Arising after a long while when he had regained his consciousness,
Bharata endowed with prowess, regarding his distressed mother with eyes
filled with tears, began to tax her in the midst of the courtiers: "I
had never desired the kingdom. I had never consulted my mother. Nor did
I know the installation that had been thought of by the monarch. I was
then living in a far country in company with Satrughna. I did not know
the banishment of the magnanimous Rama to the woods, or the exile of
Sumitra's son; nor did I know how Sita came to be banished." As the
high-souled Bharata was thus wailing, Kaucalya recognizing his voice
spoke unto Sumitra, "Come is Bharata, the son of that one of crooked
ways. I am desirous of seeing the far-sighted Bharata." Having said this
unto Sumitra, that one emaciated and with a pallid countenance,
trembling and almost deprived of sensation, went to where Bharata was.
And it came to pass that the king's son, Bharata, along with Satrughna
had just then by the way that led to the same, been proceeding to
Kaucalya's quarter. Then Satrughna and Bharata seeing the aggrieved
Kaucalya, embraced the stricken and fallen lady well nigh deprived of
her senses. Thereupon, weeping from grief, the noble and intelligent
Kaucalya exceedingly afflicted, embracing them as they indulged in
sorrow, said unto Bharata, "Thus hast thou, that hadst desired the
kingdom, received it rid of its thorn. Alas! it has been speedily
obtained through the crooked act of Kaikeyi. What is the good that is
perceived by Kaikeyi of tortuous sight in sending away my son clad in
bark to the woods? It behoveth Kaikeyi to send me also speedily to where
is staying my illustrious son furnished with a gold-gleaming navel. Or
first performing the fire-sacrifice, I followed by Sumitra, will myself
happily seek the way by which Raghava (has gone to the woods). Or it
behoveth thee to thyself bring me unto the place where that foremost of
men, my son, is performing austerities. This spacious kingdom abounding
in corn and wealth, and filled with elephants, horses, and cars, is
thine, having been conferred on thee (by Kaikeyi)." Thus reproached by
many a harsh word, the sinless Bharata felt exceeding pain like unto
that produced by pricking a sore with a needle. Exceedingly agitated, he
fell at Kaucalya's feet, lamenting much, and well nigh deprived of his
senses. Bharata then regained his consciousness, and with joined hands
answered Kaucalya lamenting thus and overcome with excess of sorrow,
saying,--"O noble lady, what for dost thou censure me who am without sin
and who know nothing of this? Thou knowest that profuse is my delight in
Raghava. May the sense of him never follow scripture, that had approved
the exile into the woods of that foremost of the good, the noble Rama
intent on truth! May such a person as had approved the exile unto the
woods of the noble one undergo servitude at the hands of the sinful,
answer the calls of nature facing the Sun, and kick a sleeping cow with
his feet! May he that had approved the exile of the noble one into the
woods come by the sin that is reaped by a master who withholds salary
from servants after the ceremony is over! May that one that had approved
the exile of the noble Rama to the woods, be guilty of the sin that is
his that injures a sovereign engaged in ruling his subjects like sons!
May the person that had approved the exile of the noble one to the
woods, reap the sin of his that having taken a sixth part of their
incomes, does not protect his subjects! May he that had approved the
exile of the noble one to the woods, come by the demerit that is his
that denies _dakshinas_ unto ascetics in a sacrifice, after having
promised them the same! May he that had approved the exile into the
woods of the noble one, never discharge the duty of the good in the
field thronged with elephants and horses and cars, and bristling with
arms! May the wicked wight that had approved the exile of the noble one
to the woods bring to naught the subtle scriptural knowledge which has
been carefully taught him by his intelligent preceptor! May that one
that had approved the exile of the noble (Rama) to the woods never
behold the long-armed and broad-shouldered (Raghava) resembling the Sun
and the Moon in energy seated (on the throne)! May that one void of
aversion, that had approved of the exile of the noble one to the woods
feed on _Payaca_, _Krisara_, and goat's flesh, which have not been
offered in sacrifice; and may he insult his spiritual preceptor! May he
that had approved the exile of the noble one to the woods touch a cow
with his feet, revile his superiors, and injure his friends! May that
one of wicked soul that had approved of the exile of the noble one into
the woods divulge any defects (of another's character) that have been
communicated to him in strict confidence! May he that had approved the
exile of Rama to the woods, never repay any good act, be ungrateful
abandoned by all,-- the object of universal execration! May he that had
approved of the exile into the woods of the noble one, eat alone in his
home, although surrounded by sons and wives and servitors! May he that
had approved of the exile of the noble one, die without obtaining wives
worthy of him, without sons, without any good works performed! May he
that had approved the exile of the noble one into the woods, never see
his own offspring, and not attaining ripe age, may he mourn his wives!
