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Continued from yesterday's instalment
 That was human psychology at work. Kamban sensed something different here and he omitted this scene completely. Perhaps he felt that this description shows Rama in a slightly undesirable stance and his Rama just tells Hanuman to quickly reach Bharata and inform him of his return. But he builds the drama up where Valmiki did not elaborate.
Kamban shows his Bharata waiting for the return of Rama, as does Valmiki. But in a different situation. The time for the return of Sri Rama passes and Bharata becomes restless. He is unable to bear the anguish of Sri Rama not returning. His mind goes in all directions, seeking the reason for his not reaching in time. 'Did he forget the day of return that he promised to me? But he would not do so.'
"He wouldn't forget the day agreed with me? Nor be unmindful of his mother's love, or anguish mine, and overstay his time. I fear some evil has befallen him." The next moment he feels that that was impossible. "But who can stand before my hero brother? Nor gods, nor man, nor beings of the world beyond, nor even the Three Supreme could win if him the faced in war!" (Kamban's verses translated by Sri VVS
Aiyar.)
And the Poet very beautifully puts the very same thought that Valmiki's Rama expressed to Hanuman, into the mouth of
Bharata.
 'ennai innum arasiyal ichchayan annan aagin avan adhu koLga endru unninaan kol'
'Did he think that I have a desire for the crown and therefore he stays away in the wilderness so that I enjoy the throne in peace?' That thought caused unimaginable agony in the heart of Bharata. 'May it be that he returns or may it be that he stays in the forest. I am going ahead with the fulfilment of my vow of giving up my life in fire,' he decided. And ordered that a roaring fire be lit for the purpose. It may be observed here that Valmiki Ramayana is silent on this point. The meeting of Hanuman with Bharata is described as follows, in Valmiki Ramayana.
"At a distance of two miles from Ayodhya he (Hanuman) saw Bharata miserable and emaciated, dwelling in a hermitage with the bark of trees and the skin of black antelope wrapped around his waist, wearing matted locks on his head and afflicted through separation from his (elder
half-) brother subsisting on fruits and roots..."
And then he says Hanuman appeared before him and spoke to him with joined hands.
 Kamban intensifies the drama. He shows Bharata calling Satrughna and telling him of his resolve and asking him to take charge of the kingship of Ayodhya. He builds up pathos showing Satrughna in a delicate and sorrowful situation of not being able to stop Bharata from his decision to fall in the fire and not able to accept his direction of taking charge as King. And what kind of human drama he is depicting!
More follows…
Hari Krishnan
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