Vasistha Guides Grieving Bharata's Actions

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. 

Vasistha Consoles Bharata (Shlokas 2.76.1 - 2.76.3)

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.

Preparing the King's Body (Shlokas 2.76.4 - 2.76.5)

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's Lament (Shlokas 2.76.6 - 2.76.9)

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."

Vasistha's Guidance (Shlokas 2.76.10 - 2.76.12)

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.

Preparing the Sacred Fire (Shlokas 2.76.13 - 2.76.14)

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

The Funeral Procession (Shlokas 2.76.15 - 2.76.17)

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.

Performing the Rites (Shlokas 2.76.18 - 2.76.20)

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

Lamentations and Mourning (Shlokas 2.76.21 - 2.76.23)

• 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.