Then the ascetic asked Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi, when he had decided
for staying there, to receive his hospitality. Thereat Bharata said,
"Thou hast for certain done this,-- (hast offered me) water for washing
my feet, _Arghya_, and hospitality with what can be procured in the
forest." Then Bharadwaja as if in jest, said unto Bharata, "I know thee
to be of a complacent disposition; and that thou art pleased with
anything and everything. But I wish to feast thy forces. And, O best of
men, it behoves thee to act in harmony with my desire. Why didst thou
coming hither, leave thy army at a distance? And, thou man of men, why
didst thou not come accompanied with thy forces?" Bharata replied unto
him, saying, " I had not come accompanied with my forces, from fear of
thee, O reverend Sir. O worshipful one, kings and their sons should
always carefully avoid the regions of ascetics. Choice steeds, men, and
mad elephants of the best kind, covering a spacious tract of country,
come in my train, respected Sir. That these might not injure trees or
water or the grounds of the cottages partaining to the asylums, have I
come hither alone." "Bring the forces here,"--thus desired by the mighty
ascetic, Bharata accordingly caused the troops to be brought in.
Then entering the chamber of the sacrificial fire, (Bharadwaja) having
sipped water and rubbed his lips therewith, invoked Vicwakarma for the
purpose of entertaining his guest, "I invoke Vicwakarma; even Twastri
himself. I wish to entertain guests. Let him accomplish this for me. I
invoke the three guardians of the worlds--gods headed by Sakra. I wish
to entertain guests. Let them accomplish this for me. Let those rivers
that flow westwards, and those that move tortuously on the earth and in
the sky, come hither in a body. And let others run _Maireya_, and others
refined wine, and others again cool waters resembling the juice of the
sugarcane. I invoke the celestials and the _Gandharbas_ and Vicwavacu
and Haha and Huhu and also the divine Apsaras and Gandharbis all; and
Ghritachi, Vicwachi, Micrakeci and Alamvusha; and Nagadatta and Hema and
Soma, residing in the mountain; and those ladies that attend Sakra, and
those that attend Brahma. I invoke all these females well attired, in
company with Tumvuru. And let that beautiful forest of Kuvera in the
north Kuru, having its foliage resembling attires and ornaments, and its
fruits debonair damsels, exist even at this very spot. And here let the
worshipful Soma yield me excellent viands of diverse kinds in plenty;
things that may be eaten or enjoyed, sucked or licked; and variegated
blossoms growing in the trees, and wines and (other) drinks, and meats
of various kinds." Thus, furnished with unrivalled ascetic energy, did
that anchoret observing excellent vows, express himself orthoepically in
consonance with Siksha. And as he sat with joined hands facing the west
with a rapt mind, there came separately all those deities. And then
touching Malaya and Dardura, and laden (with perfumes), a delicious and
welcome wind began to blow delightfully, removing sweat. And the clouds
poured down a pleasant shower of blossoms; and from all sides were heard
sounds of celestial kettle-drums. And a rare breeze set in, and the
multitudes of Apsaras danced; and the celestials and the Gandharbas
sang, and the vinas let out their notes. And the dulcet sounds high and
low furnished with _Sama_ and measure, entered the Earth and the
firmanent and the ears of all creatures. When that celestial symphony,
delightful unto the ears of men, had thus developed itself, Bharata's
forces saw the workmanship of Vicwakarma. That spot widening into a
level plain measuring five _Yoyanas_ was covered with thick grass
resembling blue lapises. And on it stood _Vilwas_, and _Kapithwas_,
_Panasas_, citrons, and _Amalakas_, and mangos, embellished with fruits.
From the north Kuru had spread a wood capable of conferring every
enjoyment; and a beautiful river coursed through bordered by many a
tree. And there had arisen white edifices having four divisions; and
stables for horses and elephants; and grand gateways belonging unto
palaces and mansions; and royal residences with graceful gates,
resembling white clouds, bearing white garlands and washed with fragrant
waters, having four corners, and spacious, fitted up with beds, seats,
and vehicles, having every kind of excellent sapid food, stocked with
excellent edibles and apparels, having every variety of food, possessing
washed and bright vessels, with every description of seats, graceful,
and accommodated with choice beds with coverlets. Permitted by the
Maharshi, Kaikeyi's son, Bharata, entered that mansion abounding in
gems. And he was followed by the counsellors and the priests; and the
latter beholding the arrangements of the palace, were filled with
delight. And Bharata in company with the counsellors there went round
the august royal seat, the _chowri_ and the umbrella, worthy of a king.
And having bowed down unto Rama, he worshipped that seat. And then
holding the _chowri_ of hair, he sat down on the seat of a minister.
Then the counsellors and priests seated themselves according to rank.
