BHARATA SUSPECTED: (KR In the original Valmiki Ramayanam, when Bhartha with the retinue approached the north banks of Ganga River, Rama left the place already. His suspicion of Guha was true but never portrayed as a dog verse of Kamba as the security threat was minimal. However, there were similar thinking by Rishi Bharatwaj when Bharatha crossed the river with the help of Guha and touch down BhaRADWAJ RISHI ASHRAM LATER WHERE Rama was staying. Kamban left it out. The Valmiki Ramayanam fgoes only like this. Kamban;s description of NaiGuhan, (Guhan asda dog) is manyfolds; dog will die for the sake of the Boss if the boss is in danger; so Guha addresses himself as willing to stop Bharatha t all cost, ) NOW VALMIKI:
“GAZING across the river Ganga,Guha, the hunter-king, noticed unusual commotion on the opposite bank. A great army had encamped there. He pointed it to his kinsmen standing by his side and said: Who is this and why has he come herewith a large army, apparently to cross the river? The flag suggests that it is Kaikeyi's Son Bharata and his army. Yes, I see the flag flying on the top of the chariot and Ican recognise the tree painted on it. That Is the flag of the King of Ayodhya. Is notRama's enemy, Bharata, the King ofAyodhya too? Having secured the kingdom unjustly through his motherKaikeyi, it looks as though he has pursuedRama here to slay him. Get together with warriors and kinsmen and friends. Let Them stand ready on this bank. Gather all the boats and fill them with armed men ready for battle. Let us wait and see. If the newcomers are well disposed towardsRama, we shall help them to cross the river and come over to this side. But, if their intention is hostile, we shall prevent them from crossing the Ganga." And so having made all preparations, Guha, in accordance with rules of courtesy, took some presents, got into a boat and went to meet harata. On the other bank at the same timeSumantra, was telling Bharata: "Look! Guha, the hunter-king, devoted friend of Rama, has come with his people to welcome us. He is the ruler of this region. He and his kinsmen are well acquainted with every nook and corner of this forest. They could tell us where Ramais to be found and lead us safely and swiftly to the place." Meanwhile Guha crossed the streamand, approaching Bharata, bowed andsaid: "Though we have been taken by surprise by your unexpected visit, still allhat is mine here you may consider as your own and command me. I consider it an honor to be able to welcome and entertain you and your army." Bharata answered: "It is very kind ofyou, O friend of my brother, to offerhospitality to such a large army. I wish to proceed to the hermitage of Bharadwaja.We do not know the way, and we also need to cross this great river." Guha bowed before him with clasped hands and said politely: "My lord, my servants and myself are ready to go with you and act as guides. But you must excuse me for expressing a doubt which occurs to me on seeing this large army you have brought. Surely you have no intentions hostile to Rama?" Pained by these words and from a heart clear and pure as the summer sky, Bharatasaid: "Alas, what greater shame can come to me than this, that men who love Ramashould fear and suspect me? Have no misgivings, Guha. Rama is my father now, for he has taken the place of my lost father. I have come here to beg him to return to Ayodhya. I swear, I have no other purpose in mind." Guha rejoiced to see in Bharata's facehis intense love for Rama and his grief at what had happened. He said: "My Lord, ho in the world can equal you sacrifice? Who but you would renounce such wealth and power coming to himunsought? Your glory will shine forever." The hunter-king supplied Bharata's Army with all it needed. The hosts and the guests retired for the night. The meeting with Guha only increasedBharata's sorrow. Bharata was endowedith a heart of utter innocence. He sighed and said: "AIas, that it should come to this," and rolled sleepless on the ground. His whole body burned with thoughts of the infamy that had come as a cloud over him, his father's death and the partingfrom Rama. Guha spoke words of comfort and tried to console him. This meeting ofBharata and Guha and the way they shared their sorrow is an episode dear to the Vaishnava Alvars and other trueBhaktas. Bharat questioned: "What food didRama take when he was here? Where did he sit? Where did he sleep? What did he say? And what did he do?" Guha answered every question lovingly and pointed to the spot where Rama hadslept. And when he was asked, "Wheredid Lakshmana sleep?" He replied:"Lakshmana said, 'When Rama and Sitalie stretched on the bare earth, how can I Sleep?' and he shed tears and, like me, stood on guard the