Ramayana for Life Skills: A real friend

On the twelfth day of the cremation, Bharata distributed grand feasts and donations to all. The kingdom recovered its lost glory slowly.
On the following day the sage Vasishta came to the assembly where prince Bharata was present with brother Satrugna. “Bharata, my son,” addressed the guru, “Listen to my words which are compatible to time and place. Your father has conferred the responsibility of ruling the country, protecting the subjects and enhancing the bounties of the treasury. I am going to coronate you soon, on the immediate muhurta. Make all arrangements for it.”
“Noble soul,” said Bharata, “Legally and righteously my brother Rama is the king. We all are his servants. Tomorrow in the early morning I am proceeding to the forest to bring back Rama and make him the king. Saint Arundhathi, Satrugna, mothers Kausalya and Sumitra etc. will accompany us. ”
At the dawn, all of them set out to meet Rama. The procession was so thick and long and under the reel of the chariot wheel, foot fall of the elephants, hooves of the horses, dust arose unto the sky.
The galaxy of citizens of Ayodhya reached Sringivera on the bank of the Ganga. Guha, an old friend of Rama, observing Bharata with such a huge armed force apprehended that they should have some ill motive of killing Rama. He called his men and said:
“Collect all the boats on this bank of the river. I shall go alone and find out the pulse of Bharata. If his intention is bad we would fight him. If it is otherwise, we shall ferry them and render all possible helps.”
Guha went to Bharata and saluted him and the Guru. He said:
“I am Guha, the leader of this folk.”
Hearing this Bharata embraced him and with tears of joy said:
“O Guha, my dear friend, who is in this world, as fortunate as you are! You were embraced by Sri Rama. No one except Sita could have this bliss.” Wiping tears of joy Bharata inquired about Rama. Guha took them to the root of a huge banyan tree where strewn Kusa grasses were spread. “This is where Rama and Sita slept in that night. Lakshamana stood guard and I engaged him with discourses on many worldly affairs.”
Seeing the devotion that Bharata holds for Rama, Guha was surprised. He said: “I have rarely seen anyone so attached and committed to Rama. You are, no doubt, the purest among Rama devotees.”
“Guha,” said Bharata, “Where do they live presently?”
“Prince,” replied Guha, “They live yonder on close to the other bank of the Ganga.” “We should immediately reach there and persuade Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to come with us.” Continued Bharata, “Come. Arrange your boats quickly and help us cross the river.” After reaching the other side of the river, Bharata proceeded to Bharadwaja’s Ashram. The saint received them with due respect and after initial hospitality the saint asked Bharata: “My boy, why is that you are wandering in the forest instead of decorating your royal throne and ruling the country with pleasure?”
To this query, Bharata replied: “Lord, with your far sight you have already known the incidents that took place. I know you are trying to test me. I have not any slightest involvement in the whole affairs.”
“I know all the facts.” Said the saint. “I too know that you are totally innocent. I appreciate your devotion towards Rama. Now you and your team may stay here for the night and set off to meet Rama in the morning.”
Bharata happily agreed to this suggestion.

KK Shanmukhan ( To be concluded )