And thereafter the general and the protector of the encampment (got
themselves seated). Then at Bharadwaja's command, came into being near
Bharata streams having _payaca_ for their slime. And at the pleasure of
the Brahmana, on both their banks arose charming dwellings, covered with
pale clay. And at that very moment there came twenty thousand women
commissioned by Brahma, adorned with divine ornaments. And there came
also twenty thousand females sent by Kuvera, decked out in gold and
gems, pearls and corals. The sight of these was capable of filling men's
minds with enchanting ravishment. And there came from Nandana twenty
thousand damsels; and Nirada and Tumvuru and Gopa, resembling the sun in
splendour. The Gandharba kings began to sing before Bharata. And
Alamvusha, and Migrakesi, and Pundarika, and Vamana danced before
Bharata, at the command of Bharadwaja. And those blossoms that are in
the celestial regions, and that bloom in the forest of Chaitraratha,
became visible in Prayaga at the energy of Bharadwaja. And Vilwas did
the office of players on the _Mridanga_, and Vibhitakas, that of keepers
of _Soma_, and Acwaththas became dancers, at the energy of Bharadwaja.
And Saralas, Talas, Tilakas, and Tamalas, being delighted, became
hump-backed ones and dwarfs. And Sinsapas, Amalakis, Jamvus and other
plants of the forest, wearing the forms of females, stood at the mansion
of Bharadwaja. "Let wine-drinkers drink wine, the hungry eat Payaca, and
those that are inclined to it, feed on clean meat." And every seven or
eight females taking a man, bathed him on the lovely banks of the
rivers. And damsels furnished with expansive eyes, having wiped the
persons (of the bathers), pressed their legs, and those magnificent
women made them drink (wine). And the keepers duly fed excellent horses,
elephants, camels and Suravi's sons (oxen), with their (proper) food.
And some persons possessed of mighty strength, being directed thereto,
fed the bearers of the foremost Ikshwaku warriors with suger-canes,
honey, and fried paddy. And the groom forgot his horse, and the
elephant-keeper his elephant: that army there became transported with
wine and exhilaration. And sumptuously entertained with every enjoyment,
with their bodies decked with red sandal, the soldiery in the company of
bevies of Apsaras, exclaimed, "To Ayodhya will we not go, nor yet to
Dandaka. Peace be unto Bharata, and may Rama reap happiness"! Thus did
footmen and the riders and keepers of elephants and horses, as well as
others, having experienced such a state, utter words. And men by
thousands, exceedingly delighted, sent up shouts. And saying, "This is
heaven" the retinue of Bharata--the soldiers--began to dance and laugh
and sing; and bearing garlands, they on all sides rushed by thousands.
And beholding the inviting viands resembling ambrosia, they, although
already fed, became desirous of eating once again. And wearing new
clothes, all the serrante, and maids, and females of the household,
became exceedingly well pleased. And elephants, and asses, camels, kine
and horses, and beasts and birds, being fed their fill, did not hunger
after anything else. And there appeared no one who wore a soiled habit,
or who was hungry, or melancholy, or whose hair was covered with dust.
And the people with wonder beheld before them vessels of precious metals
by thousands graced with chaplets of flowers, filled with essences of
fruits and fragrant soups and curries and the flesh of goats and bears,
and white rice. And there were on the skirts of the wood wells having
Payaca for their slime; and the kine yeilded whatever was asked; and all
the trees dropped honey. And the tanks were filled with _Maireya_ as
well as with clean hot meat of deer, peacocks, and cocks, dressed in
pans. And there were rice-holders by thousands, and curry-pots by
hundred thousands, and golden vessels by _Arvudas_. And there were
pitchers and water-pots and cleaned vessels for churning curd, filled
with the same. And there were tanks of savoury and yellow butter-milk,
well-tempered. And there were tanks filled with _Rasala_;[174] and
others filled with milk, and with sugar. And men saw sediments, acrid
powders and various others things in vessels, (or the purpose of bath,
on the terraces of tanks; and tooth-cleaning sticks of Ancuman and other
(trees); and white sandal paste lying before; and cleaned mirrors; and
lots of cloths; and sandals; and shoes in pairs by thousands; and
collyrium-pots; and combs; and brushes; and bows at some places; and
mail; and various kinds of seats and beds. And they saw reservoirs for
asses, camels, elephants, and horses, with easy descents, filled with
water to assist their digestion; and pools furnished with lotuses, of
the hue of the firmament, with transparent water, comfortable for
ablutions; and tender (plots of) grass all around colored like blue
lapises, to serve as pasture for beasts. Witnessing the wonderful
hospitality provided by the Maharshi Bharadwaja, like unto a vision, the
men marvelled. Thus entertained like unto celestials in Nandana, they
passed the night at the hermitage of Bharadwaja. Then taking the
permission of Bharadwaja, all the Gandharbas as well as the superb
damsels went away as they had come. And the men remained intoxicated and
highly inebriate with the liquor, their persons daubed with goodly
_aguru_ and sandal; and the various elegant garlands beautiful to
behold, lay by themselves all around, crushed by the people.
[174] A preparation of butter-milk.