Two Brothers Meet

When Bharat discovers that his father has passed away due to the intense grief, he went through for having exiled Sri Ram to the woods, he is filled with rage towards his mother Kaikeyi. Extremely disconcerted, he meets Kaushalya to inform her that he will go to the forest to bring Sri Ram back as king of Ayodhya. In his search for Ram, Bharat encounters various people who have seen him in the forest. He is finally helped by Sage Bharadwaj, who directs him to the hermitage of Sri Ram in the Chitrakut hills. When he sees Sri Ram, his steps are heavy and he stumbles on plain ground, his eyes bedewed with tears. Overpowered by grief and anguish to see his brother in ascetic garb, he cannot help but curse his own birth, as he considers himself the wretched cause of their plight. Sri Ram helps him up and holds him close in a tight embrace. Then placing him on his lap, the lord enquires about their father, asking if he is in good health. He tells Bharat that he ought not to leave his father’s side while he is alive, and also enquires about Sage Vashishta and the queen mothers. The lord then proceeds to question Bharat on all aspects of state administration and politics, advising him in judicial matters..Starting with the priest who conducts sacrificial offerings, the Lord enquires about Bharat’s guru and other esteemed elders, asking if they are being treated well by him. Counselling him not to work late into the night and not to involve too many ministers in deliberations, he speaks of the art of keeping deliberations secret until they are officially announced. He further cautions him on trusting people and tells him how one honest, talented, and wise minister is far better than a thousand foolish counsellors. Sri Ram then speaks on varied subjects concerning the governance of the state.Anxious about the welfare of his parents, the kingdom, and its people, nay even the animals that roam the forests, Sri Ram enquires about Ayodhya. He engages Bharat in a long discussion on the said issues, for Bharat is rather uneasy to see his dear brother in the woods, and that too in the attire of an ascetic at a time when he should be running the affairs of his kingdom.