Then taking the pair of sandals on his head, Bharata in company with
Satrughna well pleased, ascended the car. And Vasishtha, and Vamadeva
and Javali steady in his vow, as well as the ministers, honored on
account of their counsels, went before. And going round the charming
Mandakini, thy went eastwards, circumambulating (at the same time) the
mighty hill, Chitrakuta. And beholding various kinds of beautiful
minerels by thousands. Bharata accompanied by his army went by the side
(of the hill). At a short distance from Chitrakuta, Bharata beheld the
spot where the ascetic Bharadwaja had built his habitation. Approaching
the asylum, the puissant Bharata descended from the car, and the son of
Raghu then paid homage unto the saint's feet. Thereat Bharadwaja well
pleased said, "Hast thou, my child, on meeting with Rama, done what it
behoved thee to do?" Thus addressed by the intelligent Bharadwaja,
Bharata attached to righteousness answered the former, saying,
"Solicited by our preceptor as well as by myself, Raghava of steady
prowess highly pleased spoke unto Vasishtha, 'I would faithfully perform
my father's promise for fourteen years; for even this is the promise of
my father.' Thus accosted, the eminently wise Vasishtha skilled in
speech replied unto Rlghava in these pregnant words, 'Do thou well
pleased confer (on Bharata) thy sandals decked in gold. Thereby, O
exceedingly wise one, thou wilt be able to protect what the people have
and secure unto them what they have not.' Thus addressed by Vasishtha,
Raghava facing the east, conferred on me his sandals decked in gold, in
order that I might carry on the government of the kingdom. Commanded by
the magnanimous Rama, I retrace my steps. I will go to Ayodhya, taking
the sandals along with me." Hearing these auspicious words of the high-
souled Bharata, the ascetic Bharadwaja said unto Bharata, "It is no
wonder that Rama hath acted nobly by thee, foremost among men and
possessed of an (excellent) character and disposition, even as water
poured out, floweth downwards. Thy father Dacaratha hath become freed
from his debts, since he hath a son like unto thee, righteous and
attached to virtue". When the ascetic had said this, Bharata with joined
palms paid his respects unto that highly wise one, by taking hold of his
feet. And after having again and again gone round Bharadwaja, the
graceful Bharata went to Ayodhya accompaniad by his counsellors. And
returning by means of cars and carts, horses and elephants, that army
marching in the wake of Bharata, spread wide. And after having crossed
the beautiful river Yamuna flowing in waves, they again beheld the river
Ganga of auspicious waters. And having along with his friend crossed
over that river filled with beautiful waters, Bharata together with his
army entered the charming city of Sringava. And from the city of
Sringava he went to Ayodhya and again beheld it. And seeing Ayodhya
bereft of his father and mother, Bharata burning in grief, said unto the
charioteer, "O charioteer, behold that Ayodhya, which shorn of its
splendour and decorations, and plunged in grief, forlorn and silent,
doth not appear delightful."