Bharata was speaking thus when the envoys with their vehicles fatigued,
entered the splendid royal residence surrounded by a strong rampart.
Presenting themselves before the king, they, well received by him as
well as the prince, bowed down unto the feet of the monarch. Then they
addressed Bharata, saying,--'The priest and the counsellors have
enquired after your welfare. Do you set out speedily. A business is on
hand that brooketh no delay on your part. And, O you of expansive eyes,
do you take these costly raiments and ornaments, and present them unto
your maternal uncle and grand-father. Twenty Kotis are intended for the
king and complete ten for your maternal uncle, O son of the monarch."
Taking all these, Bharata attached to his relatives, made the articles
over unto them; and receiving the envoys with goodly gifts, spoke unto
them, "Is my father, king Dacaratha, well? And is it well with Rama and
the high-souled Lakshmana? And is the mother of the intelligent Rama,
the revered Kaucalya, conversant with virtue and ever practising it,
well? Is the virtuous Sumitra.--mother of Lakshmana and of the heroic
Satrughna--well? And that wrathful one ever intent on her interest and
setting immense store by her wisdom, my mother Kaikeyi--is it also well
with her?" Thus addressed by the magnanimous Bharata, the envoys spoke
unto him these humble and brief words, "Those of whose welfare you are
enquiring after, are, O foremost of men, all well. Sree seated on the
lotus asks for you. Let your car be yoked." Thus addressed, Bharata said
unto the envoys, "Let me tell the king that the envoys are urging speed
on me." Having said this, that son of the king. Bharata, communicated
unto his maternal grand-father what the envoys had told him. "Asked by
the envoys, I shall, O monarch, go to my father. I shall come again
whenever you will remember me." Thus accosted by Bharata, his maternal
grand-father, the king, smelling Bharata's head, spoke these auspicious
words unto that descendant of Raghu, "Go, my child; I permit thee.
Kaikeyi is mother of a worthy son through thee. Do thou, O subduer of
foes, communicate our welfare unto both thy father and thy mother. Do
thou likewise communicate the same unto the priest and the other
principal Brahmanas; as also, my child, unto those mighty bowmen, the
brothers Rama and Lakshmana." Then honoring Bharata, king Kekaya
conferred on Bharata wealth consisting of choice elephants maintained
(at the palace) and woolen sheets and deerskins. And the king presented
him with dogs brought up in the inner apartment, resembling tigers in
strength and prowess, furnished with teeth representing weapons, and
large of body. And honoring the son of Kaikeyi, Kekaya gave him two
thousand _nishkas_ and six hundred horses. And for following Bharata,
Acwapati without delay assigned a number of goodly, trustworthy, and
qualified courtiers. And Bharata's maternal uncle conferred on Bharata
wealth in the shape of graceful elephants sprung in the Iravat mountain
and the country called Indracira; as well as fleet and well-broken
horses. But owing to the hurry of his departure, Bharata the son of
Kaikeyi did not appear to be so very much gratified with the gifts.
Owing to his having seen the dream and the post haste speed of the
envoys, a mighty anxiety was present in his heart. Then issuing from his
abode, that one possessed of exceeding grace passed the goodly
thoroughfare thronged with men, horses, and elephants. Having left it
behind, Bharata saw (before him) the inner apartment (of the king); and
thereupon the handsome Bharata entered it without let. Then after
speaking with his maternal grandfather and uncle, Yudhajit, Bharata
ascending a car, set out with Satrughna. Thereat servants by means of an
hundred cars, furnished with circular wheels, and yoked with camels,
oxen, horses, and asses, followed Bharata. Protected by the forces and
the courtiers of his material grandfather dear unto him like his
ownself, the magnanimous Bharata who had his foes removed, taking with
him his brother, Satrughna, departed from the abode (of the king), like
a Siddha issuing from the regions of Indra.