Sri Rama meeting Bharata in Chitrakoota and giving his padukas

Chitrakoota: Sri Rama meeting Bharata and giving his padukas:

(Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 99 to 112)

► भरतार्पितनिजपादुक राम् (Bharata-Arpita-Nija-Paduka Raam): Who gave his padukas (wooden sandals) to Bharata.

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama meeting Bharata in Chitrakoota and giving his padukas to him.

• Sri Rama meeting Bharata at Chitrakoota: Bharata came to Chitrakoota with his army to request Sri Rama to return to Ayodhya and coronate him as king. After reaching Chitrakoota he stationed the army a little distance away and started searching for the hermitage of Sri Rama on foot. After searching for sometime he came to the parna-shala (leaf-hut) of Sri Rama. Rama was sitting there bearing matted hairs like an ascetic and wearing deer-skin and bark garments. Bharata (who was also wearing garments like the ascetics) rushed towards Sri Rama and fell at his feet sobbing. Shatrughna also did the same. Sri Rama embraced them.

• Sri Rama hearing about the death of king Dasharatha: Sri Rama then enquired about the welfare of the kingdom and gave instructions about the duties of a king. Bharata informed Sri Rama about the death of king Dasharatha and requested him to accept the throne. Coming to know of the news of the passing away of king Dasharatha, Sri Rama fainted. When he recovered, he offered oblations of food balls and water to his departed father standing in river Mandakini.

• Sri Rama meeting sage Vasishtha and his mothers: Then sage Vasishtha reached there along with the queens of Dasharatha. Sri Rama greeted them all showing due respects. Kaushalya was greatly pained to see that simple offering of oblations for the mighty king Dasharatha.

• Bharata trying to persuade Sri Rama to return; Sri Rama refusing: Bharata tried to persuade Sri Rama to return and accept the kingdom. Bharata said that the eldest son only is entitled to rule the kingdom. Sri Rama said he must keep the words of his father (to which Sri Rama had consented). Bharata argued that the words given by his father was due to infatuation for a lady and should not be honoured. Sri Rama refuted the arguments of Bharata and expressed his unwilling to return.

• Brahmana Jabali testing Sri Rama: Brahmana Jabali to test Sri Rama placed the philosophy of atheism saying that relationships like father and mother are all temporary. Sri Rama then gave the message of Truth. He said that a person of ill-conduct does not gain respect from honest men. A person who himself behave unrighteously, can he ask other people to follow righteousness? Whatever is the conduct of kings, so is the conduct of the subjects. Kingship is built on Truth as essence. The world is established on Truth. The citizens of Ayodhya as well as the sages supported Sri Rama. Sri Rama said that light may go off the moon, Himalaya mountain may shake off the snow and the sea may transgress its shore, but he will not give up truth.

• Sage Vasishtha telling Sri Rama to accept the throne: Sage Vasishtha told about creation and the lineage of Sri Rama. He said that only the eldest son of the lineage of Rama can become the king. He asked Sri Rama to accept the throne. But Sri Rama said that his father's words cannot be disregarded.

• Sri Rama giving his padulas to Bharata: Bharata then resolved to undertake fast-unto-death sitting on a Kusha grass. Sri Rama rebuked him saying that it does not befit a Kshatriya. The citizens supported Sri Rama. Bharata said that he can go for forest exile instead of Rama. Sri Rama argued that the words of father cannot be exchanged like that. Sri Rama said that after returning from forest exile he will rule the kingdom with the help of his brothers. Bharata told about his inability to rule the vast kingdom. Sri Rama told him to take the help of the ministers. Finally Bharata agreed to rule as the representative of Sri Rama during the fourteen years of exile. He asked for the padukas (sandals) of Sri Rama. Sri Rama gave his padukas to Bharata. Bharata placed his padukas over his head and left Chitrakoota.

- Sri Rama meeting Bharata and giving his padukas (Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 99 to 112)
- Chitrakoot is spread across the border of (Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh) and (Satna district, Madhya Pradesh)