Having passed that night, Bharata having been entertained along with his
family, appeared before Bharadwaja, desirous (of seeing Rama). Seeing
that foremost of men (standing) with joined hands, Bharadwaja, who had
just finished his fire-sacrifice, said, "Hast thou passed the night
pleasantly at our place? And have all thy men been pleased with our
hospitality? Do thou tell me this, O sinless one." Thereupon, Bharata
bowing down, with joined hands said unto that ascetic of excellent
energy, as he had issued out of his hermitage, "O reverend Sire, I along
with all my forces and vehicles have passed (the night) happily. I have
been full well entertained by thee, O worshipful one possessed of power.
And with our languor and heat removed, we all sumptuously feasted and
comfortably quartered, have passed (the night) agreeably along with our
servants. Now, O best of ascetics, I beseech thee to look with a
propitious eye on me who am bound for my brother's place. And tell me, O
thou cognizant of morality, how far is it unto that high-souled
righteous one's asylum, and by what way (shall I reach there)?" When
Bharata eager to see his brother had asked thus, the highly energetic
Bharadwaja of rigid austerities answered, "O Bharata, two and a half
Yojanas hence, embosomed in a tenantless wood is the mountain
Chitrakuta, charming with rocks and woods. On its northern border flows
the river Mandakini, covered with flowering trees and with blossoming
woods. Beyond the stream is the mountain Chitrakuta. There is their
thatched cottage, my child; there they abide for certain. Proceeding by
the southern way, do thou with thy forces composed of elephants and
horses, O master of the army, turn to the left, O exalted one, and go
southwards. By doing so, thou wilt be able to see Raghava." Hearing of
their departure, the wives of that king of kings, leaving their cars,
albeit worthy of them, gathered round the Bramana. Lean and trembling
and in woful guise, Kaucalya along with the noble Sumitra, with her
hands took the feet of the ascetic. Despised universally because of her
unrighteous desire, Kaikeyi also bashfully took hold of his feet, and,
having circumambulated the mighty and venerable anchoret, stood near
Bharata in dejection of spirits. Then the mighty ascetic Bharadwaja
asked Bharata, "O descendant of Raghu, I wish to know particularly about
thy mothers." Thus accosted by Bharadwaja, the pious Bharata deft in
speech said with joined hands, "O reverend sir, she whom thou beholdest
depressed and emaciated through grief and fasting--resembling a very
goddess--is the noble Queen of my father. This one, Kaucalya, it is that
gave birth unto that chief of men, having the powerful gait of a lion,
Rama, even as Aditi gave birth to Dhata. She that stands at her left
hand, in dejected guise, is the noble Sumitra afflicted with sorrow, the
second wife of the monarch--like a Karnikara bough in a forest, with all
its blossoms shrivelled up. The sons of this exalted lady are the
youthful and heroic Lakshmana and Satrughna, having truth for their
prowess, and resembling celestials in shape. And her in consequence of
whose act those foremost of men have come by crushing misfortune, and
the king Dacaratha hath gone to heaven, deprived of his son,--wrathful
and proud of her good fortune, setting her heart on wealth--Kaikeyi,
dishonorable, although endowed with the semblance of honor, do thou know
this wicked one intent on sin as my mother. In her do I perceive the
root of my mighty misfortune." Having said this, with his words choked
with emotion, that best of men with his eyes reddened, sighed like an
enraged serpent. As Bharata was speaking thus, the great ascetic
Bharadwaja gifted with high understanding and knowing interest, answered
Bharata, saying, "O Bharata, thou ought not to cast any blame on
Kaikeyi. This banishment of the king (Rama), shall be for the good (of
all). The banishment of Rama shall surely be for the welfare of the gods
and the Asuras and sages of concentrated souls." Thus blest, Bharata
saluted the ascetic and went round him, and then summoning the soldiery,
said, "Yoke." Thereupon, getting ready excellent steeds and cars decked
with gold, many people mounted, with the intention of departing. And
male and female elephants with golden chains round their necks, and
furnished with banners, with the sounds (of bells), proceeded, like
clouds at the end of the summer season. And then proceeded various kinds
of cars great and light of movement and of high value; and the infantry
went on foot. And on a magnificent car went the ladies headed by
Kaucalya, with delighted hearts, eager to see Raghava. And ascending an
elegant car resembling the infant sun or moon, driven by charioteers,
went the graceful Bharata well attired. And that mighty host abounding
with horses and elephants proceeded, blocking up the southern quarter,
like a oolossal cloud arisen (in the sky), leaving behind on the other
bank of the Ganga woods inhabited by birds and beast* and coursing by
rivers and. mountains. And composed of numbers of elephants and horses
in high spirits, that army of Bharata, frightening multitudes of beasts
and birds, dived into that mighty forest.