SRI
RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ
ಮಂಜರಿ ಅರ್ಥವಿವರಣೆ)
Bharata, Jabali and Vasishtha appeal to Sri
Rama to return to Ayodhya/
ಭರತ, ಜಾಬಾಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ವಸಿಷ್ಠರು ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮನನ್ನು
ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿದುದು
Bharata tells Sri Rama: “My Lord, Sri Rama, Ayodhya and its citizens
belong to you. After your departure, we have become orphans. Please return to
Ayodhya for our sake.”
Sri Rama politely replies: “Dear Bharata, it
is the duty of all children to obey the order of their parents. It is my duty
to be away from Ayodhya and live in forests for fourteen years. Moreover, my
stay in forests is beneficial to sages, ascetics, Rishis and other virtuous
people. As ordained by our father, please take care of the kingdom and provide
protection to your citizens.”
Bharata says: “My dear brother, my mother pushed you into the forests
and caused the death of our father. She has distressed all the virtuous. My
hands are eager to pick the sword and slit her hands but I restrain from such
an act because of you. You are a servant of all devotees and as per their wish,
kindly return to Ayodhya and take of the citizens.”
Bharata played all cards at his disposal to make Rama return to Ayodhya.
He was later joined in his efforts by Kausalya, Sumitra and even Kaikeyi, apart
from a large number of Ayodhya subjects. But, Sri Rama was firm on his
decision. It was now left to the Sages and Rishis to appeal to Sri Rama:
Sage Jabali tells Sri Rama: “Great Lord, you are the Father of this
entire universe, including the animate and inanimate things. You are the
ultimate Guru, the guide, friend and philosopher for all the galaxies. Your philosophy
to stick to the words of your father on forest exile is inappropriate and
unjust. Therefore, as requested by Bharata, please return to Ayodhya.”
Sri Rama replies: “Oh Jabali Rishi, whenever I incarnate on earth as a
human being, it is my duty to think, act and live as a human being. My
incarnations are aimed at not only destroying the demons but also laying and emphasizing
the right and righteous principles of perfect living. I should not breach a
philosophy that I have established.”
Sage Vasishtha tells Sri Rama that the basic duty of every king is to
protect the citizens. As Dasharatha had departed from his earthly life, it was
imperative on the part of Sri Rama to ascend the throne. Sri Rama reminds
Vasishtha that Dasharatha had already assigned the duty of protecting the
citizens to Bharata and it was then the foremost duty of Bharata to take charge
of the country.
Bharata again interferes and says that he was prepared to complete the
fourteen-year term of exile in forest so that his father’s orders were obeyed
and that Sri Rama could take charge of the kingdom. Sri Rama said that the
instructions of Dasharatha were very clear and unambiguous. The roles assigned
to Bharata and he (Sri Rama) were not transferable or they could not be
exchanged.
Meanwhile, a large number of Munis and Rishis from Dandakaranya arrive
there. Instead of addressing Sri Rama, they tell Bharata directly that Sri Rama
would not return to Ayodhya then as he had some duty to be discharged in
Dandakaranya. After discharging that duty, Sri Rama could return to Ayodhya.
Bharata fell on the ground and cried like a child. But, Sri Rama was destined
to accomplish certain divine tasks and therefore, he could not and did not change
his mind.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy has compressed the entire story of Ayodhya Kanda
of Valmeeki Ramayana in this third stanza.
Sri Lakshminarayana Upadhyayaru provides some more hidden secrets in
this stanza, which will be transferred in the next episode to the best of my
understanding and capacity. Please read, comment and share. SDN
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