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Continued from yesterday's instalment
 The verse we were discussing yesterday should be read in the context of what Bharata said just five verses earlier. It was in answer to the verse of introduction that Sumantara uttered to Bharata (from a distance) informing him that Sri Rama had great affection for Guha. 'ungal kulath thani naadharkku uyirth thozan' He is a great friend of Sri Rama, so close to him as his very soul and Bharata answered him 'man munnE thazeek koNda manakku iniya thunaivanel' 'If he were a friend with whom Rama's mind is pleased, 'en munne avar kaanben yaane sendru' I will go and meet him myself before he comes here to meet me.
Moreover, one has to pay attention to the words that the Poet uses to describe their actions. When he speaks of what Guha did, he says 'vananginaan'. The word may be interpreted to mean 'he fell at the feet of Bharata' or 'he paid his respect with joined
hands.' If one remembers that Guha was much older than Bharata - or Sri Rama for that matter, considering the fact that Rama was only one day elder to Bharata - it will not be difficult to accept the second interpretation. But when the Poet speaks of what Bharata did, he does not leave anything for the pundit to intervene and interpret. He very explicitly says, 'malar irundha andhananum thanai vanangum avanum avan adi veezhndhaan' 'even he who was fit to be worshipped by Brahma, fell at his feet.
It is therefore, simple, plain and obvious that Bharata fell at the feet of Guha. It was in the nature of Bharata. It was sufficient for him that if somebody had won the affection of Rama and that person was worthy of his respect. And that verse is intended to bring out the love and respect that Bharata had for Rama, besides his magnanimity. Indeed, it was a pity that none told Bharata that Guha was accepted into the family - brotherhood - by Sri Rama. You don't know how he would have reacted if he were informed of the fact!
 'What brings you here?' (eidhiyadhu ennai?) enquired Guha. At last, for once, Bharata had an understanding heart before him. 'muzudhu ulagu aliththa thanthai' 'my father who ruled the world without any flaw, 'mundhayor murayin nindrum vazuvinaan' for once set at nought the traditions of our ancient line. His feelings were mixed when he thought of Dasaratha. Pride and pain. 'My father swerved from the path of rectitude,' he wanted to say. But he could not do so. In fact, he was fully ware that his father had no choice before him. Even then he is not able to reconcile to the fact that he should have sent Rama on exile. Therefore, he starts with words of praise. 'My father, (it has to be observed that very rarely Bharata refers to Dasaratha as 'my father' and he had in almost all the earlier instances referred to him as 'the Emperor') had never moved away from Dharma. It was only once he did so and he died immediately thereafter.'
Then what brings him here? 'adhanai neekka mannanaik konarvaan endraan' I have come here to correct what he (my father) did, by calling the King (Rama) back home. Now the reader understands why Bharata referred to Dasaratha as his father. As far as Bharata was concerned, it was Sri Rama who was the emperor now. The late emperor who had swerved from the path of Dharma was no fit to be called an emperor and therefore, he is referred to as 'my father.' Though he could not be called an emperor from a dispassionate standpoint, he still could be called 'my father.' Why? Let's see.
More follows…
Hari Krishnan
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