave. Kaushalya embraced Rama and Sumitra embraced Lakshmana with teary eyes.  They all left then.

Rama stayed for a few days in Chitrakoota after that.

On returning to Ayodhya, Bharata setup residence in Nandigarama. He built a throne, and placed the slippers of Rama on the throne. He then began ruling from there, waiting for Rama to return.



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Thus ends Ayodhya Kanda. 

Bharata meets Bharadwaja

Going further, after crossing the river, they saw beds made of leaves under a tree. Seeing that Bharata recognized this as a spot where Rama had rested. He saw a bit of string stuck to the leaves, probably from a garment worn by Rama or Sita.
Seeing the rays of the sun, coming through the tree branches, Bharata wondered how Rama had spent his night there, out in the open.
Becoming very emotional, Bharata fell on the ground, and Sumantra helped him up.
They spent the night in that spot and the next day they resumed their journey.
They came across the river Ganga and Guhaka arranged for Bharata and his troupe to cross. Once they crossed, Guhaka said he would leave and go back to his land. Bharata embraced him saying someone who was a friend of Rama, was dear to him.
Guhaka left and Bharata resuming his journey came across the ashrama of Rishi Bharadwaja. He went to the sage and introduced himself. He also told the sage that he had come in search of Rama.He told the sage that his troupe was waiting outside the ashrama.
The sage told Bharata to ask all following him, to enter. Bharata said there wasnt much room for all. The sage asked Bharata to go.
Sitting in front of the sacrificial fire, he made his offerings and invoked Vishwakarma, the celestial architect. He asked Vishwakarma to create a palace like the one Indra has. A golden palace with golden rooms appeared. In the palace grounds, was a lake where lotuses were blooming. In the rooms there were golden cots. Apsaras were there, singing melodious songs. Musk was kept everywhere and the rooms smelt heavenly. Rivers of drink were there, along with mountains of food. Kubera provided golden utensils. All this happened in the split of a second.
When Bharata came in with his troupe, they were asked to go inside the palace.

In the heavens, the Gods wondered what would happen after this. If Bharata convinced Rama to return with him, Ravana would not die. They enchanted all who were with Bharata, such that they all forgot why they were there, and started living in the palace. None of them wanted to leave. None, except Bharata, who was constantly thinking of Rama.

Staying the night, in the morning Bharata went to Bharadwaja and asked him where to find Rama. Pleased with Bharata's devotion, the sage asked him to ask for a wish. Bharata said his wish was to see Rama. The sage said Bharata would see Rama, but Rama would not return back. He asked Bharata to the mountain called Chitrakoota where Rama was residing.

Guhaka and Bharata

Travelling, Bharata reached the land of Guhaka. Guhaka recognized this as the army of Ayodhya. He asked his army to be prepared. He said he thought Bharata was coming to fight Rama and take full control of Ayodhya.
When Guhaka saw Bharata, he asked his troupe to stop. It did not seem that Bharata had come with any negative intentions. He asked his people to fetch milk, butter, yogurt and coconut such that he could welcome Bharata.
If Bharata wanted Rama to be the king of Ayodhya, Bharata would be welcomed heartily, else he would be killed and his body would float in the river close by.

While Guhaka was wondering what to do, Sumantra came there. He asked Guhaka to point to the direction that Rama was travelling in. Bharata had come to take Rama back.

Hearing this, Guahaka bowed down at Bharata's feet and said Rama, Lakshmana and Sita were far from there. He asked Bharata to rest for sometime.

Bharata said he was restless and would have no rest till he saw Rama. Guahaka said he did not know what was the path that Rama had taken, but one of his messengers would be able to help.

Fetching the messenger, Guhaka said he would also join Bharata is search of Rama. He said he was not sure of Bharata's intention. If Bharata had come to fetch Rama, why had he come with army and why he dressed in royal robes?

Bharata said Looking try to understand my mental condition. For me, Rama's feet are what I desire. I have come in royal robes to give it over to Rama, and hand over the army to him.

