BHARATHA APPROACHES BHARADWAAJA AASRAMAM

gUHA ARRANGED BOATS.They were special boats called ,SWASTHIKAMULU.They are closed and windows are arranged so that air and light can enter inside.They were decorated with flags and bells.Bharatha, SAthrughna,Vasishta and other elders,Queens and allothers aboarded the boats.Carts, horses ,oxen were also included.Elephants were made walk through the river by their masters.Some went by ships, some others by boats , some used pottery and some swam to reach the other side of Ganges.They reached Prayaagavanam.One mile before reaching Bharadwaajaasramam ,Bharatha asked his army to stop there itself. Heleft his ammunition,arms ,jewllery and wore Silk robes .He started to the ashramam along with Vasishta and ministers.Ministers stayed behind and Bharatha went inside along with Vasishta.Bharatha prayed him with respect.Bharadwaaja welcomed them and enquired about their welfare.

Then Bharadwaaja asked Bharatha why he had come to the woods. He should now be in Ayodhya ruling the people,.Fearing that Rama might demand kingdom in future.did he come to harm Rama.Lakshmana and Seetha?Hearing these words Bharatha wept. He pleaded that even he suspected his motives, he had no where to go in this world. He explained to him that he had no role in these developments. He was not even present at Ayodhya during that time. Actually he had come to request his brother to return to Ayodhya and take back the kingdom.Bharatha requested Bharadwaaja to tell them about Ramas where aboutsTo enable them to succeed in their mission.

Bharadwaaja praised Bharatha that he was apt to be a person belonging to Raghuvamsa.All along he knew Bharathas intention. But he wanted the entire world to know about his determination.That was why he spoke so.He told him Rama and Lakshmana were in Chithra kutam. They could go leisurely the next day .He wanted the to stay in his aashram that day.But Bharatha said that he was fully satisfied with his welcome. But Bharadwaaja said that he wanted to feed his people and the army.He enquired why Bharatha had left his army at adistance.

Bahratha replied that he did not want to disturb the peace of the aashram.So ,on Bharadwaajaas request all his army approached .