चक्रवर्ती भरत का पश्चात्ताप

Summary

The text recounts the story of Emperor Bharata and his 99 brothers. When Bharata's brothers rejected their kingdoms to embrace a life of self-restraint, Bharata became distraught, condemning himself as a traitor to his family. He rushed to his father, Lord Rishabha, and his newly initiated brothers, expressing his desire to also become a monk but lamenting that their initiation pained him. Bharata then detailed how each of the fourteen ratnas (jewels) and nine nidhis (treasures) he had acquired as a Chakravartin led him to arrogance and conflict with his brothers. The chakra-ratna made him forget brotherly love, the chatra-ratna inspired a desire for sole sovereignty, the danda-ratna led him to consider punishing his innocent brothers, and the mani-ratna increased his worries. The khadga-ratna cut the bonds of brotherly love, the charma-ratna led him to unjustly covet his brothers' kingdoms, and the kakini-ratna blinded him to reality. The senapati-ratna (general) urged him to conquer his brothers, the grihapati-ratna inflated his pride, the vardhaki-ratna (architect) showcased his power, and the purohita-ratna (priest) harbored hidden unrest. The hasti-ratna (elephant) and ashva-ratna (horse) fueled his ego, and the stri-ratna (woman), Subhadra, encouraged him to subjugate his brothers. After conquering six divisions of Bharat Kshetra, Bharata felt remorse. His brothers' non-violent resistance awakened his conscience. He confessed his sins, begged forgiveness, and asked them to reclaim their kingdoms. Later, while examining his adorned body in a mirror, a ring fell off, revealing his unadorned finger as unattractive. This led to a deep contemplation on the body's impermanence, generating a strong