Messengers Summon Bharata Home
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 70
Discover Agile, Tech, and Compelling Stories
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 70
Bharata receives urgent news from Ayodhya, inquires about his family's well-being, and departs from Kekaya with gifts and companions. An epic journey begins amidst growing anxiety.
As Bharata related his dream, weary messengers from Ayodhya arrived at Rajagriha. The city, surrounded by an impassable moat, was a sight to behold.
The messengers met with the Kekaya king and his son, Yudhajit, who received them with honor. After paying their respects to the king, they addressed Bharata:
"The family priest (Vasistha) and all the counselors have inquired about your welfare. You must return immediately. There is an urgent matter that requires your attention."
They presented Bharata with precious gifts, saying:
"O large-eyed one (Bharata), please accept these excellent raiments and precious ornaments. Bestow them upon your maternal uncle."
The messengers explained the value of the gifts:
Twenty crore (200 million) worth of gifts for the king
Ten crore (100 million) worth of gifts for Bharata's maternal uncle
Bharata accepted the gifts graciously and honored the messengers in return.
Concerned for his family, Bharata asked the messengers:
"I hope my father, King Dasharatha, is doing well. Are the revered Rama and Lakshmana in good health?
And what of Kausalya, mother of the sagacious Rama? She is devoted to righteousness, knowledgeable in dharma (righteous duty), and observes the prescribed code of conduct. Is she keeping sound health?
What about my mother Sumitra, familiar with the ways of righteousness? She is the mother of valiant Lakshmana and Satrughna. Is she enjoying good health?
And my mother Kaikeyi, ever intent on her own well-being, wrathful, irascible, and proud of her intelligence - is she maintaining sound health? What did she say?"
The messengers responded respectfully:
"O tiger among men (Bharata), those whose welfare you inquire about are all doing well. May the goddess of wealth and prosperity await you, and let your chariot be yoked for the journey."
Bharata addressed the messengers:
"I shall seek permission from the great king of Kekaya to leave."
He then spoke to his maternal grandfather:
"O king, urged by these messengers, I wish to go to my father. I shall return whenever you remember me."
The king of Kekaya, Bharata's maternal grandfather, kissed him on the forehead and said:
"Go, my child. I permit you to leave. Kaikeyi has a worthy son in you. O slayer of enemies, convey my best wishes to your mother and father, to the family priest Vasistha, other illustrious brahmins, and to those two great bowmen, Rama and Lakshmana."
The king of Kekaya bestowed upon Bharata:
Well-bred elephants
Many-colored blankets
Antelope skins
Two thousand gold coins (rukmaniṣka)
Sixteen hundred horses also
Ashwapati, Bharata's maternal uncle, presented him with:
Amenable, trustworthy, and virtuous counselors as companions
Elephants born in Iravata and Indrasira mountains
Swift-moving and well-trained asses
Dogs from the inner apartment:
Well-raised
With the strength and courage of tigers
Huge-bodied
Using their fangs as weapons
Despite the wealth given by the king of Kekaya, Bharata did not delight in it. His heart was filled with intense anxiety due to the messengers' haste and his dream.
The prosperous Bharata left his residence and proceeded along the royal highway, thronged with men, elephants, and horses. He entered the inner apartment of the king unhindered.
After taking leave of his maternal grandfather and uncle Yudhajit, Bharata, accompanied by Shatrughna, boarded a chariot and departed. They were followed by:
More than a hundred chariots with well-rounded wheels
Servants with camels, oxen, and horses
The prosperous and illustrious Bharata, protected by an army and accompanied by ministers comparable to himself, left his grandfather's house with Shatrughna, like a siddha (accomplished being) departing from Indra's realm.
This concludes the Seventieth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.