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In the peaceful setting of Chitrakoot, the story unfolds as Lord Rama, Lakshman, and Sita encounter unexpected obstacles and come together with Bharat in a forest marked by devotion, loyalty, and strong brotherly love.
Characters in the story:
Lord Ram: Lord Rama is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism and is the seventh avataar of Lord Vishnu. He is known for his virtues of righteousness, courage, and devotion, and is considered a symbol of ideal human behavior and the victory of good over evil.
Mata Sita: Mata Sita is the wife of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. She is regarded as an epitome of feminine virtues and is worshipped as a goddess by many.
Lakshman: Lakshman is a prominent character in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where he is depicted as the younger brother of Lord Rama and a loyal companion in his journey to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.
Bharat: Bharat is a figure in the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana. He is the son of Kaikeyi and the younger half-brother of Lord Rama. He rules Ayodhya as its regent while Lord Rama is banished from his kingdom, and fights to rescue his wife Sita, kidnapped by Ravana.

Rama, Lakshman, and Sita were seated outside their humble hut when a sudden commotion in the nearby jungle caught their attention. They observed a deer and other jungle animals hastily retreating, and a cloud of dust rising on the jungle road, signaling the approach of a group. It wasn’t long before a forest dweller hurriedly approached them, bringing news that Bharat was on his way with an army and courtiers, soon to reach Chitrakoot.
Lakshman, upon hearing this, became distressed and voiced his concerns, saying, “Look at Bharat, following in his mother’s footsteps! He believes Ram is alone and vulnerable in the forest, harboring ill intentions as he arrives with soldiers. But as long as I’m alive, none of his schemes will succeed!”
Rama calmly reassured Lakshman, reminding him that Bharat, in his wildest dreams, would never stray from his unwavering principles and impeccable character. “There’s no need to be so agitated without cause,” Rama advised.
Meanwhile, Bharat pressed forward, eager to meet his beloved brother. He traversed the jungle path barefoot, much to the curiosity of his courtiers. When asked about this choice, Bharat explained that he wished to experience the same pain from thorns that his dear brother Rama had endured.
In Chitrakoot, Rama, aware of Bharat’s deep affection, made a unique request to Vandevi, the goddess of the forest. He implored her to remove all stones, pebbles, and thorns from the path leading to Chitrakoot. Vandevi was puzzled and questioned Rama, wondering if Bharat was not strong enough to endure the rigors of the jungle path. Rama responded by acknowledging Bharat’s strength, equating it to that of a hundred elephants. However, he did not want Bharat to blame himself for any discomfort, understanding the pain he had faced during his own journey.
Driven by his eagerness to reunite with Rama, Bharat marched ahead of the others. Upon seeing Rama, he offered a profound “dandavat pranam,” prostrating fully on the ground with tears streaming down his cheeks. Rama rushed to embrace Bharat warmly. Bharat then delivered the somber news of Dasharath’s passing.
The news saddened Rama and Lakshman deeply. After paying their respects to their gurus, Rama went to the river to offer a final tribute to his father with a jalanjali, a ceremonial offering of water. The following day, the courtiers gathered, and Rama inquired about the purpose of Bharat’s visit. Bharat expressed his desire to immediately organize Rama’s coronation in the jungle and return with him to rule over Ayodhya. However, Rama declined the proposal, asserting, “Neither Bharat nor I seek the throne, but we are both bound by the promise we made to our father.”
Bharat, disheartened, made preparations to depart but requested Rama’s sandals as a token of his commitment to his ideals. With Rama’s sandals held high on his head, Bharat returned to Ayodhya, securing Rama’s promise to return on the precise day the fourteen-year exile ended.
Upon his arrival in Ayodhya, Bharat adopted the attire of an ascetic, emulating Ram’s simplicity. He placed Ram’s sandals on the throne, symbolizing Ram’s rightful rule over Ayodhya. He constructed a modest straw hut in Nandigram, near Ayodhya, and slept in a pit two feet below the surface to be lower than where Ram rested. For the entire fourteen years of Ram’s exile, Bharat dutifully managed the affairs of the kingdom as Ram’s regent, upholding his brother’s legacy until Ram’s triumphant return to Ayodhya after the exile had concluded.
