On the return of Sumantha to Ayodhya, Dasharatha died of grief for Rama. It was a pity that none of his sons was present at the time of his death. His wives, Kausalya and Sumitra, much mourned for the king, but Kaikeyi did not shed a tear for him. To perform the funeral ceremony of the king, his sons Bharat and Shatrughana were sent for, and until they returned to Ayodhya, his body was preserved in a Kadayi, a large vessel made of iron, full of oil.

Soon after, Bharat and Shatrughana returned to the city; and having seen the lifeless body of their father, they violently cried and much lamented for him. Vashishta said, “The body of the king cannot be burnt unless someone is placed on the throne of Ayodhya. Rama and Lakshman have gone to the forest, and I therefore ask Bharat to occupy the throne, as Kaikeyi has got them banished to the forest to secure the throne for him.”

At this information Bharat was startled and said to Vashishta with tears in his eyes, “How can I bear this grief? I do not want the kingdom. I want nothing from this city. I go down on my knees and beseech you not to install me in the throne, as my beloved Rama is the rightful claimant of it. I will go wherever Rama is and pass my days with him.”

Having known the heart of Bharat, Vashishta placed the padukas of Rama on the throne and proclaimed him as the king of Ayodhya. Shortly after, the body of Dasharatha was carried to the funeral ground and burnt with all his wives, except Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi. Kausalya and Sumitra were ready to burn themselves with their husband, but Vashishta prevented them from doing so, as they had sons.

After the funeral ceremony of Dasharatha was over, Bharat went and saw his mother Kaikeyi, when she said, “Son! I have caused Rama and Lakshman to be banished to a forest and secured the kingdom for you with the greatest difficulty. Now without delay take charge of the kingdom, and you will be very happy. We have now no enemies, and it is a very good sign that the king has also died.”

Bharat got very much enraged at what he had heard from Kaikeyi and replied, “You are a murderess of your husband and an enemy of Rama. It is most sinful, wicked, and disgraceful on your part to cause the death of my father and the banishment of my dear brother to the forest. Rama is the rightful claimant of the throne, let him come and take his kingdom. I want nothing except Rama and shall pass my days with him in the forest.”

So saying he dressed himself in valkalyas and set out for Chitrakuta to join his brothers. He was followed by Vashishta, Kausalya, Sumitra, Shatrughana, Sumantha, and all the people of Ayodhya, who were very anxious to see Rama. They all arrived at the river, where Guha had his hut; and at the request of Bharat, the fisherman conveyed all the people to the other side of the river.

Lakshman, having seen the people, thought that Kaikeyi had sent them to kill Rama and began to let off arrows at them. But Rama stopped him, saying that they were not his enemies. Shortly after, they all reached the parnakutika of Rama, when the prince embraced them very affectionately and asked his mother how the king was doing.

Kausalya, overwhelmed with grief, could not utter a word, when Vashishta broke the sad news to him. He deeply mourned for his father and remained mute for a while. Vashishta condoled him to perform the last ceremony of his father, whereupon he went to the river, Gaya, and performed the ceremony.

Kausalya, Sumitra, Vashishta, and all the people persuaded Rama to return to Ayodhya and take charge of the kingdom, when he said, “I am always true to my promise, faithful to my wife, and of a firm resolution. I cannot, therefore, break the promise given by me to my mother, Kaikeyi, in fulfilment of the promise given by my father to her and return to Ayodhya under any circumstances.”

Bharat said, “If you do not come to Ayodhya, I will go somewhere else and pass my days there until you return to the city.” Rama, stroking his head, replied, “Bharat, do not be disheartened. I shall return to Ayodhya in fourteen years and fourteen days. I therefore wish you to go back to the city and rule there on my behalf.” Bharat said, “I am very glad to obey you, but I shall not feel there well without your company. I therefore, beg that you will kindly let me go to Nandigram and stay there for fourteen years and fourteen days.” Rama replied, “If you will not be happy in Ayodhya in my absence, I shall let you go to Nandigram.”

“But” said Bharat, “if you do not return from the forest within fourteen years and fourteen days, I shall commit suicide.” Rama, having been pleased with his brotherly feelings, gave him his padukas and sent him to Nandigram where he lived as a Jogi, an ascetic, for fourteen years and fourteen days. Rama also gave his padukas, wooden shoes, to Shatrughana and made him go to Ayodhya and rule there on his behalf*. Shatrughana returned to Ayodhya with Kausalya, Sumitra, and all the people who had accompanied him.

Dasharatha’s death plunged Ayodhya into mourning, but it gave rise to Bharat’s unwavering dharma. Yet the path ahead grows darker as the exiled princes move deeper into the forests of fate. Until next time, Jai Shree Ram!

|| OM SAI SHRI SAI JAI JAI SAI || 

|| SHRI SATCHIDANANDA SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI ||

Note: This narration is based on Ramavijaya: The Mythological History of Rama (Bombay, 1891, Dubhashi & Co.), a public domain text shared here for free reading.

*Bharata, Lord Rama’s younger brother, ruled Ayodhya in Rama’s absence, acting as a regent from Nandigram and placing Rama’s sandals on the throne to symbolize Rama’s rightful kingship. While Bharata managed the kingdom as a caretaker, his brother Shatrughna was responsible for overseeing the administration of the entire kingdom during Rama’s exile.