Guha, acquainted with the forest, described unto Bharata of immeasurable
prowess the regard the high-souled Lakshmana bore unto Rama. "To
Lakshmana crowned with every virtue, waking up, holding the bow with the
arrow fixed on it for the purpose of guarding well his brother, I said,
'This easeful bed has been prepared for thee, my child. O son of Raghu's
descendant, cheer up! Do thou lie down at ease. All these people can
bear hardship; but thou art meant for comfort. For protecting him
religiously, we shall wake. To me also there is none that is dearer on
earth than Rama. Do not be anxious. This I tell thee truly, through his
grace I expect high fame among men, and immense religious merit, and
interest and desire in entirety. Bow in hand I shall along with my kin
protect Rama lying down with Sita. To me always ranging in this forest,
nothing whatever is unknown. I can even cope in battle with an army of
four- fold forces.' Thus accosted by us, the magnanimous Lakshmana with
his gaze ever fixed on virtue, humbly observed, 'How, Dacaratha's son
sleeping on the earth with Sita, can I attain sleep, or life, or
happiness? How see him who is capable of bearing in battle the onslaught
of the gods and the Asuras combined, sleeping in a cave on grass? It is
by virtue of mighty austerities and uncommon exertions that Dacaratha
has obtained this son of his crowned with every auspicious sign. He
being banished, the king shall not live long; and the Earth shall
certainly be widowed soon. Having bewailed aloud, by this time have the
women got exhausted; and surely the king's mansion is to-day still. I do
not expect that either Kaucalya or the king or my mother is alive. If
they live, it can be for this night only. Even if my mother live seeing
Satrughna, that mother of a hero, the afflicted Kaucalya, will (surely)
resign her existence. Saying--All is lost,--All is lost,--with his
desire unattained, my father having failed to install Rama in the
kingdom, will resign his existence. Blessed are they that when the time
shall come for the same, shall perform the funeral ceremonies of the
king my deceased sire. Then shall they with happy hearts range the
metropolis of my father, furnished with fair-looking terraces, with the
highways laid out orderly, crowned with lordly edifices, adorned with
various gems, crowded by cars and elephants and horses, resounding with
the notes of trumpets, abounding in auspicious things, filled with fat
and contented people, having gardens and pleasure-houses, and possessed
of divers classes of men indulging festal mirth. Shall we, on the
occasion of Rama's return, with glad hearts peacefully enter the city in
company with that one firm in his promise? As the magnanimous son of the
king was thus lamenting, the night passed away. In the morning, with an
unclouded sun, both, having made matted locks on the banks of the
Bhagirathi, crossed the river along with me. Wearing matted locks and
clad in barks of trees, those persons possessed of mighty strength, like
unto leaders of elephant-herds, equipped with excellent arrows and
quivers and bows--those repressors of foes, expecting (their return from
exile), departed with Sita."