whole night, bow in hand." As Bharata pictured this scene, his grief became unendurable. He saw the spot where Rama and Sita had slept that night and showed it to the weeping queens. Asked what Rama ate, Guha answered:"My Lord, they fasted that night. Lakshmana brought some water and Ramadrank from it and handed it back toLakshmana to drink. The food brought was returned untasted. The following morning, they matted their locks and walked into the forest." Bharata had found some relief from sorrow in his resolve to seek out Ramaand persuade him to return, but his talk with Guha and the sights he saw brought it back in full flood. "For my sake, Rama, you slept on the grass. I have seen the spot and still live. And they want me to wear a crown, on top of all this!" Thus, he lamented inconsolably. Then he told himself: "I shall somehow take Rama back and seat him on the throne. If he wants his vow fulfilled, Ishall replaces him in the forest for fourteen years. He will agree to this arrangement as it is only right and proper." Thus, he calmed himself. Early next morning, Bharata woke up Shatrughna: "What are you still sleeping? The day has already dawned. The army has to cross the river. We should send quickly for Guha and arrange for the journey." Satrughna answered: "I am not asleep, brother. Like you I spent the whole night thinking of Rama."While they were speaking, Guhaarrived and after courteous greetings announced that he had a fleet of manyboats ready. All the baggage and the whole army were put on boats. The loaded vessels crossed the great river. The Transport across raised a joyous clamorike some great festival. The people did not see the sorrow inBharata's heart for they had concluded, even when Bharata set out, that Ramawould surely return. They went forward rejoicing that soon Rama would be in their midst as crowned king and all their recent sorrows would pass like a bad dream. Valmiki describes the scene on thebank of the Ganga in a way that recalls toone a crowded railway station during a popular festival. When the whole army had crossed the river, Bharata followed itin a boat specially fitted up for him. They reached the ashram ofBharadwaja. The story of Bharata in the Ramayanaportraying a character of unrivalled purity and sublime selflessness is something, more than an episode, and stands out by itself even in that noble epic, as holy shrines do on the banks of the Ganga.It uplifts the heart, and gives one a glimpse of the heights to which human nature can rise when cleansed by love anddevotion. Whether Rama and Bharata Are incarnations of the Deity or merelysupreme creations of a nation'simagination this episode is among themasterpieces of the world's literature. Jnana and bhakti will automatically grow by a contemplation of the personality of Bharata. In order to recreate the scene and the person in his own mind the reader must bring into play his reverent imagination. We bring with us into this world as our inborn gift somewisdom and reverence. This gift is always in us and though sometimes obscured by prejudice or passion it keeps alive the divine in man which prevents him from feeling back into the beast. Bharata and his retinue went towards Bharadawaja's ashrama. Whenthey reached the Prayaga wood, they saw at a distance a beautiful grove with a cottage in its midst. Learning that this was Bharadvaja's ashrama, Bharata left his retinue behind and, accompanied only byVasishtha and a few other elders, walked towards it with due humility. Divesting himself of his silk garments and his weapons and accompanied only by the ministers he went on foot behindVasishtha. A little further on, he left behind even the ministers, and he andVasishtha alone went forward. When Bharadwaja saw Vasishtha, heroes from his seat went to meet the illustrious visitor and bade his disciples to bring the customary water for the feet of the guests. Bharata offered humble salutations toBharadwaja. Learning who he was, therishi received him with the respect due toa king and made inquiries concerning his welfare. He thoughtfully refrained from making any mention of the sad fate ofDasaratha. The narration that follows is as told inValmiki's epic. A few words by way of explanation may be useful. Bharadwajasuspected and questioned Bharata, just asGuha had done earlier. This is, however,not so put in the Tulsidas Ramayanawhich is a poem of pure bhakti. There is nothing that was not within the knowledge of rishis. How then could Bharadwaja (inthe Tulsidas Ramayana) entertain any doubt about Bharata? Kamban, the Tamil poet of theRamayana, follows Valmiki closely not only here but in many other places where Thulasidas differ. Although Kamban Carefully follows Valmiki, he adds