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.