Ayodhya Kaanda
108 - Returning to Ayodhya, Bharata enthrones the sandals and takes up his residence at Nandigrama; the virtue of listening to Bharata's story
Chaupais
Description
Bowing his head at the feet of Sri Rama's mother (Kausalya) and his preceptor (the sage Vasistha) and receiving the permission of the Lord's sandals, Bharata, a staunch upholder of righteousness, erected a hut of leaves at Nandigrama and took up his abode there. Wearing a tuft of a matted locks on his head and clad in hermit's robes, he dug the earth low and spread thereon a litter of Kusa grass. In food, dress, utensils, sacred observances and austerities he devoutly practised the rigid vow of hermits and professedly discarded, in thought, word and deed, all adornments of body, wearing apparel and the many pleasures of the sense. The sovereignty of Ayodhya was the envy even of Indra (the lord of celestials), while the very report of the riches possessed by Dasaratha put to shame even Kubera (the god of riches); yet in that city Bharata dwelt as indifferent as a bee in a garden of Campaka* flowers. The blessed souls who are devoted to Sri Rama renounce like vomit the splendour of Laksmi (the wealth and enjoyments of the world).