Having quartered his forces, Bharata eager (to go to Rama's place), went
to see his brother, showing unto Satrughna the signs of Rama's abode
being in the vicinity. And having desired Vasistha, saying, "Bring my
mothers without delay," that one attached to his superiors went before.
And eager to see Rama even like Bharata himself, Sumantra followed
Bharata at a short distance. And as Bharata passed on, he observed a
neat cottage of leaves stationed among the asylums of anchorets,
furnished with a portion having a wall with a door. And before the
cottage, Bharata saw fuel broken up, and flowers gathered. And he saw at
places signs of Kuca and bark set up on trees when Rama and Lakshmana
(first) arrived at their asylum. And in that habitation, Bharata saw
great heaps of dry dung of deer and buffalos, gathered for preventing
cold. As he proceeded, the intelligent and mighty-armed Bharata with a
cheerful heart remarked unto Satrughna and all the courtiers, "I
conceive, we have reached the tract that was mentioned by Bharadwaja.
Hard by this spot, I fancy, is the river Mandakini. On high are barks
set up by Lakshmana. Having to pass by the way at unusual hours,
(Lakshmana) has marked it with signs. On the side of the hill is the way
by which long-tusked elephants pass to and fro with vehemence, roaring
at each other. Here is seen the dense and dark smoke of that which the
anchorets are ever anxious to preserve in the forest--fire. Even here
shall I with a delighted heart see that foremost of men, the noble
Raghava resembling a Maharshi, ever engaged in serving his superiors."
Then going to Chitrakuta, that descendant of Raghu, coming to the
Mandakini, said unto the men, "That foremost of men in all the world,
the lord of all, coming into seclusion, is in his _yoga_ posture. O fie
upon my birth and my life! For me, having come by misfortune, and
renounced every comfort, the effulgent lord of men, Raghava, is dwelling
in the woods. I shall be taxed of men on the score. To-day (first)
pacifying him, I will fall at the feet of Rama as well as of Sita and
Lakshmana." Having thus bewailed, Dacaratha's son saw a splendid,
charming, and holy dwelling in that forest, composed of leaves. And
Bharata beheld in Rama's habitation a sacred structure made of leaves,
covered with a profusion of _Sala_, palm, and Acwakarna leaves; spread
with soft Kuca, like a dais in a sacrifice; adorned with bows resembling
the iris, plaited on the back with gold, of mighty force, and capable of
achieving arduous feets and destroying foes; and garnished with arrows
in quivers, seeming like the rays of the sun, with flaming mouths,--like
unto the Bhogavati with serpents; and exceedingly beautified with golden
sheaths and scimitars and shields spangled with gold and nice guana
finger-fences decked with gold; inaccessible unto foes like a lions's
den unto deer; and furnished with a spacious dais inclined on the
north-east, with a fire flaming on it. And looking around, anon Bharata
saw his superior Rama seated in the cottage bearing a head of matted
locks, clad in a black deer-skin, and having tattered cloth and bark for
his garment. And he saw Rama seated like unto a flame--with leonine
shoulders, mighty arms, and eyes resembling lotuses--the righteous lord
of this world bounded by the seas--saw the mighty-armed one like unto
the eternal Brahma, seated on a skin-seat on the ground along with Sita
and Lakshmana. And seeing him, overwhelmed with grief and affliction,
the righteous and graceful son of Kaikeyi, Bharata, rushed (towards
him). And soon as Bharata saw Rama, he, exceedingly distressed,broke out
into lamentations in words choked with sorrow. And incapable of holding
himself in patience, he said, "That elder brother of mine, who (seated)
in court should be surrounded by the subjects intent upon paying him
homage, is now surrounded by wild deer. He that used to adorn his person
with attire worth many thousands (of things), engaged in observing
morality, is clad in deer-skin. Why doth he that always wore variegated
blossoms, Raghava, beareth this burthen of matted locks? He who is
worthy of acquiring religious merit by celebrating sacrifices according
to the ordinance, is now following morality by afflicting his person.
How is the person of that one whose body used to be daubed with costly
sandal, covered with dust? It is for me that Rama, although deserving of
comfort, has come by this misfortune. Wicked that I am, fie upon my life
despised of men!" Thus lamenting in woful guise, with the lotus of his
countenance covered with sweat, Bharata coming at Rama's feet, fell at
them bewailing. And inflamed with grief, the exceedingly powerful prince
Bharata, having in distress of spirit uttered, "O noble one," again said
nothing. And beholding the illustrious Rama, Bharata with his utterance
choked with emotion, exclaimed, "O noble one," and was unable to say
anything further. Then Satrughna also weeping paid homage unto the feet
of Rama. And shedding tears, Rama embraced them both. Then as in the
sky, the Sun and the Moon meet with Sukra and Vrihashpati, those two
princes (Rama and Lakshmana) met with Sumantra and Guha in the forest.
And beholding those kings resembling leaders of elephant-herds met
together in that mighty forest, the dwellers in the woods, resigning
their cheerfulness, began to shed tears.