Vasistha Guides Grieving Bharata's Actions
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 76
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 76
Bharata's grief unfolds as he performs funeral rites for King Dasharatha. Guided by sage Vasistha, he leads a solemn procession, honoring his father amidst lamentations for the exiled Rama.
Bharata, son of Kaikeyi, was overwhelmed with grief. Vasistha, the most eloquent sage, addressed him:
"Enough with your sorrow, blessed prince of great renown. It's time to perform the funeral rites for the king in the most proper manner."
Bharata, knower of dharma (righteous duty), heeded Vasistha's words. He began to arrange the funeral rites.
The attendants:
Removed Dasaratha's body from the oil container
Placed it on the floor
Noted his pale, yellow face, as if he were sleeping
Laid him on a couch adorned with various gems
Seeing his father in this state, Bharata lamented in distress.
Bharata spoke to his deceased father:
"O king, what did you decide in my absence? You banished Rama and Lakshmana. Where will you go, leaving behind this grief-stricken person? Who will ensure the welfare and security of your city? The earth, bereft of you, is like a widow. The city appears like a moonless night."
Seeing Bharata lamenting, Vasistha spoke again:
"O mighty-armed prince, the funeral rites for the departed king must be performed carefully and without any shortcomings."
Bharata said, "Let it be so." He then gathered the Vedic scholars, family priests, and spiritual preceptors to perform the various rites.
The priests and attendants:
Withdrew the sacrificial fires from the fire-sanctuary
Followed ritual precepts in handling the sacred flames
Placed the deceased king on a litter
Carried him away
People walked ahead of the king's body:
Strewing gold and bright-colored garments on the path
Scattering fragrant substances such as:
Sandalwood
Agaru (a fragrant wood)
Sarala (a type of pine)
Padmaka (a fragrant wood)
Devadaru (cedar)
The priests laid the king's body in the center of the funeral pyre.
At the pyre:
Priests offered oblations to the fire
They intoned prayers
Chanters of the Sama Veda (a sacred text) sang hymns according to scripture
The king's wives arrived in palanquins and carriages
Elderly guards surrounded the royal women
Led by Kausalya, the women circumambulated the pyre
Thousands of women cried out piteously
Their wails sounded like the cries of krauncha birds
Court ladies alighted by the Sarayu river (a sacred river)
The royal wives, counselors, and priests joined Bharata in offering water libations
They re-entered the city
They spent ten days in mourning, sleeping on the ground
This concludes the Seventy Sixth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.