manybeautiful passages out of his ownimagination. With a touch here and atouch there, Kamban manages skilfully to disentangle many knots. The changes he makes are very few, while Tulasidas deals freely with the story, taking such liberties as he likes with the story as a great bhaktamar who has made his god his own byself-forgetting surrender. Following Valmiki, Kamban report the conversation between Bharadwaja andBharata and very beautifully expressesBharata's indignation. We may not, reading it all today, appreciate Bharadwaja's doubts about innocent Bharata. Such suspicion wasperfectly natural to Guha, but not so in awise rishi. Valmiki makes the rishi justify himself saying: "Don't I know you, youngprince? I put you these questions only the more clearly to reveal your innocence." Valmiki pictures rishis not as omniscient sages, but as very human wisemen and seekers after truth, liable to love and fear somewhat like the rest of us. Justas Valmiki delineates Rama as a hero rather than as an avatar, so he makesBharadwaja doubt Bharata because of his tender affection for Rama. Bound by his attachment to Rama, he hurts Bharata.Seeing the latter suffer, he at once consoles him with an explanation. All Valmiki's characters are human beings with heightened human qualities. It is only under great stress or in exceptional circumstances that divinity shines faintly through human nature. In the time of Tulsidas, bhakti had reached its noonday height. It shone dispelling every shade.Though bhakti predominates in Kamban Picture also, he strives to retain the humanity of Valmiki's characters and places makes them even more beautiful. Bharadwaja, after making the usual personal inquiries, asked Bharata: "Why Did you leave your kingly duties and go over here? Should you not stay inAyodhya? Listening to his young wife,Dasaratha ordered Rama to live for fourteen years in the forest and the prince accordingly left the city with his brother and Sita. Do you feel that even now the way is not clear for your rule and have you come to complete what Dasarathabegan and make assurance doubly sure?" Hearing these words, Bharata wept. The tears gushed and he could hardly speak. "Death," he said, "would be better than such a life as this." "Do you doubt me, master?" he asked."Do not blame me for what was done by my mother in my absence without my knowledge or consent. I have come now to do my utmost and persuade Rama to go back with me to Ayodhya, and there to be crowned King. And it is my purpose to be his humble slave all my life. I have come here to ask you where Rama wells to go and beg him to return home. And me,you suspect!" Bharadwaja said: "Bharata, I know your real nature. You are a scion of the race of Raghu. I questioned you because I Wished to draw out a revelation of your affection and loyalty and thereby establish and spread your glory. Do not grieve. ThePrince is dwelling on Chitrakuta hill. Stayhere today. Tomorrow, you and your ministers shall go there. You will please me by accepting hospitality for a day inthe ashrama." Bharata said: "My Lord, your wishes and words of affection are a feast. Whatmore is required?" Bharadwaja smilled because he could see that Bharata was unwilling to cast the burden of feeding an army on a poor ascetic. He said: "I am bound to entertain you in a manner worthy of your status and goodness. Why have you left behind your army and returned?" Bharata answered: "I followed the rule that one should not approach a rishi's dwelling with a retinue. There is a big crowd following me. It would be a great disturbance to you if they all come here."The rishi said: Nothing of the sort. Order them all to come up."And so Bharata ordered. Bharadwaja went to the sacrificial fire and, uttering mantras, sipped water thrice band called on Viswakarma, Maya, Yama, Varuna, Kubera, Agni and other celestial beings and ordered them to produce a great feast for Bharata and his followers. Then a miracle happened. The feast that was ready in Bharadwaja's ashram was like that which Vasishtha gave to Viswamitra. The only difference was that here, there was no quarrel or commotion. Everyone had ample accommodation. Sandal paste, flowers,food and drink, music and dance by divine performers were all provided.Bharadvaja's feast was more sumptuous than that given by emulouskings to one another. Dwellings, vehicles, servants rose suddenly into being. Theguests forgot themselves at the feast. The Soldiers in Bharata's army in the ecstasy of present enjoyment exclaimed to one another: "We shall not go to the Dandakaforest. We shall not return to Ayodhya.We shall stay here forever." How were they to know that the good things they enjoyed were for a day, and would disappear at dawn, like