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
His body grew thinner day by day. His fat was reduced, yet his strength of body and the charm of his face remained the same. The flame of his love for Sri Rama was ever bright and strong. His partiality for virtue steadily grew and his mind was not at all sad, even as with the advent of autumn the water (of lakes and rivers etc.) decreases but the rattan plants thrive and the lotus blossoms. Control of the mind and senses, self-restraint, religious observances and fasting shone like so many stars in the cloudless sky of Bharata's heart. His faith stood as the pole-star, the prospect of Sri Rama's return on the expiry of His term of exile represented the full-moon night, while the thought of his lord glistened like the milky way. And his affection for Sri Rama was like a fixed and spotless moon that ever shone clear amidst a galaxy of stars. All great poets hesitate to portray the mode of living, the creed, the doings, the devotion, the dispassion, the stainless virtues and the splendour of Bharata; they baffle the wits of even Sesa (the thousand-headed lord of serpents), Ganesa (the god of wisdom) and Sarasvati (the goddess of speech).