Rāmāyana |Ayodhyā Kaṇḍa| Chapter 106

106. Bhārata's Request

[Bhārata repeats his arguments in various ways but Rāma rejects them. People are happy with Bhārata.]

When Rāma said these very significant words and rested, Bhārata the follower of Dharma, addressing Rāma who was the soul of Dharma and affectionate by nature told. 106.1

"Oh destroyer of enemies, neither pain afflicts nor pleasure makes you joyous. In this world, we cannot find a person of such a nature. You are beloved of the elders as you ask their advice, when needed." 106.2-106.3

"What can influence him, who sees death and life as well as joy and sorrow in the same way and is not moved by them?" 106.4

"Oh Lord of men, it does not proper for a person like you, who is aware of the comparative merits of everything, to be distressed of anything or lament about it." 106.5

"Oh Rāma. Oh great soul, you resemble devas in their nature and you are truthful in warfare. You are all knowing, all seeing and a man of wisdom." 106.6

"It is not proper for a person like you endowed with such qualities and one who is familiar with life and death to undergo such insufferable pain and sorrow." 106.7

"When I was away from home, this sin was committed by my mean minded mother for my sake and this is not liked by me and so please show your grace on me." 106.8

"I am bound by the ties of Dharma and for that reason I am not able to punish my mother, who deserves punishment by slaying her." 106.9

"How can I being born to Daśaratha and belonging to a noble clan wedded to Dharma, knowing the implication of Dharma do such a reprehensible act which is against Dharma?" 106.10

"My old father who was the king, was my teacher, one who does meritorious acts and was like God to me. He departed due to old age and so I cannot find fault with him." 106.11

"Oh expert in Dharma, will any follower of Dharma do acts like this which are against Dharma and Artha, just to please a woman at her bidding?" 106.12

There is an old saying, "At the time of death, a person's mind is confused" and the acts of the king proves that this is true." 106.13

"Due to anger, passion and sense of adventure our father has done this act against Dharma and so you have to think over it and set it right." 106.14

"Only a son who considers only the act performed according to Dharma as good is the true son in this world but if he delights in such an act he is not considered as good." 106.15

"So please do not do this undesirable act of approving the wrong doings of the father which are condemned by people of wisdom." 106.16

"Oh Sir, please protect Kaikeyi, me, father, friends, relations, citizens of villages and inhabitants of city and everything." 106.17

"Where is forest, where is Dharma of a king, where is matted locks and where is ruling a kingdom? It is not proper for you to engage in repulsive acts." 106.18

"Oh very intelligent Rāma, to anyone who is born in royal race, if governance of kingdom is possible for him, he should crown himself." 106.19

"Will any person disregarding the Dharma of a Kshatriya adopt the ascetic way which has uncertain results and uncertain future?" 106.20

"If you want to follow this Dharma, out of tiresomeness, it is only proper that you star governing the four fold division of society, so that this tiresomeness will disappear." 106.21

"Among the four modes of life, it is by those who know dharma that the life as a householder is the greatest and so it is not proper for you to renounce that mode of life." 106.22

"How can I who is inferior in intelligence and younger in position by birth to you rule over the kingdom when you are there?" 106.23

"I am inferior in intelligence and virtue and even inferior in position to you, and I do not want to live if you are not present." 106.24

"Oh expert in Dharma, you please rule this country which was inherited from our father, without any hindrance along with our relations." 106.25

"Here itself you would be crowned in front of your subjects, by sage Vasiṣṭha, an expert in rituals in accordance with the ritualistic chants." 106.26

"After you are consecrated you return along with all of us to Ayodhyā, like Indra returning to heavens in company of Maruts after conquering all worlds." 106.27

" You alone can rule Ayodhyā, discharging the three debts to devas, sages and manes, completely subduing your enemies and gratifying the desires of your friends." 106.28

"Oh gentle one, make all your friends happy by crowning yourself and let your enemies flee in ten different directions." 106.29

"Oh best among men, wipe away the negative feelings of my mother and also protect our father from sin." 106.30

"I am begging you with bowed head to show mercy on all our relations and like the great God show mercy on all beings." 106.31

"In spite of all my requests, if you going from here to the forest, then I also shall go along with you." 106.32

Though requested like this by Bhārata with his head bowed down, the very brave king Rāma, deciding to follow the words of his father decided not to go back to Ayodhyā. 106.33

Seeing the great determination of Rāma, the people assembled there with both happy and sad. They were sad because he was not returning to Ayodhyā and happy because he was greatly determined. 106.34

The priests, the chiefs of merchants and mother who have lost their senses and were not having a single drop of tear to shed, praised Bhārata for his great words and after saluting Rāma with reverence requested him." 106.35

This is the end of One Hundred and Sixth Sarga of Ayodhyā Kanda which occurs in Holy Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki as the First Epic.