Having stationed his troops, that best of men, the master, became
anxious to go on foot to the Kakutstha honoring his superiors. And the
forces having with humility took up the quarters assigned, Bharata
addressed his brother, Satrughna, saying, "O mild one, it behoves thee
at once to search this forest all round in company with a large body of
men as well as these Nishadas. And let Guha himself accompanied by a
thousand of his kindred bearing in their hands arrows and bows and
scimitars, also search for the Kakutstha in this forest. Accompanied by
counsellors, citizens, preceptors and twice-born ones, I will on foot
range every direction. So long as I do not see Rama, or the mighty
Lakshmana, or the highly exalted daughter of Videha, I shall not attain
peace of mind. And so long as I do not see that face of his fair as the
moon, with eyes expansive like lotuses, I shall not attain peace of
mind. Surely, Sumitra's son, Lakshmana, who beholds Rama's countenance
like the stainless moon, with eyes resembling lotuses, and beaming in
effulgence, is blessed. So long as I do not take on my head those feet
of my brother bearing royal marks, I shall not attain peace of mind. So
long as established in the kingdom of his father and grandfather, that
one worthy of the monarchy is not sprinkled with the water of
installation, I shall not attain peace of mind. Blessed is Vaidehi, the
eminently virtuous daughter of Janaka, who followeth the lord of this
Earth bounded by the seas. And this Chitrakuta is fortunate--this hill
like unto the monarch of mountains-- in which resides Kakutstha, like
Kuvera in Nandana. And blessed is this deep forest inhabited by
ferocious animals, where abideth the great king Rama, the foremost of
those bearing arms." Having said this, that best of men, the
mighty-armed and highly energetic Bharata, on foot entered the vast
forest. And that best of speakers went over the mountain-side through
ranks of blossoming trees. Then swiftly ascending a _Sala_ on
Chitrakuta, he descried the high column of smoke belonging unto Rama's
asylum. Having seen this, like one that has crossed over the ocean, the
graceful Bharata, concluding that Rama was there, rejoiced exceedingly
along with his friends. Having heard that Rama's asylum containing pious
people lay in Chitrakuta, that high-souled one again stationing his
forces, speedily went (in that direction), accompanied by Guha.