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
The moment Bharata heard the words of his friend (Guha) and saw the trees tears rushed to his eyes. The two brothers (Bharata and Satrughna) made obeisance as they proceeded; even Sarada (the goddess of speech) felt diffident in describing their love (for Sri Rama). They were as delighted to behold Sri Rama's footprints as a pauper who had stumbled on a philosopher's stone. Placing the dust on their head and heart they applied it to their eyes and experienced the same degree of joy as they would on seeing the Chief of Raghus Himself. Perceiving Bharata's condition, which was altogether beyond description, beasts and birds and even inanimate creatures (such as trees etc.,) were overwhelmed with emotion. Overpowered by love Bharata's friend (Guha) lost his way; but the gods showed it to him and rained flowers. Godrealized saints as well as striving souls were filled with love at his very sight and began to praise his natural affection. If Bharata had not been born on this globe (or if the earth had not witnessed his love) it would not have been possible to turn inanimate into animate and animate into inanimate beings.