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spite of this, Bharat was not ready to become the king. When
Kaikeyi realized this, she regretted her decision. She thought
“I forced Rama to leave, but Bharat is not ready to rule the
kingdom. What will happen ?

Kaikeyi’s remorse :

“I did all this havoc for my son. I snatched the throne from
eligible and capable Rama for my son, Bharat. But now my
son is not ready to accept it and Rama has already accepted
forest exile. What will happen of this state and its subjects ?
My husband is also preparing for Diksha.

Now I should seek Rama’s forgiveness and beg him to come
back and accept the throne.”

Thus she sat in the chariot and followed Rama. She met Rama
in the forest. She got off the chariot and pleaded Rama with
folded hands,

“Return back and accept the throne. Women like me are mean
and narrow-minded. Thus, I ended up doing such a disgusting
act. But men like you are generous and noble. Thus, forgive
my mistake and came along with me.”
Here Rama’s sthitapragyata is note-worthy.

He had decided that his father’s words should not go futile.
This was possible only if Bharat accepted the throne and he
roamed in the forests. He was steady and determined in his
sthitapragyata. The temptation of being coronated as the king
also would not move him from his decision.

Thus to solve the problem being an elder brother, he ordered
Bharat : “You have to accept the state kingship.” Before
Bharat could counter argue, he called for a mug of water
and showered it on Bharat himself as an indication of him
being coronated as the king.
124 Purity Purified