Bharata meets Rama

At last, they reached Chitrakuta. Bharata fell at the feet of Rama. The Queens and all others broke down in grief when they saw Rama. Vasishta asked Rama to perform the obsequies for the departed father. After two days, Rama requested Vasishta to ask everyone to return to Ayodhya, as they were undergoing a lot of hardships in the forest. Kaikeyi sought an opportunity to beg apology from Rama. Rama told her that everything happened as He had willed it. No one wanted to leave Rama and Sita as they found happiness in His Darshan. On the sixth day, Bharata again expressed before Rama his unhappiness at the idea of leaving for Ayodhya without Rama. Rama explained to him that the path of righteousness could only be followed if they followed their father’s command.

Gurus to tell children that God is merciful and always forgives us and accepts us with love when we are sorry for our mistakes and when we promise not to repeat them. We too should be loving and forgiving with our friends.

Values to be imbibed: Love is giving and forgiving; Self is getting and forgetting.

Gurus to explain the children about, how Rama insisted upon keeping the promise made by his father even after his death in order to protect his father’s much respected honour, thereby immortalizing his love and affection for his father. He chose to sacrifice his right over the kingdom thereby demonstrating the necessity of upholding righteousness.

Values to be imbibed: Obedience to parents/Value of honouring your word/Righteousness is important than any other materialistic glory.

He offered his ‘Sandals’ to Bharata and asked him to rule the kingdom for fourteen years with proper attention. Bharata told Rama that Sandals would represent Rama and he would carry out the duties of ruling the kingdom only as Rama’s representative. Bharata fell at Rama’s feet and took permission to leave.

Gurus to tell children:

Bharata could have accepted the honour of ruling Ayodhya and enjoyed all the luxuries associated with it; yet he rose above the petty feelings of greed, disregarded the power of position and status, and only chose to do what is right in that situation – which was to bring back Rama to Ayodhya and hand over his rightful position to him.

Values to be imbibed: Discrimination before decision/Choose the path of righteousness always.

As they returned to Ayodhya, arrangements were made to install Rama’s Sandals on the throne and worship it till Rama returned from exile. On that day, Bharata carried the ‘Sandals’ on his head and went to the throne and placed them on the throne with full reverence. Then, Bharata dressed up as an ascetic and lived a life of austerity in a thatched hut in a village called Nandigrama. He lived on frugal meals, led a life of austerity.

Gurus to explain the children about Bharata’s devotion to his brother and about his strong sense of justice, that when Rama refused  to return to Ayodhya before completing his 14 years in exile, he only accepted to govern Ayodhya in his capacity as Rama’s emissary until he returned.

Gurus should also highlight Bharata’s sense of fair-play demonstrated through his decision to live the life of an ascetic, simulating the forest-life of Rama. In today’s materialistic world, disputes between family members are very common, the extraordinary relationship between the royal brothers of Ayodhya deserves to be extolled.

Values to be imbibed:

Love and sacrifice should be the bed-rock of relationships between brothers and sisters in a family.

Do not covet what is not yours rightfully and even if it is yours, there is no harm in sacrificing for your loved ones.

Develop a sense of fair-play in all your activities– be it sports, academics, competitions etc– no achievement is worthy if it is attained through unfair means or if it destroys harmonious relationship with the people around you.

Watch- your word, action, thought, character and heart; Be Heroes, not Zeroes [One who is just and righteous in his life is a true hero]

Narration: Smt. Priya Sujith
[Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Guru]