Chapter 1 - Emperor Bharat chooses his

successor

King Bharatha looked around wondering what to do

He was in the main court hallthe mighty throne which was in the middle
of the court room usually looked like it was made for himWhile sitting on
itor while going towards it, he had never even felt the slightest doubt that
he would be the best person to sit on it and take good care of his
peopleBut now, for the first time in his life, Bharatha felt like the throne
was questioning him, mocking him.What would he do?

Bharatha stayed far away from the throne looking at itHe thought back to
his father King Dushyant and his mother Shakuntala. Bharatha could still
remember how proud his parents had been when they had crowned him
He remembered the confidence with which they had announced him to be
the crown princeHis parents had never even doubted that he would rule
the people well

Bharatha had got married and he had children of his ownNine
sons.Bharatha sighed. He never thought that his children would
themselves be the reason for his worry

Emperor Bharatha had realized that he was getting oldAs was custom, his
first son would take the throneBharatha had to just crown his first son as
the Crown prince.But that was what was worrying Bharatha.

Bharatha talked with all his sons and had extensive talks with his sons
teachers and his own ministers.Bharatha realized with sudden clarity that
none of his sonsnot one of them was fit to rule.Bharatha wondered
whether he would just crown his first born as the Crown prince and let it
goBut Bharatha realized that that would be a crimea crime for which he
would never forgive himselfHe was the ruler of his people.he was their
father and guide.By being a ruler, it was not sufficient if he had ruled well
during his timeIt was his duty to make sure his people were happy even
after he was gone.That was his duty, his karma.

Bharatha remembered the messages which his gurus had taught
him...When Bharatha was young, he had been brave enough to open the
mouth of the jungle lions to count their teethnothing scared him.Even
when he had been the king, he had ruled that wayfearlesslyhe had
followed the path of righteousness no matter what

Bharatha had been an excellent warrior. His father, no doubt had been a
great warriorBut Bharatha had really made the kingdom huge.Now he
had a kingdom spreading right from the Himalayas to even after the
Vindhyas.He had cherished his kingdomlooked after it welllike he
would look after his own childThe kingdom had prospered and people
were happy and very well off

And suddenly Bharatha realized that he had no one who would look after
his beloved kingdom and his people after himNot his sonsBharatha
thought wryly.Leaving the kingdom to his sons would destroy the
kingdom.His sons were not fit to rule.Bharatha had to find someone
else

As Bharatha was thinking, he had a sudden image of a young boyA local
boya boy who could not be called royal by any stretch of imaginationBut
a boy who was brave and strong.A boy who could follow the path of the
king no matter whatBharatha slowly nodded to himself.The boy was
perfect.

So in the next day in the open court, King Bharat once again sat majestically
in his throne. He looked regal and knew he had made the right choice.He
looked at his nine sons, each wondering whether they would be crowned
the kingBharatha felt a trace of regret looking at themBut he knew that
the path of the king was not selfish oneHe had to do what was right for
the kingdom, not his family.

The whole court and the kingdom waited eagerly for the king. King Bharat
spoke, I, Bharat, son of Dushyant and Shakuntala, hereby crown,
Bhumanyu as my successor. The whole court looked surprised and
astonishedIt was virtually unheard that a common man could be crowned
as the kingespecially when the king himself had so many sons of his
own.

Bharathas son looked stricken and broken heartedHow could their
father do it to them? He was choosing a commoner over themwhat sort
of a father was he

Meanwhile a stunned young boy looked self-consciously as everybody
looked at him with envy, pride, angerHe was bewilderedHe did not
know why the king would choose him over his own sons.

Bhumanyu! King Bharat called out, Come forward!

Bhumanyu swallowed and steadily walked forward. Bharat got down from
the throne and led Bhumanyu with him.

Bharatha whispered to Bhumanyu, You are the only one person, I found
worthy of this throneI do not think I will do justice to this throne, if I
made any of my sons as the kingI am impressed with you bravery and
your capability to stand up to anyone to do what it right.If anyone does,
you have the right to sit here.

Bhumanyu looked at King Bharatha as he spoke with pride, But sir! Your
own childrenHow could you

King Bharatha smiled, I am a king first.I am also a father.Just because
my sons wish to be the kings, I cannot place them on this mighty
throne.This throne and the kingdom deserves someone who love it and
look after itlike a father and guideYou are the only person I know who
can do that.

Bhumanyu looked at King Bharatha who had spoken with such simplicity
that he was moved.He looked at the king, too full for words and nodded
his head. He prayed that he would be at least half the ruler that Bharatha
hoped he would be...

King Bharatha then turned to his people. He raised Bhumanyu hands in the
air, Long live the crown prince Bhumanyu.

For a minute everyone looked stunned. But then Bharatha had ruled the
people for longThey trusted him implicitly. The voice rang out as one,
Long live the crown prince Bhumanyu..'

True to King Bharatha's hopes, Bhumanyu ruled the people very well.

His son was Suhotra, who ruled the kingdom after him. After Suhotra, the
kingdom was ruled by his son Hastee...

Hastee founded the kingdom of Hastinapur. The place where the great
story of Mahabharatha started....