Description
An Analysis of Tulsidas’s Portrayal of Bharat’s Character in the Sri Ramcharitmanas from the Perspective of a Gradual Development from his state of Personal Turmoil to True Devotion
The deeply moving character of Bharataji, as has been vividly portrayed by Tulsidasji, can be viewed as a gradual development from a state of self-regarding turmoil to one of true devotion. In the backdrop of the events surrounding Sri Ramji’s exile to the forest, this gradual development begins with that personal turmoil in Bharataji’s heart which had its origin in the sense of personal responsibility and the perception of the likely suspicion about his part in the whole crisis in the hearts and minds of the people of Ayodhya; and more than all this, the likelihood of his (Bharataji’s) separation from Sri Ramji for the long period of fourteen years; and infinitely greater than all the above lay in the excruciating idea of the possibility that the whole crisis may have led to the creation of a wedge (gap) in Sri Ramji’s love for him. So, it appeared to him that the sole means of deliverance, for himself and for the people of Ayodhya, from this immense suffering lay in bringing Ramji back from the forest by whatever means and enthroning him upon the throne of Ayodhya. However, after his meeting with Lord Ram at Chitrakoot – where he witnessed in Ramji’s heart a love so profound for him that it moved him (Ramji) to even set aside his solemn vow of following his father’s command and agree to act entirely in accordance with his (Bharat’s) wish – all the anguish of his mind and soul gets finally quenched. Now, his heart having been delivered from the anguish, could express its true and unwavering devotion for Ram, which has always been there in its depths. In the hands of Tulsidasji, the entire life and character of Bharataji emerges as a profound beacon of love and devotion that has been illuminating and showing the way to humanity over the ages. In this journey, we can primarily discern five distinct stages:
1. Bharat’s Efforts to Prove His Complete Non-Involvement in the Entire Episode of Sri Ram’s Exile
2. Bharataji’s Resolve to Liberate Both Himself and His Subjects from the Agonising Pain of Separation from Ramji – And, in the Course of This, Through the Flow of His Feelings of Love for Ramji, the Complete Eradication of Even the Last Traces of Any Sense of Misconduct on His Part from the Minds of the People
3. The Doubts and Uncertainties That Arose in Bharata’s Mind While He Was Going Towards Sri Ram with the People of Awadh, and the Calming of All the Distress in His Heart Upon Bathing in the Lake of Sri Ram’s Pure and Immaculate Love
4. The Emergence of True Devotion in Bharataji
5. The Emergence of True Devotion In All Parts of the Being – The Need for a Support
