Ayodhya Kaanda
92 - Bharadvaja shows hospitality to Bharata
Chaupais
Description
Bharata and his party took a dip into the Triveni (the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati), the chief of sacred places, and bowed their head to the sage (Bharadvaja). Bharata reverently received his orders and blessings and prostrating himself made much supplication. Accompanied by expert guides and taking the whole host alongwith him he proceeded on his journey with his thoughts directed towards Citrakuta. Holding Sri Rama's friend (Guha) by the hand he walked along like the very incarnation of love. He had no shoes and no umbrella over his head; and his love, self-discipline, austerity and piety were unfeigned. He asked his friend (Guha) to give an account of the wanderings of Laksmana, Sri Rama and Sita; while Guha narrated the same in soft accents. When he saw the spots where Sri Rama had rested and the trees under which he had halted the emotion within his breast could not be repressed. The gods who beheld his condition rained down flowers; the earth grew soft and the road became pleasant.