Having spent the night there on the banks of the Ganga, that descendant
of Raghu rising early in the morning, said these words unto Satrughna,
"O Satrughna, arise! Why sleepest thou? Bring thou at once that lord of
the Nishadhas, Guha. Good betide thee! He will take the army (over the
stream)." Thus urged by his brother, Satrughna said, "Thinking of that
noble one (Rama), I have not slept, but have remained awake in a like
manner."[173] As those chiefs of men were thus conversing with each
other, Guha appearing in time with joined hands, remarked, "O Kakutstha,
hast thou spent the night happily on the banks of the river? And is it
continuous good fortune with thee along with thy forces?" Hearing Guha's
speech fraught with affection, Bharata ever obedient unto Rairia, spoke
on his part, saying, "Happily have we spent the night; and we have also
been well received by thee. Now let thy servants take us over by means
of many boats." Thereat, bearing Bharata's mandate, Guha, bestirring
himself, re-entered the city and addressed his kinsfolk, saying, "Arise
ye! Awake! May good always attend you! Do ye draw up the boats; I shall
ferry the forces over." Thus asked, they arising and bestirring
themselves in consequence of the king's command, brought up five hundred
boats around. Others also known by the name of Swastika, bearing large
bells on their prows, and banners, well decked out, furnished with oars,
and manned by bargemen, with their joints firmly constructed, (were
brought up). And Guha himself brought a graceful barge called Swastika,
covered with pale woolen cloth, and resounding with music. On this boat
ascended Bharata, the mighty Satrughna, Kaucalya, Sumitra, and other
wives of the king. The priests, and preceptors belonging unto the
Brahmana order, had already ascended. After (Bharata and others had got
up), ascended the wives of auxiliary princes, and cars and provisions
were got on board. And the uproar consequent on the troops burning down
dwellings, pressing down descents unto the river, and loading goods,
spread on all sides. Then those boats hung with pennons, managed by the
kinsfolk (of Guha), set off at speed with the teeming folks that had got
on board. And some of these were filled with women, and some with
horses, and some conveyed cars and cattle of great value. And going to
the other bank and landing the crowds on the store, the friends and
slaves (of Guha) while returning, displayed various movements (of the
boats). And elephants graced with flags being spurred on by their
riders, began to cross the stream, appearing like (so many) winged
hills. Others ascended boats, and others crossed on rafts, others
crossed by means of reversed pitchers, and others by their arms alone.
Ferried over the Ganga by the servants (of Guha), that beautiful army
graced with streamers, at the third _muhurta_ arrived at the romantic
woods of Prayaga. Having made the army take rest at its ease, and
encamped it (at the woods of Prayaga), that magnanimous one, Bharata,
for the purpose of seeing the asylum of the ascetic Bharadwaja, went
thither, accompanied by _Ritwijas_ and _Sadasyas_.
[173] _i.e._ as thou hast done.--T.