And may he come by the sin that is reaped by slaying a king, a woman, a
boy, or an old man, or by renouncing those who have claims on his
maintenance! May he that had approved the exile of the noble one into
the woods always feed his family with lac, honey, meat, iron, and
poison! May that one that had approved the exile of the noble one into
the woods, while flying from the engagement while it is waxing furious
with the foe, come to be killed! May he that had approved of the exile
of the noble one into the woods, clad in tatters with a skull in hand,
like a madman range the earth abegging! May he that had approved the
exile of the noble one into the woods, be always addicted to wine, to
women, and to dice; and may he be swayed by lust, anger, &c! May he that
had approved of the exile of that noble one into the woods, never relish
virtue, and go after unrighteousness; and may he shower his wealth on
the unworthy! May he that had approved the exile of the noble one into
the woods, have his various accumulated riches by thousands carried off
by robbers! May he that had approved of the exile into the woods of that
noble one, come by the demerit that is his who sleepeth during both the
twilights! May he reap the sin that is reaped by an incendiary or him
that lieth with his preceptor's wife; or him that wrongs his friend! May
he that had approved the exile of that noble one into the woods, never
serve the gods or the manes of the ancestors or his father and mother!
May he that had approved the exile of that noble one into the woods, be
speedily shot out from the world of the good, from their fame, and from
their acts! May he that had approved the exile of that long armed and
broad breasted one, renouncing the ministration of his mother, turn his
thoughts to evil! May he that had approved the exile of the noble one,
becoming impoverished yet having to support a large family, and
suffering from fever, be always miserable! May he that had approved the
exile of that noble one render fruitless the hopes of poor people
cherishing them and looking up (wistfully)! May he that had approved the
exile into the woods of the noble one remaining (always) wicked, cruel
and impure, leading an unrighteous life and being in (continual) fear of
his sovereign, maintain himself by deceit for ever and a day! May that
wicked person that had approved the exile into the woods of the noble
one disregard his chaste wife remaining near, after she has performed
her ablutions at the end of her season. May his that had approved the
banishment into the woods of that noble one be the sin that is incurred
by a Brahmana that has rendered himself sonless. May that one of
befouled senses that had approved of the exile into the woods of that
noble one disturb the worship of Brahmana and milch a cow that has a
calf. May that foolish person that had approved the exile of that noble
one forsaking all pleasure in virtue, seek others wives, renouncing his
own wedded with sacred rites! May he that had approved the exile into
the woods of that noble one come by the sin that attaches to a wine
biber or one that administers poison to another! May he that had
approved of the exile into the woods of the noble one bear the sin that
is his that serves a thirsty soul with deceit. May he that had approved
the exile into the woods of that noble one reap the demerit of them that
from devotion to their respective faiths wrangle from their own points
of view, as well as that of them that listen to the disputation!" Having
thus consoled Kaucalya bereft of her son and husband, the prince
afflicted with distress fell down. Then Kaucalya addressed the aggrieved
Bharata (well nigh) deprived of his senses, swearing strong oaths,
saying "O son, it grieves me more that thou art afflicting my heart by
taking oaths. Lucky it is that graced with auspicious marks, thou
swervest not from virtue. My child, for this reason thou wilt attain the
regions of pious persons. Saying this, Kaucalya overpowered with
emotion, drawing into her lap Bharata attached to his brother, and
embracing the mighty armed one, gave way to grief. And bewailing thus,
the mind of the high souled (Bharata) wrought with sorrow, was overcome
with the burden of grief. And fallen on the ground, lamenting,
senseless, with his intellect overpowered, and momentarily heaving
sighs, Bharata passed away night in grief.