Afflicted by the mighty force on its way with banners (displayed), those
inhabitants of the woods, leaders of elephant-herds, took to their heels
in company with the herds themselves. And bears and Prishatas and Rurus
were on all sides seen in the forest-ways, and on hills and rivers. And
that virtuous son of Dacaratha with a glad heart held on his way,
surrounded by that vast army consisting of fourfold forces, raising a
tremendous upoar. And that army of the high-souled Bharata resembling
the waves of the ocean, covered the earth quite, as clouds in the rainy
season cover the welkin. And filled with steeds and mighty elephants,
the earth at that time for a long while remained invisible. And having
proceeded a long way, the graceful Bharata, with his bearers extremely
tired, said these words unto that foremost of counsellors, Vasishtha,
"From appearances, and from what I had heard, it is evident that we have
arrived at that region which Bharadwaja had told us of. This is the
mountain Chitrakuta and that the river Mandakini. And from a distance
this forest appeareth like dark clouds. And now our elephants resembling
hills afflict the romantic sides of Chitrakuta. And the trees scatter
blossoms over the sides of the mountain, even as after summer sable
clouds pour down showers. O Satrughna, behold the realms inhabited by
Kinnaras, scattered with steeds, like the main with _makaras_. And these
herds of deer furnished with celerity, being urged on, roam about like
masses of clouds in the sky in autumn, propelled by the winds. And like
the people of the south, these warriors bearing shields resembling
clouds, are adorning their heads with ornaments of perfumed blossoms.
And this forest, although void of men and dreadful in appearance, at
present appeareth unto me like Ayodhya, teeming with people. The dust
raised by the hoofs (of horses) stands covering the sky: anon the wind
bearing it away, compasses my pleasure. And, O Satrughna, see how fast
these cars yoked with steeds and driven by skilful charioteers, are
proceeding in the forest. And behold these beauteous peacocks, which,
being frightened, take refuge in the mountain --the home of feathered
tribes. This country appears to me exceedingly lovely. This abode of the
ascetics is like onto the way to heaven itself. Male and female deer and
Prishatas in the forest, beautiful to look at, appear as if variegated
with flowers. Now let the soldiers go advisedly and search this forest,
so that they light upon those chiefs of men, Rama and Lakshmana."
Hearing Bharata's speech, persons with weapons in their hands, plunged
into the forest, and those heroes presently discovered the top of a
(column of) smoke. Having seen the top of the (column of) smoke, they
came before Bharata and said, "Fire cannot exist where there is no man
present. Therefore it is evident that even here are those descendants of
Raghu. But if those foremost of men, those subduers of their enemies,
the princes, be not here, there are others, being ascetics, resembling
Rama." Hearing their words acceptable unto the pious, that afflicter of
hostile ranks, Bharata, said unto the entire army, "Do ye carefully stay
here: do not proceed further. I myself will go, and Sumantra and
Dhriti." Thus desired, the troops remained all about that place. Bharata
went away, keeping his gaze fixed in the direction of the top of (the
column of) smoke. Desired by Bharata to halt, that army, looking in the
direction of the smoke, rejoiced soon on learning that the beloved Rama
had arrived (at that place).