Aug 18, 2007

Chapter 74: Bharath visits Rama

B is forced by kulguru to take up the mantle of Ayodhya, as the praja are asking for King. B says, it rightly belongs to Rama and no one else and refuses. Kulguru says Kau asked him to become king. B says, following her order is ‘puthradharm’, but being son of KK, it was also his puthradharm to correct his mother’s mistake. If nothing was done, these historical mistakes will continue to happen. So he asks permission to go to Rama to persuade him back to Ayodhya. Granted. Kulguru says, Man can die, but Life cannot.

B’s wife visits Kau, upon KK’s orders to do seva and service, as KK feels guilty of sending Kau’s son and daughter-in-law away. Kau asks why KK is considering its her mistake every time, while actually it’s the Fates. She tells B’s wife to go back to KK and do seva to her, as it is KK who has become lonely, after B’s infamous tirade against her. KK upon hearing all this, feels ashamed of bringing misery into Kau’s life and praises Kau for having such a big heart.

B visits Kau to ask for permission and to ask her and Sumi to join him in calling Rama back. Kau says although Rama took birth in her, the special place that KK has in Rama cannot be taken away by anybody. So, ask KK to go with B. B refuses to speak to her. Kau scolds him saying KK spent 9 tough months to give birth to him and this is what he has to say? “Respect your mom!”

B comes to see KK. KK hides, for she is afraid to face him. B comes and apologisese to her for being rude. KK asks how she can forgive when she is the cause for everything. B says things can be set right if only she would accompany him and go to forest to get Rama back. She is all for it.

Meanwhile, R & Co visit Bharadwaj. Respects exchanged. Rama says they are on their way to Chitrakoot. Sita’s parents hear of happening in Ayodhya. Sita’s pop sets off to visit Ayodhya.

Nishaadraj and Co decide that no one should harm Rama as long as Rama and Co are in forests. He mistakenly thinks Bharat is 'warring' against Ram and encounters Bharat and Co but he gets to know real reason. So he asks them to visit his kuteera (haven), as Rama too had visited it. Bharat agrees. Similarly Sita's father also wants to stop Bharat from 'warring' (attacking Rama) but he too gets the idea. The reason for misconception is that Bharat is going to Ram with full army. Army is not to attach Rama but to get Rama back to Ayodhya with full honors. Having army is honorable to King.

Meanwhile Rama reach the hermitage of Valmiki. He bows to him but Valmiki stops him. Valmiki says he has done lot of bad things in his life and hence he is not eligible to be bowed down to. But Rama says one who is enlightened has to be bowed down anyways and does so.

B & Co meet Rama & Co at the hermitage,  Even the moms have come. Rama meets them all and is extremely happy to see them all but very sad to hear that his pop passed away. KK is too ashamed to see him and shies away. But Rama says how can a mother shy away from his own mother. KK blames herself. Rama says destiny made her do it, not to blame herself. Looking at Bharat's magnanimous attitude towards Rama and offering him to come back, King Dasharath's soul appears and tells that all KK's sins are wiped away due to the great son she has.

Bharat and Co persuade him to come back. Instead Bharat can stay exile for 14 years. KK agrees. Rama refuses. He tells that if Rama does that then Man will not give any value to promise any more. He is maryada purush and he is the ideal person, so it is expected that he should do the ideal thing. Is it possible to go false on D's promise? Noways, Rama convinces B to hold the ship afloat and run the show in Ayodhya while he can continue his peaceful life in forest!

Instead B asks Rama to give his sandals. That sandals will be kept on the Ayodhya throne and Rama's sandals will represent Rama on his behalf. Bharat will await Rama for next 14 years. This Ram-Bharat meeting is historical.

B & Co return back. He does Pooja to the Rama's sandals. B appoints Shatrugna to be responsible for Ayodhya and he wants to stay in the Nandi village nearby until Rama comes back.

KK tells Manthara to never show her face again. It was due to her that all this happened. M goes away. Mandvi wants to go now. KK cries some more thinking how things are all falling down everywhere around her.

Manthara soliloquies that her plans backfired. She says her mission accomplished for now but she will be back when the whole family is divided and not united like how it is now. She commits suicide in River Ganga.

Bharat & wife go to Nandi Village.

Meanwhile Rama and Co come to Sage Atri's hermitage. Sita says that Anusuya stays there, she is the most chaste woman that ever existed. Greetings exchanged. Atri says that Rama's exile is for the upliftment of hermits. Lakshman says no need for a bed for him since he has taken a vow to not sleep until 14 years!

Anusuya, looking at Sita, wants to give ornaments to Sita. Sita looks at them - they are divine ornaments, supposed to be very precious. Sita says no but accepts. Sita asks Anusuya about chastity since Anusuya is epitome of chastity. A woman who doesnt desert her hubby in times of crisis is the supreme test of chastity. Rama looks at her jewels and is surprised - it is the first time he is seeing materialistic things on her since they went on exile. Soon, Rama & Co leave Atri's hermitage towards Panchvati. Panchvati is in South India. Panchvati because there are a number of hermits there and their life has become miserable because of Ravana's demons.

Sage Agastya's followers help Rama find the way towards to Panchvati. Rama is thankful to them. On their way, they smell something bad and they realize it is due to the demons. Rama takes the pledge that he will save all hermits and destroy all demons. On their way, they encounter a strange looking talking big bird. Lakshman thinking it is one of the demon, is about to kill it when Rama stops him and says that it is not right to attack without knowing truth.

Soon the bird comes down to earth and informs that he is actually a friend of King Dasharath. D and the birdie met at this same place when D was practising archery. King D had set in meditation at this same place. At that time, some demons tried to attack him when this birdie stopped those demons. Those demons want to eat D. Birdie fights the demons. D wakes up from his penance and attacks the demons. Once demons are killed, D asks who is Birdie.

Birdie says that he is Jatayu, son of Aru, brother of Garud, vehicle of Vishnu. Now, Jatayu asks how is D to which Rama says he has passed away. Jatayu says he is nearing old age too. Saying so, he leads them to Panchvati. Because of 5 banyan trees at one place, it is called Panchvati.

With the help of his magical archery, Laxman creates a hut at Panchvati just by shooting one arrow - on behest of Ram's orders. Laxman says this is all possible due to Viswamitra's boon. Rama then asks Sita to enter house first since woman is epitome of peace.

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