Ramayan Part 22 - Bharata's Request To Ram

In that peaceful forest, one day, Ram saw a dust storm in the sky, And animals hither and thither Stampeding in great fear. “Lakshman, don’t you hear, A noise of animals running here, Chased by some hunting party Or by an attacking army.” Lakshman saw from north, An army marched towards south, A full complement of chariots, Elephants, horses and soldiers. Eyes red with anger, He kept his finger On the bow ready To fight the army. He said, “Bharata’s force, Is coming to attack us, We’ll fight the enemy, And chase them away.” “Have patience Lakshman, Not that kind of man Bharata is, to fight with us, As he really loves us.” “He’s here why I know, Sure, he wants us now To go back to the palace And live there in peace.” Bharata halted the army, At some distance away From the hut of Ram, And went near them. Ram asked his brother, Why he left his father, Who required all the care, And why he came there? His father was no more, It was sad news to hear. Ram did the obsequies And other ceremonies. Ram couldn’t bear the sight, Of Bharata’s broken plight, Who wore ascetic robes shoddy, O’er his grief-stricken body. Bharata wanted Ram as king, But his promise to the late king, He didn’t want to give up, And wished always to keep up. These episodes full of pathos, Showed how they, too close, Were not for benefit material But they all set an example. Ram or Bharata, which brother, As a role model, excelled the other, It’s difficult, even today, to pick. No wonder, Ramayan is an epic.