the stage and the crowd after a village play is over? The guests were full and soon fell fast asleep. The following morning Bharadwajasaid to Bharata: "At a distance of two-and a-half yojanas from here runs the riverMandakini. On its banks is an uninhabited forest with Chitrakuta hill to its south. On The slope of the hill, in a hut your brothers and Sita are dwelling." And he explained in detail the way they should follow. The three queens were presented to receive the sage's blessings. "This isQueen Kausalya," said Bharata, "the mother of Rama and here, to her right and supporting her, stands the mother ofLakshmana and Shatrughna, sorrowstrickenand limp like a creeper strickenby summer wind." "And here is my mother, the cause of all our sorrow," saidBharata, pointing to Kaikeyi who along with the other Queens prostrated before the sage."Do not judge your mother harshly,"said Bharadwaja casting his gentle eyes on the sorrowing lady. "All that has happened has happened for the good of the world." This episode of introducing themothers is placed by Kamban in the earlier scene with Guha. Guha reverently inquires about the queens and Bharataexplains. What Valmiki describes as having taken place in Bharadwaja Is Ashrama is, with more poetical effect, transferred by Kamban to its proper place. Introducing Kausalya to Guha, Bharatasays, in the Ramayana of Kamban: "This Is the mother of Rama. Her treasure wasRama and she lost it because of me." OfSumitra he said: "This is the mother ofLakshmana, truer brother to Rama, who has a happiness beyond the reach of poor me." Kaikeyi in Kamban, as in Valmiki, is introduced by Bharata in harsh terms. Bharata and his great retinue took the forest path as directed by bharadwaja. They saw from afar the Chitrakuta hill andas they proceeded eagerly a column of smoke indicated the spot where the prince's dwelling was and shouts of joy arose from the crowd. Leaving his following behind, Bharata went forward accompanied only by Sumantra andVasishtha. K Rajaram IRS 281024 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Chittanandam V R <[email protected]> Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2024 at 07:08 Subject: Fwd: Tamilnayagam - Bharathan and Guhan (2) To: இராமாயணம் - பரதன், குகன் (2) என் ஆர் உயிர் நாயகன் ஆளாமே *தமிழ்நாயகம் * பக்தி என்பது உணர்வின் உச்சம். அது நம்பிக்கையில் பிறப்பது. அங்கே தர்க்கமும் அறிவும் விடை பெற்றுப் போய் விடுகின்றன. இராமனைக் கண்டு, அவனிடம் அரசைத் தர வேண்டும் என்று பரதன் தன்னுடைய மந்திரிகள் மற்றும் படையோடு வருகிறான். வந்த பரதன் கங்கையின் கரையில் காத்திருக்கிறான். ஆற்றைக் கடக்க வேண்டும். நமெக்கெல்லாம் கடலைக் கடக்க வேண்டும், அவனுக்கு ஆற்றைக் கடந்தால் போதும் , ஆண்டவனை அடைய. மறு கரையில் குகன் இருக்கிறான். படையோடு வந்த பரதனைக் கண்ட குகன், அவனைத் தவறாக எடை போடுகிறான். இராமன் மேல் படை எடுத்து வந்துவிட்டான் பரதன் என்று நினைக்கிறான் குகன். பரதனுடன் சண்டை போட்டு அவனை எப்படியாவது நிறுத்தி விட வேண்டும் என்று கோபத்தோடு நினைக்கிறான். "என் ஆருயிர் நாயகன் இராமனிடம் இருந்து வஞ்சனையாக அரசைப் பறித்துக் கொண்ட பரதன் இப்போது அவன் மேல் படை எடுத்து வந்திருக்கிறான். இவனைப் போக விட்டுவிட்டால் இந்த உலகம் என்னை "நாய்" என்று இகழும் " என்கிறான். பாடல் ‘அஞ்சன வண்ணன், என் ஆர் உயிர் நாயகன், ஆளாமே, வஞ்சனையால் அரசு எய்திய மன்னரும் வந்தாரே! செஞ் சரம் என்பன தீ உமிழ்கின்றன, செல்லாவோ? உஞ்சு இவர் போய்விடின், “நாய்க்குகன்” என்று, எனை ஓதாரோ? பொருள் கரிய நிறம் கொண்ட என்னுடைய அருமையான உயிர் போன்ற நாயகன் (இராமன்) ஆளாமல் சூழ்ச்சியால் அரசை அடைந்த மன்னனாகிய பரதனும் வந்தாரே! தீயைக் கக்குகின்ற சிவந்த அம்புகள் இவர்கள் மேல் செல்லாமல் போய்விடுமோ? தப்பி இவர்கள் போய் விட்டால் நாய்க்குகன் என்று என்னைச் சொல்ல மாட்டார்களா? குகனுக்கு இராமன் மேல் , இன்னும் குறிப்பாகச் சொல்லப் போனால் இராமன் என்ற உருவத்தின் மேல் அவ்வளவு காதல். இராமனுக்கு ஆயிரம் சிறப்புகள் இருக்கலாம். குகனுக்குத் தெரிந்தது எல்லாம், 'கரிய நிறம் ' மட்டும்தான். அவன் உருவ அழகில் உருகியவன் குகன். எல்லோராலும் தவறாக புரிந்து கொள்ளப்படுவதே பரதனின் நிலையாக இருக்கிறது. ஈன்ற தாய் புரிந்து கொள்ளவில்லை. வரத்தின் மூலம் அரசைப் பெற்றுத் தந்தால் பரதன் ஏற்றுக் கொள்வான் என்று கைகேயி தவறாக எண்ணினாள். அவன் எனக்கு மகனே இல்லை என்று தசரதன் கூறினான். இலக்குவன் அவனைப் புரிந்து கொள்ளவில்லை. கோசலைகூட ஒரு கணம் பரதனை தவறாக நினைத்தாள். இப்போது குகன் அவனைத் தவறாக நினைக்கிறான். அறத்தின் வழியில் செல்பவர்களை உலகம் எளிதாக புரிந்து கொள்வதில்லை என்பதற்கு பரதன் ஒரு உதாரணம். உலகம் புரிந்து கொள்ளவில்லையே என்பதற்காக பரதன் ஒரு இடத்திலும் தன் நிலையை மாற்றிக் கொள்ளவில்லை. பரதனை முழுமையாக புரிந்து கொண்டவன் ஒருவன் மட்டுமே - அது இராமன். யாருக்குப் புரிய வேண்டுமோ அவருக்குப் புரிந்தது. அற வழியில் செல்பவர்களை உலகம் புரிந்து கொள்ளாவிட்டாலும் ஆண்டவன் புரிந்து கொள்வான். *-- தமிழ்நாயகம் * ******************************* *சித்தானந்தம் * -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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