Then going out of the mountain, the Lord of Kocala showed unto Mithila's
daughter the charming stream Mandakini of excellent waters. And Rama,
furnished with eyes resembling lotuses, addressed the daughter of king
Videha, transcendentally beautiful, with a countenance like the fair
moon, saying, "Behold the river Mandakini, having variegated islets
beautiful; frequented by ducks and cranes; and filled with flowers;
covered with diverse trees bearing fruits and flowers; and looking
graceful all round like Saugandhika herself of Kuvera. And the waters
rendered muddy in consequence of herds of deer drinking of them, as well
as the graceful descents unto the river, fill me with pleasure. And, my
beloved, sages wearing matted locks and deer-skins, with barks for their
sheets, are in season performing their ablutions in the river Mandakini.
And observing rules, persons raising up their arms, are worshipping the
sun, and, O thou of expansive eyes, after these appear ascetics
following vows, (engaged in _Japa_). And the hill seems to dance on the
wind swaying the tops of trees; and on both sides of the river, the
trees are crowned with flowers and leaves. And behold the river
Mandakini, somewhere with its waters resembling pearls, and somewhere
with islets, and somewhere filled with persons who have attained
emancipation. O thou of slender waist, behold these hosts of flowers
spreading along, and others dipping themselves (in the stream). And, O
auspicious one, behold these sweet-throated birds, the Chakravakas,
getting upon the islets, uttering pleasant notes. Methinks, O beauteous
one, the sight of Chitrakuta and of Mandakini is even more delightful
than life in the metropolis, or the sight of thy own self. Do thou like
unto her companion perform thy bath with me in this stream, whose waters
are perpetually stirred by emancipated ones, furnished with asceticism,
self-restraint, and control over the senses, who have had their sins
removed. Do thou, O Sita, perform thy ablutions in the Mandakini,
scattering at the same time, O girl, red and white lotuses. Do thou, my
wife, always consider the wild animals as citizens, the mountain as
Ayodhya, and this stream as the Sarayu. The virtuous Lakshmana is ever
obedient to my commands; and, O Videha's daughter, thou also art
favourable to me. This causes delight in my heart. Bathing thrice (in
this river), and living on tasteful fruits and roots, I in thy company
do not today wish either for Ayodhya or royalty. Bathing in this
beauteous stream agitated by herds of elephants, whose waters are drunk
by elephants, lions and monkeys,--which is graced with flowers, and
which is decked with multitudes of blossoms, there is no one who has not
his fatigue removed, and who does not feel exhilarated." Having thus
along with his beloved one, spoken variously regarding the stream, that
perpetuator of the Raghu race, Rama, began to range the charming
Chitrakata, resembling the collyrium in hue.