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Bharata and Kaikeyi embraces ascetic life
One day, Bharata approached Rāma and said, "I desired to be a mendicant and seek the salvation and yet, our virtuous father and you ordered me to rule Ayodhyā. By the grace of God and your blessings, I endeavored to rule this empire to the best of my abilities, but now, I am fed up of the materialistic world, and wish to hand over to you, what is rightfully yours. I beseech you to ascend the throne and accept the crown and the scepter, so that I would be free to renounce the world and live the simple life of an ascetic."
Bharata's aquatic sports with the royal women
When Bharata heard this, he was ready to leave, but Sita, Višalyā and the other women from the harem urged him to join them in acquatic sports. The women did this to divert Bharata's mind from his decision. Though Bharata wasn't interested, he agreed to join the royal women in their aquatic sports.
When Rama heard this, his eyes were full with tears. He said, “Bharata, my beloved brother, do you think that the desire to be the ruler has brought me back to Ayodhyā ? I am here to be with my mothers and you. Bharat! if you renounce the throne and the world, you are renouncing us as well. We have met after such a prolonged period of separation and now you wish to leave us ? How will we survive if you leave us ? Previously, you had accepted the scepter to honour my word. I command you again to take care of this empire."
Having completed the sport, he was standing at the banks of the lake. An elephant named Bhuvanālamkara reached there. Sweet smelling nectar oozed from his forehead, which made him restless. To everyone's surprise, the restless and aggressive elephant calmed down when he saw Bharata. In the meantime, Sage Desabhusana and Sage Kulabhusana arrived there, who possesed kevalagyana. Rama rushed in order to receive them. He asked, "Why this aggressive elephant became totally docile when he saw my brother Bharata ?" The Muni explained how the elephant was associated with Bharata since many lives. On seeing Bharata, the elephant remembered his previous lives and thus became docile. When Bharata heard the account of his former lives, he became more detached and Rama granted him the permission to take the vows of initiation
MR
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For previous-births, refer Appendix-7
