Having passed the auspicious night underneath that mighty tree, they,
when the sun had risen in unclouded splendour, went away from that
place. Then diving into a mighty forest, they proceeded in the direction
in which the Bhagirathi Ganga meets with the Yamuna. And those
illustrious ones went on, viewing at intervals various fields and
delightful lands which they had never seen before. And going on
beholding various kinds of blossoming trees, Rama when the day had
declined, spoke unto Sumitra's son, saying, "O son of Sumitra, do thou
behold the beautiful wreath of smoke that rises in front of
Prayaga--sign of the worshipful Fire, and I infer some ascetic to be
near. For certain we have arrived at the confluence of the Ganga and the
Yamuna; and it is for this that we hear the roar of the waters produced
by the rushing of them. And all these various trees with their wood hewn
away by foresters are seen in the asylums." Thus having proceeded at
ease, those bowmen when the sun stood aslant, arrived in the vicinity of
the ascetic's residence on the delta of the Yamuna and the Ganga. And
proceeding awhile on the way, Rama, in presence of the asylum, came up
to Bharadwaja's place, frightening beasts and birds. And arriving at the
hermitage, the heroes desirous of seeing the ascetic, stood at a
distance with Sita behind them. And as soon as entering in, that exalted
one saw that high-souled anchoret of accomplished vows, who had attained
spiritual insight through austerities, sitting surrounded by his
disciples after having finished the Agnihotra, Rama with joined hands
saluted him along with Sumitra's son and Sita. Then Lakshmana's elder
brother imparted unto Bharadwaja a knowledge of himself. "O worshipful
one, we are the sons of Dacaratha, Rama and Lakshmana. This is my wife,
the auspicious daughter of Janaka. This blameless one followeth me unto
the solitary forest; and my dear younger brother, the son of Sumitra
too, observing the vow, follows me, who have been exiled by my father. O
revered one, commissioned by my father, I will enter the forest of
asceticism, and there subsisting on fruits and roots will practise
virtue." Hearing those words of the intelligent prince, that righteous
(ascetic) brought a bull[150] as well as _arghya_ and water and divers
kinds of edibles consisting of wild fruits and roots. And that one of
fiery austerities assigned quarters, along with beasts and birds as well
as ascetics, for Rama. Then paying homage unto Rama as he proceeded by
short stages, and asking him,--"Has your journey been a pleasant
one?"--the ascetic sat down. And when Raghava had sat down after
receiving the homage, Bharadwaja spoke unto him these words fraught with
virtue,-- "O Kakutstha, I behold thee come after a long time. I have
heard of thy causeless exile. This spot at the meeting of the mighty
rivers is lonely, sacred and charming. Do thou dwell here happily." Thus
addressed by Bharadwaja, that descendant of Raghu, Rama intent on the
welfare of all, answered in auspicious words,--"O reverend one, I
apprehend that, living hard by, the inhabitants of the city and the
provinces, thinking me as easily to be seen, will come to this asylum
desirous of beholding me and Vaidehi. It is for this reason that living
at this place does not recommend itself unto me. Do thou, O worshipful
one, hit upon a retired and agreeable asylum where Janaka's daughter
worthy of happiness, will pass her days pleasantly " Hearing this
auspicious speech of Raghava, that eminent anchoret Bharadwaja said
these words calculated to serve Rama's purpose,--"Ten Krosas hence, my
child, is the mountain where thou shalt dwell. It is inhabited by
_maharshis_, and is sacred, and picturseque throughout, abounding in
_Golangulas_, monkeys, and bears,--known by the name of
Chitrakuta--resembling Gandhamadana. On beholding the peaks of
Chitrakuta, one reaps welfare, and ignorance does not envelope one's
mind. There innumerable saints with the hair of their heads rendered
white like skulls, having spent hundreds of years, have through
austerities ascended heaven. That solitary spot I deem as one which will
make a happy residence for thee. O Rama, do thou, for living out the
term of thy banishment, dwell either here or with me." Bharadwaja
entertained his welcome guest, Rama, along with his wife and brother by
extending towards them every rite of hospitality. And at Prayaga Rama
having obtained the company of that Maharshi, and discoursing on a
variety of sacred topics, the night came on. And with Sita for the
third, Kakutstha brought up in luxury, being fatigued, pleasantly spent
that night at the romantic hermitage of Bharadwaja. When the night had
passed away and day dawned, (Rama) approached Bharadwaja, and that chief
of men addressed that ascetic of flaming energy,--"O reverend sire of
truthful character, we have here in thy asylum spent the night. Do thou
now permit us to set forward (for Chitrakuta)." On Rama having passed
the night there, Bharadwaja spoke unto him,--"Do thou trace thy steps to
Chitrakuta filled with delicious fruits and roots. I deem that, O mighty
Rama, as a fit abode for thee, being, as it is, furnished with various
kinds of trees, inhabited by crowds of Kinnaras, resounding with the
cries of peacocks, and frequented by gignantic elephants. Do thou repair
unto the famed Chitrakuta, holy, fair to the view, and abounding in
countless fruits and roots. And in those forests range herds of
elephants and deer; and these, O Raghava, thou wilt behold. And ranging
with Sita rivers and rills and plateaus, caverns and fountains, thy mind
will experience delight. Delighted with the notes of joyous Koyastivas
and coels, and the cries of deer and countless mad elephants, do thou,
arriving at the auspicious mountain, reside at that romantic asylum."
[150] When an eminent guest came to a person's house, he offered
_madhuparka_, with a bull which was killed for his
entertainment.--T.