________________
Attachment and Detachment
215
"Bharath! I will not allow you to go away from us. Is it proper on your part to go away thus without the consent of our brother, Shri Ram who is as venerable as our father ?" He could say this with great difficulty; and then his face turned bleak. His heart was filled with grief; and his eyes welled up with tears.
The attendants standing behind the doors overheard this conversation that took place among the three brothers. All were shocked to hear about Bharath's determination to renounce the samsar. Their anguish knew no bounds. They at once ran to Sita. At that time, Sita was in her palace, in the company of Vishalya and the other queens.
"Dear Queen! King Bharath has suddenly declared his determination to renounce the samsar. Our noble lord Shri Ram tried his best to dissuade him from carrying out his determination. Lakshman also tried his best to change Bharath's mind but king Bharath is adamant and unyielding. He is determined to carry out his decision.” The attendants could say only so much. Their voices were choked with grief. Sita was stunned to hear this. The other queens were stupefied and looked like stoneimages muted with shock and grief as if thunder-struck by the news. The atmosphere which was cheerful and jubilant a little while ago became gloomy and sorrowful. All were overwhelmed with grief.
"Are you really speaking the truth? Is Bharath determined to become a Shraman ?" Sita shuddered with grief and agitation.
“Yes, dear Queen! He was about to set off but Lakshman held him with his strong arms and prevented him from going away." Shri Ram sat in stupefied silence, overwhelmed with grief. Lakshman stood like a stone-image, petrified by Bharath's determination.
In consequence, Sita, Vishalya and the other queens at once hurried to Shri Ram's chamber. Silence reigned supreme in the chamber. Shri Ram and Lakshman were standing silent. The queens surrounded Bharath. They showed their determination to prevent him from becoming a Shraman.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
