Having showed unto Mithila's daughter the river belonging to the
mountain, Rama sat down on its table-land and, gratifying Sita with
meat, said unto her, "This clean meat tastes sweet, having been roasted
in fire." The righteous Raghava was thus seated in company with Sita,
when Bharata's followers came there. And filling the heavens, there
arose clouds of dust raised by the army as well as an uproar. And at
this time mad leaders of elephant-herds accompanied by the latter,
scared by the terrible tumult, scudded on all sides. And Raghava heard
the noise raised by the army; and also saw all those leaders of
elephant-herds scampering away. And having seen them running away and
heard that hubbub, Rama spoke unto Sumitra's son, Lakshmana of flaming
energy, "Ha! Lakshmana, in whom Sumitra has been blest with a worthy
son, hark! A tremendous and dreadful uproar resembling the rumbling of
cloulds is being heard; and in the woods and mighty forest, deer and
buffalos and herds of elephants being accompanied by lions are suddenly
scampering away in all directions. O Sumitra's son, it behoves thee to
learn whether any king or prince is hunting in the forest, or any
ferocious beast is (ravaging the woods). O Lakshmana, this mountain is
even incapable of being frequented by fowls. Therefore it behoves thee
to learn all about it, as has actually been the case."--Thereat,
hurriedly ascending a flowering _Sala_ tree, Lakshmana surveying all
sides, fixed his gaze on the east. And viewing the east, he discovered a
mighty army, abounding with elephants, horses and cars, and consisting
of equipped infantry. Thereupon, Lakshmana communicated unto Rama
tidings concerning that army filled with elephants and steeds, and
decked with cars and streamers; and spoke unto Rama, saying, "O noble
one, do you put out the fire; and let Sita go into the cave. And do you
string your bow and make ready the arrows and don on your mail."
Thereat, Rama--chief of men--answered Lakshmana, saying, "O son of
Sumitra, do thou (first) ascertain whom this host belongs to." Thus
accosted by Rama, Lakshmana, as if consuming that army by his wrath
resembling, fire, said, "Having got himself installed, Kaikeyi's son,
Bharata, anxious to render his royalty perfectly safe, is coming hither
for the purpose of slaying us both. Yonder is seen the graceful tree. By
the same appeareth on the car the Kovidara standard, having a shining
top. And men riding swift coursers are at their pleasure making for this
place; and elephant-riders, riding on elephants, are also cheerfully
directing their course hither. Let us, O hero, taking our bows, station
ourselves on this hill. I will (to day) see Bharata, for whom we have
come by this mighty misfortune. Or let us rather remain where we are
accoutred in mail and with our arms ready. Shall he of the Kovidara
banner in conflict come under our sway? O hero, we have met with that
foe of ours for whom, O Raghava, you, Sita and myself have (experienced
such misery), for whom, O Raghava, you have been cast off from the
entire kingdom. Surely, Bharata should be slain by me. O Raghava, fault
find I none in slaying Bharata; slaying a former wronger, one doth not
reap unrighteousness. O Raghava, there is religious merit to be reaped
by slaying Bharata, who had formerly done us wrong. On this one being
slain, you will rule the entire earth. To day shall Kaikeyi lusting
after the kingdom, with grief behold her son slain in battle by me, like
a tree riven by an elephant. I will also kill Kaikeyi along (with the
hump-backed one), and her friends. Let the earth today be freed from
foul sins. To day will I, O bestower of honor, vent my restrained ire
and bad blood upon the hostile hosts, like fire set to a heap of hay.
To-day with sharpened shafts will I cut the bodies of the hostile hosts
and drench the woods of Chitrakuta with their blood. The ferocious
beasts shall drag away elephants and steeds and men slaughtered by me
with arrows penetrating into their hearts. I will, without doubt, in
this forest pay the debt I owe to my bow aid arrows, by slaying Bharata
together with all his forces."