Ayodhya Kaanda
77 - Arrival at Prayaga and dialogue between Sri Rama and the sage Bharadvaja; the love of the people inhabiting the bank of the Yamuna
Chaupais
Description
Hearing of their arrival the people inhabiting the river banks ran to see them unmindful of their duties. Beholding the beauty of Laksmana, Rama and Sita they congratulated themselves on their good luck. Their hearts were seized with intense longing, but they felt shy in enquiring the names and residence of the newcomers. Such of them, however, as were advanced in years and intelligent were able to recognize Rama by dint of their wit. They related to them the whole story telling them how Sri Rama had proceeded to the woods in obedience to His father's commands. They were all sad to hear this and lamented: "The king and queen have not done well." In the meantime there arrived an ascetic who was an embodiment of spiritual glow, young in years and charming in appearance. His ways were unknown to the poet; he was attired in the garb of a recluse and was devoted to Rama in thought, word and deed.