(Painting Courtesy:SriK V Bhima Rao garu)

Bharatain Ramayana, for the sake of bliss, was searching for the path of Truth. He was in no way inferior to Rama. For the protection of truth, or for following of right kind of Dharma or making sacrifices when they were necessary, Bharata was equal to Rama. (SSB 1977, p.67)

It is said Brahma vid Brahmaiva bhavati. One who has the knowledge of Brahman will become identical with Brahman. As he was continuously thinking of Rama, he was transformed into Rama. Citizens who came to garland Rama could not recognise who was Rama and who was Bharata. They put all the garlands on Bharata thinking that he was Rama. Bharata was quite smart and was quite alive to the situation. So, he was telling the citizens, please garland my brother and not me. Bharata was so intensely devoted to Rama that people could not tell who was Bharata and who was Rama. (SSB 1977, p.58)