Bharata is the name of three different persons in Hindu mythology.
Bharata, half-brother of Rama
Bharata was the half-brother of Lord Rama, and the son of Emperor Dasaratha and Kaikeyi of the Solar Dynasty. It is said that after Rama, he was the symbol of idealism. As a matter of fact, there are a few commentators who deem Bharata to be even greater than Lord Rama himself in virtue.
The Ramayana relates how Kaikeyi tricked the king into promising to put Bharatha on the throne of Ayodhya and banish Rama into exile. Bharata did not want to rule the kingdom which was rightfully his elder brother Rama's and so he placed Rama's sandals on the throne and managed the kingdom on behalf of his elder brother during Rama's 14 years of exile.
Bharata, son of Dushyanta
King Bharata was the son of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala and thus a descendant of the Lunar Dynasty. Both he and Bharata, the son of Rishabha are believed to be the one, after whom India was named Bharatavarsha. Christened Sarvadamana (subduer of all), the Mahabharata traces the events in his life by which he came to be known as Bharata (the cherished).
His exploits as a child prince are beautifully dramatised in Kalidasa's poetic play Abignana Shakuntalam
Bharata, son of Rishabha
King Bharata was the eldest son of King Rishabha. Both he and Bharata, the son of Dushyanta are believed to be the one, after whom India was named Bharatavarsha. In his later years, he renounced the throne and became an ascetic in a forest. Though he had renounced most worldly desires, he is said to have become very fond of a deer cub in the forest. Hence he is said to have been reborn as a deer, and then again reborn as Jada Bharata in a Brahmin family.
Bharatha ran to Kausalya, fell at her feet and asked her to pardon him, and said that he was innocent, and that he was not responsible for what had happened.
Bharatha replied that the request was proof of extreme hatred that the parents, the people, the preceptor and everyone in Ayodhya had towards him, for had they loved him they would not have pressed him to do such a mean sin.
Bharatha who recognised that the people’s prosperity and the people’s happiness were also the ruler’s prosperity and ruler’s happiness went along with them in order to remove their difficulties.
Bharatha Natyam perfected and stylized over two thousand years still remains as fresh and fascinating in its richness, traditional movements, aesthetic appeal and variety of abhinaya.
Bharatha Natyam is a solo, lasya type of a dance which is tender and erotic.
A Bharatha Natya performance is generally concluded with a chanting of a shloga as benefaction.
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