The next day, in consultation with Sage Vasishtha, messengers were sent to Kekaya to bring back Bharata and Shatrughna. Hearing the message, the two brothers got worried and immediately left for Ayodhya.
They reached Ayodhya eight days later. The city seemed deserted and quiet. When the two brothers entered the palace, they found the same silence all around. Bharata went looking for his father but his chamber was empty. Worried, he ran to Kaikeyi’s palace. Seeing Bharata she embraced him. Bharata enquired about his father and the silence in the palace. Kaikeyi spoke very sweetly to Bharata, “Your father has gone to his final rest after having spent an illustrious life of great virtue and righteous conduct.”
Bharata was completely stunned by the news of his father’s death and collapsed on the floor, weeping like a child. Sobbing, he asked, “Where is my brother, Rama?
“I have sent Rama into exile in the forest for fourteen years. Seeta and Lakshmana have also gone along with them,” Kaikeyi said.
“But what was their crime?” Bharata asked.
“I did this for your benefit,” said Kaikeyi. She told the whole story to Bharata who was shocked. Angrily, he said, “What have you done, mother? Having separated from father and the brother, this throne is meaningless to me.”
Then, he came to Kaushalya’s palace and fell at her feet. He asked for forgiveness. Kaushalya hugged him and said, “It is not your crime. Rule over Ayodhya and send me to my son Rama-Lakshmana and daughter-in-law Seeta.” Bharata was upset. Bharata then went over to Sumitra and wept bitterly.
The council of ministers in the court requested Bharata to ascend to the throne. But he flatly refused saying, “I am not a party to all that happened. I will never ascend to the throne.”
By the next morning, Shatrughna found out that the conspiracy was hatched by Manthara. Then, Shatrughna saw Manthara trying to escape. He kicked her with his feet. Bharata came over there and stopped Shatrughna. Shatrughna stated, “Don’t stop me, brother. I will kill this lady. She is the real cause behind this misery.” Shatrughna wanted to do away with Manthara but Bharatha advised him thus, “O Dear! It is sin to kill a woman. It will bring a slur on the name of the solar dynasty.” Getting an opportunity Manthara slipped away.
Sage Vasishtha and the learned royal priest Vamadeva consoled the grief-stricken brothers and instructed them to perform king Dasharatha’s last rites. The great funeral pyre of the late king Dasharatha was prepared on the banks of river Sarayu.
The queens, relatives and all the learned people and citizens paid their last respects to the departed king. Amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, Bharata lit the pyre and performed the rituals that were for the peace of the departed soul. Thereafter, all bathed in the river.
Then, in accordance with the custom, Bharata distributed cows, horses, elephants, gold, clothes and food to the needy and the Brahmins. Then the family returned to the palace.
The citizens previously suspected Bharata’s involvement in Kaikeyi’s conspiracy, but now everyone was convinced that Bharata was innocent.
Kaikeyi, on the other hand, had realised her mistake and regretted her evil action. She was eager to meet her son Bharata. But he had malice towards his mother. The mourning period was of fourteen days. A pall of gloom descended to the whole city. Everybody was worried as to what would happen then.
