Having bade adieu unto bears, monkeys and Rākshasas the long-armed Rāma
began to live happily in the company of his brothers. Thereupon he and
his brothers heard from the air the following sweet accents:—"O gentle
Rāma, do thou with a delighted countenance behold me. O lord, know me as
Pushpaka coming from the abode of Kuvera. O foremost of men, at thy
command I did go there to carry him. But he said to me:—’Having slain
the irrepressible Rāvana in battle the high-souled Rāma, the foremost of
men, hath conquered thee. I have greatly been delighted on the
destruction of the vicious-souled Rāvana, with his relatives, sons and
friends. O gentle one, the great Rāma hath conquered thee in Lankā; I
permit thee, therefore to convey him. Thou art the fit conveyance for
traversing all regions. But my earnest desire is that thou shouldst take
Rāma, the descendant of Raghu. Do, thou therefore go there at pleasure
without any sorrow.’ Hearing this command of the high-souled Kuvera I
have come to thee. Do thou fearlessly accept me. I am above the conquest
of all the worlds. At the command of Kuvera I shall valiantly traverse
all regions carrying out your behests." Hearing the words of Pushpaka,
the highly powerful Rāma said to the returning car stationed in the
welkin:—"O foremost of cars, Pushpaka, if such be the case, do thou come
here; while the lord of wealth hath commanded thus, I will not be
blameable for bad character." Having said this and worshipped it with
dried paddy, fragrant flowers and incense, Rāma, having long arms,
addressed Pushpaka—"Do thou go now and come here whenever I shall
remember thee. While proceeding by the welkin, O gentle one, be not
sorry for our separation. And be not obstructed in thy course whilst
traversing all the quarters." Having been adored by Rāma and saving ’So
be it’ Pushpaka proceeded towards its wished-for direction. And the holy
Pushpaka car having thus vanished, Bharata, with folded palms, said to
Rāma, the delight of Raghus—"O hero, during thy divine administration,
we have seen many inhuman creatures and objects speak like men. During
all these months since thy installation subjects have not suffered from
any disease. Even the most aged animals have not met with death. The
female, without any risk, have been giving birth to children and all
people are plump and delighted. The delight of the citizens hath been
greatly increased, O king. Indra hath been pouring nectar-like showers
in due time. The wind is always delightful and wholesome. O king of men,
the inhabitants of the city and provinces are all saying ’We may have
for ever such a king.’" Hearing those sweet accents given vent to by
Bharata, Rāma, the foremost of kings was greatly delighted.