Ayodhya Kaanda
107 - Dialogue between Sri Rama and Bharata; the gift of sandals; Bharata's farewell
Chaupais
Description
That mischief, however, proved a boon to all; it helped to sustain their life like the hope of Sri Rama's returning to Ayodhya on the expiry of His term of exile. Otherwise people would have succumbed to the fell disease of separation from Laksmana, Sita and Rama in great agony. By Sri Rama's grace the imbroglio was resolved and the gods, who were hostilely disposed (towards the people of Ayodhya), now turned out helpful as allies. Sri Rama locked His brother, Bharata, in a close embrace; the ecstasy of His love cannot be described in words. His body, mind and speech overflowed with love and the firmest of the firm lost all firmness. His lotus eyes streamed with tears; even the assembly of gods was grieved to see His condition. The host of sages (assembled there), the preceptor (the sage Vasistha) and a champion of firmness like Janaka, the gold of whose mind had been tested in the fire of wisdom, nay, who were created by Brahma as free from all attachment and were born in this world even as the lotus springs up from water (and yet remains ever above it)-