Ayodhya Kaanda
81 - Sri Rama takes up His abode at Citrakuta; the services of the Kolas and Bhilas
Chaupais
Description
Sri Rama (the Chief of Raghu's line) said, "Laksmana, here is a good descent into the river; now make arrangements for our stay somewhere." Laksmana presently surveyed the north bank of the Payaswini river and said, "Lo! a rivulet bends round this bank like a bow with the river itself for its string, control of the mind and senses and charity for its arrows, and all the sins of the Kali age for its many quarries. Armed with this bow Mount Citrakuta looks like an immovable huntsman who takes unerring aim and makes a frontal attack." With these words Laksmana showed the spot and Sri Rama was delighted to see the site. When the gods learnt that the site had captivated Sri Rama's mind, they proceeded to Citrakuta with Visvakarma, the chief of heavenly architects. They all came in the guise of Kolas and Bhilas and put up beautiful dwellings of leaves and grass. They made a pair of huts which were lovely beyond words, the one a fine little cottage and the other larger in size.