Ayodhya Kaanda
107 - Dialogue between Sri Rama and Bharata; the gift of sandals; Bharata's farewell
Chaupais
Description
The affection (of Sri Rama and Bharata) which baffled the wits of King Janaka and the preceptor (Vasistha),-it would be a great blunder to call it mundane. People would account the poet hard-hearted if they heard him describe the parting of Sri Rama (the Chief of Raghus) and Bharata. The rapture of that delicacy was past all telling; thinking of the love that manifested itself on the occasion even eloquence shrunk into itself. Sri Rama (the Chief of Raghus) first embraced Bharata and consoled him; and then He gladly clasped Satrughna to His bosom. Reading Bharata's mind his servants and ministers all left and set about their respective duties. The people in both the camps were sore distressed to learn this and began to prepare for the return journey. The two brothers (Bharata and Satrughna) adored the lotus-feet of their lord and bowing to the orders of Sri Rama they set out on their journey. They supplicated the sages, ascetics and sylvan gods and honoured them again and again.