Bharata (Ramayana)

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Bharata (Sanskrit: भरत, Indonesian: Barata, Chinese: Boloto, Burmese: Bhadra, Malay: Baradan, Tamil: Paratan, Thai: Phra Phrot) was the second brother of the main protagonist Rama, and the son of Dasaratha and Kaikeyi. Dasaratha was the Emperor of Ayodhya and belonged to the Suryavansha or Solar Dynasty. It is said that after Rama, he was the symbol of dharma and idealism. A few commentators, however, deem Bharata to be even greater than Rama himself in virtue.

He is considered to be born in the aspect of the Sudarshana Chakra, the most famous of Vishnu's Panchayudhas.

Birth

Bharata was the second of the four sons of Dasaratha. His mother was the daughter of Kekeya Kingdom. The Ramayana describes the four brothers as loving and devoted to one another. He was also the husband to Mandavi, daughter of King Janaka's brother Kushadhvaja and thus a cousin of Sita, who was wife of Rama. They had two sons, Taksha and Pushka.

Exile of Rama

The exile of Rama was granted because of the promise of the king.

Bharata's response

Bharata was away from Ayodhya when Rama went into exile. When he learned of the exile, he was mortified. He severely reprimanded his mother, and immediately declared his intention of bringing Rama back from the forests, and if need be, of serving out his exile for him. When the people of Ayodhya and the numerous allies of Rama learned of this, their scorn and hatred towards Bharata (born out the...
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