Ayodhya Kaanda
97 - Bharata takes a dip in the Mandakini and arrives at Citrakuta; Bharata and others meet one another, mourn the kingís death and perform his Sraddha (obsequies)
Chaupais
Description
In the meantime the Nisada chief ran and climbed up an eminence, and lifting his arm, exclaimed to Bharata; "My lord, look at those huge and noble trees of Pakara (the citron-leaved Indian fig tree), Jambu (the black plum), Mango and Tamala, in the midst of which stands out a beautiful and stately banyan, which is so charming to behold with its dark and dense foliage, red fruit and unbroken shade, which is pleasant throughout the year, as if God had brought together all that was exquisitely beautiful and given it the shape of a dark and rosy mass. The trees in question, my lord, stand close to the riverside where the Chief of Raghus has erected His hut of leaves. In front of it you will find a variety of charming basil shrubs planted here by Sita and there by Laksmana. And in the shade of the banyan tree there is a lovely altar raised by Sita with Her own lotus hands-