All the brothers met and hugged one another. Rama asked about all the news at Ayodhya. Rama found that Bharata was dressed like an ascetic himself. Hesitantly, Bharata told him that Dasharatha was no more. He had died longing for Rama. He begged Rama to return to Ayodhya as King and look after the subjects who had been left without a ruler. Rama was shaken on hearing of his father’s death. He was consoled by Seeta and Lakshmana. It was long before Rama could accept his father’s death. He performed oblations in River Mandakini for the peace of his father’s soul. Then Sage Vasishtha led the three queens to Rama’s hut, where the four brothers sat grieving and consoling one another. Rama touched Vasishtha’s feet and then the three mothers’ feet. He was very gentle with Kaikeyi too, even though the other brothers were angry.
Brotherly Love