Guhaka was impressed and all should have a brother like you.

Bharata said because of his mother, he was being blamed. He wanted to know Rama would be found.

Guhaka said Rama had stayed in his land for two days and then had gone somewhere, where he could be away Ayodhya. They had crossed the river Ganga and had gone to the other side. 

Bharata decides to go in search of Rama

Crying and grieving, Bharat spent the night. He was missing his father and Rama. On the thirteenth day, Bharata performed the shraddha ceremony, giving away gifts to priests.
Once the ceremony was over, the courtiers came and asked Bharata to take over the kingdom of Ayodhya.
Bharata said this was not possible. With the eldest alive, the younger one would not be able to take over the kingdom.
He said the only way possible was to go to the forests, search for Rama and send him back. In place of Rama, Bharata would live in the forests.
He said he needed to wash off the sins committed by his mother.

He gave orders for chariots and elephants to be made ready.

People of Ayodhya wanted to follow along. Bharata gave his consent. Kaushalya and Sumitra also insisted on going along.

Kaikeyi and Manthara, afraid of Bharata's anger did not ask to be taken along.

Vashishtha said, he knew Rama well and how much ever Bharata would try, he would not be able to bring back Rama.

They started on their journey, and reached the banks of Yamuna.

Last Rites of the king

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.

Bharata hears of the death of the king

Bharata suddenly got up. He was in his uncle's house. It was the middle of the night and he had had a bad dream.
When it was early morning, Bharata came out of his room and sat outside. People came to him asking him what had happened.
He said he had a dream where the Sun and Moon were both falling from the sky. An old man came and said Rama, Lakshmana and Sita had gone to the forests. Dashratha was lying dead in a tub full of oil.

Having seen this, Bharata was very disturbed. The people around said it was just a bad dream and he should ignore it.They also asked him to worship the Gods and distribute alms among brahamans and the poor.
Bharata had a bath and sat for his worship. He then distributed all his wealth among the needy.
His mind was still not calm. He went to the court and sat next to his grandfather.

When Bharata went there, a messenger arrived saying Bharata was needed in Ayodhya. Bharata then thought that his father wanted to see him. Which meant that the dreams were just false indications. Bharata then asked how all were, to which the messenger said all was well, it was just that Bharata was needed urgently in Ayodhya.

Bharata and Shatrughna both got ready. When they arrived in Ayodhya they saw the people all sad. When they saw Bharata they tried to avoid him. Wondering what was the matter, Bharata went to the rooms of his father but did not see him. Dashratha had died in Kaushalya's quarter and thus his body was there.
Bharata then went to look for his mother. Kaikeyi was sitting on a grand throne thinking of the day when Bharata would be king. When Bharata came and bent down before her, she got up and kissed his forehead. She wanted to know how people were in her household. Bharata said all was well.He then said I have answered your question, now answer me. Why are people avoiding me?

What people had been hesitating to tell Bharata, Kaikeyi told him. As a banana tree falls when cut in one stroke, thus Bharata fell on the floor. Kaikeyi said no where was it written that the parents had to live for ever. Bharata then asked where Rama and Lakshmana were? He also wanted to know why she was not grieving for her husband?

Kaikeyi kept telling Bharata about how she had sent Rama to the forest and that Lakshmana and Sita had gone along also.

As one feels when deeply wounded, Bharata started howling. He said to Kaikeyi , You talk as if nothing has happened. How can a younger one takeover the kingdom with the elder one being alive? Is this what your parents had taught you? You are a female rakshasha who was there to destroy everything. It was because of some sins committed that I was born as your son. I feel like like cutting off your head as Parashurama had cut off his mother's head.

Seeing Bharata speak thus, Kaikeyi fled. She said all that had happened was because she cared for him.

Having heard from his mother, Shatrughna came to Kaikeyi's room and both brothers started crying again. Then they went in search of Manthara.