Ayodhya Kaanda
87 - Dialogue between the sage Vasistha and Bharata; Bharata prepares for a journey to Citrakuta in order to bring Sri Rama back to Ayodhya
Chaupais
Description
Bharata's words pleased all, imbued as they were with the nectar of devotion to Sri Rama. The people who had been burning with the deadly poison of separation from Sri Rama were roused to their senses on hearing as it were a charm against snake poison alongwith its seed-letter.* The mothers, the ministers, the preceptor and the people of the city, all were overwhelmed with emotion. They praised Bharata again and again and said, "Your body is the very personification of affection for Sri Rama. It is no wonder that you should say so, dear Bharata, since you are dear to Rama as his own life. The vile man who through his ignorance hates you because of your mother's perversity, the wretch shall abide in hell for a hundred Kalpas (cycles) with millions of his past generations. A gem on the head of a serpent is not affected by the sins and faults of the serpent; on the other hand, it counteracts poison, sorrow and indigence."