Having sent away his friends and determined what to do, Rāma, the
delight of the Rāghus, commanded the warder, who was seated hard by,
saying:—"Do thou speedily bring here, Lakshmana the son of Sumitra and
gifted with auspicious marks, the great Bharata and the irrepressible
Satrughna." Hearing the words of Rāma and placing his folded palms on
his head the warder reached the house of Lakshmana and unobstructed
entered therein. And having saluted him, with folded palms he said to
the high-souled Lakshmana:—"The King wishes to behold thee—do thou soon
go there." Thereupon being apprised of Rāghava’s command and saying "So
be it," Saumitri ascended his car and went speedily towards Rāma’s
abode. Having beheld Lakshmana’s departure the warder humbly went to
Bharata and having blessed him with folded hands said:—"The King wishes
to see thee." Hearing of the command of Rāma from the warder, the highly
powerful Bharata at once got up from his seat and proceeded on foot.
Seeing Bharata’s departure the warder speedily went to Satrughna and
with folded hands said:—"Do thou come, O foremost Raghus, the King
wisheth to behold thee." Hearing the words of the warder Satrughna
lowered his head and rising up speedily proceeded to Rāma. Thereupon
returning, the warder, with folded hands, communicated unto Rāma, the
arrivals of his brothers. So long Rāma was engaged poorly in anxious
meditation with his crown bent downwards. Informed of the princes’
arrival he commanded the warder, "Do thou soon bring the princes here.
My life depends upon them. They are my dearest life." Having obtained
Rāma’s command, the princes, clothed in white raiment, entered there,
with folded palms and quiescent mind. Having entered there they saw that
Rāma’s countenance was shorn of beauty like unto the moon possessed by
Rāhu, the setting sun and the withered lotus and his eyes were full of
tears. Having approached him quickly, and saluted his feet they
anxiously sat there. Thereupon having wiped off his tears and embraced
them with his arms he raised up the princes and pressed them to take
their seats. Thereupon he said—"You are mine all; you constitute my
life; O princes, I am governing the kingdom gained by you; you are all
learned, pious and intelligent. Do ye follow the duties I point out."
Rāma, the descendant of Kākustha having said this, they, with anxiety
and attention, awaited the orders of the king.