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Continued from yesterday's instalment
 It was a life of penance that Bharata undertook for the fourteen long years that he was supposed to be in charge of the administration of Ayodhya. Actually, he undertook the exile that was pronounced on Sri Rama, on himself. The reader will recollect that he decided to live in the forest and took three vows 'I will not leave your side. I will stay with you in the forest. I will also not return to Ayodhya. This is for certain.'
(Take your crown, now!). Of the three, the only one that is left possible of undertaking is the third. He had no choice but to listen to Rama and that sealed the way of observation of the first two. He therefore stopped at Nandhigram, a village in the outskirts of Ayodhya. He decided to carry out his duties and responsibilities as the deputy of Sri Rama's 'paadhukas' from there.
Sri Rama does a similar thing in the Kishkindha Kanda. Sugriva's crowning was a natural consequence to the killing of Vali. And who else could perform it, in the absence of other elders in Kishkindha, other than Sri Rama? He anticipated that Sugriva would come out with such a request and even before he could say anything, he assigned that responsibility to Lakshmana and gave his advice to Sugriva on administration - a very thoughtful collection of eight verses, which together with the verses that Vasishtha uttered to Sri Rama make it a thought provoking adage for the present day managers and administrators too. We will take them up presently.
 Coming back to Rama's decision. Sugriva invited Rama to be present on his coronation, even if it is to be performed by Lakshmana. 'The city has only one flaw by human standards,' said Sugriva, 'that it is inhabited by monkeys. If you overlook this fact, Kishkindha is more than equivalent to the very heavens. You should come and stay with us and give us an opportunity to carry out your orders. Remain with us till Sita is found out.' Rama said a firm 'no'. 'I have been ordered to live in the forest. It has an inevitable precondition that I am not supposed to enter any city during these fourteen years. I would therefore live somewhere in the forest, close to Kishkindha. Please do not force me.'
Therefore, when Bharata decided not to enter Ayodhya, it very clearly shows that he very readily and gladly accepted a self-imposed exile on him. If he could not live by the side of Rama, he could at least live like him, eating simple food like fruits, leaves and roots and by wearing the tree-bark that Rama was wearing. That would be the equivalent of living with Rama, in the circumstances, until it was possible for him to see Rama again.
 That Bharata who was innocent and guileless should decide to stay in a hamlet outside Ayodhya has another implication. He was now the deputy of Rama, whose sandals now represent his authority. Technically speaking, it was the sandals of Sri Rama that were the supreme authority in Ayodhya and whatever Bharata did was supposed to be done with the authority and approval of them. Therefore, Bharata - in the strictest sense of Dharma - cannot be bigger than his boss, whose authority he has accepted through the insignia of his sandals. Of course, interpretations could make his life much enjoyable. It was not for Bharata. He would not do that. So steadfast in his observance of Dharma, for he was the brother of Rama!
More follows…
Hari Krishnan
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