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Meeting of Bharata and the Sage Bharadvaja - Part 1

Hare Krsna

Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada

 

When Bharata came to know about Rama's exile and his father's demise, he was very displeased with the actions of his mother Kaikeyi. He resolves to go to the forest and bring back Rama and enthrone Him. Pleased with his resolve all the ministers and all the people of Ayodhya march towards forest in search of their dear Ram. On the way they meet Guha who takes them along to the hermitage of Bharadvaja. Let us make an humble effort to meditate on some of the lessons which we can learn from the meeting between these great souls. 
1. Approaching sages with humility: Ramayana mentions how Bharata out of respect for the sage Bharadvaja, whose only wealth was asceticism, approached him wearing only simple cloth, leaving His armor and weapons behind. He didn't want to disturb the peaceful and quite atmosphere at the hermitage with his army and people. So he asked them all to camp at a distant spot and got down from the chariot and walked to hermitage with Vasishtha and his counselors. This shows how thoughtful and respectful was Bharata towards the sage. 
 
As soon as sage Bharadvaja saw them, he hurriedly rose and had his disciples fetch water to wash their feet. He embraced Vasishtha and offered blessings to Bharata, who had fallen prostrate at his feet. Bharadvaja gazed at Bharata, whom he recognized as Rama's brother. The sage knew by his own mystic vision that Dasaratha was dead. After inquiring about the situation in Ayodhya the sage asked Bharata, "What brings You all this way, leaving aside the onerous business of managing the state? Because of Your mother's words, You are ruling the world as its undisputed monarch. I trust that You have not come here with some dark intention toward the sinless and perfect Rama?" 
 
All along many people including his own family members, relatives and subjects had been suspecting Bharata's love for Lord Ram. But now when even the sage uttered the same thing, Bharata was hurt. He humbly replied, "If even you impute such motives to Me, then I am truly ruined. I never approved My mother's aims! I cannot even imagine doing harm to Rama, nor will I ever accept the kingdom!The powerful Rama is the true ruler of this earth. I have come here to bring Him back to Ayodhya. Falling at His feet I shall make Him return and then remain here in His place. O all-knowing sage, please be gracious to Me and show Me where Rama is staying."
Bharata did not question the sage arrogantly as to how he can have such false notions about him. Instead he humbly answered the sage about his real intentions. 
Krishna willing we will continue to meditate on this transcendental meeting in the subsequent offerings.
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